Postepay Evolution, the prepaid card with an IBAN that simplifies your life: online shopping, withdrawals, expense management… all at your fingertips! But what happens if, among the thousand things to do, you forget to pay the annual fee? The consequences could be more unpleasant than you think. 🤔 Imagine no longer being able to access your money, having a payment declined, or even worse, suffering repercussions on your creditworthiness. 😱 In this article, we’ll find out exactly what happens if you fail to pay the fee for your Postepay Evolution, what the real risks are, and how to avoid them with a few simple tips. Keep reading so you’re not caught unprepared and know what happens if you don’t pay the annual fee for your Postepay Evolution! 👇

What is Postepay Evolution and its annual fee?

The Postepay Evolution is a personal prepaid card issued by Poste Italiane, equipped with an IBAN, which makes it a versatile tool for managing your finances. Unlike other prepaid cards, the Postepay Evolution stands out for its IBAN, which allows you to:

• Receive wire transfers: have your salary, pension, or any other wire transfer credited directly to your card.
• Set up direct debits for utilities: manage the payment of bills and household utilities automatically.
• Make and receive payments: shop in physical stores and online worldwide, thanks to the Mastercard circuit.

In addition to the IBAN, Postepay Evolution offers several features:

• Withdrawals: withdraw cash at Postamat ATMs, post offices, and authorized bank ATMs.
• Contactless payments: make fast and secure payments by tapping your card on the POS terminal.
• Management via app: check your balance and transactions, make payments and top-ups, and manage your finances easily and quickly through the Postepay App and Poste Italiane App.
• Top-up limit: the maximum top-up limit for Postepay Evolution is €100,000.00 across all Postepay Evolution cards held by the same person.
• Balance limit: the maximum balance on a Postepay Evolution card is €30,000.00.
• Flexible top-up: top up your Postepay Evolution in various ways: at post offices, Postamat ATMs, via wire transfer, online, through the dedicated apps, in PUNTOLIS tobacco shops, and with the home top-up service.

The annual fee for the Postepay Evolution is €15.00. The presence of the IBAN and the wide range of services offered justify this cost, which distinguishes it from basic prepaid cards.

What happens if I don’t pay the fee?

Failure to pay the annual fee for the Postepay Evolution can lead to a series of consequences that are important to know to avoid unpleasant surprises:

• Card suspension: Poste Italiane may suspend your card, preventing you from making payments, withdrawals, and other transactions. This means you won’t be able to use the card for online shopping, in physical stores, or to withdraw cash.
• Blocking of transactions: in addition to suspension, all incoming and outgoing transactions on the card may be blocked, including wire transfers, credits, and payments. For example, if you are expecting your salary or a wire transfer, you will not be able to receive it until the situation is resolved.
• Charging of late payment interest: in case of a delay in paying the fee, late payment interest may be applied to the outstanding debt. This means the amount to be paid will increase, worsening the situation.
• Offsetting between cards: if you hold multiple Postepay cards, Poste Italiane may withdraw the amount due from the balance of another one of your cards to compensate for the non-payment.
• Reporting to CRIF: in the most serious and prolonged cases of non-payment, your position may be reported to CRIF, the Financial Intermediation Risk Center (Centrale Rischi di Intermediazione Finanziaria). This can have repercussions on your creditworthiness, making it more difficult to obtain loans, mortgages, or other forms of financing in the future.

It is important to note that the consequences of non-payment can vary depending on the length of the delay and Poste Italiane’s internal policies. For example, for Postepay Connect offers, which include a PosteMobile SIM, there is a 60-day grace period for the renewal of the annual fee. It is advisable to contact Poste Italiane customer service to find out the specific situation of your card and how to resolve it.

How to reactivate Postepay Evolution after non-payment?

If your Postepay Evolution has been suspended or blocked due to non-payment of the annual fee, here are the steps to follow to reactivate it:

1. Contact Poste Italiane: the first thing to do is contact Poste Italiane customer service to find out your situation and how to resolve it. You can do this through the website, the app, or the toll-free number.
2. Pay the outstanding fee: once you have contacted customer service, you will need to pay the annual fee, including any late payment interest. You can do this via wire transfer, postal money order, or directly at a post office.
3. Identity verification: in some cases, you may need to verify your identity at a post office by presenting a valid identification document.
4. Activation via Postamat ATM: if your card has been renewed upon expiration or replaced due to a malfunction, you can activate the new card at any Postamat ATM by entering the PIN.
5. Reactivation times: the time it takes to reactivate the card can vary depending on Poste Italiane’s internal procedures. Generally, the card is reactivated within a few business days after the outstanding fee is paid.

Tips to avoid non-payment

Avoiding non-payment of the Postepay Evolution annual fee is simple. Here are some useful tips:

• Automatic top-up: activate the automatic top-up service from your BancoPosta checking account or another Postepay card. This way, funds will always be available, and the fee will be automatically debited on the due date, without you having to remember it.
• Set a reminder: set a reminder on your smartphone or calendar to remember the fee’s due date. You can also use the notification features of the Postepay app.
• Maintain a sufficient balance: make sure you always have a sufficient balance on the card to cover the annual fee, especially as the due date approaches.

Alternatives to Postepay Evolution

If the annual fee for Postepay Evolution seems excessive or you prefer a card with different management costs, you can consider some alternatives:

• Postepay Standard: the basic prepaid card from Poste Italiane, with no annual fee. It offers basic features for payments and withdrawals but does not include an IBAN.
• IoStudio Postepay: if you are a high school student, the IoStudio Postepay is an excellent alternative. This card, offered by the Ministry of Education and Merit, is free and offers numerous benefits, such as discounts on the purchase of books, school supplies, and access to museums and cinemas.
• Other prepaid cards: there are numerous prepaid cards available on the market from banks and payment institutions, with different features and costs. Compare the offers and choose the card that best suits your needs.
• Checking accounts: a bank checking account offers more comprehensive features than a prepaid card, such as the ability to issue checks, have your salary direct-deposited, and set up direct debits for utilities. However, checking accounts often have higher management costs than prepaid cards.

It is important to carefully evaluate the costs and services offered by each alternative before making a decision. Compare the fees for withdrawals, payments, wire transfers, and other transactions, and choose the most cost-effective solution for your needs.

User Experiences

In various online forums and communities, users share their experiences with Postepay Evolution, including regarding non-payment of the annual fee. Many complain about the lack of clarity in communications from Poste Italiane regarding the fee’s due date and the consequences of non-payment. Some users report having had difficulty reactivating the card after paying the amount due, while others emphasize the importance of setting up automatic top-ups to avoid problems.

Comparison Table

Conclusions

Postepay Evolution is a practical and versatile payment tool, ideal for managing your finances simply and securely. The presence of an IBAN makes it a complete solution that goes beyond the features of a classic prepaid card. Thanks to the IBAN, you can set up direct debits for utilities, receive wire transfers, and have your salary credited directly to the card, ensuring flexible money management. However, it is crucial to be aware of the obligations and responsibilities that come with using Postepay Evolution. The annual fee, although justified by the services offered, is a cost to consider.

Forgetting to pay the fee can lead to undesirable consequences, such as card suspension, blocking of transactions, and late payment interest charges. In the most serious cases, non-payment can be reported to CRIF, the Financial Intermediation Risk Center, with possible repercussions on your creditworthiness. For this reason, it is essential to take preventive measures to avoid non-payment, such as activating automatic debit or setting reminders.

Before applying for a Postepay Evolution, it is advisable to carefully evaluate your needs and lifestyle. If you need a card for occasional payments and cash withdrawals, the Postepay Standard, with no annual fee, might be a more economical solution. For students, the IoStudio Postepay offers numerous benefits and discounts. Finally, if you want more complete management of your finances, with the ability to issue checks and access more advanced banking services, a checking account might be the most suitable choice.

Ultimately, Postepay Evolution is a valid payment tool, but it requires responsible and conscious management. Informing yourself about the terms of use, monitoring your balance and the fee’s due date, and evaluating available alternatives are fundamental steps for correct and surprise-free use.

Frequently Asked Questions