SNAP Accounts

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What is a SNAP Account?

A SNAP Account is a pre-paid Account, which is reloadable (able to be Topped Up) and is identified by a unique 19 digit number (the SNAP Account Number) which corresponds to an Account held on our servers. Every transaction that adds or removes funds from the Account is reflected in the balance of funds (the Available Balance) held in the Account.

A SNAP Account is secured by a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that acts like your signature, so that we know that it is you, and not anyone else, that is using the SNAP Account (see Your PIN).

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What are the costs to me of opening and running a SNAP Account?

We will only charge you if you redeem funds from your SNAP Account. Everything else (such as getting a SNAP Account, loading funds into an Account, buying with SNAP and Transferring or Sending funds) are completely free, so every £1 you load into your Account is available for you to spend.

There are no set-up fees and no monthly or annual account management fees.

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How do I open a SNAP Account?

To open a SNAP Account, you simply need to get yourself a SNAP Card from any Reseller listed in our Store Locator. On the front of each SNAP Card is a unique 19 digit SNAP Account Number that will be your SNAP Account. On the back of each card, concealed under a Scratch Panel, is an initial PIN (see Your PIN) that will allow you to use any funds you subsequently load into the Account.

DO NOT accept a new SNAP card if the initial PIN Scratch Panel has already been removed or looks like it has been tampered with.

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Do I get paid interest?

Unfortunately, the rules of issuing e-money currently forbid us from paying you interest on the funds we hold on your behalf.

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Can I get credit?

Unfortunately, the rules of issuing e-money currently forbid us from giving you credit or any other form of overdraft facility.

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Is there an expiry date on a SNAP Account?

A SNAP Account will expire on the first anniversary of 'last use' and the available balance will be forfeit. By 'last use' we mean the last date and time that

  1. funds were removed from the Account, or
  2. funds were added to the account, or
  3. the transaction history was checked.

Any available balance in an expired Account is redeemed and then donated (less redemption charges) to charity.

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Why has my SNAP Account has been suspended?

There are two main reasons as to why this might have occurred:

  1. There have been successive attempts to enter your SNAP Account Number or PIN incorrectly. We suspend your Account in these circumstances for your own security in order to prevent any unauthorised use of your Account. If you contact us with your details we will review the suspension.
  2. You may be approaching, or have already exceeded, one of the transaction limits on your SNAP Account (see Transaction Limits).
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