FAQs
What is ZAAP?
ZAAP is a prepaid Mastercard pocket money tool ideal for children aged between 8 and 17. ZAAP is designed to help tweens and teens learn good money habits with increased independence whilst parents retain control. ZAAP consists of a Parent Wallet from which parents can transfer funds to their child’s ZAAP Account. Children can select to have a Card only, a wearable ZAAP Band or both. If they select to have both, the card and wearable are linked to the same Child Account
When selecting their card, Children have the option to choose a card design from the ZAAP range or they can create their own card with their very own design.
Children can spend using their ZAAP Card or wearable ZAAP Band anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Parents and children can view balances and transaction history any time via the App. ZAAP has a range of features including setting, tracking and achieving saving targets as well as encouragement and update notifications for children and parents!
How does ZAAP work?
ZAAP is a prepaid Mastercard facility. ZAAP consists of:
- A Parent Wallet: the primary account parent funds are held in to fund transfers to the Child Account, on a regular or adhoc basis.
- Child’s ZAAP Account: which holds the child’s funds. This is the child’s spending account to which their payment devices are linked. They can also transfer money to and from their Savings Wallet.
- ZAAP Payment device: the chosen ZAAP Card and/or wearable ZAAP Band that enables children to access their ZAAP account to make purchases.
- Child’s Savings Wallet: linked to the Child’s ZAAP account, children can set savings goals, transfer money from their ZAAP account to their Saving Wallet and track their progress. Funds are held separately and cannot be spent unless transferred back into the ZAAP account.
- ZAAP App: the home of the Parent Wallet, Child Account and Savings Wallet. The App has two logins, one for Parents and one for the Child. You and your child can view account balances and transaction history. It is the main control portal for parents and children.
Children can spend using their ZAAP Card and/or ZAAP Band. The ZAAP Card can be used online and instore, the ZAAP Band is for instore ’Tap & Pay’ transactions. Only the funds available in the child’s ZAAP Account can be spent.
A PIN must be used for transactions over $199. Read more info on ‘How it Works’ here.
How secure is ZAAP?
Like all payment cards, prepaid cards should be safeguarded and treated like cash. However, a Prepaid Mastercard is more secure than cash because it is PIN protected for amounts over $199. If your child’s ZAAP Card or Band is lost or stolen, you should block the account immediately in the ‘Settings’ section of the ZAAP App. You can later unblock the account if the ZAAP Card or Band is found or alternatively, request a replacement Device be sent to you.
Do kids earn interest on their ZAAP account?
No. ZAAP is a prepaid card so there is no interest earned.
Can the card be used at ATMs?
No. To support parent control and enable full transparency of spending for parents, children cannot use ZAAP at ATMs.
What ZAAP options are there?
You can select for your child to have a ZAAP Card choosing from our gallery or designing your own, a ZAAP Band which also comes with a bonus Keeper for a watch or fitness band or you can select the Fully ZAAPed option and get both a Card and Band.
How does the ZAAP band work?
The ZAAP Band has an insertable Mastercard contactless chip which arrives to you set within a card carrier. Simply pop the chip out of the carrier, much like a phone SIM card and insert it into the slot at the side of the Band. If you prefer you can put the chip into the Keeper that can be connected to a watch or fitness band. It is the same as a chip on a Mastercard and can be used to ’Tap & Pay’ at payment terminals at checkout in store.
Can ZAAP be used overseas?
Yes, ZAAP can be used anywhere in the world that accepts Mastercard.
Where can ZAAP be used?
Your ZAAP Card can be used anywhere in the world or online that accepts Mastercard. Your ZAAP Band and Keeper can be used in any store in the world that accepts Mastercard.
What merchant categories are blocked?
For your child’s safety, ZAAP blocks merchants such as liquor shops, pubs, taverns, gambling and dating services.
Why ZAAP is better than Cash?
Cash can be stolen. Parents can’t monitor where children spend with cash. Further, the use of cash is reducing and is expected to account for <2% of transactions in Australia by 2022. Children need to learn good ‘cashless’ money habits to help them in a cashless society.
ZAAP is safer than cash, it is not as easily stolen and is PIN protected. Parents know where and how their children are spending and parents can give children the exact money they need, they don’t have to wait or ask for their change back nor carry cash themselves to have it available when requested by their children. ZAAP is more versatile than cash, it can be used online which means children don’t have to ask for a parent’s credit card when making online purchases. ZAAP goes much further than cash and is a tool for parents to teach children good spending and saving habits which is becoming more difficult in an increasingly cashless society.
Why ZAAP is better than giving a child a Debit Card and Bank Savings Account?
With a debit card and/or savings account, parents can easily lose control of what their children are spending and where. Children can withdraw cash at ATMs and spend it on things they aren’t supposed to. With ZAAP, children cannot withdraw cash and parents have full visibility of when and where children are spending
It is also much easier to get ZAAP than to get a debit card and savings account. You need to be over 14 and provide a birth certificate or passport and complete a 100-point check and complete lengthy forms. You can order ZAAP online within a matter of minutes.
Debit cards can be significantly more expensive. You can pay a monthly fee up to $4 and a $2 withdrawal fee depending on where cash is withdrawn.
Children can be more independent with ZAAP. Children can’t spend online with a savings account so still need to ask a parent for an alternative if wishing to buy online. ZAAP goes further than a debit card and savings account, providing a tool for parents to teach children good spending and saving habits in a safe and controlled environment. Children can view their balance and transactions and set and track multiple savings goals and the app features reinforces positive behaviours.
Why ZAAP is better than providing a parent’s Credit Card to their child?
Because ZAAP is prepaid, children can only spend what is loaded on the card versus children having access to all available credit on a parent’s credit card. This means less stress for parents and there is no risk of overspending. ZAAP provides a tool for parents to teach children good spending and saving habits. ZAAP teaches them that money is not limitless or as available as a parent’s credit limit might otherwise enable.
Children cannot be approved for use of credit cards, however with ZAAP they can start to learn what it’s like to manage money and prepares them for the responsibilities of having a credit card in the future.
I’m concerned about my child carrying a card, how secure is ZAAP?
Like all payment cards, prepaid cards should be safeguarded. However, ZAAP is a Prepaid Mastercard which is more secure than cash and it is PIN protected for purchase amounts over $99. If your child’s ZAAP Card or Band is lost or stolen, you should block the lost payment device in the ‘Settings’ section of the ZAAP App and keep spending on the other device (if you have purchased a bundle). You can later unblock the device if it is found or alternatively, request a replacement Device be sent to you and you will receive your replacement device within days.
Contacting Us
Our email address is [email protected]Phone: 1800 291 090.
Alternatively, you can write to:
ZAAP Prepaid Cards
PO Box 177
Balmain NSW 2041