New York: `Keeping Up with the Kardashians` may be a hit, but a debit card tied to US reality television family has been canceled.A Minnesota lender on Monday halted sales of a prepaid debit card featuring an image of the Kardashian sisters, after Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said the card carried "outrageous" fees that unfairly targeted financially unsophisticated young adults.
University National Bank said the 250 consumers who bought the MasterCard-branded "Kardashian Kard" since its November 9 launch may continue using it for 30 days, and thereafter would receive refunds of balances and up-front fees.
The St. Paul-based company said it was reviewing its agreement with the Kardashians` company Dash Dolls LLC to ensure that card holders get refunds, and would work to ensure that card holders "experience as little inconvenience as possible."
Blumenthal had complained on Friday that the debit card burdened fans of Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian`s "lives of luxury and extravagance" with fees that could reach $100 a year, plus fees for ATM withdrawals, cancellations and talking with a phone operator.
According to a letter from the Kardashians` lawyer released by Blumenthal`s office, the sisters on Monday pulled out of the agreement allowing the bank to use their likenesses on the card.
"The Kardashians have worked extremely long and hard to create a positive public persona that appeals to everyone, particularly young adults," wrote the lawyer, Dennis Roach.
"Unfortunately, the negative spotlight turned on the Kardashians as a result of the Attorney General`s comments and actions threatens everything for which they have worked."
A spokesman for Purchase, New York-based MasterCard Inc referred a request for comment to University National.
Prepaid debit cards associated with celebrities "are becoming more and more popular," said Pamela Banks, senior policy counsel for Consumers Union in Washington, D.C.
"Tying a card to someone who is famous or wealthy can get more consumers to say, `I want to be more like the rich and famous,"` she continued. "But prepaid debit cards do not have the same protections that traditional debit cards have, and often have hidden fees that eat away at their value."
Connecticut voters this month elected Blumenthal, a Democrat, to the US Senate, beginning in January.
Bureau Report
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies Setting
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. More information can be found in our Cookies and Privacy Policy. You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below.
Manage Consent Preferences
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work or you may not be able to login.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advert as well as help measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we may not know when you have visited our site, and may not be able to monitor its performance.