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Green Dot review: Unethical behavior and fraud 7

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Author of the review
7:20 pm EST
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On 2/9/2021 I purchased a Greendot Visa money card for paying bills. I had the card loaded with $500. I went to the website and I registered and activated the card. I was never told I could not use this card. I was also not aware I had to upload my drivers license to their website. After I upload the photo, the company is supposed to send me a real card with my name on it after 5 to 7 days. Well... the website shows I am registered and the card is activated but when I go to the link to upload documents, it says the card is not valid and has not been activated. On that site I also cannot upload my license. I have to get through the first step of entering my card number first but the link will not let me. I get an error message every time. So now I cannot access my money and customer service cannot do anything about it. They have my money and I have a prepaid card I cannot access, use or make purchases with. I want my money back or at least to be able to upload my license so I can use the card. I am out $500 and that is unacceptable on all levels.

Desired outcome: I would like to be able to access this card or close the account and get my money back. This is a scam.

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7 comments
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Henry Murray
, US
Jan 04, 2024 6:12 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

they got 30 dollars from me and like a fool i bought another card and they stole the money from that one.they are just plain outright theives,liars, and con men. the fbi needs to investigate this organization for fraud .

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Mo f
Spring Valley, NY, 10977, US
Sep 06, 2023 1:21 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I got a green dot debit card with $75 on it as a gift from someone, and they didn't allow me to activate the card only if I open a checking account, I opened the account and they charged me right away a monthly fee of $7.95 (so I was left with $67.05) and now they are making me issues when I'm trying to close the account!

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David Serrano
, US
Dec 03, 2022 3:29 pm EST

That just happened to me with $450. My card wasn't working at the ATM. Called GreenDot and the lady started acting suspicious on the phone asking me questions over again, as soon as I hung up on her some guy called saying he was from GreenDot and is sorry about the card. I hang up with him and $450 is taken out of my account. Called GreenDot and they started asking me my social and dob and home address. I told him I already put my social in the phone to get thru. Guy started giving an attitude and said he will hang up if I didn't give him my information. I'm not dumb enough to give GreenDot all of my information again. Especially if they have the info right in front of them.

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2Digits
, US
Jul 26, 2022 5:08 pm EDT

I can't imagine that many others who 'thought' they were purchasing prepaid visa cards to give out as Christmas gifts to family members realized the greendot bank was not only stealing their money, but ultimately stealing from the recipients of the cards, as well (at least that's the way it feels). That's what happened when my son bought of the cards around 3 or 4 years ago. He bought them at Dollar General in California on the same rack as all the other gift cards.

I came across my card again recently and decided to see how much it was for and figured I'd use it to pay a bill. I had heard something about one of the other family members having trouble using the card but didn't remember why. Well, I found out. This was not in any way a 'gift'. To use it, I would have to open a bank account with a bank I'd never even heard of. Then, the money from the card would transfer into that account, where a monthly maintenance fee of $7.95 would be deducted from the balance. I don't have to pay a maintenance fee at my own bank; why would I want to pay one to a bank I didn't even want just to use the money that was meant for me?

It also sounds as if I didn't use the money, but 'ran out' the money in maintenance fees, I could even be charged overdraft fees on the unpaid maintenance fees. I can't say that for a fact; just that it sounds from claims made by others that it has happened to them. There is no incentive whatsoever for me to open another bank account. Mine does a fine job, let alone trust a place like greendot to have control over any direct deposits or mobile deposits. My fear is that even though there was a glitch in the registration process and it doesn't appear to have completed (as they are encouraging me to register the new card immediately), they might already have enough information to access to my money. I haven't downloaded their app and don't intend to.

Anyone know how to get the money off the card without completing the registration?

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Lily Manor
, US
May 18, 2022 11:00 am EDT

On 02/11/2022, our company purchased 2 Walmartgift.com cards for $250 as an employee incentive. I activated each with email address, password. On one card, ( was able to spend $130 before walmartgift.com (greedot) restricted/blocked the card while the other giftcard was never used, but also restricted/blocked. I have been calling walmartgift.com and greedot, emailed my state ID and a copy of the gift cards for the past 3 months. But to no avail, I am told it is with the fraud unit and there's nothing they can do. No reason was given as to the reason for the fraud unit. Now when I call and input the card #, automated system sends me to a 300min wait line. Getting the call dropped, transferred into space for long periods of time, lying about next action. Ridiculous! Walmart states they are not responsible for the gift cards and are unable to assist in this situation. Greendot got a free $370. The money remains on the gift card, but the company refuses to release funds.

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Rhonda Herndon
, US
Apr 05, 2021 12:32 am EDT

i agree with mwrren87 to start a lawsuit

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Mwarrrn87
, US
Mar 26, 2021 2:08 am EDT

I've had numerous issues myself I say we start a class action there's enough complaints if they going to be fdic insured and carry visa logo they need to be held accountqble