Prepaid proof of age card launched
A proof of age card which can have money loaded on to it has been launched for people as young as 12.The Visa prepaid CitizenCard carries the Government-approved proof of age standards scheme (Pass) mark and can be loaded with between £10 and £5,000.
People aged under 16 need their parents' consent to apply for the chip and pin-secured photo ID card and parents can then manage the card directly and pay their pocket money on to it, those behind the scheme said.
There is no cap to the amount that can be spent on the card per transaction but users can only spend up to the total which is loaded on the card.
The card displays the owner's date of birth as well as the age bands 12-15, 16-17, 18 plus or 21 plus. The number on the card also identifies whether someone is over or under 18.
Cards can be used in stores and online but those held by people aged under 18 will not work at retailers selling age-restricted items such as those serving alcohol or providing gambling services, providers said.
The card carries no monthly or annual fee but costs £15 to purchase and charges £1 when it is used at cash machines in the UK and £2 abroad.
It can be loaded free of charge by bank transfer, standing order, online banking or at any branch of Barclays. Users can transfer funds from one Visa Prepaid CitizenCard to another.
They can also take cash to any Post Office or PayPoint retailer and load the card that way, although fees of 2-3% apply. A block can be immediately placed on the card if it is lost and a replacement fee of £15 applies if another card is needed.
Those behind the card said their research found that teenagers are receiving an average of £11.37 a week in pocket money.
Cards can be used in stores and online but those held by people aged under 18 will not work at retailers selling age-restricted items such as those serving alcohol or providing gambling services, providers said.
The card carries no monthly or annual fee but costs £15 to purchase and charges £1 when it is used at cash machines in the UK and £2 abroad.
It can be loaded free of charge by bank transfer, standing order, online banking or at any branch of Barclays. Users can transfer funds from one Visa Prepaid CitizenCard to another.
They can also take cash to any Post Office or PayPoint retailer and load the card that way, although fees of 2-3% apply. A block can be immediately placed on the card if it is lost and a replacement fee of £15 applies if another card is needed.
Those behind the card said their research found that teenagers are receiving an average of £11.37 a week in pocket money.
© 2013 Press Association