Netspend - Page 4

MANKATO, MINNESOTA -- I pre-paided at the gas station. Gas station put a hold on my account for $101, I paid $31.92 for gas. The money was supposed to be out back in immediately. Flash forward to 7 days later, I still haven't been reimbursed. I have called customer service on both ends and they claim the money was returned to me. When I talked to NetSpend they didn't care one bit and just kept repeating themselves over and over again. When I asked to talk to the supervisor she just put me on hold and never ever came back. This company is a joke and a scam. I will never get this card again!

I have been a NetSpend user for a few months and had no issues. However, after trying to use their check deposit function on their mobile app, I had to call customer service. I was trying to cash my parent's Christmas check (drawn on a major financial institution) and had received a message that the writer of the check could not be reached. So I called customer service.

Once on the line with these folks, I began to get suspicious. To cash my father's check, the representative asked me for my father's birth date and his social security number. And this was asked by NetSpend customer service, even though NetSpend contracts the check-cashing service with Ingo. So I am not sure why a NetSpend customer service representative would be asking me this information. I did not give it to him.

I called back today and asked to speak to a supervisor. The representative put me on hold to see if a supervisor was available, and then the call was disconnected. Was it an act of God? Perhaps. Otherwise, I just wanted to caution everyone to be aware of what I have ultimately determined to be an offshore based customer service department for this company. There is no reason that they would need my father's birth date and Social Security number. Shame on you, NetSpend.

SAN ANTONIIO, TEXAS -- Purchased prepaid card hanging on PayPal... one of the names the company used. Called to activate the account. Talked directly to a representative who said "I activated your card." They want all your personal information, "Fed. Gov. requires." Just like a bank card. I did not want a 'credit card', just a prepaid card to make purchases. I had given them well over $100. The card was not activated two days later. I called again. Too busy, they would call back. They did, within 24 hours. I was not home. They left a message they would call again, but did not.

I called, waited 20 minutes before talking to a representative who said the card would only be activated after I sent them verification of all the info... copy of my SS card, address... etc. I said "I would not do that." I wanted to cancel get my money back. Rep. said she would cancel but it would be 20 business days before I got my money. It would cost me $5.95 to cancel. I paid $5.95 to purchase the card... so I spent $11.90 for nothing, could not use the card... It didn't take them 20 business days to take my money. As a senior... I need my money before 20 business days.

It is hard to get a hold of anyone first of all, then can't get a supervisor, "not available." NEVER buy one of these cards again. Other cards were cheaper, one 2 minute telephone call to activate... no fees to check balance. NetSpend has fees for everything. It means "You will net spend into our business." Thank you.

Money was put down on a prepaid card through NetSpend and they were quick and eager to take the money; however, a day or so after, put a block/hold on my card with no reason whatsoever. Since then, I have talked to the customer service and even emailed them about 100 times and each time, they are giving me a reason why I can't get my money. They keep telling me I need more documents proving I am who I state to be??? I gave them my license number, photo copy, even my SSN and Card, receipts with my name and address and they still say "more documentation is needed". I'm starting to questions if this company is legit or just a scam place. I want my money!

I bought a card and preloaded $100. Got home only to discover I needed to order the card with my name on it. Fine. That came pretty quick. However, the money was not reflected on the card. I called to have this resolved. I was asked numerous questions only to be told they could not activate my card. For crying out loud, they knew what state I lived in in 1973. That was not info I gave them. Then they wanted me to mail in documentation. Oh, ** no!

I asked for a supervisor. The operator placed me on hold for just a few minutes. Not long. Then she came back to tell me she could open the account, but I wouldn't be able to do ANYTHING except add money. So I asked for a supervisor again and I'd wait however long it took.

The supervisor asked me the EXACT same questions. No deviation from my answers. S/he also cannot activate my account without documentation. Ridiculous. They don't need my documentation, I only put $100 on it. I'm not claiming an unreasonable amount, just give me my money. So now supervisor tells me s/he can activate my account for Over The Counter purchases only. Fine. I WILL be closing this account. Shouldn't be this difficult.

FLORIDA -- I purchased a Netspend card with the understanding that I would be able to use it in any way in regards to ATM or debit purchases. Halfway thru using my card, I was embarrassed at Wal-mart and was told my card was declined. I then called Netspend and was told my card had been blocked and that they needed further information about me. So I sent them a copy of my driver's license, ss# and utility bill. I was then told that the information I provided was not sufficient enough and that they would not release MY FUNDS.

It has been a week now and I am still getting the run around from their customer service agents who cannot tell me anything or help me in any way. I am going to lose my home due to that. I pay a weekly rent and with them holding my money, I am obviously not able to pay. The only reason I got a call back was because I made a complaint to the BBB. And this still has not been resolved. All the money I have is on this card. I am left with no choice but to obtain the help and assistance of a lawyer. More money that I don't have.

AUSTIN, GEORGIA -- All the money was stolen from my card $890.00 on 05-12-20012. 2 days before this happened my account was blocked so I called customers service and was told that somebody has been calling in on my account, and they asked if it was me and I said "no" and that the person was 1 digit off and so that's why they blocked my account - OK, good. Then I was told that I had to send over documents to the fraud department. I asked to speak to the fraud department. Then I was told that I could not speak to the fraud department because the fraud department does not speak to customers directly, I could only fax them or email them.

I emailed them the documents that they had requested and then they unblocked my account. OK the next morning ** transferred $890.00 from my account to their account. I received a text telling me this so I immediately called NetSpend to let them know that I didn't do this transaction and I need the money put back into my account. Well ** had made a transaction of $705.23 and they put $184.77 back on my account. Now I had to go to the claims department to dispute the transaction so that I could get my money back.

Now here is where the problems come in. Why was it that when my account was blocked the first time and I called in and asked to speak to the fraud department I was told that they do not speak to customers directly I could only email or fax them, but now that my money is stolen I can speak with the fraud department?

The fraud department then ordered me a new card, changed my pin number, and my security question. Now that my money is stolen and I have to wait 2 weeks 10 business days, it's OK to speak with the fraud department? When I finally did speak with the fraud department I asked them this same question.

Then I was told it is up to the customer service person to determine if they will transfer you to the fraud department or not. That is crazy and a policy that needs to be changed immediately because if I was allowed to speak with the fraud department when this first happened and they blocked the account, I would have changed the information then and they would not have been able to steal the money. My account being blocked and I had to send forms to the fraud department should have been enough cause for me to speak with the fraud department then also and this nightmare would not have happened.

Your foreign customer service is the worst I have ever experienced - very hard to understand English, rude will only answer question that they want to ask not the questions that you asked them. I have been a NetSpend customer for many years and have quite of my friends that use NetSpend because I told them about it, and this is the worst experience I have ever had with any company. I hope you will straighten this matter very soon and I hope to hear from you soon and get this matter resolved.

AUSTIN, TEXAS -- They are the worse company. I needed to transfer money from my savings account to my checking account. I was aware of only 6 transfers being able to be done within the month but when I called last week 3/18/2020 they told me I had one more transfer available if I needed to transfer any additional money out (not informing me of the consequences).

Today 3/23/2020 I called to transfer money because my account overdraft. I understood there was an overdraft fee after 24 hours if not depositing money into my checking but when Amy the girl I spoke to on the phone today actually explain to me the consequence of my 7th savings transfer I was very upset, furious and overwhelmed! (7th saving transfer follows with a cancellation on your saving account for a 90 day period). She had the audacity to tell me to go to a bank or a chain store! With the coronavirus going on and many many places not opening she refused to help me further.

I had no choice but to close my saving account due to the lack of information giving to me by one of their colleagues. I begged her to help me but she refused to look for any kind of alternatives. I explain to her this wasn't my fault, this was the company's fault for not communicating well with their customer yet an apology wasn't even given to me. All she said was for the future, "We will make sure to inform our colleagues" as if the future would be any help to me now. It is unfair and ridiculous how customers need to suffer the consequences for the lack of professionalism and accuracy of information given to us by NETSPEND!!!

Awful. Just the most dishonest company I have come across in years. It is a horrible insidious form of dishonesty at that. The buyer will assume this is like another prepaid card - beware - it is not! Once you load your own cash on to the card... The card is locked up immediately. Only to be unlocked once you provide three forms of id (seriously) and other personal information. I was travelling and needed the convenience of a card. However was unable to unlock as who in the world travels with their Social Security Card? That's right - it is one of the requirements.

Now, get this - they will not, however, accept a passport - even though you have to provide a social security card in order to get a passport. So, do you see the scam? And I bet most people end up leaving money on the card and just giving up... As they charge a monthly fee, even though you can't use it. Seriously... They might as well just sell the card with a bottle of lube and instructions telling their victims (ahem customers) to bend over - and that is exactly what they are doing to their customers.

1952, CALIFORNIA -- NetSpend may not technically be considered a "scam," but there is absolutely no doubt that the company engages in unethical and misleading business practices. Last year, my 85 year old mother, as she does every year, gave my wife a $50.00 Visa Gift Card for her birthday. As always, she got the card at her local grocery store amidst the hundreds of other gift cards in the display. I "activated" the card online, per the accompanying instructions, and was never given information about ongoing "fees."

To me, it just seemed like a regular gift card that you could add funds to if, for whatever reason, you didn't have access to a regular bank debit card. My wife waited almost a year before attempting to buy a pair of shoes with the card. She was told that there was only $1.40 left on the $50.00 Card, even though she had never used it. Turns out that NetSpend assessed a monthly fee of $5.95 for "account maintenance" every month. I contacted the company and got nothing but a royal runaround. How many people do you think pick up one of these cards thinking it's just a regular Visa gift card and end up being fleeced just as we were?

I'm guessing this is how the company makes most of its money. After all, who in their right mind would use a card that charges such ridiculous fees, unless they had absolutely no other options due to poor credit? I will be filing a formal complaint with the California Attorney General's office.