NetSpend
reviews and complaints

I brought a PayPal card and loaded $120 on 8/4/21. We to activate it and was told that I can't have a netspend account. That I was put on a blacklist. Never was told that and I had a netspend Business account that was blocked and I had had it for a rew years. They never told me that they had blocked that account. So ever time I call to get my money back they tell me 7 to 10 business day. It's been over a month and I still have not received my money back.

I strongly recommend that NetSpend be avoided.

Buying this card will lock you into a vicious cycle that you will not be able to resolve easily and quickly, due to poor processes on NetSpend's side. It's a good thing I kept some cash on hand or I would have been starving.

Here's the problem. Now just to point out: the ONLY reason I got this card is because I don't have a local bank to deposit cash for online transactions, and it's Sunday (banks are closed anyway).

NetSpend requires you to register the card so they can violate your privacy and do a basic identity check. That's fine.

What's not fine is that their tool rejects certain addresses with the wrong response code.

In my case I've had the same address for decades and it's never been an issue. I set up a new local address last year and that's what I've been working toward, but sometimes I have to use the older address depending on what database they verify against.

NetSpend refuses both addresses, thinking they're PO boxes (they're not). Okay, so I give an old physical address just to get past the tool. It successfully provides verification questions, but says I was "conditionally approved".

Calling the phone system does another identity check with more logical questions and this time it's passed. Says I'm approved. Fine.

I log in and verify the available balance. All looks fine. I try to edit the address, it still refuses to take it EVEN FOR A MAILING ADDRESS. So now I know I made a bad choice here.

I go to swipe the card like normal. DECLINED.

I try to get back into NetSpend - "Account is locked". Okay, maybe it's a fraud lock for the transaction.

Nope. Turns out they completely lock the account, and I know why. It's likely because they see that the address is in a different state than where I bought it (which really shouldn't matter as long as it's all in the US, it's a PREPAID card! People do travel states!). Regardless, the issue is caused by THEM refusing to accept my address which is 4 miles away from where I bought it.

So I call, and this time get routed to "Risk Management" who informs me that I need to scan and send the receipt (attached). Here's the problem.

The department that reviews the attachments IS CLOSED ON THE WEEKEND. That means you're completely locked out from funds for up to two days, then they quote "6 business hours" to do the review. So you could be looking at up to 3 days without your money.

This is absolutely unacceptable to implement a blocking mechanism without staffing to be able to resolve it in the same 24/7 that the rest of the departments work. It's also unacceptable that there's no other way to get access to your money because of this.

By the time anyone reads this it will (hopefully) self resolve. But I'm documenting this happened for people who search. I implore you - AVOID NETSPEND. Do not transact with them.

i purchased the card on 09/21/21 went to activate on line and was asked to send in a copy of driver lic, SS card and pay stub. i sent them in then i called as what was sent to me in your system. was told it would take 6 hours to get set up. now today at 8:46pm CDT i am told it will take up to 7 days.
so i asked for all of the money i put on with the coast of the card 60.00 + 2.95 total of 62.95 and i was told i am only going to get 55+ some change back. what a rip off. you did not even do what was told to me you would do.

if someone ask me about Net-spend, . don't worry i will tell them to stay away from you as you rip money away from people that work hard for what they get.

why does it take 10 days to get a refund on something that you messed up in the first place?

My account was blocked and I was unable to use the 138.00 I had on my card. I called the company but they did not help or tell me why my card is being declined and automated system says my card not valid a week after I loaded my money on it. They gave me the run around on the phone for a hour they wouldn't give me a refund or tell me what happened. Netspend stole my money off my card and locked me out my account. Please email me @[protected]@gmail.com. Sincerely Dana

I have money in my account and i cant get it because ive got married and changed my name and lost all my belonging in a house fire and cant get the documents they say im required to have got id but my name has been changed sent before an after pics of my social and a proof of address but none of the things i have is good enough how can yall deny me my money my maden name is Emily Jean Britt but now im a Compton i need my money so i can eat and they yall wont unlock my account i did not lock it so it shouldn't be locked

I called to activate prepaid card that I bought from the gas station and I put 100.00 dollars on it there. When I called the toll free number that netspend prepaid card has which activation number they begin asking me questions that was way back 20yrs ago that I did not remember. So than they asked me to send id and a light bill or a gas bill to my house. I received a email from netspend prepaid that they did not approve my light bill which I just received in the mail and a state id card that has my picture and date of birth. Than she said my apt number was not on there. I told her I have a house. Than she tells me to resend my documents again and I told her no just refund my 100 dollars back she said she did and lied cause I called the card and it was not canceled and no refund. I had to call a second time so I am on the phone with the representative now. What I do not understand how are they going to hold my own money that I put on netspend prepaid card? I strongly advise people stay away from netspend what mess they are doing here they dont want me to use my own money and they lie as well. I hope something be done with this company I am also going to the better business bureau reporting them I am really pissed off right now. Now if they refund my cash back I have to wait 7 - 14 days and have the nerve wanna take 5 dollars talking about a process fee

Boycott these shady incompetent buisness crooks. This is not a prepaid card as they say. False advertising money hungry fee mongers. Boycott! You don't believe me? Buy a prepaid card. See how difficult is to actually use by the time your allowed to it after the very intrusive and extensive security protocols to active the damn thing that has your money that you yourself put on the card, they might let you use it stores in person. But nope not online... lol come on people fire your prepaid card manager and get with the time. It's not 90's anymore lol. Lighten up and take your false advertised prepaid card out of stores. People rely on those cards for day to day use. They can't wait three weeks to pass your unnecessary screening bs. Don't worry no one wants to launder 300 dollars a day on your lame cards. Lol. Your whole program needs restructuring. I mean seriously who the hell in their right mind came up with the security protocol and restrictions. Your fees show you greed... sounds like a company on its way out...

My account is restricted from transferring funds to another NetSpend account or receiving funds from a NetSpend account. The reason given by reps and supervisor for the restriction is someone transferred money to me using my flashpay ID, and then that person disputed their own transfer. Subsequently, I was restricted from sending or receiving money from ANY NetSpend transfer transactions to ANYONE. When I asked them what infraction I committed, they have never given an answer. I have contacted customer service 5 times to obtain an answer and the same inexplicable non-sense has been given. I committed no infraction, no fraud, and no shady transaction, so why am I restricted? I would like to be able to send / transfer money as I have been doing for the last 5 years with NetSpend as I have members of my family using NetSpend and in need of money transfer services.

In the last six months, I have received two NetSpend prepaid Mastercards in the mail. Both cards correctly reflected my home address, but each was address to a different person (note: both cards were addressed to women). The first card was addressed to "Sandy Brown" and the second card, which I received last week (a PayPal prepaid Mastercard), is addressed to "Sylvia Judith."

I have resided at the same address for more than 20 years. A quick whitepages.com search would have confirmed that "Sandy Brown" nor "Sylvia Judith" reside at my address. How is it that my address is being reflected as the address for these two women? I am very concerned that I am going to be the victim of identity theft.

Need to cancel my card. I was charged when i didn't use it. Now im over drawn 5 dollrs and some change.

Djanivka Pierre
148 East 28th Street
Brooklyn NY 11226

DOORDASH*CHECKERS SAN FRANCISCO CA

Posted on July 29, 2021 at 11:00 PM

Debit: Signature purchase from 1VKWOGBF44BU45L DOORDASH*CHECKERS SAN FRANCISCO CA APGEHDCX 1VKWOGBF44BU45L

Card ending in 6455

- $19.12

10775 CARIBBEAN BLVD CUTLER BAY FLUS
Posted on August 4, 2021 at 5:58 PM

Debit: PIN purchase from NNT G6 2017 - MOTEL002331 10775 CARIBBEAN BLVD CUTLER BAY FLUS

Card ending in 6455

- $90.39

MCDONALD'S M4181 OF CUTLER RIDGE FL

Posted on August 7, 2021 at 3:46 AM

Debit: Signature purchase from 07637974181MDZ MCDONALD'S M4181 OF CUTLER RIDGE FL [protected] 07637974181MDZ

Card ending in 6455

- $11.71

MCDONALD'S M4181 OF CUTLER RIDGE FL

Posted on August 21, 2021 at 1:54 AM

Debit: Signature purchase from 07637974181MDZ MCDONALD'S M4181 OF CUTLER RIDGE FL [protected] 07637974181MDZ

Card ending in 6455

- $9.60

MCDONALD'S M4181 OF CUTLER RIDGE FL

Posted on August 21, 2021 at 2:00 AM

Debit: Signature purchase from 07637974181MDZ MCDONALD'S M4181 OF CUTLER RIDGE FL [protected] 07637974181MDZ

Card ending in 6455

- $2.14

Received the direct deposit and then account was locked had previously verified identity and then all of a sudden had to redo the identity and was told to fax in documents and when I faxed a man even though I was given the wrong information it want to flag in my account so now it's stuck and told that I'm going to receive a check when the calls are recorded and there's a reason they got flagged which would be the representative that Ace flare / NetSpend I did everything they asked me to do and we still haven't sent it out yet or gave me the option to get my money off of it. Again all my information was verified twice but because of so many wrong inputs I was flagged as high risk and my account was shut down

No idea why I got a locked account but it has something to do with fraud, trying to access my Unemployment pay today the 26th of August I got hit with unbelievable red tape trying to show proof of address. First, why do you people need proof of address. It's very specific what forms you need, I provided enough documentation to prove to the secret service who I was but still not enough. Finally sent in exactly what you called for from my university, first they were telling no it wouldn't work and everything she was telling me she needed was on the form I sent in, everything. Keep in mind this is the fifth time I have called, pleading with them just to activate my card so I can pay electric bill and other, considering I just moved here two weeks ago I have no utility bills or anything yet and I can't wait to weeks before I can access my funds. They wanted to send paper check, in ten days I would receive that, not good. No cares over there and they continue to be rude because I am asking questions why it takes 6 hours when I get a reject email in 10 minutes. I feel as if I'm being discriminated against for whatever reason. I will be taking this to next level if I don't get access to my funds before 5pm eastern standard time in the USA. Clearly your call center is not in the USA.

I recently filed a dispute with Netspend for a scam transaction totally over 2400 they conducted a 90 days investigation and closed my dispute didn't give me any money back on 4-29-21 I ordered 17 adult kids coustomes totaling 2409 from shop pajama on 5-1-21 I contacted the merchant via phone on the site to update and change a few things on my order I then realized the number was not working. I contacted the merchant via email the same day stating I wanted a refund the merchant stated the order was completed and he would give me a lesser refund his online policy states if you cancel within 24 hours you would get a full refund he didn't honor that his delivery process also says it takes 7-10 business days for delivery after days of nonresponse no refunds I begin to dispute the transaction netspend asked for a 90 day investigation which I honored on 6-2-21 60 days after the merchant was unresponsive no tracking number no nothing he send out one adult hello kitty costume valuing 99.00 which he has already stated he was refunding it was already way passed his delivery policy and he knew the bank was disputing this transaction he send out one coustom then provided netspend with a tracking number with 17 items as if he sent them all once Netspend finished their investigation they provided me with a tracking number which I never had throughput the whole ordeal I then went to my local post office with the tracking number to see what happens to the other 16 items totaling over 2000 they ordered they provided me with all the information attached to this order it was one item weight of 4.32 grames my local post office also seems to think this is a complete scam because the mail was listed as propriety and they stayed there is no way propriety mail would take that long they also stated only one item was in this that's all and no other items were attached to this tracking number and NETSPEND did a [censored] job of investigation and I will continue to presume until my funds are returned I had 2 account with Netspend I have closed both accounts and took all my money I will never use them again

Recently I received your email regarding activating my card on 14th Aug 2021.
I didn't apply Netspend card and your email stated my name as "Jake" is not correct.
Please remove my account and beware of any imposter using my email address.

Apparently somehow there was a card issued to me. I receive emails from Netspend but when calling the customer service automated helpline I cannot get through to speak with an actual person. I am aware my ex-wife is and has always been financially unstable as well as mentally so I'm wondering if she is in possession of this card and using it for one of her many schemes.

I have been using my NetSpend prepaid card for about a year now and I always add money to it when I need to and then pay online with stuff for pay bills I added money yesterday $42 and I needed to pay my water bill today and then this morning I receive a text message saying that there was a fraudulent thing on my account it was a charge for $38 which I denied because I did not confirm that purchase I don't believe it was a fraudulent thing I think it was a charge that the something was trying to take out of my account that was on my own behalf but I no longer pay for that service so I have to cancel it through the service so I denied the purchase on my card well then it locked my account and I can't log into it or access it at all and I need that card to be active or my account stuff to be switched over to a new card because I have a new NetSpend all access card that was sent to me in my name so if I access that or make the card active will my previous balance be sent to that card and is it instant because I have to pay my water bill it is already shut off

I opened a dispute with Netspend against Walt Disney Company in July 2021. I've since been in contact with Walt Disney Company and we are resolving this matter privately. However after speaking to WDC they have also had difficulties speaking to someone from Netspend.

Unfortunately Netspend has chosen to outsource all of their customer service representatives and the language barrier is very obvious and causes a lot of unnecessary issues. These language barriers cause delays as well as numerous calls to the same number over and over again because problems are never resolved. Speaking to "supervisors" also doesn't help and they will read from the same script. If we were speaking about $25 or so I wouldn't be as annoyed but when close to $1000 is on the line it is an irritant.

The dispute department is non-existent. I've sent them numerous emails and I've never ever received an email back about the status of my dispute. WDC has also reached out to this company and never received a response. Walt Disney is a billion dollar corporation and even they are receiving the runaround. The dispute process was an unprofessional headache and instead on crediting me back the money owed, Netspend deducted the money. A new card was issued to me but I've yet to receive it and it says it will take another week or so to receive (is it coming from overseas?).

I've contacted Walt Disney Company and they are simply asking for proof of the dispute being cancelled on my part. I contacted Netspend yesterday and I was told it was cancelled and to cal back today for an email confirmation to be sent. Of course that was too good to be true because now I'm on my 5th call of the day with these people and receiving a new runaround. I've emailed all of the Netspend contact emails including this "social" email that keeps popping up in responses. I haven't heard a word.

So in the last 30 days I've had money deducted that wasn't supposed to be deducted 3 times, a card that is supposed to be arriving with all of my money on it but it will take as long as an overseas eBay delivery to get here, there is no customer service, no supervisors, no dispute department, no credits for stolen money, no communication. I want to receive communication from someone in the states who can explain to me what is happening with my money, new card, dispute and why a billion dollar company like Walt Disney can't even get in contact with Netspend.