A prepaid card is a rechargeable card that relies on a payment circuit whose logo is clearly shown on the card itself. Each prepaid card has a different procedure through which to know the balance, for this reason, it is always good to inquire in time about the functioning of your card.
Regardless of the method used, you should know that the updating of the balance on the card takes place in real-time, therefore at the moment in which the transaction occurs (purchase, withdrawal, or deposit). The operation, on the other hand, does not immediately appear in the list of movements.
In this regard, before answering the question “ how do I know how much money I have on the prepaid card ?”, It is good to introduce the difference between the book balance and the available balance.
Prepaid card: the difference between account balance and available balance
What is the real amount on your prepaid card between the account balance and the available balance? The answer, which is valid for any type of payment card and not just for prepaid cards, is the following:
- the account balance is the figure represented by the income and expenses up to a certain date;
- the available balance is the amount that is actually in possession, which takes into account the last transaction made.
When you want to make a new purchase, you must therefore refer to the amount indicated in the available balance section.
How to check the balance of a prepaid card?
To find out how to see how much money I have on the card, you can use one of the methods made available by the institution that issued this card. Each bank can choose which tools to make available to its customers for checking the balance of a prepaid. In general, it is possible to identify some main channels to exploit for the verification of the balance.
The balance on the card can be checked:
- by going to any ATM and selecting the item Balances and transactions. Usually, it is also possible to be able to print the balance and the list of the last transactions directly at the counter;
- through Internet banking, then accessing your bank’s website with the credentials associated with your prepaid card. This is a membership code and a PIN. For security reasons, the entry of a temporary code is also often required, which changes from time to time, and which is generated by the app connected to the card; each bank has specific methods for authenticating to Internet banking with the obligation to comply with certain minimum security requirements;
- using the mobile app of your bank and then logging in to Internet banking directly from your smartphone; the access data are usually the same used to access Internet banking from a PC; today almost all banks have their own app available on both Android and iOS
- at the physical count of the bank that issued the card, by contacting an operator; to carry out this verification it may be necessary to have an identification document confirming one’s identity;
- alternatively, it is also possible to know the balance by calling the telephone numbers made available by your bank;
- some banks also offer the possibility to receive an SMS to be informed in a simple and fast way not only on the movements of your card in real-time but also on the remaining credit; such SMS may include a fixed cost for each message received.
To obtain a complete list of the options available for checking the balance of your prepaid card, it is advisable to consult the website of the bank that issued the card. Alternatively, it will be possible to contact the institute’s customer service, via telephone assistance or via the webchat channels now offered by almost all banks.
How to know the balance of a PayPal prepaid card
The PayPal card is one of the most widespread and used prepaid cards in Italy: it is a card belonging to the MasterCard circuit, which can be used both for domestic and international purchases, and which is also equipped with an IBAN code: you can use it to make and receive wire transfers, to credit your salary, and so on.
Being a prepaid card, it must be recharged and is therefore not associated with an account: in Italy, it is issued by and distributed by . There are several procedures that can be put into practice to find out how much money you have on your PayPal prepaid card.
The most common are:
- through home banking;
- using the app, available for smartphones and tablets;
- by going to a sales point;
- by contacting customer service numbers.
Paypal prepaid card: find out the balance online through the website and app
The balance and all the movements of your PayPal prepaid card can be found by accessing the customer area of the PayPal website: an Internet connection will be enough to be able to know in real-time, in a few clicks, and at any time of day or night, information on availability on the card.
Simply click on the word Prepaid Balance and you will land on a page of the website: you will then have to enter your Internet code and password connected to the card and you will immediately have access to all information regarding PayPal.
The same operation can be done through the app, which is available in both the iOS and Android versions. After downloading it, simply enter your credentials and click on Manage balance to access the balance and movements of your prepaid card.
Paypal prepaid card: find out the balance offline
As an alternative to more modern systems, which are generally very practical and also save a lot of time, there are the traditional methods to know the balance of your PayPal:
- the second alternative is represented by the telephone: to find out the balance and movements of the card
At this point, you will have to provide some information to prove that you are the holder of the card for which you are requesting information on balance and movements. Therefore, the following must be communicated:
- the last four digits of the number on the front of the card;
- the 12 digits found on the back, under the barcode;
- your date of birth, in the format day/month/year.
It will therefore be possible to know how much money you have available at that moment, while the list of movements will be sent by email.
How to see the balance on the SisalPay card?
In case you have purchased a card, now transferred to the Mooney service, you can download the Mooney app and check the balance of your card through this tool at any time from your mobile. By registering your card and pairing it with the app on your smartphone, you can also make payments for bills and bulletins by taking a photo of the document, furthermore, this system allows you to store receipts for transactions made with SisalPay on your device.
If you have not yet registered, you can do it in a few minutes, go to the app from Google Play or the App Store and download the application. Log in and click on Register, then enter your card ID code and follow the on-screen instructions. You will also need to provide an email and password which will become your credentials. Once you log in to the SisalPay Card section for the first time, you will need to set up an access key for the online management of your card.
You can then always have your movements and balance under control by logging in. The path to follow is the Cards menu, then click on the SisalPay Card item and on the Manage card.
Where can I withdraw with SisalPay?
Withdrawal limits with Mooney SisalPay cards range from 25 euros to 250 euros, in order to complete the operation you will need to have your tax code with you. The document is essential to be able to carry out the transaction, as well as the PIN to confirm the operation. To proceed with the withdrawal you can go to the ATMs affiliated with Mastercard.
Mooney customers will also be able to withdraw from affiliated retail outlets. The list of Mooney points includes newsstands, tobacconists, but also auto clubs, bars, cafes, and pharmacies. Affiliated retailers who show the Sisal5 symbol also extend this service to top up your card.
How to check your Mooney card credit
To find out how to see the balance of the Mooney billed cart, just download the Mooney app and use your Mooney or SisalPay account, or register by entering the user code found on the back of the card. The application also allows you to download your statement by choosing the Mooney Card Documents section.
In addition to the procedures for the Mooney card balance, this payment instrument in its specifications is in all respects equivalent to SisalPay, which as we have seen in fact is replacing: the customer service numbers are the same and the ceiling of 20,000 euros is also identical.
If you already have the Sisalpay card, you can also ask for the Mooney card, as long as you don’t already have another Mooney card.
How to check the credit of a prepaid card?
In short, therefore, checking the credit of your card is now a very simple operation. You can check at the counters if the card is combined with an account or has been issued by a bank. In any case, it will be possible to carry out a credit check available through the application connected to the prepaid card or by requesting information via text message.
If you urgently need to know what balance is available and you are near an ATM, you can also request the extract from the ATM. The mobile banking and home banking services allow you to check movement data and residual credit also by logging into your online account, entering your credentials, and then selecting the card whose balance you want to check.
