The Devon Card for Care Leavers
Heard about the Devon Card but not sure what it is? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The Devon Card is available to all Care Leavers as a way to help you manage your financial entitlements. It’s a prepaid card that provides a secure way of receiving and spending funds – including your leaving care grant, which you can then spend in a variety of shops.
Below, we’ve answered some of your frequently asked questions, while you can find the full cardholder guide here. You can also speak to your PA to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a prepaid card?
It’s like a debit card but it is loaded to a predefined amount and can be re-loaded.
You will only be able to make purchases with the card when there are sufficient funds on your Devon County Council prepaid card, and you will not be able to spend more than this amount.
The prepaid card works just like any other bank debit card.
Does it have a credit limit?
No, it’s not a credit card and carries no credit limit. You cannot spend more money than is held on the card account.
How do I get help if I have questions about my card?
If you have questions related to your card visit the Prepaid Financial Services website or call the customer services team on 020 3633 1094 (standard network rate will be charged) or contact your Personal Advisor.
Are there any fees for using my card?
There are no fees to the cardholder for making purchases or using the card online, at a shop or via the phone.
Can I change the pin assigned to me?
No, you cannot change your PIN.
What happens if I forget my PIN?
You will need to call Prepaid Financial Services on 0203 327 1991 or 0203 468 4112 or 0207 183 2248. Calls to these numbers are free of charge.
What should I do if my card is lost or stolen?
If your card has been lost or stolen you must inform PFS immediately on 020 3633 1094 and let your Personal Advisor know. It normally takes 10 working days to replace a lost or stolen card.
What happens if I change my address?
You must notify your Personal Advisor immediately.
Does my card ever expire?
Yes, you can find the expiry date on the front of your card. If our card is about to expire, and is still active, please contact us if you have not received a new card. Any balance remaining on the card will be transferred to the new one before it’s despatched to you.
What happens if I no longer want to use my prepaid card?
If you wish to cancel your prepaid card or no longer wish to use it then contact PFS or speak to your Personal Advisor.
What if the amount of my purchase is more than my available balance?
In this case, your purchase will be declined. You will have to wait until your card is reloaded or you can transfer money to your card if the cost of your purchase is more than the balance on your card or make up the shortfall by another payment method.
Can I withdraw cash from an ATM using my card?
Only by prior arrangement with your Person Advisor or Social Worker. Your card is not contactless.
Can I transfer funds to and from my personal account?
You cannot transfer funds from your Devon Card. However, you are permitted to transfer funds to your Devon Card if the cost of your purchase is more than the agreed amount.
Is the card safe and secure to use?
As with all credit and debit cards you use, every precaution needs to be taken to keep the card safe and your PIN secure. Please refer to the Cardholders terms and conditions.
What if I have a problem with my card?
If you have a query about the card itself or you have an unknown transaction on your card account or a transaction has been declined but you still have funds on your card account then please call the PFS customer service team on 020 3633 1094.
I have received my prepaid card, now what do I do?
First, sign the signature strip on the reverse of the card. Then, activate your card. You will need your card number and date of birth to do this. Call Prepaid Financial Services on any of the following numbers: 0203 327 1991 or 0203 468 4112 or 0207 183 2248. (These are interactive voice response (IVR) lines where an automated process will enable you to activate your card and retrieve your PIN. Calls to these IVR numbers are free of charge.
Can I manage my card online or via the telephone?
You can logon to your account by going to the Prepaid Financial Services website.
Click on the Cardholder login and enter your card number and PIN. This will give you access to your online account where you can check your balance.
You can access telephone banking by calling Prepaid Financial Services on 0203 327 1991 or 0203 468 4112 or 0207 183 2248. Calls to the IVR lines are free of charge.
Your Personal Advisor or Social Worker will also be able to help with many aspects in managing your account and in some cases may mange the account of your behalf if you have given your authority.
Legal stuff
The Devon County Council Prepaid Mastercard is issued by Prepaid Financial Services Limited pursuant to a licence from Mastercard International Incorporated. Prepaid Financial Services Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011, firm reference number 900036, for the issuance of electronic money and provision of payment services. Registered Office: Fifth Floor, Langham House, 302-308 Regent Street, London, W1B 3AT. Company Registration number: 06337638.