HR Block Emerald Card – The Fee Machine

After watching many ads touting HR Block's Emerald Card, I decided to check it out. Originally, I thought this prepaid Mastercard was just a way for them to tack on an enormous fee for a refund anticipation loan. Reviewing their website, I learned it has some value, but it is an enormous fee machine for HR Block. They even charge a $2.50 per month monthly maintenance fee on inactive cards. I expect the managers at HR Block will be happy to take your money.

The Benefits: for people who cannot get traditional bank accounts, it does have some value. Rather than carrying around cash (and risking getting robbed), they do provide "somewhere" to deposit funds. Nevertheless, I suspect anyone who qualifies for this card will qualify for a low-cost checking account.

• Payroll Service - Payroll can be deposited directly by employers to the card.
  
• Cash Access: The fee is $1.95 per transaction when using certain ATMs in the U.S. and $2.50 per transaction when traveling abroad.
  
• Cash Back with Purchase: By using it as a traditional debit card, users can withdraw cash from your prepaid card when shopping, with no need to make a special trip to the ATM. Usually, this will be a no cost transaction.
  

The Enormous Costs:

• ATM: Cash Withdrawal Fee $1.95
  
• Domestic ATM Balance Inquiry Fee $1
  
• International ATM Cash Withdrawal Fee $2.50
  
• International ATM Balance Inquiry Fee $1.50
  
• ATM Denial $0.50
  
• Over Limit Fee No fee
  
• Additional Card Fee $10
  
• Replacement Card Fee $10
  
• Express Delivery Fee for Replacement Card $35
  
• Check Request or Outgoing ACH Fee $20
  
• Paper Statement Fee $1
  
• Duplicate Paper Statement Fee $2.50
  

Monthly Maintenance Fees Monthly Maintenance Fee $2.50 (per month — begins the fourth month following 3 months of no activity on the card account)