Do prepaid credit cards build your credit?
Rachel Davis
Updated on February 03, 2026
Prepaid cards are more like debit cards and cannot help you build your credit because they do not report to the major credit bureaus.
Can you run a NetSpend card as credit?
Your selection just determines how the payment is processed. When you pay with a prepaid card at a retail location with a PIN pad, you may have the option to choose whether to run the card as “credit” or “debit.” If you did not create a PIN, choose “credit.” If you choose “credit,” you only need to sign your name.
What is the point of a NetSpend card?
The cards allow consumers to add, spend, withdraw and manage money. Customers can access features such as person-to-person bank transfers, direct deposit of employer or government checks, text alerts, a rewards program, budgeting tools and a tiered-rate savings account option.
What is the best pre paid credit card?
Summary of the best prepaid credit cards
| Monthly fee | Activation fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Brinks Prepaid Mastercard® | $9.95/$5 for direct deposits of $500 or more | None |
| PayPal Prepaid MasterCard® | $4.95 | None |
| Mileage Plus® GO Visa® Prepaid Card | $5.95/$85 annual | None |
| Walmart MoneyCard® Visa® or MasterCard® with Cash-Back Rewards | $5.00; waived over $1,000 | None |
Do you have to put your name on a prepaid card?
When purchasing a prepaid card for anonymous use, it’s important to avoid cards which are reloadable. The reloadable cards usually involve actual credit and, as such, require a social security number to be activated. Non-reloadable cards only require a name and address. This information is never verified.
What is the maximum amount you can load on a netspend card?
$15,000
What is the Maximum Amount You Can Load Onto a NetSpend Card? Netspend will allow you to have up to $15,000 in your account at any time. You cannot deposit more than $15,000 within a 30-day period. When using your card, you can spend up to $4,999 each day without restrictions.
Why does NetSpend ask for SSN?
Netspend offers prepaid debit cards from Visa and Mastercard. Netspend doesn’t require a credit check and you don’t have to keep a minimum balance on the card. To activate a Netspend prepaid card, you’ll need to provide a Social Security number (SSN). This process also helps Netspend protect your account from fraud.
How much can you spend on a Netspend debit card?
You can then use the card just as you would a normal credit card so long as you do not exceed your spending limit, which would be the $300 or $500 you used to secure it. How you use this card will be reported to the three credit bureaus.
Do you have to report Netspend to credit bureaus?
A: NetSpend does not report to credit bureaus in any capacity. NetSpend is a prepaid debit card program that allows cardholders to pre-fund their accounts with debit card capabilities.
Do you have to have a checking account to use Netspend?
It must be linked to either a checking or savings account and its only limit is how much money you have in the account it’s linked to. NetSpend bills itself as a prepaid debit card. However, as nearly as I can tell it’s just a prepaid card.
What’s the difference between Netspend visa and MasterCard?
Netspend card options include the Netspend Visa® Prepaid Card and the Netspend® Prepaid Mastercard®. With the exception of the payment network on which they’re issued, there’s no difference between the two.
