Insight Cards
Complaint 345429 Details

25.00 Prepaid VISA card. Unable to use card (declined constantly), then charged dormancy fees/declined fees, only to spend $1 to $2 per transaction if you are able to use it.

I have had this card for months, tried repeatedly to use this card, only to be embarrassed from multiple locations declining it, then because I have been unable to find a business that will allow any of the transactions to go through, I have been charged dormancy fees. I have tried repeatedly to call the number on the back of the card: 1-888-572-8472 but only got automated recordings that were of little help.

Finally, I called VISA HQ at 1-800-847-2911. Upon speaking with VISA, VISA transferred me to INSIGHT. (Multiple calls made.)

1) VISA transferred me and I explain things to the individual at INSIGHT. She seemed helpful but put me on hold and then my call ended.

2) VISA told me to contact the BBB and transferred me to the hotline.

3) VISA, in an attempt to transfer me to INSIGHT, stated that the person she spoke to when she informed that she was calling from VISA hung up on her. She provided me with number to call directly and then tried to again to transfer me to see if I had better luck. Upon being transferred, I reached a representative. I discussed things with her and restated my frustrations and she stated that the previous person had refunded me 11.00. While pleasantly surprised that any progress was made, I am still out $5.00, actually $4.95, that I have been unable to use.

I was also informed that I need to cancel the card, that was given to me as prepaid VISA card, or the account will go negative when I am charged the $3.95 dormancy charge every month if I do not use it anymore.

In addition, I was told about a trick in how to speak to a representative. You have to let the automated system play through twice and then on the third time you must hit "9" to speak to a representative.

I also provided written confirmation through secure email to insight to close the account only for the company to tell me in a response that I have to call a hotline that is difficult to reach anyone to close the account, inspite of and instead of adhering to the written correspondence.

This is a total ripoff dynamic that is very shady.

1) Has been extremely difficult to access the money. Have attempted to use the card at multiple locations, Wal-Mart, Sam's, GameStop, Logan's, etc.

2) Because of the difficulty, I have had to unknowingly have my available balance reduced by a "dormancy" fee charge.

3) Normally, gift cards and prepaid VISA cards will have the available balance apply towards an amount owed when using multiple payment methods. This one is declined and when the card is declined, you are charged a "declined" fee.

4) When you stop using the card, you are charged a fee for not using it.

5) When you use the card you are charged $1.00 (credit) or $2.00 (when you use a PIN) per transaction to use your money.

5) Extremely difficult to reach anyone to resolve issues.

It seems that the entire system is set up for you to put money on the card, associate your name to it, prevent you from using your money so that INSIGHT can get rich, charge you to use your own money so that INSIGHT can get rich, and then when you stop using it because your name is associated with it INSIGHT charges a fee so that INSIGHT can get rich. Then, when you try to close the account, INSIGHT makes it difficult to do so in order that INSIGHT can get rich.

To me this entire setup seems to either be borderline fraudulent with the way the system is set up or at least unethical in the manner that the business preys on the individuals who receives a card. This one was a gift to me that has caused tremendous frustration and getting pissed off when trying to use the card.

VISA, itself, would be wise to remove their logo.

Also, I am curious if the business practices of this institution could involve a class action lawsuit for the way they take the money from the owners of the funds. In my case, I had $25.00 and out of that, I have only been able to use $9.00 of my funds, prior to fighting for funds to be refunded. That translates to only being able to use 36% of the money that was once on the card. Even if I made one transaction before the dormancy charges and actually get it to go through, I would only ever be able to use $24.00 or 96% of the cards value, and that is if I was able to get the transaction to go through.

Reported to BBB.