What defines a prepaid card?

A prepaid card is primarily characterized by its ability to allow users to spend only the funds that have been loaded onto it in advance, up to a predefined limit. This means that before making purchases, the cardholder must deposit money onto the card, which then acts like a debit card, but without being linked to a bank account.

This functionality makes prepaid cards particularly useful for budgeting, as they help users control their spending by capping it at the amount they have preloaded, rather than giving them access to credit or funds they do not currently possess.

The other options do not accurately represent the defining characteristics of a prepaid card. For example, while some prepaid cards may allow linking to bank accounts, it is not a requirement for all prepaid cards. Similarly, a credit check is not necessary to obtain a prepaid card, which stands in contrast to credit cards. Lastly, prepaid cards typically do not offer interest payments on the balance, distinguishing them from savings accounts or certain other financial products where interest accrues on deposits.