i had my refund direct deposited onto my netspend visa debit card and it was sent to them on april 9 2009 from internal revenue service and netspend hasnt posted it to my card and everytime i call i am only being directed back to internal revenue and being rushed off of the telephone.

Hello my name is Sasha Marie Wilson-Talley and here is the letter of dispute I sent to Netspend and online debit account opened by a Marcus Darringtion in toledo Ohio, who stole my ID and had my son's SSI benefits deposited into this online account...I don't know what the resolution will be after reading some of these stories. I fear I will not get the stolen funds returned to me. And I'm deeply depressed about the whole situation...Here is the dispute I faxed to them they also received all police reports and supporting documents...

To: Whomever this concern

My detailed explanation of what happened some dates and time’s where provided to me by customer services agents at Netspend after I requested them by phone.

My name is Sasha M Wilson-Talley; you will know me by the name Sasha Wilson on the Netspend online debit account; the person that open this account after stealing my identity did not realize I had two last names. I will email this explanation and fax it and all my police reports and picture ID to confirm my identity to fax number 512-692-2961 and my Attorney also has copies of it too. Please continue to read my explanation of what happened below….


I am a victim of identity theft…Someone who I now know as Marcus Darrington, managed to steal my identity (Identity Theft) and called social security to get my minor son Jamarion C Wilson account number to attain his social security benefits. Then on February 11, 2009 Marcus called and opens a debit account at Netspend.com (metabank) and had my son monthly $674 benefit amount deposited on a Netspend debit card. I became aware of this activity on February 18, 2009 when I received a letter from Social Security (S.S) letting me know that my son’s benefits were deposited on a debit card. I called S.S to inquire thinking at the time it was an automated debit enrollment. S.S gave me the name of the bank Metabank that was now handling the account and Netspend the debit card name. I called the number they gave me to Netspend and they said a card was issued and I should be receiving it in the mail in 10 business days.

When no card arrived I called Netspend on March 2, 2009 they told me that the card had been issued and the Social Security benefit that was deposited February 23, 2009 on the card was withdrawn the same day. I was baffled and confused, I told the agent on the phone that I never received the card and how can it be used so soon when my son’s benefits would not be issued until February 27, 2009. All he said was he will reissue another card and told me to call Social Security to speak to them. I then called Social Security and told them what the guy at Netspend said that’s when the agent looked into my son’s account and said the benefits had been used. I then told them that I never received them nor the card that I thought at the time was an automated debit enrollment. That’s when Social Security said they did not enroll me in the Netspend debit account that they use their own treasury account. Only then did I realize that I was a victim of identity theft. I cried and told Social Security that the Netspend deposit was done without my knowledge. That my son’s benefits were fraudently put into account without my permission. Social Security then started their investigation. After I talked to Social Security I again called Netspend and voiced my concern, I told them that the account they had was not opened by me and my son’s benefits were stolen. The man offered me an apology and then asked me what the card number, and I told them I had not received a card yet. He said he would have someone check into it and I should call back in a few days. On March 4, I called Netspend back and asked them what they were doing about my account. The person on the phone, I really couldn’t understand his broken English I then demanded the account to be closed, but the person at Netspend said it was better to block the card ending in 5207 since they reissued another card. So on March 4, 2009 the card ending in 5207 was blocked. Afterward I waited for Social Security to do their investigation.

On March 13, I again called Netspend to tell them I received the card ending in 7190 that’s when I was informed that the card ending in 5207 was active. I told them the card 5207 was stolen and that Social Security was looking into the matter as we speak. And again said I did not open the Netspend account and that I wanted to close it. But the person again convinces me that I should keep the account. And said he will block the stolen debit card ending in 5207 and asked me for a password other than Wilson. I then said Voilet. He said that the person that stole my identity will no longer have access to the account and everything will be fine. He then gave me a temporary password and my username so I could access the online account. I immediately logged on registered the new card ending in 7190 and was satisfied to see that the debit card ending in 5207 was indeed blocked. On March 16, I logged onto the account an noticed a strange email address [email protected] (it still on my profile) I realize the name immediately its was my next door neighbor. On March 18, I formerly filed a police report that the culprit that stole my identity was Marcus Darrington my next door neighbor and not only had he opened the account at Netspend to steal my son’s benefits and that I started receiving suspicious mail from loan companies with Mr Darrington’s phone number on them. After I filed the police report a dectective took over the investigation. But came to a dead because the video survelliance where the card was used ending in 5207 had been erased. They said if I get any more information about Darrington to submit the information to the police station.

On March 27, I logged onto my account at Netspend and noticed something stranger the previous balance of $3.78 was now $0.22 I checked the transaction history and saw that another deposit of $674 was made through the treasury on March 27, and the funds were depleted from the account using the card ending in 5207 making my total loss with this company to $1348. I was shocked and angry I immediately called the police and cried hysterically to them on the phone. They then dispatched a police car and an ambulance fearing I was hyperventilating. I then called Netspend and angriedly scolded them for allowing a stolen debit card to be activated again for the third time. I was heated and disgusted in the company. That they promise that it was not going to happen and again my son’s benefits were stolen for a second time. I cried, I screamed it was very traumatic on me knowing that I was violated again through this company not handling their business properly and allowing thieves to open and activate accounts. It was heart wrenching by the time the police came I was in deep despair an was inconsolable. Only then while still on the phone that a female said I needed to file a dispute. I wasn’t offered this before because I was under the impression that this was a Social Security investigation. She asked me did I have knowledge of any of the transactions and I said no, to each and every transaction she mentioned. She then cooperated fully and gave me information to give to the police transaction times for the benefits that were just stolen on March 26, and the store name. So the police could dispatch someone to the store to have the video surveillance secured. The lady on the phone at Netspend apologized over and over this is the only time that your company showed genuine concern for what had just happened to me again. I was devastated to know that a stolen card was allowed to be reactivated. I again demanded the account be closed and the lady said that since I will be disputing the transactions that the account had to remain open. But said she would make sure that the card ending in 5207 will be blocked and not activated again. Afterward she apologized again and hung up the phone.

On March 28, I called Netspend in the afternoon to get the exact dates the card was open and the days I had it blocked. This lady asked my my mothers maiden name as usual and I said none. She then said it was not correct. I said well every time I call you guys I answer the same way. She then asks for my social security number and mailing address. I was happy to see that they were finally doing a proper job. So I answered them. And then asked about the date when the account opened and the dates I had the card deactivated. She then asked me did you just call I said NO, well she said someone just called thirty minutes ago. I again said NO this is the first time today. She then said that the card number ending in 5207 was active again. I was shocked beyond belief, and stated that just yesterday they promise me that it couldn’t be open again. How is this happening I asked? She said that the person that has all my information answered the two security questions correctly. And she was now going to not only block the card but put a red flag on it forbidding anyone to reopen it. And said she will let her supervisor know of this situation, and I should immediately file my dispute and fax it along with my police reports. I told her I had another police report to pick up for the March 26 incident too and will send that also. I don’t know what type of company you run but to allow a stolen card to be reopened numerous times is unbelievable. I have reached the end of my description I’m pretty sure there will be more to come. Because, this is far from over. I’m now seeking counsel because Netspend has failed me in a major way. Not only was the account open without my knowledge and I was robbed. You allowed it to happen a second time. I’m sickened by what happen to me. How can you consider yourself a business when you allow your customers to be violated? A company like you is why the Better Business Bureau exists. I’m truly disgusted in Netspend. I wait eagerly for Mr Marcus Darrington to be caught by the police and I am undecided on how will I deal with the betrayal that Netspend dealt me.

Sasha M Wilson Talley (419) 244-1369

Netspend is the biggest rip off ever. If you can please avoid using their cards. I recently had a run in with their rude customer service reps regarding why the places a 'block' on my money. I was told I had another account with a negative balance of $360. I explained to them that I never opened another account and the only account I have with them is the one I activated a day prior to this incident. They refused to investigate or remove the block. I immediately canceled the account and wanted my money returned, they told me they would send me a check in 20 days and then charge me a $5.95 processing fee. I was shocked and quite frustrated to hear that they were charging me to get back my money! That was outrageous, then they do not offer any other way to get your money back other than waiting almost a month for a check. Thank goodness I am not in serious need of the funds. If you must use a pre-paid card I recommend green dot.

On 12/25/08 I discovered that 14 unauthorized charges were made to my Netspend debit card. I called Netspend and was HORRIFIED to find out that not only was all of my money taken but there wasn't anything I could do about it. According to netspend, because these transactions are still "pending" I have to wait until they go through and then and only then can I start the dispute process (oh yes, and all the transactions were made on 12/24 and it is now 12/26 & they are still "pending"). Meanwhile I have $0 and I could be waiting for who knows how long to get my money back. The company treated me as if I were to blame for using my debit card online at some point in my life allowing someone to hack into my computer and gain access to my #. I was able to contact some of the companies that charges were made from and they were wonderful in immediately refunding my money when they realized that the billing address that the person who stole my number used and my actual billing address did not match up.
Another point I brought up to Netspend was how the transactions were allowed to be authorized if the billing address did not match up. They had no answer for this and continued to tell me that they couldn't do anything until the merchants collected their money. Many of the merchants were unable to be contacted because they are fraudulent businesses who's telephone numbers lead to no where or have been disconnected. I was informed by Netspend that many of these companies were associated with an online gambling site that is out of the country. I am filing a complaint because of the inability and unwillingness of the company Netspend to answer for why they approved transactions when the billing address was incorrect and also for their "too bad so sad" attitude towards refunding my money or helping me expedite the return of my money from these fraudulent charges. They made me feel like i was being punished for having my debit card # stolen and now I have to figure out what I am going to do for money until my dispute goes through. Nobody at the company speaks English and they all read from a script. God forbid you ask them a question that they don't have a scripted answer for because then they just start rattling on about the closest thing they have in their script even if it has NOTHING to do with the question you just asked. If you are even entertaining the thought of using Netspend don't!

NETSPEND! what ever you do do not use netspend and here is why. I am in the us military and i decided to have my pay deposited to netspend as i had previously had that account before i joined, this is how they treated me. on halloween of O8 i went to an atm on post to get some cash, put the card in and it was to my shock retained by the bank. All my money was on that card. I call netspend after calling the bank that owned the atm in question and netspend informed me that at that particular time that their systems were down so that when the bank that owned the atm tried to request funds from nestspend they received no answer. Hence why my card was retained. Now after calling netspend and learning of their inability to provide any funds and or information to me i was certainly angry and was promptly hung up on by their rep i call again and received the same treatment finally after several attempts i spoke to someone ask for a manager and was told there were none.
Not that they werent available just that they were not there. After several colorful threats i was put on the phone with someone that was said to be important and i demanded a new card. Oh i forgot to mention on the previous calls where i had been rudely hung up on I had also demanded a new card and was told they would send me one but it would cost me 10 dollars.
That of course was unacceptable. Finally after about 2 HOURS of dealing with theese people i was assured i would not be charged for the new card and that it would arrive in 7-10 days. Granted at this point, now i am for all intents and purposes broke even though i had just gotton paid. That was part 1. part 2 comes when i call then again on tue nov 11 to confirm that the card was on its way if not allready here i was informed that they had not sent the card because it was an invalid addres Its a miltary post, company, battalion etc they had not even attempted to contact me via phone or internet and very smugly proclaimed it was not their problem. so what i had to do was actually go to a local retailer of the cards PURCHASE another one and transfer all funds over which in and of itself was also an hour long nightmare in short if you or anyone you know are thinking about opening an account with netspend do not, and inform as many people as possible to not as well . I am also going to go to the military i.g. to hopefully ban this company from being able to do any military business at al.l get the word out this is a company that simply does not need to exist.