PREPAID CARD SCAM: Avoid M-Cube Ltd / On-X Card

evepanteli

I've been using my On-X card provided by M-Cube Ltd for a few months now. It's a prepaid MasterCard issued by NBS who also provide banking for the Tuxedo card.

I've used them before with no problem. But recently they've been delaying crediting funds to customer accounts, blaming it on the payment processor.

What normally takes 15 minutes, changed to two working days, then 5 working days and now never. I have waited over a month for funds to be credited to my account with no luck.

After speaking to a few disgruntled employees I found out that the company is experiencing serious financial difficulties. They have now gotten to the point where they know the end is inevitable [TEXT DELETED BY FORUM TEAM].

Avoid them at all costs!

Anyone who's still a customer should beware [TEXT DELETED]. And if you've got any money on your card spend it, [TEXT DELETED].

I've contacted Trading Standards, The Financial Ombudsman Service and their Bank the Newcastle Building Society. It's like watching a Car Crash but there's nothing anyone can do to stop it. They'll just have to pick up the pieces.

Bob_the_Saver

So why not use one of the pre-paid cards recommended by this site like any normal person?

evepanteli

Bob, that was rude! I don't see how your comment benefit anyone.

Normal!??! A normal person doesn't walk around with a chip on their shoulder.

I wasn't asking for your help merely pointing out that this company should be avoided. I made a mistake. Others don't have to follow in my footsteps.

I used this card because it was originally given to me by a friend who worked for the company. They were handing them out as freebies to family and friends.

As a friend recommended them and worked for the company, I thought what the heck. I thought it would be useful when I didn't want to give my credit card details out on the internet.

Like I said before they were fine at first but only recently have problems been surfacing.

Bob_the_Saver

If people click on your name and they and see all of your posts they will see that you seem to claim that all of your transactions with the outside world are a scam. I would invite all MSE forum members to do so, are you just unlucky or what?
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

nhaslum

just out of interest and OT.

How does having a physical disability make you "!!!!!!"? but hey bet it sounded clever in your head.

TFD_2

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

So why not use one of the pre-paid cards recommended by this site like any normal person?

No Bob, you're confusing "normal people" and sheep.

Normal people make their own mind up. Sheep do exactly what Martin tells them.

Bob_the_Saver

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

So why not use one of the pre-paid cards recommended by this site like any normal person?

Above is what I actually said, I didn't say BECAUSE they were recommended by this site. I would guess that most savvy people reading this and having a pre-paid card did their own research perhaps based on what the site said, and most likely ended up with one of those mentioned on the site and not the one that the OP got which even if free works out more expensive.

daz9643

I'm not sure i understand the point of these cards. I have just spoken to Santander about my zero credit card which i am taking on hols to the USA and if i credit my account before i go, say for example £3000 then if i withdraw money using the card i will not be charged a fee or any interest so why not just use a normal credit card and credit your account ?

Bob_the_Saver

daz9643 wrote: »

I'm not sure i understand the point of these cards. I have just spoken to Santander about my zero credit card which i am taking on hols to the USA and if i credit my account before i go, say for example £3000 then if i withdraw money using the card i will not be charged a fee or any interest so why not just use a normal credit card and credit your account ?

Reason One, to avoid card charges on Ryanair.

Reason Two, as a back-up so that when Santander or whoever block your card whilst abroad because of 'suspicious transactions' - which with some banks seems to equate to any use at all you can still get some cash.
This happens A LOT.

Reason three, keep a very small balance on the card to use for internet spending
online in internet cafes when travelling.

otis2012

M-Cube Ltd is Over!

I had two prepaid card from M-Cube one On-X card other Aspinall. Around mid june this year suddenly they stopped my cards with some decent balance on them. Likely matter of chance it was the no more then 2 days later I noticed my card was blocked.

I called tele-centre the next day with calm and clear manner assuming some computer error might have happened and nicely ask them to explain to me why my card blocked? As soon as I mentioned my name and prepaid card number the woman turned into an answering machine whatever I say could not stop her saying “I’m unable to transact on your account, I’m unable to transact on your account….” On and on on. I was edging towards becoming mad furious. What is this?

Still best of my ability I was trying to keep calm. I had send them good nice letters. I had mailed their cards along a letter requesting full refund of the balances. No a single reply to all of my e-mails and letters. I knew by now something was up. It had to do something I had to get my money back. I was not going to let them keep my money. Luckily I didn’t topped up their cards by cash I’ve topped up with a debit card through my bank so I contacted my bank asked them ‘Seller has not honoured the contract of Sale’ they have agreed to investigate. And 2 weeks later I’ve received all my money back from M-cube ltd.

In the meantime I knew I was not alone on this so I’ve reported them to Trading Standards, Police, Financial Ombudsman service to stop them trading so no longer victim like me arises. Thanks to my bank it was all over for me. What a terrible company. What a terrible experiences I had.

I could share with you all the names of the Company their address, past present business practices which I have gained through researching between those terrible times. But I’m not going to because Today and also the reason I have posted this is that I have received this wonderful e-mail from Newcastle Building Society which I will share it with you. This is **FLASH **FLASH news first time you will read on the Internet.

Message Title: Important Information About Your M-Cube Prepaid Card-Closure Notification
From: Newcastle Card Solutions" <NewcastleCardSolutions@newcastle.co.uk
Date: Friday, 27 August, 2010 14:22


Message Body:

Dear Cardholder

Important information about your M-Cube Prepaid Card – Closure Notification

We are writing to inform you that following a recent review of service, Newcastle Building Society (NBS) as the regulated card issuer has taken the decision to withdraw all prepaid cards that are managed by programme manager M-Cube Media. The closure of this service includes the following MasterCard® prepaid card programmes which we note from our records you hold one or more of:

On-X Go Sterling

Aspinall

We apologise for any inconvenience the cessation of this service may cause you.

What happens next?

60 days from this letter we will close your account and any cards linked to it will stop working.

Our records indicate that your current balance is NIL

You do not need to take any further action unless you have recently loaded your card in which case you need to contact us. Please call us on 0845 603 7980, 9am – 5pm, Monday–Friday. Do not continue to load your card.

For general queries you can e-mail us at: cardsolutions@newcastle.co.uk

Yours sincerely

C** H** - Head of Card Solutions

C** H**
Team Leader
Newcastle Building Society, Card Solutions

Portland House, New Bridge St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AL, UK
+44 (0)191 244 1580 | c*h*@newcastle co uk | www nssl info

This document may contain confidential information intended for the addressee only. Any views or opinions presented do not necessarily represent those of Newcastle Building Society or its subsidiary companies, hereinafter referred to as NBS Group.

If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, or reliance upon this E-mail is prohibited. If you have received this document in error, please notify the sender so that NBS Group may arrange for its proper delivery. All e-mails are scanned for viruses and other unacceptable content, which may result in non-delivery of a small proportion of e-mails. Anyone sending urgent/important e-mails should therefore confirm delivery.

NBS Group does not enter into contracts by means of Internet or e-mail and staff are not authorised to enter into contracts in this way.
Newcastle Building Society introduces to Newcastle Financial Services Limited (NFSL). NFSL is an appointed representative of Openwork Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the FSA. Newcastle Building Society is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (www fsa gov uk/register/) and is entered in the Financial Services Authority Register under Registration No. 156058.

Web site: www Newcastle co uk

** * ( I have edited for privacy reasons.)