This video shows what happens when someone gets a prepaid card without checking the fees first.

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Transcription:
David didn't like carrying cash around after payday. He wanted a different way to pay for things. But he didn't want a bank account or a credit card, so David decided a prepaid debit card would solve the problem. He could load money onto the card and use it to buy things.

David found a bunch of prepaid cards at the store. He chose the menu recommended by his favorite singer. He loaded $200 on the card and went shopping.

But when David checked his balance a few weeks later, he got a surprise. He didn't know he paid $10 to activate the card, $12 a month to keep it, $3 every time he bought something, $6 to check his balance, $3 to get cash at an ATM, $4 to receive your statement by mail, $2 to speak to a customer service agent and $3 to reload the card. David loaded $200 onto the card, but only spent $157.

So David did some research and found a prepaid card with lower fees. He got rid of the first card and moved on to the new one. He is much happier now.
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The Federal Trade Commission deals with issues that affect the economic life of every American. It is the only federal agency with both consumer protection and competition jurisdiction over broad sectors of the economy. The FTC continues to vigorously and effectively enforce the law; advances consumer interests by sharing expertise with federal and state legislatures and U.S. and international government agencies; develops policy and research tools through hearings, workshops, and conferences; and creates practical, plain-language educational programs for consumers and businesses in a global marketplace where technologies are constantly evolving.

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