Netspend - Page 5

CALIFORNIA -- My husband was given a $20 Visa prepaid card as a Secret Santa gift. The package indicates that the person who bought the card paid $2.95 to purchase/load money on the card. Once he took the card out of its package, my husband realized he had to activate the card. The activation process is insane, requesting his social security number and birthdate. He declined to enter either, so he was transferred to customer service. They insisted they needed that information for security purposes.

After some back and forth, and a vague threat to report them to the BBB, he was placed on hold. He was then told they could activate the card for “limited use”, meaning it had to be swiped on a credit card terminal in a store. It took about 20 minutes to get this thing activated. Once he used it at the store, when it was swiped the store got a notice that there was a $2 fee for the transaction, so the balance on the card was $18. This is a total scam. They charge you to buy the card. They charge you to use the card. And they try to make you think you need to give them your personal information in order to activate the card. This company should be avoided at all costs.

COLORADO -- Just FYI for those who have been cheated and those who are thinking of using Netspend.

The FTC Won a $53 Million settlement against Netspend in 2017.
Read the details here

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/refunds/Netspend-refunds

Here is an excerpt:

"According to the FTC's complaint, many people couldn't access money deposited to their NetSpend account, either because NetSpend denied or delayed activation of the card or because NetSpend blocked them from using it."

Those of you who missed the deadline, may want to contact the FTC directly (1-888-684-4858 or by email NetSpend@ftc.gov) and report that Netspend is still engaged in the same fraudulent practices.

If enough people report them, they may be able to charge them again and get another settlement won for a new batch of victims, of this company.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA -- I received a large check that went to Netspend direct deposit and they put a hold on it. Their terms and conditions on state that they will not deposit a check larger than $15,000.00. I filed a complaint with FDIC and told them to release that hold, they did within 4 minutes. But now they are refusing to close my account and lied when they told me I could go to any bank and withdrawal money.

The way I resolved my issue was when the representative answered my call I asked for their name, then I explained to them that I had in front of me the complaint form for FDIC which I now put their name on it and their career in banking would come to an end if they did not want to follow the laws of the FDIC and close my account.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON -- Bought a prepaid and put $20. Registered online and didn't want to put details such as social address etc so typed in numbers. Error Message: Cannot Activate Call CS. So I call in and after 37 minutes on the phone he stated he would activate for in person transactions only. I use a few days later and am embarrassed with a decline. Call in and am told card is blocked and they needed personal info which I was refusing to give them. They told me I could take it back to the store and get my money back. On the receipt it specifically states no refunds on prepaid card sales. When I told this to the agent he hung up on me.

I called back and they would not give me access to my card unless I provided them with my personal details and my other option was to have them mail a check to the address I put in which was **. You shouldn't have to give the same details to a $20 prepaid card to get access to your funds as you do to get a loan. Judging by my experience and other reviews, this company makes a percentage of their revenue in this shady fraudulent way. I'm out only $20 but how many are they doing this to?

AUSTIN, MASSACHUSETTS -- With all these terrible reviews I've read on NetSpend, I felt the need to offer a positive review. I've been a customer for almost 2 years and have used my account to its fullest potential. I pay a small monthly fee for unlimited use of my card at stores, direct deposit my paycheck into my account (which Congress through a day and a half early for some reason), and a month ago started adding to a savings account with them. From what I understand, it pays pretty decent interest on your average balance on a quarterly basis. Basically people, read the fee schedule. They don't mince words. It's a business that needs to make money to exist.

NEW MEXICO -- Netspend has a current theme going on. I am sure some others are experiencing the same. As I have had an account for many years my payments are processed rather quickly. Maybe 1 to 3 days as they are posted. Lately when a large amount of purchases are made they have been delayed for up to two weeks. Every morning I check the balance on my card before starting the day. The running balance is correct, except when going to the ATM where the balance is not showing with the pre-posted charges. My account is showing the additional charges available when they are not. Be careful as the fees will stack against you on each purchase as they are posted. I have two friends go negative over +$100 dollars in fees with this current trend.

GROSSE POINTE, MICHIGAN -- NetSpend is A COMPLETE SCAM! I purchased a card and deposited my money over a year ago, and have not yet been able to activate my card or access my money. They put a hold on my card and referred me to the fraud department, and every attempt to appease the overseas idiots has been unsuccessful. They don't want to talk to you, or even listen to you, and definitely don't want to work with you to resolve any issues.

NetSpend has effectively STOLEN MY MONEY, and I don't know if I'll ever get my $500 back. The security protocols seem to be intended to prevent people from using the card, undoubtedly so they can steal all your money in "fees" over time. They are basically crooks and thieves engaged in racketeering, and my only hope is some eager attorney sees the potential opportunity of initiating a class action lawsuit against this criminal enterprise. It may be the only way I ever see a dime of the hard earned cash I turned over to these bloodsuckers. STAY AWAY from NetSpend!

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA -- I purchased and loaded a NetSpend Visa card just 3 days ago at a Walgreens, and I already regret doing so. The only reason I even purchased it was so that I would be able to shop on eBay since they don't permit MasterCard (my primary debit card) transactions. I won some rings on one of the auctions, and despite having enough to cover the amount of my purchase... my card was declined because there wasn't enough to cover my purchase AND their bs fee!

I had to write the er and explain the entire situation and promise them that they'd have their payment by tomorrow evening... I hope like hell they don't give me any negative feedback. Once I load this card tomorrow to pay for my eBay purchase, I'm finished with conning ass Netspend and their bs fees.

FLORIDA -- I REPEAT DO NOT PURCHASE THIS FOR SOMEONE AS A GIFT CARD! I was given this card as a gift. I went online to activate it and they want every last bit of your personal information including your social security number! Since I wouldn't provide this I had to call into the 1-888 number… When I wouldn't give the representative of some random company my SSN I was put back into the “call loop” where I got another representative who I had to give ALL of my information too once again.

That representative told me that if I'd just go activate it online I wouldn't have to provide this. Once I finally got to a supervisor I explained I was NOT giving this information, that I had been transferred without being told AND was told incorrect info. Sorry was her reply.

Now, if I won't provide my SSN I can use the card over the counter and not online OR I can get a refund. I elected the refund. With all the reps I encountered I had to verify the amount put on the card. Every time I told them $250.00. Now… my refund is going to be $210.00! I asked why, and Christina stated that is all that is on the card. I asked if there are any fees associated with this card, and she states only the one that applied when it was bought. BUT! After reading all the reviews I know they've taken a portion of money, and sadly, I didn't buy it so I have to trust this incompetent company. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM! READ ALL THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS!

PORTLAND, OREGON -- OMG BE Aware. Please hide and run. NETSPEND send me a card! I got it and did not think or read. I was expecting another MasterCard and with a super busy month of January I activated. At the end when I listened to the fees and fees BLA BLA. I got shocked. So I called the number and almost scream telling them that I never had a card with them and now they got all my personal information. I am doing a report to SS and all the agencies I can. I just want to tell my story. After I read all the reviews I am feeling anxious to know more.