In short, the Emerald card is a prepaid debit card issued by H&R Block, a well-known tax preparation company. It allows you to deposit your tax refunds directly and access them all year round. What’s more, you can use the card anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Much like a regular prepaid card, this card enables you to:
- Receive payments (government/unemployment benefits, payroll, etc.)
- Load checks via the app
- Transfer money from another bank account
- Load the card using cash at one of the participating reload locations (Walmart, Dollar General, etc.)
If you’re interested in owning one, you should learn how to activate the Emerald card and other relevant information. For more details about the card, the fees, and your eligibility, we suggest you read the official Cardholder Agreement. For now, we’ll be focusing on the card activation and account setup process.
How to Activate Your H&R Block Emerald Card
There are three ways in which you can sign up for and activate your Emerald card:
- By visiting one of many H&R Block tax office locations
- Online (if you’re already using one of H&R Block’s digital products)
- Through the MyBlock mobile app
- By calling the customer services at 1-866-353-1266
After you apply, you’ll be asked to provide certain details, such as your personal and contact information, as well as your credit card number, CVV, etc. Upon signup, you’ll receive a card with its respective Emerald card number, as well as a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for the authorization of transactions.
How to Log Into Your Account
When creating your account, you’ll need to come up with a username and password. Make sure to remember these, as you’ll need them to log into your account, which you can do through the HRBlock.com/EmeraldCard website or on the MyBlock app.
You can find and download the app from the Google Play Store or iTunes. Aside from the traditional login method, you can also add the option of face or fingerprint ID for easier, faster, as well as safer authentication.
How to Use Your PIN
As we mentioned, you’ll need your Emerald card PIN (Personal Identification Number) in order to activate, access, and use your account. Using your PIN, you can withdraw cash from an ATM (provided that it’s in the U.S.) or any Point-of-Scale device that has the Mastercard acceptance mark and allows for the use of PINs.
Make sure to remember your PIN and don’t disclose it to anyone. Don’t write the PIN on the card or keep it anywhere close to it, such as in the wallet. If you believe somebody has managed to get a hold of your PIN, notify the company immediately.
How to Check Your Balance
Once you’re all set up, your Emerald card and account will be ready to use. To check your current balance or complete any other action, simply log into the MyBlock app. Apart from allowing 24/7 access to your funds, the app allows you to view your previous transactions, pay bills, etc.