News 6 helps get results for retired school bus driver

$2,900 tied up in Green Dot Money Cards for 6 months

When Terry Kline decided to head to the Philippines to celebrate her retirement as a school bus driver,

she wanted to minimize risk to her personal bank accounts, so she purchased $2,900 in Green Dot Money Cards.

 

The purchase was easy but she admits she missed a very important point: You can’t use the cards outside of the United States.

 

“The way they’re packaged, you can’t see all the written material that is on the card itself,” she told News 6.


Kline caught the error and tried to get the money refunded before she left on her journey, but it could not be done. She said the company assured her it would be there in a few weeks.

 

Upon her return from the Philippines, the funds were still on the cards.

 

Because she provided the card numbers to so many people, she was afraid to activate them.

 

That was April. By October, she still was waiting, despite contacting the company’s California offices and

providing all the documentation they requested.

 

“I’ve been going through this for six months mailing and emailing, certified mail and more email," she said.

 

As an 11th hour last resort, she called News 6 investigator Mike Holfeld for help.

 

“An hour later, [he] got results,” Kline said. “We need guys like you, because sometimes the little guy can’t get things done … So I appreciate it because I really needed the money back.”

 

Kline needed the money to pay her friend for the funds she borrowed in the Philippines and to pay for damage of her backyard fence, toppled by Hurricane Matthew.

 

She received six checks by Federal Express for the six money cards worth $2,900. 

 


About the Author:

News 6’s Emmy Award-winning Investigative Reporter Mike Holfeld has made Central Florida history with major investigations that have led to new policies, legislative proposals and even -- state and national laws. If you have an issue or story idea, call Mike's office at 407-521-1322.