CHARLOTTE, NC -- Some people who don't have bank accounts are turning to prepaid debit cards. But one Charlotte college student said her decision to buy the card was a big mistake. Prepaid Visa debit cards are like regular bank debit cards. Customers can use them at the ATM, but the fees on this card can wipe customers out.

Elaine Henson is a full time college student. When she got her financial aid check, instead of opening a bank account, . she purchased a prepaid Visa card.

"It's just a convenience to have your money without having a lot of cash in your pocket or opening a bank account, no ties to a bank or anything," she said.

Henson opened the Visa account with Green Dot by giving them a $165 payment. $15 included a sign up fee. But when Henson used her Visa at an ATM she was hit with a whopping $4.50 user fee.

In addition, Green Dot charged a $5 monthly maintenance fee. That's when Henson realized her money was being eaten up by fees.

"You know when I saw all that, I thought I might as well just open up a bank account if I want all these fees," she said.

Henson tried taking all of her money out but it wouldn't let her. She then called the card issuer Green Dot and got a representative on the phone.

"She confirmed me that it would be closed but I asked them to send me my money and they never did. They just kept the money and closed the account," she said.

Action 9 got in touch with the card issuer Green Dot Corporation in California. It then sent Henson a $114 check and refunded some fees it had taken out. She's now opened a bank account and will stay away from prepaid debit cards.