Fresno woman falls victim to scam involving Green Dot MoneyPak cards

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Better Business Bureau is warning of a scam involving Green Dot MoneyPak cards.

The company says it's a convenient way to send money.

A Fresno woman looking for a $1,500 loan online ending up losing $1,100 when she was conned into paying loan fees through a Green Dot MoneyPak Card.

"If someone asks you to put money on a Green Dot card and give them the information so that they can access that card, that's a red flag," said Cindy Dudley of the Better Business Bureau.

Green Dot MoneyPak cards can be purchased at several Valley stores. They're pre-paid debit cards and you can reload the cards with more money.

Dudley says a Fresno woman seeking a $1,500 loan online was asked by a company called First Financial for a $150 fee to be paid through a Green Dot MoneyPak card.

"She put it on a Green card and then she gave them that information," said Dudley. "Then they needed funding for additional fees, processing fees, and she continued to load money that she borrowed from a family member on that Green Dot card."

The woman did not want to be identified, but several payments later she was out $1,100. She then went to the BBB, which was unsuccessful contacting the company.

"You should never go online and apply for a loan without finding out who owns the website, where the company is located, do they have licensing to be providing loans to consumers?" said Dudley.

On its website, Green Dot MoneyPak lists more ways to protect yourself. The top tip: never give your MoneyPak number to someone you don't know.

Dudley says scammers have used the Green Dot MoneyPak cards for years. They sometimes ask for fees after telling consumers a bogus story they just won a lottery.