Spending in shops and online

 
Once you've loaded your Visa Prepaid CitizenCard you can spend any amount provided it doesn't exceed the available balance. You can spend online and at 29 million Visa outlets worldwide. Unlike some prepaid cards there are no spend fees so you can spend 100% of the value held on the card. Just look for the Visa sign to be sure you can spend with the card.

At retail premises you need to put your card into a Chip and PIN card reader and enter your unique PIN number.  When you receive your card you must activate it, consent to the Visa Prepaid CitizenCard Terms & Conditions after which you will be notified of your PIN number.  This must NEVER be kept with the card and should be memorised rather than written down.  If you need to be reminded of it you can get a PIN reminder here . You can also get a new PIN (£0.55 fee applies) via SMS or telephone (IVR).

For more information about Chip and PIN view here. 

Withdrawing Cash

You can withdraw cash free of charge when you make a purchase at most high street retailers provided they offer 'cashback'. You can also withdraw up to £100 in cash from almost any ATM for a £1 fee in the UK and £2 abroad.  Subsequent withdrawals can be made for a further fee up to a maximum daily limit of £400.

Protecting Children

Visa Prepaid CitizenCard cardholders aged 12-17 cannot use their card: at licensed premises; to gamble; to hire a car; in a pawn shop; or to use escort or massage services. 

All websites selling or providing age-restricted goods or services are legally obliged to distinguish between cardholders 18 or older and those under-18.  This is because the first 8 digits of the 16-digit card number are different for under-18s (digit 8 is 1 for under-18s and 2 for adults). So responsible websites can distinguish between adult and child cardholders.