For many, it was a good idea.
The Government teamed up with CoAmerica bank to provide a direct deposit account for monthly SSI Benefits in tandem with a Mastercard debit (?) card to access the funds.
For Seniors with bad credit - who do not meet the criteria for a credit card - it was a Godsend in many respects.
Unfortunately, who ever set up the access criteria to tap the funds, must have had sh** for brains!
After all, the "Direct Express" Mastercard is not always a reliable way to withdraw funds in a Senior's hour of need.
For example, if the individual attempts to purchase gas at a pump owned-and-operated by key brands who do not recognize the CoAmerica "system", they will be SOL!
The anxiety-ridden motorist will have to scurry down the highway to locate a gas station that welcomes the CoAmerica Mastercard.
At a regular ATM, the account-holder must access the "checking" option, to get their hands on the moolah.
But, guess what?
The Senior is barred from writing a check because - for unknown intents-and-purposes - the account was not set up that way.
On occasion, a card-holder will be forced to face undue embarrassment at a handful of establishments (usually in front of a long line of impatient customers gazing on suspiciously) when the clerk swipes the card and retorts in a loud voice that booms across the room.
"Your card was denied."
As customers roll their eyes in line, the senior wants to crawl under the carpet, or snatch up the card and dash out the nearest exit.
After all, no excuse, will be taken seriously.
"The system at my bank must be down," the individual protests.
"Uh-huh," the cashier mutters back in disgust not buying a word of it.
If a traveller books (and pays for) a Hotel suite online - and the card is processed - you'd think that at the front desk at check-in time the card would also allow for a deposit to be placed on the account.
Not always!
On occasion, guests have been forced to dash off to find an ATM - and a fistful of cash - to secure their room.
But, that may not solve the problem.
Many Hotels won't accept cash deposits!
What a dilemma.
A Senior's account has been charged for a two-or-three-day Hotel stay - but they may be tossed out on their butts - because they can't produce a piece of plastic to secure incidentals incurred during the course of the vacation stay.
Hence, the reason I am posting this disclosure about CoAmerica's Direct Deposit Mastercard.
I trust that throwing a spotlight on the glitch may accomplish one or two things:
(1) Prompt a fix so Seniors don't get stranded in the future.
(2) Create wider awareness among Merchants about the card limitations.
Bottom line?
Seniors deserve better treatment and more respect.
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