Netspend Meta Bank Reloadable debit/credit card scam for fees and to obtain personal identification info Austin, Texas

I purchased a reloadable debit/credit card for my 15 year old daughter's use.   I loaded the card with $100, plus paid the $3.95 service fee. 

I did not realize the company would charge $1 to $2.50 for each transaction.  Once I opened the card, I saw that there was an offer to pay an additional $9.95 per month to use the card in non-debit situations to avoid these charges.  Well, that was frustrating because I thought I was just buying a card that could have the balance reduced as it was spent, and that the $3.95 was the cost for this benefit.  Not that it would eat away at the balance with hidden fees, in addition to the fee I already paid.

I thought I would buy the $9.95 upgrade so at least my daughter could use it over one month for her small transactions.  When I called customer service, I was told (by clearly an off-shore service center) that unless I faxed my driver's license, social security number, birth certificate, current utility bill, etc. to a random "customer service" representative, that the card could only be used for credit transactions at at least $1 per transaction.  The additional $9.95 "upgrade" (to avoid per-transaction charges) was not available.  Plus, the card was not available for debit/atm transactions.

I could not believe they wanted my most personal information faxed to a general number when I thought I was just buying a simple reloadable credit card, so I asked to speak to a manager. 

I was put on hold indefinitely.

Needless to say, I will buy something once to use up this card balance and NEVER reload it.  I would not recommend anyone every use this card or this company.