Walmart Adds $3.74 Fee When Loading GoBank Prepaid Card (Begins 9/16)

Update 8/28/21: The $3.74 fee is coming on September 16th, according to an email sent out by GoBank. Separately, they are closing out all old GoBank accounts effective October 31, 2021.

Update 7/27/21: Multiple readers are reporting that it’s back free again. Seems it was just a short-lived glitch in the system that was erroneously charging a fee.

Original Post:

Walmart partners with various prepaid cards to allow cash or debit card loading in Walmart stores, including prepaid cards such as BlueBird, Serve, GoBank, Green Dot, and more. Loads on the GoBank card have always been free, as per their agreement with Walmart. However, reader RF reports that they recently began charging a $3.74 load fee, and Flyertalk data points also point to the fact that Walmart unilaterally added a $3.74 fee for loading. BlueBird and Serve loads are still free.

Hat tip again to reader RF

View Comments (66)

  • I got a check for $7.48 today from greendot. I closed my gobank card right after the fee started, but was charged one fee. Not sure why they reimbursed me for two.

  • Gobank reimbursed the 3.74 fee this month automatically. i wonder if this is now standard

  • I have had GoBank for 5 years and the "no load fee" was the reason I signed up. I will no longer be banking with them.

  • I never received an email concerning a $3.74 fee at WM (or account closure). But I did get charged this fee yesterday at the register. I initiated an online chat explaining that when I applied for this card the disclosure stated fee-free loads at Walmart. The rep requested I share the receipt, so I posted it. Here is the response:

    "Okay I’m back. Thanks for waiting. You’re one of our valued customers and we really appreciate your business with us. This is really odd that you have been charged a fee at Walmart. I will reverse the fee for you for $4.95"

  • Then GoBank needs to allow us to load more than $500 at a time if there's going to be a per load fee or I'm out.

  • Looks like Green Dot is making changes on 9/16 to a few accounts. Got an email that starting on 9/16, my Unlimited account will have new ATM limits imposed (currently no limit on in-network ATM withdrawals, but will change to 4/month, then $3.00 fee for each additional).

  • Is the $3.74 fee per card load or total load fee? Lets say I buy 5 $200 VGC at Staples. Is the WM fee $3.74 for the total $1,000 load or $18.70 ( $3.74 x 5 )?