Would you prefer a payroll card to direct deposit?

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More and more American workers are facing fees before they are able to access their wages on payday. Why? Prepaid cards have been issued by their employers to replace direct deposit or paper paychecks.

Questions:
1. Who are some of the well-known companies using these prepaid cards? Why is the New York attorney general getting involved?
2. What are the benefits to employers of using prepaid cards?
3. What company is the largest issuer of payroll cards?
4. Do you think that Ms. Gunshannon will be able to force a class-action suit and prevail against the issuing corporations? Why or why not?

Source:

Silver-Greenberg, J. and S. Clifford. (2013). Paid via Cards, Workers Feel the Sting of Fees. The New York Times, June 30 (Retrievable online at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/01/business/as-pay-cards-replace-paychecks-bank-fees-hurt-workers.html?hp
Silver-Greenberg, J. (2013). Payroll Cards Are Under Scrutiny by New York’s Attorney General. The New York Times, July 2 (Retrievable online at http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/07/02/payroll-cards-are-under-scrutiny-by-new-yorks-attorney-general/?src=dlbksb)

Youtube Video. (2013). McDonalds Franchise Sued for Paying With Payroll Cards. Newsy, June 18 (Retrievable online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0_djfs6b_w)