NetSpend
reviews and complaints

I purchased a Netspend Prepaid Debit card at the end of June 2023.

I made several purchases and all was going well until August 1, 2023.

I logged onto my account and saw that I was blocked with a message stating something in regards to there being a ptoblem with my account and yo call customer service immediately.

I called somewhere between a total of 5-10 times over 3 days and was told the same scripted message: there is a restriction and we are sending you to our fraud department. The fraud department on August 1st (after waiting on hold about 45 min.) told me that they were updating their systems, it was direct deposit time and they were super busy; so call back in an hour.

I called back (after waiting at least 30 minutes) and was told to call back the next day. I did so and was NEVER told what the problem was. I then, was told that I had to answer 3 questions pertaining to private info AND scan personal info such as driver's license, SS# etc in order to prove my identity. I was eventually hung up on.

I had about $316.00 on that card with which I needed. I have never had a situation happen like this in my life.

I feel helpless and branded and treated like a criminal... with no justification or reason. I stronly feel that my identity & money has been stolen.

I'm completely shocked beyond belief that someone can stop my normal life at will and leave me emotionally and mentally devastated over something that I don't even know the "why" of.

Thank you

I have been a customer for about 15 years. But right now i'm ready end this business partnership. I have been locked out of my account with no access to my funds. Ive been on the phone with NetSpend over 30 times in 2 weeks. ive been hung-up on 1 time and "disconnected" 5 times.

I have provided all documents (6 total documents) that are requested, but dismissed for being not being an "accepted form" This is the most ridiculous system for authenticating. I'm appalled at this current state of customer service. I have never experienced any type of bad customer.. LIKE THIS from any company ever. Seems like my next steps will be legal. And the FTC. Seems like you are not wanting any business. Unbelivable.

There is a dispute on an over draft funds on my old card, and my new card a hold was put on that I can not use my funds for bills or rent... Its funny how easy you can replace , send a dispute, so just remove the funds owed and release my funds I worked for. Your customer service informed me it would take 5 to 7 bsns days to resolve, i dont have 5 to 7 bsns days , you have 24hrs to resolve and release my funds . My overdraft is $157.00 my direct deposit was $708.00 . I am very upset , and I have been with Netspend almost 5yrs never have I had an issue on my funds. So disappointed .

Maria Mendiola

Netspend customer

incident: 08/03/23

My mother had a NetSpend account she had a stroke in January her card was stolen someone had transfered all her social security money and her va benefits to another card they ordered in her name NetSpend blocked the card the 22nd of January she still has 4,000 and something on the card they asks her questions she don't remember because she had two strokes so they won't let her in her account before the second stroke she got into her account by herself we ordered a new card that's what your allowed to do order a new card than nestpend takes that card and stops it takes the 4000 and something dollars and say they don't know where it went my mother is a 71 year old elderly woman they told me I need to get a power of attorney to speak for my mother everything we try to do they use another excuse to keep me and my mother from filwinf a dispute so she can have money to eat with buy clothes and survive I mail the power of attorney they tell they received than the customer service say they ever received it to go only given us the runaround again and again and again to keep my mother from finding her money and getting a refund for 7 months we've been doing this I'm gonna go sue NetSpend they know she can't talk but don't care if she can't answer the questions she can't answer than they won't help her I received a email today saying they received my power of attorney to talk to customer service I got put on hold for 30 minutes the lady kept lieing saying they never received my power of attorney even though I got email they did she told 5 lies I gave her the reference number and the id numbers she put me on hold for so long 30 minutes and never came back than I hung up called back than I told the guy what happened what she did so the guy paused than he said you need the you need the social security number put me back to the front of the answering machine for no reason they did that to me so many times

My name is Melissa Flaugher and here is a copy of my complaint I sent to the president of Netspend:

My name is Melissa Flaugher and I have been a Netspend account owner for 4+ years. On July 18,2023 I deposited $170 into my account. The very next day I tried to use it to buy something way below the money I had deposited and it was declined. No only was that embarrassing but there was no reason for it. I tried to log into my account to see what was wrong and here’s what I got:

' proof of address. I told her there was no way in hell I was sending my personal information, which they should already have on file. She transferred me to this man and he said I would not have access to MY MONEY until I sent these documents. My disability check gets deposited in there every month so I had to call the social security office and explain to them what has happened. Because of this I could not get my medication or the food I needed. My daughter is critically ill and I’ve already been under a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety. I am 61 years old and not well. This has caused me lots of distress, high anxiety with emotional problems with crying and not sleeping well.

You probably won’t even read this or if you do, you probably won’t care. But I have notified the Federal Trade Commission and they said they’ve had lots of complaints already. I send them the above plus proof of my deposit. Also, I contacted the Consumer Finance.gov and they are aware of the situation and will be taking action against Netspend. They also have proof of everything. Both parties told me that your company is in the wrong. One more thing, someone changed my direct deposit information on the social security site to a bank and account number I have never heard of. I informed them what was going on and they will be doing an investigation as well.

All I want is my $170 back and for this account to be closed forever. I will get an attorney, if necessary. I am good friends with one and he said he would definitely help me. I will use social media, if necessary, to show what kind of company this is. The public or government agencies will not tolerate this with anyone, especially a sick person that had to go without her meds because of your company. I do not want this happening to anyone else, but from what I hear, this is a common thing with Netspend. Hacking into someones social security account and changing the direct deposit is a felony, which was told to me by several people, including the State Police.

If you can fix this, I would greatly appreciate it. You can email me, if necessary. If not, I’ll let the government handle it.

Melissa Flaugher

[protected]@gmail.com

I filed a dispute 6 /30/23 for 322.00 that was took out of my account by greyhound. I never received a email nor ticket from them . I haven't had this resolved and was told I could get provisional credit but now they tell me 45 days .. that was my whole social security check .. I've called 6 times throut this month and it's sad Government money is to be looked over . I receive a little over that per month so with it gone I'm lost . I had to get someone else to pay for my ticket home witch I have a picture of that confirmation number of that ticket why would I have to buy 2 tickets going the same way over 4 days time ? Thankfully I made it to Texas but NetSpend wants SSI RECIPIENTS STRANDED AND OUT ON THE STREET

I bought a net spend card on July first. Put $100 on it and tried for 3 days to activate it with no luck! Net Spend gave me an address in Texas to mail the card, and receipt to for a full refund. I did just that. I waited and waited. Almost two weeks later I checked the whereabouts of my refund, I was to if I sent my card to the Texas address it was shredded without being opened! Now I'm out $100 and nobody will even answer my emails! I live on a fixed income with my grandchild I have custody of. Please help! Thank you Diane Hensley

I bought a prepaid debit card from NetSpend and deposited $300 at a 7/11 store near me. For the life of me, I could not get the card activated. The website would always redirect me to their customer service helpline to talk to a representative, which was impossible to do because it would not go through because the debit card number I was entering was not activated. Hence I am stuck in the endless loop of trying to talk to a representative and failing.

I tried contacting their customer service helpline, and they assured me to call me, which I have been waiting on, and still haven't heard back.

This was urgent; my funds were stuck in that nonactivated card. I don't know what to do.

Recently I had fraudulent charges appear on my Netspend account. When I noticed the errors I cancelled my card, contacted the vendor which was Amazon & called the bank while the transaction were still pending. Netspend issued a small refund which made me think the issue was being resolved. A week later I get a letter stating that they found no errors during the investigation. If they reviewed my account, it would be easy to see that since 2015 these transactions don't even fit my spending habits. I've had brief holds placed on my account for far less then this. How can you refund one & not the other? I have sent a demand for action letter to Netspend & will also contact The consumer financial protection bureau about the matter. From researching I can see that this is not the first instance of Netspend doing this.

June 21 I loaded $300 on my pre-paid debit card which gave me over $330 on the card. As I always do I logged into netspend to double check my amount! I got the red lettered notice that there was a problem with my card and to contact customer service: which I did several times (both phone #'s) and kept getting "invalid card #" "invalid social security #".

I have had this card for over 3 years and use every month! I have had no problems! I have online bills I need too pay and I cannot use the over $300 in my account!

What is going on? How do I get through to customer service to unblock my card?

Stephen ream

1 pinewood st., shelby, ohio 44875

Card # [protected]/26 885

I have sent them all of the information they require to close my deceased wife's account and send the check to me (I am the court appointed for my wife;s estate. I sent the first request on 2/13/2023 by mail...2nd request was on 5/12/2023 by E-Mail...third request on 6/26/2023 by Mail. If I send them an E-mail to ask the status they say they cannot answer by E-mail...if I call customer service they say they cannot help me and they say they cannot connect me to the Legal Department. Help...Help...Help My wife's name was Marley Tarlton

I was told and it’s in the agreement. If you have direct deposit you don’t have to pay transaction fees I was charged $1.99 for each transaction was totaled over $200. I called to complain about it and the agent said there is nothing that could be done as I searched my account I didn’t notice that you can switch it to a five dollar minimum fee, didn’t bother him and telling me that I want my money back.

I filed several complaints about the way my money kept getting stolen off my card. The company kept blocking the card and sending me a knew one..Claim number; [protected], 4/26/23 is one month then after a few months went buy they couldn't help me. Then i kept receiving my allaccess cards and the company wouldn't activate them, they kept sending me to the phone machine that was no help at all. I have several netspend allaccess cards that needs to be activataed. It looks like the stole the money that normally comes with several customers flash pay you can reach me at [protected] or fay.[protected]@gmail.Com

We had nothing but problems and charges from NetSpend the ten years we did business with them. We were locked out of our accounts more than once. NetSpend caused so much termoil in our lives. Rent was late, phones were shut off. We have to order a new card after they locked our original, so we would have no access to funds for weeks at a time. There are more than a few times these things happened. If you want specifics, I'll need to know what your looking for, exactly.

My name is G.stephen.

Am a victim of cyber crime. CYBER THUGS used my card while in pocket Around 9:41 PM my Debit card was used at ATM OF M & T bank in Cartonsville MD.

Address: 5642 baltimore national pike,catonsville , MD 21228.

My card was used while i have it in my and have it right now in POCKET Gaithersburg MD done in cartonsville never ever been there. I wake up next day as usual take TAXI TO WORK, try to pay with card decline ,no breakfast. Checked around 8 AM .. Digital thug took all the money in cartonsville ATM. I call NETSPEND BANK 8 AM .NO ANSWER WAITED UNTIL 9 AM..

When customer representative answered told me to call ATM ONWER. I called M & T bank they transfered main headquarter .No help.. They told me you bank NETSPEND SHOULD RESOLVE YOUR ISSUES.

I FILED ONLINE DISPUTE ON NETSPEND WEBSITE .

Called back and asnwerd after hold forever then again customer representative tells me need to sign and sent to them.

Later found dispute was done at netspend APP. CUSTOMER REPRESANTATIVE SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE UNTIL 07/03/2023.

VERY DISMISSING.

TWO YEARS AGO LOST OVER $ 1000.00 AFTER MY CARD WAS STOLEN THAT PHYSICAL NOT CYBER . THEY REFUSED TO HELP.

THIS TIME NO PHYSICAL CARD WAS STOLEN IS DIGITAL CRIMINAL USED MY NETSPEND CARD . Netspend has refused to protect money deposited in their account.

NEED HELP ASAP RESOLVING THIS MATTER.

ONLY REASON DID NOT CANCEL ACCOUNT BECAUSE RECIEVE DIRECT DEPOSIT THROUGH IT.

I signed up last year Nov. 2022. Had direct deposit. List card . Never was able to get my 60.00. After at least 20 calls. Promisrss from PAUL. Nothing. I want my 60.00 how do I get it from these THIEVES I have asked over and over for a supervisor with zero attempts. They have said over and over it was mailed but it has never come. There is no corporate number just the same incompetent zero English speaking no good for nothing...

About last year I got your guys card at 7-eleven but when I tried to activate it, it wouldn't work and I tried to call you and it would say to Dile 661 which I tried. But then it would hang up mediately and I was hoping to get a refund! Card 1 : [protected] Pin for card 1 - 963. Card 2 : [protected] Pin for card - 244. I would like a text back please [protected]

I bought a 2023 dodge Durango from a car dealership in Norco California. I kept the car for months and I returned the car back in February 12th 2023. I was notified by the finance company that they deposit three checks into my Netspend account I only received one check on 03/8/2023 for 901.40 the other two deposits, they did not give them to me. They are holding my money, and I provided them the tracking numbers for both checks, and they told me that I had to file a dispute with the finance company on the phone after I found dispute I called back two weeks on this date 03/30/3023 and was told I waited 60 days so you can’t get your money back and there’s nothing we can do about it. I asked to file a complaint and they would not let me I spoke to the manager and he would not let me file a complaint. They told me that I have to wait 10 days and found another complaint again when they are holding my money and they have not sent my checks back to the company so they can re-issue me another check,

My name is malia Gonzalez my account was drained on may 30th. I reported it immediately and was told to email customer service and I would hear back in 6 hours. Never heard back. And now I’m suppose to wait 10 days to see if I will get my money back or mot? I have rent due and electric due in the next week. I have two kids. That was my ssi money so I have no other source of income. The thief’s are winning here and my bank isn’t helping me get money back that is mine. I’m losing faith in netspend and if I don’t see my funds return to me as soon as possible I will my canceling my account and taking my business elsewhere.

Minor son had a Netspend Skylight account established for direct deposits for a summer job in 2022. He subsequently opened another teen checking account with Capital One to earn interest. We closed his Skylight account in May 2023 and because the account had uneven dollars and cents, that couldn’t be withdrawn via ATM, we chose a paper check refund.

The check arrived within two weeks, but the face of the check states, “NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MOBILE DEPOSIT”. That is pretty restrictive for a teen who banks entirely online. Additionally, in our rural area, my two banks do not have a branch to deposit the check, after son signs it over to me. I had reviewed the terms of service and did not locate a notice or agreement that classified refund checks as not eligible for mobile deposit.

To get his earned wages, we now either have to open a new account with a local bank & wait the 1-2 week non-withdrawal new account period (and then withdraw and close the local account) or I can drive an hour to go to either of my banks’ closest branch to deposit the check and then transfer the money back to my son.

It is rather ridiculous for the hassle to close an account and get access to your money, especially with physical bank branches disappearing in rural areas due to the plethora of online banking options. Additionally, there was no option to electronically transfer the Netspend account funds to his new Capital One account.