Will I be charged a fee if I don't use my prepaid card?
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Some prepaid cards charge an “inactivity” fee if you don’t use your card for a certain period. If your card has a regular monthly fee, you will be charged that amount whether or not you use the card.
The length of time that triggers inactivity fees can vary from 90 days to 12 months. You may be charged the inactivity fee each month until you use your card again.
If your card charges inactivity fees, check the cardholder agreement to see what you can do to avoid the fee. “Using” your card doesn’t necessarily mean making a purchase – it could also mean making a cash withdrawal, adding money to the card, or checking your card’s balance.
The CFPB’s prepaid rule, which came into effect April 1, 2019, requires providers to give you disclosures about the card’s fees, including whether there is an inactivity fee, before you choose a prepaid account.