In response to Steve Powell, then your comments are not entirely accurate. Yes Kalixa does verify each applicants identity - as will all prepaid cards that are personalised. Check the small print on the others. Kalixa attempts to manage this on an automated system, but where this is not possible manual intervention is required and hence you are asked to provide additional documentation.

A personalised card such as Kalixa, allows you to load multiple times and up to £9,000. Any Visa or MasterCard issuer will attempt verify the individuals identity to protect against fraud and to comply with anti-money laundering regulations.

There is a charge for customer service calls which is unfortunate. However, this is one of the few places that there are charges, unlike some of the competitors you mention whereby there is a monthly charge for having the card, a charge on transactions or a requirement to load a certain value each month.

Kalixa places no such restriction and given that you can load £3,000 for 99p and then spend this without any transaction fees, I would suggest this is actually a very competitive overall cost structure.

I would always recommend that emails to customer service are free and that you can use this method to avoid such costs.

Finally, the majority of card issuers will charge a cancellation fee when you close the account. Again, check the small print with the examples you cite. This is not simply a ruse to generate extra profit but a necessity to cover costs with issuing the cards and managing the accounts.

Prepaid cards have different sources of charges from credit cards or debit cards linked to traditional bank accounts. Consider the excess fees, interest charges etc. that you are liable for with a credit card and you will see thaat prepaid cards provide an alternative approach.

If you have any issue, please contact Kalixa customer services to get in touch with me.

Phil Campbell
Head of Marketing
Vincento Payment Solutions - Kalixa MasterCard Issuers

I signed up for the Kalixa card prior to going on holiday to Greece/Turkey last month. The idea being that my cash would be safer on a prepaid card. However when I got there I was unable to withdraw ANY of my money.

On return to the UK I was informed by Kalixa that I was the subject of a security check and my account had been suspended. Luckily I was able to access other funds otherwise the trip would have been an utter disaster. I sent requested documentation but Kalixa state that they never received them.

Have just sent further copies and still waiting to get access to my cash nearly four weeks later. Bad show Kalixa, you should do any checks prior to initiating processes to avoid disappointment at a later date.

Unlike the OPTIMUM card or the CASHPLUS card, there is no guaranteed acceptance.

If you can't be found on their systems, you'll need to send in the appropriate ID.

That's okay but so many other cards such as the two I mentioned are offering 100% guranteed acceptance.

Kalixa also charge 30p a minute to make a customer service call, it's pointless signing up to such a scheme when much better deals are available.

Beware, once you have applied and paid the fees, they will refuse to refund if you decide not to proceed.

Best card I've had todate and sorted my problems out when I had an issue. 10 out of 10 Kalixa.

I think this is a brilliant debit card but I've just read that you need to be age 30 or over to get it.

It seems Provident have moved the goal posts and are only accepting people 30 and above.

I've got a Vanquis credit card and it was great when I couldn't get a credit card as they were the only ones who would accept me.

I'm now back here looking for a low rate card I can move my balance onto now that I've had the Vanquis card for 6 months.

Fingers crossed, I'll give Virgin a try I think.

Great - at last, a prepaid MasterCard I can design myself using my own photograph.

I see the card is a gift card which is fine for now but can you ask MC if they will let us produce a personalised card in the near future which can be reloaded with funds over and over please.

Thanks once again, have been looking for a design your own card for ages.

Signed up for the Capital One classic credit card and the online application was really simple and quick and better still, they even issued me with a card even though I've got a few CCJ's.

Capital One treated me very fairly and I received my card in 10 days.