eclipse prepaid MasterCard® – Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 360money?
Fees at a glance
How to get one
How to top up your card
On-line shopping
Why so safe?
Minimum age
Difference between prepaid and credit cards
Approval for the card – What if I have bad credit/CCJs?
Receiving and activating my card
Locations you can use your eclipse prepaid MasterCard®
ATM cash machine usage
Restricted cards and limits
Lost/stolen cards
Extra cards
Will my card expire?

What is 360money?

360money is Britain's biggest prepay network. We provide prepaid card accounts with access to a nationwide network of over 34,000 top up facilities. A 360money prepaid card account gives you complete control of your money and how you spend it along with the freedom to buy on-line. You can top up your card with cash, spend it or put it aside for later. You can also check your balance on the Internet or over the phone. 360money is not a bank account.

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Fees at a glance

Fees	Pay Monthly	Pay as you go
Card Application Fee	£8.95	£8.95
Monthly Management Fee	£4.45	FREE
Transaction Fee	FREE	£0.75
ATM Cash Withdrawal	£1.50 (1.5% Foreign Transaction Fee on International ATMs)	£1.50 (1.5% Foreign Transaction Fee on International ATMs)
Top up – Debit card	£0.75	£0.75
Top up – Credit card	£0.49 + 2.5%	£0.49 + 2.5%
Cash Top up – Post Office®	FREE	FREE
Bank Account Transfers	FREE	FREE
Phone balance enquiry	FREE (local rate call)	FREE (local rate call)
Internet balance enquiry	FREE	FREE
Text balance enquiry (mobile phone)	£0.10	£0.10
Paper statement	£5.00	£5.00
On-line statement	FREE	FREE
Foreign Transaction Fee	1.5%	1.5%

For full fee information, click here.

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How to get one

How to get a card and who can get one

The eclipse prepaid MasterCard® is recommended for anyone who wants to a highly flexible and secure MasterCard card, without the need for a bank account.

To get a card, you will need to complete the ‘Apply now’ section of this website. To do this you will need your name, address, date of birth, email address and a method of payment (see how to pay). Your card will be delivered within 10 working days of your application being confirmed.

Do I need a bank account to get a card?

No. You do not need to have or open a bank account to get an eclipse prepaid MasterCard.

Do I need a good credit record to get a card?

No. There is no credit check required to receive your card. The card is available to anyone, whatever their credit history, because the eclipse prepaid MasterCard is not a credit card.

Will I require any ID to complete my card application?

No. When you apply for your card, we will ask for your name, and full address with a valid postcode. We need this to deliver your card. However, we do reserve the right to decline your application if the details you provide do not match the details on our postal address database. We will also use external verification agencies to confirm your address as part of our commitment to fraud prevention. In some cases, restrictions may apply on your card, these are easily removed by following these simple instructions.

How do I pay for my card?

There are three simple ways to pay for your card:

With a credit or a debit card. Please key in your details when prompted for payment in the ‘Apply now’ section.

With cash by buying a 360money e-voucher at any of the 16,000 PayPoint outlets across the UK. Click here to find your nearest PayPoint location. This voucher number can then be inputted when prompted for payment in the 'Apply now’ section.

With a text message (SMS) – To apply for an eclipse prepaid MasterCard using your mobile, simply text the word ‘APPLY’ to 82023 You will then be sent a unique code to enter at the payment stage.

Please note: only one card can be applied for per mobile phone

See the 'how to pay' section for full details.

If I want to pay for my card using an e-voucher, how do I purchase one and use it?

You can buy an e-voucher at any PayPoint outlet which you then use On-line when completing your application.

Decide how much money you want to load onto your eclipse prepaid MasterCard. Your application fee (£8.95) will be deducted from this amount.

Print off this coupon (optional), visit any PayPoint outlet and state you wish to purchase a 360money e-voucher for the required amount.

Keep the e-voucher you receive and return to this site. During the application process you will be prompted for payment; simply key in the e-voucher number to complete payment.

Where is my nearest PayPoint outlet?

Use the Locator to find your nearest PayPoint outlet.

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How to top up your card

How can I top up my eclipse prepaid MasterCard?

Your card can be topped up in the following ways:

Simply use the information on the bank transfer information form to have money loaded onto your eclipse prepaid MasterCard. You can then transfer money by phoning your bank, popping into your nearest branch or via their secure on-line banking service.

With cash by taking your card to any Post Office® branch or PayPoint outlet in the UK.

If you don't have your card with you and want to top up you can buy a 360money e-voucher from any PayPoint outlet. Friends and family can also buy e-vouchers for you! Click here to find the nearest PayPoint location.

On-line with a credit or debit card by logging in to 'Your Account' on this website and selecting the Top up option from the menu. Please note that cards must be MasterCard Secure Code or Verified by Visa registered and this option is not available to Restricted cardholders. See the 'Top up ' page for details.

How can cards be topped up by direct transfers or from my wages?

You can top up your card from a bank account or have your wages paid directly from your employer. To have your wages paid directly from your employer all you have to do is:

Print off this Form.

Complete the form and give it to your employer.

Your wages will be transferred directly to your card within 4 days for FREE!

Note: We recommend you ensure that your card has no yearly spending and cash withdrawals limits before you set up a wage transfer. If your card has limits on total spending and ATM cash machine use you will need to provide us with documentation as instructed on the reverse of the welcome letter you received with your card. For more information please see the 'Upgrading My Card' section of these Help pages.

To transfer money directly from a bank account:

You will need to contact the bank to set up the transfer. You will need the following information:

You must include the account number found on the back of your card as the payment reference.

This is the 14 digit number starting with 4201 that can be found on the top of the back of your card (see image below):

Note: We will not be able to transfer the funds to the cardholder if you do not enter the 14 digit account number correctly and in full. Transfers may take up to 4 working days to reach your card once they have cleared in our account.

Please see the 'Top Up' section for more details.

How long does it take for my money to be available on my card after I have topped up?

PayPoint card top up:	Up to 30 minutes
PayPoint e-voucher	As soon as you enter your e-voucher number On-line
Post Office® card top up	One business day (Monday – Friday)
Credit/Debit card top up	Up to two working days
Direct transfers (bank account or wages)	Within 4 days of the payment clearing in our account

How do I top up my card at a Post Office® branch or PayPoint outlet?

If you want to top up your card using cash then visit your nearest Post Office® branch or PayPoint outlet and ask to top up your card:

Hand over your eclipse prepaid MasterCard at the counter. Request and pay for your required top up amount. Your card will then be swiped and topped up. Remember to ask for your receipt when the transaction is completed.

Note: A maximum load limit of £500.00 applies at Post Office® branches and top ups take one business day to be available on your card. PayPoint requires a minimum load of £10 and has a maximum load limit of £499.99, top up is available after 30 minutes.

How can cards be topped up using a PayPoint e-voucher?

To top up without your card, visit any PayPoint outlet and purchase a 360money e-voucher. Friends and family can also buy e-vouchers for you!

Print off this coupon (optional).

Visit any PayPoint outlet (present the coupon if you have printed one), ask and pay for a 360money e-voucher for the required amount.

Keep the e-voucher you receive and return to this website. To top up your card visit 'Your Account' and select ‘top up’. Simply enter your e-voucher number when requested.

Are there any minimum or maximum limits that I should be aware of?

Yes, please see table below:

Minimum cash load amount	£10.00
Minimum Credit/Debit card load amount	£20
Maximum load amount Post Office® PayPoint	£500 £499.99
Credit/Debit card daily load limit	£500
Card balance limit at any one time	£3,500
Recommended minimum balance on your card	£10.00
Max value per withdrawal	£250

*When an additional card is added to the account, the maximum account balance limit is increased to £4,500.00.

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On-line shopping

Can I spend money on-line?

Yes you can, providing your eclipse prepaid MasterCard has sufficient funds loaded on it, you can shop on-line safely and securely wherever you see the MasterCard® acceptance mark.

How do I buy over the Internet with my card?

You can shop anywhere the MasterCard® acceptance mark is displayed.

When completing your on-line transaction, select MasterCard as the payment option. Be aware that during the payment process you may be asked for the following details that are found on your card:

Your name as it appears on your card.
The card number (the 16 digit number on the front of the card).
The valid from or start date (on the front of the card).
The expiry date (on the front of the card).
The last 3 digits on the signature panel on the reverse of the card, either called CVV, CV2 or Security Code.

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Why so safe?

How secure is my money?

An eclipse prepaid MasterCard on the 360money network is secure. But it is recommended that you take care of your card as you would do your cash. Here are a few tips to make sure that your card is secure:

Do not share your 4 digit PIN with anyone or write it down.

Do not allow your card to leave your possession.

If you are withdrawing cash at a cash machine please shield your PIN.

At 360money maintaining your account's security is our top priority. There are steps that you can take to help protect your account from fraud and scams.

Website security

To safely and securely access the 360money website or your 360money eclipse prepaid MasterCard account, open a new web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer or Netscape) and type in www.eclipsecard.co.uk. This will help you avoid fake links to fake websites.

Password safety

Never share your 360money password with anyone. 360money representatives will never ask you for your password. If you believe someone has learned your password, change it immediately and contact us at eclipsecard@360money.com to ensure your account has not been violated.

Make sure you create a secure password. Choose a password that contains a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Try not to use obvious words, names, or birth dates. Also, don't use the same password for your 360money account that you use for other on-line accounts like MSN or Yahoo.

Email security

Avoid including sensitive information in emails. 360money will never ask you to enter your password or any personal or financial information in an email. You should only share information about your account once you have logged in to 'Your Account' at www.eclipsecard.co.uk. Use 'Your Account' wisely. Do not share your account details. Don't use your 360money account to transfer or receive money for anyone but yourself or additional cardholder(s). These types of activity are often conducted as forms of money laundering and can result in significant criminal penalties.

Phishing

360money will never e-maiI you a link inviting you to update your personal details such as passwords or credit card information. This act, known as phishing, is an attempt to scam you into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft.

360money will never ask for the any of the following via email:

Credit or debit card numbers.
Bank account numbers.
National Insurance numbers.
Driver's License numbers.
Email addresses.
Passwords.

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Minimum age

What is the minimum age I can apply for an eclipse prepaid MasterCard?

Any UK resident over the age of 18, or any person over 13 but under the age of 18 (who must obtain parental or guardian consent).

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Difference between prepaid and credit cards

Why is the eclipse prepaid MasterCard different to a credit card?

The eclipse prepaid MasterCard is not a credit card. As an eclipse prepaid MasterCard cardholder you are always in control because there is no credit attached to the card. You can't spend more money than you have loaded onto the card. When using the card, the amount of each transaction, including any applicable fee, is deducted from the card balance.

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Approval for the card – what if I have bad credit / CCJs?

There is no credit check required to receive your card. Any factors that impact on your credit rating such as CCJs will not be taken into account when your application is received. The card is available to anyone, whatever their credit history, because the eclipse prepaid MasterCard is not a credit card. It is a prepaid MasterCard card.

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Receiving and activating my card

Do I need to activate my card as soon as I receive it?

Yes. For security reasons it is important that you activate your card immediately on receiving it. Call 0845 5200025. You will need the activation code from your welcome letter to complete the process. You will then be provided with your PIN (Personal Identification Number) which is a 4 digit number that you must ensure you remember. Once verified, your card is immediately activated and ready to use. Please ensure you sign the reverse of your card in the signature panel. If you want to change your PIN number to a more memorable one – go to your nearest ATM cash machine and follow the easy on-screen instructions. You can change your PIN free up to three times per year.

If my card is lost in the mail and I have already loaded money, is my money secure?

Yes. If your card is lost or intercepted in the mail, your money is secure as no one can spend it until the card is activated. Only the person who applies for the card can activate it.

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Locations you can use the eclipse prepaid MasterCard

Where can I spend money with my eclipse prepaid MasterCard?

Money loaded onto your eclipse prepaid MasterCard can be spent at millions of shops on the high street, on-line or over the telephone, wherever you see the MasterCard® acceptance mark. You can also withdraw cash from ATMs. Please see Terms & Conditions for limits which may be applicable subject to identity verification.

Can I spend my money outside of the UK?

Yes, wherever MasterCard® cards are accepted. If the merchant uses a currency other than sterling, we will apply a competitive exchange rate to convert it to your card's currency. When you login to 'Your Account' part of www.eclipsecard.co.uk, you will see the transaction appearing in both the local currency and sterling (£). Please see Terms & Conditions for a summary of applicable fees.

How do I buy on the high street with my card?

Shop anywhere the MasterCard® acceptance mark is displayed. Millions of shops accept MasterCard® in the UK and abroad.

To pay with your card, simply present it at the time of payment and enter your 4 digit PIN number when requested as with all Chip & PIN cards.

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ATM cash machine usage

Can I withdraw cash from an ATM cash machine?

Yes, both in the UK and abroad as long as it displays the MasterCard® acceptance mark. Please see Terms & Conditions for daily limits and other restrictions which may be applicable subject to identity verification.

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Restricted cards and limits

What is a Restricted card?

A Restricted card has a total spending limit of £1,600 per year (12 months starting from date of first Transaction) of which no more than £600 can be cash machine withdrawals and a maximum spending limit per single transaction of £600 also applies. You cannot top up your card using a debit or credit card, however your Restricted card can be loaded with cash at PayPoint, for FREE with cash at the Post Office® and for FREE by bank transfer.

Why would a card be Restricted?

When you apply for your eclipse prepaid MasterCard we are required to undertake an identity check. In some cases, we may need a little more information from you before we can give you an un-Restricted card. If this applies to you, we will let you know when we send you your card and provide simple instructions on what you will need to do to get an un-Restricted card.

How do I upgrade my card?

Click here to see how you can upgrade your card

Do I have to upgrade my card?

If you wish for your wages to be transferred onto your card and you have filled in the wage transfer form we recommend that you upgrade your card as soon as possible. However, you are free to use your card now and you can spend up to £1,600 per year, £600 of which can be withdrawn from a cash machine. You cannot top up your card using a debit or credit card. Maximum spending limit per single transaction is £600.

Do I need to pay to upgrade my card?

Yes, there is a fee for upgrading your card, please view the Terms & Conditions. The fee will be deducted from your card balance.

How will I know if my card has been upgraded?

We will inform you by letter of your successful upgrade and return any original documents that you sent to us. You should receive notification within 10 working days of us receiving your documentation. If any of the documents you supplied were insufficient to complete your card upgrade we will contact you and request further documentation.

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Lost/Stolen cards

Don’t panic. If you ever lose your PIN protected card, or it is stolen, call us right away and we’ll block your account and order you a new one* – no problem – it’s safer than carrying cash.

*For further information please see Terms and Conditions.

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Extra cards

All the advantages of your eclipse prepaid MasterCard can also be shared with your family or friends. By applying for a second card, you can choose to share it with your family or friends at home or abroad. All you have to do is request an extra card through 'Your Account'. Your family or friends can then access money anywhere in the world to shop or withdraw cash from the same account. When the additional card is added to the account, the maximum account balance limit is increased to £4,500.00.

The eclipse prepaid MasterCard gives you added flexibility.

Remember: Additional cards can only be mailed to the address of the primary cardholder.

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Will my card expire?

Yes, your card will expire and the expiry date is printed on the front of your card. Cards are valid for 24 months from date of application and a replacement card or refund is available after expiry. (A replacement card fee or refund fee may apply).