Netspend (www.netspend.com) has a 2.8 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 200 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Money & Insurance and its reputation is poor. Opinions are polarized: 44% rate it 4 stars or higher while 48% give 1 star; The business has replied to 99% of negative reviews; 80 of them were added in the last 12 months. Last updated 2026-08-10.
I submitted this complaint to the CFPB:
I am writing to file a formal complaint against Brink’s Money/Netspend regarding a sudden restriction on my account and the company’s inability to resolve a verification error, which has resulted in the loss of access to my funds.
Incident Timeline:
May 3, 2026: I attempted to log in to my account as usual. I received an error message stating that no account exists under my username or email address.
May 4, 2026 (7:30 PM): I contacted Customer Service. I was informed that a restriction had been placed on my account. The representative stated they could not provide the reason for the restriction until my identity was verified.
Verification Attempt: The representative sent a verification link to my mobile device. I successfully uploaded a valid, current State ID four times. While the system on my end confirmed a successful upload, both the representative and the supervisor insisted that the ID was not accepted.
Current Status: The supervisor informed me that a minimum 24-hour wait period is required before an update can be provided.
Background and Impact:
I have been a loyal customer for over 10 years and have never encountered an issue of this nature. It appears these difficulties began following the transition of Brink’s services to the Netspend platform.
The lack of transparency regarding the cause of the restriction, combined with the technical failure of their verification system, has created a severe financial hardship. I currently have no access to the funds required to pay my rent and other essential monthly bills. This situation is an extreme inconvenience and puts my housing security at risk.
REPLYING TO NETSPEND: I replied back to the information request. Please take the restriction off my account and make my funds available to me.
Reply from Netspend2026-05-08
We appreciate the detailed description of the issue which helps us ensure we can get this resolved promptly. Please reply to the information request so we can get access to funds again.
Never buy netspend card
It never worked anywhere I went
And I waste so much time just trying to get back my money back
Worst experience ever
Reply from Netspend2026-05-07
We can assist with the card's activation status or getting you access to the funds. Please reply to our request for further assistance.
L
Louis L Turner美国 · 1 review · Experienced 2026-05-05 ·
★★★★★
I have been with netspend for almost 15 yrs
I have been with netspend for almost 15yrs, I have had very few issues, until today... I woke up to a charge that I didn't make, I called netspend customer service, they told me the charge was pending and their was nothing they could do until after the charge went through, then I could dispute it and "maybe get your money back". They canceled the card and issued a new one, then informed me there were several other cards attached to my account(which I knew nothing about), and even though they were supposedly expired, the netspend employee had to remove them from my account. I was told to wait 3 to 5 business days to let the charges go through then appeal them, which was not in the least bit acceptable... so, I contacted the merchant where the fraud was being perpetuated and WITHIN 5 MINS, (5 MINS NETSPEND!!!) while in a chat window I was able to not only get the transaction stopped, but I was able to get the new account marked as fraud and I WAS ABLE TO GET MY MONEY BACK... IN 5 FREAKING MINUTES, NOT 3 TO 5 BUSINESS DAYS(to maybe get it back)... 5 MIN! I am very disappointed in the service and will seek out another financial institution that is more on top of their customer's needs. In the words of the great Joey Swoll, "YOU NEED TO DO BETTER!"
Reply from Netspend2026-05-07
We appreciate your feedback and we do want to continue to have you as a customer. Please reply to the information request so we can take a look on how to fix this issue for you.
I loved using my Western Union Netspend account, app and card until I forgot my password and have attempted to reset it via email, phone calls, etc for YEARS NOW!!! I can still use my card but I cannot see my statements, usage or anything bc I simply do not receive the email to reset my password. I have made countless attempts to resolve this with no follow through from customer service, again for YEARS NOW!! It is ridiculous that it has come to this but here we are. Please help!!
Update- 05/13/26
Don and his team through diligence and communication have now helped to resolve my issue. It was simply a system error, which is now resolved. Thank you!!
Reply from Netspend2026-05-07
We can have our IT Team take a look at the account on the backend! Please respond to our request so we can get the process resolved and access back to your app!
Ive been with them for 8 years and the service is getting worse everyday. They hold your money longer than they should. They dont make payroll deposits when they should. Extremely unhappy with the way things are being done now
Reply from Netspend2026-04-24
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. Please know that Netspend NEVER holds money. We deposit funds into your account as soon as we receive them. This happens automatically, it's not a manual process. If your getting your paycheck later than you used to it's because we are getting it later from your employers bank. Thank you.
E
Erik Per美国 · 1 review · Experienced 2026-04-18 ·
★★★★★
Terrible
Terrible, did not receive my phone verification code. Additionally scince I typed in one they had sent me late I was locked out of my account with my money locked in there. Honestly just get a diffrent card not worth the trouble.
Reply from Netspend2026-04-20
We can assist with getting you access to the funds. Reply to our information request so we can provide an update. Thanks!
I keep getting emails from this company and I have never delt with them .. never heard of them and the emails don't stop ... asking if I claimed off them ...I never even heard of them I'm in a different country....
It's very annoying
Reply from Netspend2026-04-13
We can help with removing your email address from future marketing promotions. Please reply to our information request so we can assist.
k
karla kingan美国 · 7 reviews · Experienced 2026-04-04 ·
★★★★★
The company does not exists its a…
The company does not exists its a complet scam and there is no such thing as net spend its fake
Reply from Netspend2026-04-06
We are indeed a real financial services company founded since 1999. You can visit our website at www.netspend.com for more information!
First this company does NOT protect you as a consumer at all!!! Then when you place a dispute the amount of games being played is absolutely ridiculous. They tell you someone from the claims department will call you and they never do. The information from the investigation that they perform doesn't show sufficient error on your part and the things you provided them with does. And it's a vicious never ending cycle. So you never end up getting your hard earned money back. And with how things are going in the world today you need every penny you actually have. It's such a shame. How could you!?!
Reply from Netspend2026-04-06
We would like to review the claim and ensure it is being handled correctly. Please reply to our information request so we can locate the account.
I don't recommend this card to anyone. You can't all to a real live person until u have fought though the ai press this press that. Just for them to hang up and say try again. Please just go to a bank. Had a purchase at HOME DEPOT. ACTIVACTED THE CARD TWO DAYS PRIOR. Now I have to stay on the phone 98 min in order to speak to a human being . Close the company it's trash!!!! You can't even use there so called app. I'm literally broke until I get a hold of someone almost 2hrs from now. I'm beyond disappointed & disguised!!!
Reply from Netspend2026-04-01
We are so disappointed to hear that you haven't had the best experience. We have requested more information and would be happy to assist once we hear from you. Thank you.
Went to 7/11 and added 500 dollars on a pre paid net spend card to pay my light bill that was on Feb 22nd went home to active the card and got an error message card not able to be activated. Called customer service the same day and was told by the first rep that they were unable to transfer funds to my brinks account which is associated with NetSpend asked if I could also get another NetSpend card and get funds transferred and was told no to both options.
I have been calling almost every day since then trying to get my money. Was advised that there was a check being issued out first go around they said that the address was incorrect and they would have to resend another check out. Today is now March 20th and I still haven't received a check. Almost a month later and my 500 that I was supposed to put on my light bill still haven't been able to pay my bill. Keep getting told different days of when my check was sent out none of the reps are able to verify or confirm my address without me having to tell them. And the first go around they had my address completely wrong. I just want my money back so that I can pay my bill then I will never use NetSpend again. As I am typing this I am on hold for now 20 minutes still trying to get this issue resolved.
Reply from Netspend2026-03-27
We would like to review the account so we can get you access to your funds as soon as possible. Please reply to the information request via email and we can provide an update.
I wouldn’t never trust Netspend. Customer service is awful. Supervisor doesn’t know how to handle customer. If someone takes your money out account. It takes over 10 days . I got hack in my account twice and they close my account with high risk. January went smoothly. February I got paid and that same day I got hack. You think they fix problems they didn’t. March 20. I got my money back for February and I got paid then turn around got hack again. Took all the money 4,000.00. You would think that they solve problems in February. They didn’t. Didn’t do anything. They let happen. Now I am out food. No money. They close my account and telling me I am high risk. So, I am telling you don’t get Netspend. Overdraft fees it way up and beyond. So, disappointing with everything. I will never trust company again. Anyone put money on Netspend. God bless you. They are these worst.
Reply from Netspend2026-03-26
We are happy to assist with investigating the account for potential fraud to help recover funds or get access to those funds. Please reply to our information request so we can help resolve this issue.
Someone used my card in California while I was in Texas and I canceled my card immediately and reported it! They reviewed it and STILL said they saw nothing wrong with the charges ! The cards are not secure at all and customer service is TERRIBLE the mfs speak Broken English it’s impossible to understand wtf they saying!!!!
Reply from Netspend2026-03-24
We would want to take a new look at the claim to ensure it was handled properly or if we need to re-open the case. Please reply to our information request so we can further assist you.
B
Beverly美国 · 1 review · Experienced 2026-02-03 ·
★★★★★
I have been waiting for over 45 days to get stolen money back
I have been waiting for over 45 days to be paid back money that was hacked off my account with NetSpend. I was told that was how long it would take. When I call them after the 45 days they tell me it will be May 1st 2026 before I can receive any money I'm done it didn't take that long for somebody to hack my NetSpend account. The NetSpend operator got angry and didn't tell me if I filed a written complaint about the money being hacked then I could have still been spinning the money of $137 while they did their investigation. I just want my money and I'll leave NetSpend alone because that's what they want me to do.
Reply from Netspend2026-03-23
We're so disappointed to hear that you didn't get the service you expected. We will review the calls and ensure that any agent who didn't handle things correctly is coached. We look forward to resolving this or you.
T
Tom White 美国 · 44 reviews · Experienced 2026-03-21 ·
★★★★★
On line stuff does not work
On line stuff does not work. Was trying for over an hour to transfer funds, I used OnePay and theirs worked, NetSpend is a site from the blazes,it even told me that my bank debit card expired date wasn't correct. It a friggin nightmare. DO NOT USE THESE RASCALS,VERY SLIPPERY WHEN DRY.
Reply from Netspend2026-03-23
We're disappointed to hear that you had a hard time using the site. We'll be happy to assist you if you call us. Thanks.
Everytime I cause a problem, Netspend bail me out without ant penalties. Thank you.
Reply from Netspend2026-03-23
We're happy to help. Thank you.
t
tony美国 · 4 reviews · Experienced 2026-03-17 ·
★★★★★
Charging me a 1.99 ever time i spend
Charging me a 1.99 ever time i buy something no one get there card they need to be put out of business sorry people
Reply from Netspend2026-03-18
We are disappointed to see that you missed the fee schedule when you agreed to terms and conditions on the card. We'd be happy to see if you qualify for an account that has low monthly fee rather than per transaction fee. Please reach out to support at 866-387-7363. Thank you.
J
Jose Ponce美国 · 1 review · Experienced 2026-02-17 ·
★★★★★
I opened a new a card ..the first time…and last time I ever do business with them
I opened a new a card ..the first time I added $200 but the second time never reached the card.So I call customer service,worst service ever.old girl didn't know shit..she said she couldn't open my account cuz somebody changed the name on my account but I wuz informing her that the card sync to my emails and my phone number so she said I had to report it stolen .so I asked her to report it but she said she couldn't but I had to go thru the automated service..which I thought since she wuz on the phone with me she could do it..nope so I told her I would never get anything from them again .the shit .and I still lost $65 on the second attempt to add money that's when I found out my card wuz hacked
Reply from Netspend2026-03-16
We can help investigate this issue and assist with marking the account as compromised or with getting the access to the funds back on the card. Please respond to our information request, thank you!
I feel like this company is a scam, was given a card and cannot get it activated online. When you call they want your social security number? Why would they need that for a prepaid card someone has already paid for?
Reply from Netspend2026-03-10
Netspend cards are reloadable prepaid debit cards (Visa/Mastercard) designed for daily use, direct deposit, and ATM withdrawals, not one-time gift cards. We follow the same regulations as a bank account when approving the account and activating the card.
