Menu
First Progress Card

First Progress Card review: Scam 37

G
Author of the review
8:07 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Review updated:
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

I got a secured card with a 2, 000. Deposit. Used the card to get a cash advance from an ATM. Went to get another cash advance from the same ATM a few days later and it was declined. Called them up and they said there was a "security hold" on the card. They instructed me to fax a copy of my ss card, drivers license and utility bill. Did that the same day. 2 weeks go by, I am continually calling they claim they never got the information. So I send it again. They said the information has to be reviewed by a "Vice President" of the bank (although no one know his name). When I sent the information in I ask for someone to call me to confirm receipt. Here it is three weeks later I still have 1700 credit but can't use the card. When I asked to cancel the card and send me back my deposit less the balance, I was told I had to pay the balance off first and then it will be 8 weeks before I can get a check sent to me. STAY AWAY from this company. They are a TOTAL FRAUD operation.

More First Progress Card reviews & complaints

First Progress Card - I want a full refund the same way I applied the deposit which is my debit card
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Replied
The company left an official comment to this complaint.
First Progress Card - I have had this card for 3 years to rebuild my credit
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Replied
The company left an official comment to this complaint.
First Progress Card - I've been stuck out of town with my card locked the last two weeks
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Replied
The company left an official comment to this complaint.
First Progress Card - Incomplete application unable to cancel with the company Over the last weekend of November I made an attempt to see if I could qualify for one
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Replied
The company left an official comment to this complaint.
First Progress Card - I tried to work with operator to correct billing error
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Replied
The company left an official comment to this complaint.
First Progress Card - They advertise that they will expedite the process of your card for $19.00
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Replied
The company left an official comment to this complaint.
First Progress Card - Complete lack of correspondence while being billed, even after four calls for customer service 4
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Replied
The company left an official comment to this complaint.
37 comments
S
S
Sydney Peritz
, US
May 18, 2023 12:16 am EDT

I sent them $2000 to secure my card and help build credit. I received the card but every time I call to activate the automated system says "Please fund your card to activate". I already sent the funds to activate so I called customer service. They said they received the funds after I told them I had proof from my bank and a reference number. He said the money was sent to "payments" not "funding". I followed the instructions exactly to the letter when I sent the money from my bank. Then he said it would take an additional 3 days to put the money on my card. WHY? They already have the money! I just want to cancel and get my money back because after reading these reviews, I'm getting a bad feeling about this. The guy on the phone had that kind of attitude that if I questioned anything and wasn't polite to him he would hang up on me. He seemed put out to answer any questions. Why is our government allowing these kinds of companies to operate? This is the United States not Nigeria for God's sake!

D
D
Dexter Markes
, US
Feb 08, 2023 1:55 pm EST

STAY AWAY from First Progress...yes it is a scam. The purpose of this card was to build credit not tear me down which they did. i sent the funds required to start two accounts (i.e. $400). I received a request to make a payment to the Credit Card when there was no Card in my hand. I called multiple times to explain to them that i don't have a card and will not make a payment (Application fee) for something I cannot use. I ended up receiving the card (s) but FP ended up adding late fees to my account for something that I had nothing to do with. While attempting to clear the mess up with them they recommended I send a Fax in requesting forgiveness for a late payment which is/ was due to an incorrect billing amount due to the FP never remedying the original payment debacle which caused them to inappropriately add fees. This is their entire business model... fee upon fee upon fee with inept workers that are solely order takers, not problem solvers. Needless to say with payments made there was a 2 or 3-day gap of payment again due to the wrongful feel billing whereby FP sent me as a late payment to the creditors consequently dropping my Credit 100 Points with all the bureaus. This card is BS and needs to be taken to court with a Class Action if at all possible. They take no accountability for their bad service and inaccurate information. PLEASE DO NOT TRUST THAT FP IS HERE TO HELP YOU THEY ARE NOT STAY AWAY!

B
B
Beware beware
, US
Sep 15, 2022 4:13 pm EDT

It is a scam and worthless

T
T
Tara M
, US
Mar 19, 2022 7:32 pm EDT

I was approved for this secured card in Dec of 2021. I paid the deposit plus a $20 fee to have the card sent to me faster. It is now March of 2022 and I still do not have this card and the company has reported to the credit bureaus that i missed a payment! Now the credit score that's have been working so hard to increase has now gone down 150 points! I have called this company to try and get my card, pay the $29 balance (even though I haven't even been able to use the card) and they told me the address provided has a different city and state then the information I gave when asked where I reside. I explained that their info was incorrect, and they said until I can provide the incorrect information, I cannot move forward with any changes, payments, etc.. Now my car loan that I was pre-approved for is no longer an option and the apartment complex I was signing a lease with is now asking that I find a co-signer. This company has essentially ruined my life. I can't even work or get my current car fixed because of the hit my credit score took from them. Stay away from this company. Especially if you are trying to build your credit. I am disputing the charges they have posted, I hope I can get thru this quickly.

R
R
R. Schuck
, US
Jan 31, 2020 8:27 am EST

First Progress is a starter card, or a rebuild card. if you are using it for anything other than paying your phone bill or getting gas, then you are going to look just as dumb as the people above me..
FP isnt a scam..you saying that, just shows how immature and unprepared you are for the real world..i repeat: FP is not a scam.. its just a low level CC company that loves [censored]es like you..

B
B
Beware beware
, US
Sep 15, 2022 4:13 pm EDT
Replying to comment of R. Schuck

It is a scam and VERY much worthless!

N
N
Natalie Sisk
, US
Jun 09, 2023 11:12 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of R. Schuck

Then why did they take all the money out when I put money in and told me that they had no record of the money even being in there when I clearly see it on my statement 😒

B
B
Bw11301949
, US
Jul 18, 2019 10:41 pm EDT

Has anyone figured out a way to beat this card company yet? They froze it on us after 3 different purchases, 3 different calls to find out why they locked our payment. I paid $2, 000 down. And we had $1644.00 left and since they locked it 3 times in one day. Now they have it froze, and my account is reading 00.00 . I can’t wait 10 weeks for a refund. That is all the money we have at this time. So please if anyone has found a way to beat this rip off of a credit card company. Please answer with info. Accept all info you have. I want them takin down and my security deposit returned.

F
F
First Progress Unethical/predatory
, US
Jan 28, 2021 4:44 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Bw11301949

I’m looking into a class action lawsuit if you’re interested

J
J
Joe8292
San Antonio, US
Oct 14, 2021 5:39 pm EDT

I got scammed by them as well. I paid 200 deposit and never received my card. After several calls to the customer service department, they claim to have sent my card to an old address that I havent lived in for years and Im sure I never gave them this address. A few months pass again and this time they tell me the account was closed for fraud. I tell them I never received the car and according to my credit report, First Progress is referenced there in bad standing with a 200 dollar credit limit. Its never been used either but my report is saying that Im late on payments. I never received the card, my credit report shows that the card has never been used but every month its adding another late payment to my report. Today was the final straw. Now they are saying that the account was closed and that they mailed me a 12 dollar check. I said what was this check for. It was the balance for late fees after they closed my account and took 178.00 of my money. I told them was the check cashed because I didnt get anything or notice that the account closed. She then says that they sent the check to the address I lived years ago. She refused to give me any more info and said do you have any other questions. I said thats, it. You just stole my money and now you want to get off the phone. She said there is nothing more I can do. She never once asked me for my correct address. Or verified if the 12 dollar check was cashed. This credit card company has to be ripping off alot of people. I cant be the only person that went thru this. At first I thought that someone stole my card from my mailbox and thats why I never recieved it. However, the card was never used so that made me think nobody took the card. I dont know what else to say or do. I know 200 is not alot of money but I have never been so upset about a company taking my money like that and refusing to do anything to fix it. I dont know if anyone here will read my message and what can i do to feel like justice is served to this company.

J
J
Joe8292
San Antonio, US
Oct 14, 2021 5:46 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Joe8292

I forgot to mention that Credit Karma sent me to this credit card company so I would have never found First Progress had Credit Karma not recommended me to get a prepaid secured card. GRRR! I hope somebody is able to get some success with all of these people getting burned.

C
C
Carol Rouse
Needville, US
Dec 03, 2021 2:51 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We just got we are .
please contact me at rousecarol60@gmail.com

C
C
Calis
, US
Dec 30, 2018 11:57 pm EST

First Progress Card - I agree with all of these reviews stating they are horrible. No contact. They make everything so stressful. No customer service number or email on the website just an address to write to them. No way to retrieve your forgotten password. I keep getting locked out and nothing I can do. Credit Karma did suggest this card with isn’t fair to people who trust credit Karma I would never have gotten this card if it wasnt for their recommendation. They are a BS Company. Don’t waste your time. Or YOUR money

F
F
First Progress Unethical/predatory
, US
Jan 28, 2021 4:45 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Calis

I’m looking into a class action suit in case you’re interested

E
E
Elizabeth A Walker
, US
Apr 26, 2021 3:07 pm EDT

I am very interested! They did the same thing to me... said I was under a security identity issue and closed my acct before I could even respond... no email... no live person to talk to about the terms of supplying any information to them to keep this account active... I am annoyed beyond belief.. They have $100 of my first payment to them plus $200 up front to establish a secured card plus $75 unrefundable processing fee... I cannot get through to anyone to talk to and decided to do some investigation..

C
C
Calis
, US
Dec 30, 2018 11:55 pm EST

I agree with all of these reviews stating they are horrible. No contact. They make everything so stressful. No customer service number or email on the website just an address to write to them. No way to retrieve your forgotten password. I keep getting locked out and nothing I can do. Credit Karma did suggest this card with isn’t fair to people who trust credit Karma I would never have gotten this card if it wasnt for their recommendation. They are a BS Company. Don’t waste your time. Or YOUR money

O
O
oldgraymare
, US
Oct 21, 2018 5:00 pm EDT

Their site and all phone numbers are not working, they are holding 1000 of my money!

F
F
First Progress Unethical/predatory
, US
Jan 28, 2021 4:46 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I’m looking into a class action lawsuit if you’re interested

S
S
Sam Morrow
, US
Jan 29, 2023 10:06 am EST

Same here. They have ruined my credit for never even using them with a zero ballance and having my $200 security deposit. Reported me late now twice to never having late payments Ever..

C
C
Clvndxb
, US
Aug 04, 2023 12:11 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Sam Morrow

I will do a class lawsuit against them. Contact me djdxb@proton.me

M
M
Mister J Beck
, US
Dec 15, 2017 6:48 am EST

After using the card a few times (based on a $200 deposit) when I try to access the online account area of their website it doesn't even show me usable information. Everything is zero's. Prior to getting the card there was no interaction, not even an email confirming it was approved and sent to me. I had to call them at [protected] to find out. It took a couple weeks to get the card after paying $20 for faster shipping. Clearly, something's not right here. I'd advise people to avoid taking the bate on this. On and for the record, Credit Karma suggested this card to me.

J
J
Jay Raskin
, US
Sep 03, 2016 7:06 am EDT

They are horrible to deal with. They don't send out bills in the mail. They locked me out of their online account, although I put in the correct password. When I call the telephone number it was often busy or I would get a call back later message. When I called to find out how much to pay and when my payment was due, they ask you for the card number and social security number, then they talk nonsense for two minutes, instead of a machine, they send you to a service representative who asks for your card number again and social security number and your address. Finally they tell you how much you owe, but they don't tell you when it is due unless you ask for it. You cannot pay over the phone. They do not send you an email with how much you owe or the due date either. So basically, you have to remember to call them each month and waste at least ten minutes on the phone with them. Better make sure that you do it at least three business days before your monthly fee is due, because that's how long it takes if you send a payment with your bank. So if your payment is due the 15th and you send on Saturday the 12th, it won't reach them until the 16th and they will charge you a $35 late fee.
I sent them a $400 deposit last year and they have hit me with at least a half dozen late fees, despite my trying my best to pay on time and never going above $250 in borrowing. I will try to cancel and get my deposit back as soon as I can. Paying 90% a year interest on my own money and wasting hours of my time trying to contact them is a rip-off.

J
J
Joe8292
San Antonio, US
Oct 14, 2021 5:50 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Jay Raskin

good luck trying to get any money from this company. If you are successful please post it on here. I would like to know how i can get my money back

L
L
Lisa Hoffman
, US
Mar 09, 2016 8:03 am EST

They are quick to take your deposit money and never a word from them, if you try to log into your account, after 5 times I was locked out. I have no card, they have my money though. This a problem for everyone. As fars as the so called score of A+ w/ the BBB; I used to be a graphic designer, when people make their webiste or an add, that symbol is available for use everywhere; you don't have to be a member of anything to get an A+ and use that logo; companies just use it all the time. Or, if a company actually is certified with the BBB, the score they get is in direct proportion to how much money they pay BBB, BBB is corrupt in of itself. If a company pays the $500 (may be more now) that used to be what an A+ rating cost, and less the less money the BBB was paid, don't ever rely on the BBB score for anything as far as a good or bad co. It' seiither using it falsey or worse, has just paid money for the right to use the A+.

F
F
First Progress Unethical/predatory
, US
Jan 28, 2021 4:46 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I’m looking into a class action lawsuit if you’re interested

K
K
Karen Corbin
Stockton, US
Jul 03, 2015 3:38 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I opened with just $300.00, but most of the time l can't use it.payments take days to get to them and cancellation is a nightmare. There is nothing easy about this company. They took off some changes that write identity theft but then put them right back on. I really don't know what to do. I just wasn't out from them with my Friday in hand. They put some late charge on there after l had made 2 separate payments in the same month to pay it off. You can't talk to anyone about this, just send an anonymous fax which never gets fixed. Aaahhhhhh!

Zlloyd
Zlloyd
Norfolk, US
Apr 14, 2018 1:18 pm EDT

True true, they do go out of their way to be IMPOSSIBLE to reach...
This is because they are a criminal organization that does not want to be tracked down. So the ONLY way to actually get in touch with them is to send them a letter by snail mail, it is ridiculous that companies like this are allowed to stay in business!

W
W
Wesley Hernandez
Nashville, US
May 13, 2015 5:45 am EDT

I have a problem with verify my information. I was send three time in fact my ssc driver license three bill statement but when was call again said send again because we don't receive any fax
Wesley Hernandez

F
F
First Progress Unethical/predatory
, US
Jan 28, 2021 4:46 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I’m looking into a class action lawsuit if you’re interested

E
E
Ed Kiley
Bel Air, US
Mar 29, 2015 4:17 pm EDT

Ordered a First Progress Credit and submitted $500 as security in August of 2014
It took a many weeks for them to process the card.
I never went over the credit limit set with my deposit of $500 but they immediately started charging fees and interest on my money.
I called to ask about this and was told that is their policy. I cancelled the card in October 2014. They continued to send me bills. I called again and sent them a letter in November 2014 to again try to cancel. They sent me a letter agreeing that they would cancel. They said I owed them Approximately $60, how I don't know since it was my money.
I reluctantly agreed and they said they would send me a final bill.
It is now March and I have called a number of times. They continue to send me bills adding on interest and charges even though account was closed.
They are very unresponsive and I feel that this Company is scamming people.
They are very untrustworthy and prey on people trying to reestablish their credit.

F
F
First Progress Unethical/predatory
, US
Jan 28, 2021 4:46 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Ed Kiley

I’m looking into a class action lawsuit if you’re interested

C
C
Clvndxb
, US
Aug 04, 2023 12:10 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have them in the corner because I open the account pay the money and then I called the same day to cancel it but they issue it anyway but i never recieve it so basically the contract doesnt work with me so if they dont settle I will do a class action lawsuit. Please contact me djdxb@proton.me Lets do it.

E
E
Espoon
, US
Oct 28, 2014 11:11 am EDT

I have been with First Progress for over 2 years. I have never had any problems except if you ever over pay the card; it seems to screw things up! Other than that...seems like a small company with hard working people. If you pay your bill and use this card to build your credit you will not have a problem. Note: You only need $300, not thousands on a secured card. This should be a stepping stone

C
C
CLindy84
Albany, US
Jul 09, 2014 11:34 pm EDT

How did this company get an a+ rating from the better business with all of these negative reviews

Zlloyd
Zlloyd
Norfolk, US
Apr 14, 2018 1:16 pm EDT
Replying to comment of CLindy84

BBB is nothing, that is how...
Any criminal company can get an A+ rating on BBB, all they have to do is buy it, which defeats the entire purpose!

M
M
Mark Bb
Redding, US
Mar 21, 2014 9:54 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

First progress mastercard
is not a dignified banking institution. Do not open a account with them.I closed my secured credit card with them on December 20, 2013. Today is March21, 2014 and I have not received my $1000.00 deposit. BEWARE OF FIRST PROGRESS MASTERCARD!

S
S
Sean Ellis
Tellert, US
Nov 09, 2012 9:03 am EST

Try going to dispute.modria.com and filing a case there. You and company you got the credit card from can enter into an online dispute resolution process for free. You can ask for a mediator to help settle the case or an arbitrator to make a decision as well. Hope it turns out well for you :)