Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding prepaid cards and The Range prepaid MasterCard®.

Quick Links:

How Prepaid Cards work
How to Apply for your Range card
How to Activate The Range Prepaid Card
How to Use The Range Prepaid Card
How can I Top-up/Load my card?
How to Top Up / Load The Range Prepaid Card
How to use the SMS Text Functionality
What to do if your application is unsuccessful
What do i need to do if i change my address
What will I pay to use my range prepaid card
Is my card covered by the Financial Services
Compensation Scheme

Should you still have an unanswered
question, please call a customer service
representative on
+44 (0) 2071250201.

How Prepaid Cards work

The Range Card operates on the standard
MasterCard® network. The Range Card
can be used like any credit or debit card.
The prepaid value loaded on the card can be
used by the cardholder for purchases at
participating retail merchant locations and withdrawals at ATM's worldwide where MasterCard acceptance mark is displayed. Funds will be immediately debited from the cardholder's balance upon authorisation of any transaction. Purchases or cash withdrawals are deducted from the balance until the loaded value is spent. The card can be loaded over and over again. A full transaction history can be viewed via an online account management facility or by using your mobile phone.

How to Apply for your Range Card

In order to apply for a Range Card you need to be a UK resident aged 18 or over.Simply go to the 'Apply’ page and fill in the online application form. We will need to confirm your identity and address during the application process. Once this has been completed and approved, you will receive your card and PIN (in a separate mail) within one week.

How to Activate your Range Card

Once you receive your Range Card and PIN, you will need to activate it. You can do this by going to the ‘Activate your card’ link on the website where you enter your card number, security code (that will be displayed) and PIN. Your card will be activated automatically. You can also activate your card by calling our customer service team on +44 (0) 20 7125 0201 or by SMS. Click here for more information on how to activate your card by SMS.

How to Use your Range Card

Once activated, your Range Card can be used for point of sale purchases or ATM cash withdrawals anywhere that MasterCard® cards are accepted. It can also be used for card not present (internet or telephone) transactions.

How can I Top-up/Load my Range Card?

Your Prepaid Card can be loaded via:

Cash at over 30,000 loading locations - Payzone
Debit or Credit Card online
BACS transfer of salary from your employer
Via SMS Text Messages from your mobile phone

How to Top Up / Load your Range Card

Topping Up / Loading your Range Card Online
In order to top up your Range Card online, you will have to first login to your account and go to the ‘Register Cards’ page. Here you must register a debit or credit card from which to load funds to your Range Card. You can register up to 3 of your debit/credit cards. Once this is done, you can select which registered card you wish to use to transfer funds to your Range Card. Simply go to the ‘Topping-Up’ page and follow the steps to top up your Range Card.

Topping Up / Loading your Range Card by SMS/text message
Click here, for more information on how to top up your Range Card by sending a text message.

Salary/Wages
To get your wages paid directly onto your Range card, all you need to do is print, complete and sign a simple form with your details and then hand it your employer. You can find the form when you log in to manage your account by following the links.

What to do if your application is unsuccessful

If your online application is unsuccessful, please double check all your details and try again. For any further assistance, please contact a customer service representative on +44 (0) 2071250201

If you have purchased a starter pack in store, you are entitled to a full £5 refund. Please send your starter pack, receipt of purchase, full name, postal address and contact number to:

The Range Card Customer Services, The Range, Tamar House, Thornbury Road, Estover, Plymouth, PL6 7PT UK

A customer service representative will then get in touch with you to arrange the refund.

What do i need to do if i change my address

In order to comply with the relevant banking regulations, we will need to see proof of your new address before we can amend your details. Please let us know that you want to change your address and send us a copy of a utility bill or bank account statement not more than 3 months old showing your name and new address by email to cardservice@therange.co.uk or by mail to The Range

What will I pay to use my range prepaid card

The fees and charges that apply to your card are set out here.

Is my card covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme

The Range Prepaid Card is an electronic money product and although it is a product regulated by the Financial Services Authority, it is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. No other compensation scheme exists to cover losses claimed in connection with The Range Prepaid Card. This means that in the unlikely event that Newcastle Building Society becomes insolvent your funds may become valueless and unusable and as a result you may lose your money.