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Green Dot MoneyPak Cards

Green Dot MoneyPak Cards

Prepaid debit cards have become increasingly popular with consumers. “Green Dot” cards are a well-known type of prepaid debit card. These cards are useful for people who want to avoid credit cards and banking institutions.

The growing popularity of Green Dot debit cards has led to an increase in Green Dot-related scams. Scammers trick people into giving them the PIN numbers from Green Dot “MoneyPak” cards. This is like sending cash or wiring money—you can’t get your money back, and it’s almost impossible to trace!

This Consumer Alert describes some common ways criminals trick victims. It also provides simple rules to follow to help you keep your hard-earned money in your own pocket – where it belongs.

Common Scams

Scams involving Green Dot MoneyPak cards will continue to change and are limited only by criminals’ imaginations. The following are some common scams featuring a Green Dot MoneyPak payment twist:

Advance Payment Scams

In these scams, people are tricked into paying money to get something in return. Remember, you shouldn’t have to pay money to get money! Here are three common examples:

  1. Grants: You receive a fake check for a few hundred or even a thousand dollars and are told you've won a grant. To collect the rest of your “grant,” you must pay commissions by depositing the check, purchasing MoneyPak cards for the amount of the check, and sending the numbers from the MoneyPak purchases to your contact. The check is fake, but the money you spend on the MoneyPak cards is real. The grant never comes through; the legitimate company did not authorize the grant and will not reimburse you for your loss. Additionally, you owe the bank the full amount of the check.
  2. Loans: A scammer pretends to be a lender and says you’re pre-approved for a loan. They ask you to buy MoneyPak cards to cover your first two payments and give them the numbers. The loan never comes through, and the “lender” cannot be traced.
  3. Lotteries or Sweepstakes: You are told you won a lottery or sweepstakes but must pay fees or taxes – right away. Rather than sending a check or wiring the fees and taxes (also both bad ideas), you are asked to buy a MoneyPak for the identified amount and send the numbers. After paying the amount, you never get your money. You will be placed on a “suckers” list and receive more bogus offers.

Auction/Sale Scams

An ad for goods or services requires payment using MoneyPak. You provide the requested numbers or receipt information, but the goods or services never arrive. The seller is unreachable.

FBI or Law Enforcement Scams

While browsing online, your screen locks with a message pretending to be from the FBI or another law enforcement agency. The message says you broke the law and must immediately pay a fine using a MoneyPak to avoid arrest. It’s a scam. Even though you follow the instructions and pay, your computer may or may not remain locked.

Imposter/Fake Emergency Scams

In this scenario, a scammer pretends to be a friend, relative, or “authority figure” like a fake lawyer or doctor, working with your friend or relative who’s in trouble. They claim they need money for an emergency and ask you to send it via a MoneyPak card, counting on you to pay without checking to confirm that there is a real emergency.

Job Scams

You’re offered a job but you’re asked to pay upfront for things like equipment, a background check, or a uniform. The “employer” tells you to buy a MoneyPak card to pay. After you give the numbers, the job the job never materializes.

Romance Scams

You’ve been talking to someone online, and things get serious. Then, they ask you to send money using a MoneyPak card so they can visit you, move for a new job, or for some other “legitimate” expense. You send the money, and either you do not hear from that person again, or you hear more about other urgent needs.

Utility Scams

A caller pretends to be from your utility company and says they will shut off your service if you don’t make a payment right away using a MoneyPak card. The caller-ID might even look real, but it’s fake. The money doesn’t go to the utility company, and you won’t get it back. If you receive a suspicious call that claims to be from a utility provider, end the call and contact the utility provider to confirm the payment request using the number listed on your bill. Michigan utilities have a variety of payment options available for customers, including in person at an authorized pay agent location, with an eCheck using an authorized utility agent, by U.S. mail, or online with a Visa or MasterCard.

Tips to Avoid Green Dot MoneyPak Card Scams

  • Treat the money on your MoneyPak card like cash.
  • Never share your MoneyPak number with someone you don’t know.
  • Don’t give receipt information about your MoneyPak purchase to others.
  • Only use your MoneyPak card to reload your own prepaid cards or accounts.
  • Avoid offers that ask you to buy a MoneyPak and share the numbers or receipts.
  • If you’re using MoneyPak with PayPal, eBay, or other online merchants, transfer the money to your account before you make a payment. Don’t email your MoneyPak number directly to any merchant.

Remember: Green Dot isn’t responsible for lost money or non-receipt of goods or services you buy using your MoneyPak.

Tips for Victims of Green Dot MoneyPak Card Scams

If you are the victim of a MoneyPak scam, try the following options to obtain restitution:

  1. If the scam was perpetrated by a con artist posing as a utility company representative, contact the utility company directly and describe what happened.
  2. Contact your local police department.
  3. File a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team. You can also call 877-765-8388 to speak to a Complaint Specialist or submit a claim by U.S. mail to the following address: P.O. Box 30214, Lansing, MI 48909.
  4. Report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission by calling 877-382-4357.
  5. Alert Green Dot by reporting MoneyPak scams online.