Google Cancelling Its Prepaid Card Service Is Bad News For Aussies


Google has today announced that it will soon kill off the prepaid card meant for use with its Google Wallet service. Every Google Wallet user with a Google prepaid card will have their balances refunded, but the worst blow is set to be dealt to Australians who hacked the service onto their Android phones here.

From September 17, Google wallet users will no longer be able to add funds to their prepaid cards, and a month later on October 17, the prepaid card will disappear entirely from Google Wallet.

Google Wallet was never officially made available in Australia, but clever clogs who were dead-keen on having the service were able to hack their devices to support the app and claim the complimentary $10 prepaid card that came with it. You’re not able to pair a credit card with the service unless you’re a US Citibank customer, which means Wallet is about to be made officially redundant in Australia.

Here’s what Google says on the Wallet blog:

Thank you for being one of the first users of the Google Wallet app and for activating your Google Prepaid Card. Since we recently launched the ability to use any debit or credit card in Google Wallet, we are going to discontinue the Google Prepaid Card soon.

September 17: You will no longer be able to add funds to your Google Prepaid Card or add a new Google Prepaid Card to a new device. Please be aware that resetting the Wallet app after this date will remove the Google Prepaid Card and you will not be able to re-add the card. Find out more.
October 17, 2012: Your Google Prepaid Card will disappear from the Wallet app and you won’t be able to spend your balance any longer. Don’t worry, you will be able to request a refund if you have remaining funds by visiting this site.

Vale, Google Wallet in Australia.

Image: Sergio Uceda


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