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    Direct Express

Direct Express

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Overview

Direct Express has a rating of 1.1 stars from 304 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Direct Express most frequently mention customer service, social security, and new card problems. Direct Express ranks 211th among Credit Cards sites.

  • Service
    164
  • Value
    154
  • Quality
    152
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 2.3%
Positive
1
Neutral
1
Negative
41
View ratings trends
37
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How would you rate Direct Express?
Top Positive Review

“Freaking liars,and worst customer service of anyone I've ever dealt with”

Joseph M.
1/16/24

This is the worst busness I've ever dealt with. If you can even get them on the phone. I waited over 2 hours the other day on hold just to be dropped when they tried to transfer me.Since starting SS disability I received 2 payments on 2 different cards. So instead of putting it all on one card they gave me 2 which just confused everything. For over 2 years I asked them to put all my miney on just 1 card. They agreed and said that it was not right having 2 cards,said they'd change it. 2 years later they changed only because I was receiving only 1 check as of recent. So many fraudulent charges every month and trying to get refunded is just a joke. I loose so much money every month because of this. I truly don't know how there still in business.,PS,they also have no problem lieing and have to me many times.

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Top Critical Review

“Direct Express Is a big terrible scam platform!”

Go To ReviveCrest.Com For Help ..
10/6/24

Their platform promises attractive returns, but it's all smoke and mirrors. I strongly advise against getting involved with Direct Express, as my experience suggests they are operating as a scam. Be cautious, as engaging with them could lead to financial loss and other negative outcomes. I was able to recover my money, but it was only possible through external assistance. (I used their website URL as my display name and profile picture on this review in case anyone needs help or wants to reach out for support). Note: Due to the strict policy here, I'm sharing this purely to help others recover their funds.

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Reviews (304)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (98) debit card (19) bank account (19) replacement card (12)
Thumbnail of user hania58
California
1 review
3 helpful votes
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September 4th, 2022

I have waited multiple hours over the phone just to get a hold of some one. How is it this company is still in business. How does the government allow such people to operate. There had to be some kind of an inside connection with a government official the fact this company is still in business.
They are the most abusive personal ever. They will transfer you to different people to solve the issue. Every time they transfer you pull up a seat minimum one one hour from on department to another and good luck. For me it's been a whole week tell now no resolution. Nothing is resolved.
Stay away from this company they are a cancer.

Thumbnail of user richardk2121
Nebraska
1 review
3 helpful votes
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July 10th, 2022

I've had this card for 10 years I'm moving my money to a bank these people are idiots you can never get a hold of anybody they can lock your money up for weeks and you won't be able to access it if you have a complaint the place to go is the federal trade commission ftc.gov/complaint,

Tip for consumers:
Go somewhere else

Products used:
credit card

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user karmend3
California
1 review
4 helpful votes
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November 1st, 2021

The amount of support offered on these cards is minimal compared to other banks - it takes forever to get a hold of a customer service representative. They charge $1.50 for every single transfer of funds from the account on the card to another bank. It's also the only bank I've ever encountered that needs your account to be empty in order to close it - usually they can just mail a check?

Close it out as soon as possible and get yourself a real bank.

Products used:
DirectExpress for receiving SSI

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user sharlenes50
Florida
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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December 1st, 2023

This company is a joke. You can't get through. If you do it's over a 2 hour wait time. My account was accessed and address change and for extra was able to get a new card expedited to a different address. Then for extra fun they took all my money from another state. This company couldn't offer any protection from this happening. Where is our security? This is our income and now I have to wait 45 days for the company to review the case. I can't believe them. I already called Medicare and had my next deposit transferred to my other bank account. Please don't use this company. And they charged me for a new card reg 5-7 day delivery. No care in the world.

Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user anac702
Texas
1 review
2 helpful votes
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February 6th, 2023

My mom never received her new card for 2023. Called customer service on hold for 2 hrs, they transferred to tier 2 because of miss matching info. Then they never answer. Went to Soc Sec they said info is updated in system and they cannot recall my moms money and that she might never see it for the Month of Jan. Went to bank to open account and direct deposit. Had to pay my moms rent and electric bill for her. This is crazy :( ... How are they just going to keep my moms SSI? Why?

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user freddiey7
Pennsylvania
1 review
1 helpful vote
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March 15th, 2023

To be honest. How dare you email me for a review. I've had more problems with your incompetent staff than with ANY other company in my entire life, and I'm in my fifties. You see I'm from D.C. And I know how the federal government works. You proposed a bid and you got it. The only problem is our government did not do there due diligence when it came to Direct Express. Please if you feel that my letter is a little harsh. Do yourself a favor and playback all the unpleasant phone conversations that I have had. I thank God that I'm with a brick and mortar bank now. It just goes to show you that just because its a government contractor doesn't means it good. Just check the reviews... Pathetic.

Service
Quality
Thumbnail of user clm11
California
1 review
10 helpful votes
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April 19th, 2021

Calling them is crazy! On hold for 57 minutes. Claimed they are really busy! This third party company that Social security works with must be the cheapest possible. THEY are not good at all. Suddenly after I spoke with her for maybe one minute to explain my reason for calling, SHE HUNG UP ON ME!

Tip for consumers:
What do you think would have been helpful to know? Your reps need to answer the phone lines sooner than an hour!!

Products used:
Shoes, jackets, belts, cosmetics, etc.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user cherylh729
Texas
1 review
5 helpful votes
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September 16th, 2021

I've called with problems several times. I receive no help at all. In fact customer service reps are argumentative and completely untrained in their own company policies blatantly posted on their own website. I am more than frustrated. My funds are being with held from me for no reason. Customer service seems to enjoy arguing with me. I could not be more frustrated. I do not recommend this card. We all receive federal funds. We all are living on fixed incomes. They know that and use it against you. Shame on you Direct Express for taking advantage of the disabled and the poor. You are despicable.

Thumbnail of user kathrynk124
Pennsylvania
2 reviews
17 helpful votes
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January 3rd, 2020

It's about impossible to talk to a live person. They leave you on hold forever and then most of the time they then disconnect your calls. And then on top of that, you're sometimes missing money or there is a duplicate for a payment that didn't come from the company I just paid and Direct Express takes no responsibility, won't return your money, or gives you a line about having to wait 3 days to dispute it, then when you call back in 3 days they tell you you're too late to dispute it or inquiry about it. And for the past 3 years I haven't been able to access my account on their website either.

Thumbnail of user jennym598
New Jersey
1 review
1 helpful vote
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June 7th, 2022

Do not bank with Direct Express. They will never answer when you call customer service you will always be disconnected I try calling them several time different hours and still keep getting disconnected. It been 3 week and I still can get in contact with someone.

Thumbnail of user lorin342
Minnesota
1 review
3 helpful votes
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December 6th, 2022

If you value your benefits, run from this card. Customer service will hang up in your face. You will not be able to access your funds if you need to transfer them to your bank account. You've been warned. Don't do it! Direct Express has extremely bad reviews all over the net.

Service
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Quality
Thumbnail of user reedb29
Maryland
1 review
12 helpful votes
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March 6th, 2020

I spent over 4 hours on the phone today for a dispute that i never did get resolved. The worst customer service ever. They directed me to one of their lines, where they never answer, even after an hour... For the government to have this kind of service is sloppy work indeed!

Thumbnail of user treyboy42
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 20th, 2024

So on December 2nd I was scammed out of a lot of money from my Direct Express card and the people spent it on Apple upon speaking with Apple apple released all the funds in the total of $579 now it is almost the end of February and Direct Express hasn't even given back $380 of it and they're giving us a problem if the money has been released from Apple why does direct express need to hold on to it lawyers are fixing to come in

Tip for consumers:
If the company that the money was spent on releases the money why after 3 months does direct express have to hold on and not release it all it's really not rocking scientists just put the money back on the card

Products used:
Government checks

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user ceeleeb
New Hampshire
1 review
1 helpful vote
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November 18th, 2023

To anybody that uses this card I don't know why I don't even know how Social Security is using it. I'm gonna be calling Social Security on Monday morning because nothing but the runaround with a bunch of foreign people that don't speak English. They've hung up on me several times. I just got hung up on again this morning, this is ridiculous These are my government checks. Foreign people are asking me for my Social Security number all my information and then hanging up on me. These people are getting sued left and right and I want my $450 back.

Thumbnail of user lonnies125
Georgia
1 review
4 helpful votes
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September 22nd, 2022

My father gets his benefits on direct express card. But going online trying to see things is impossible. Always tells me my user name and password are incorrect I change it and it still says the same thing over and over. Tired of changing passwords and logging on and the website is down. Horrible

Thumbnail of user sheenabaskett
Arizona
1 review
2 helpful votes
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June 30th, 2023

I have had to have multiple cards due to, change in the system, identity theft, card update before expiration dates, buyout from other companies and hacked system through this company. They get over on you. Card updates are never right, system never updates address you literally have to call to confirm multiple times yourself. Your bills will be late and they will charge you for their screw ups.

Thumbnail of user charlitac4
New York
1 review
2 helpful votes
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May 20th, 2023

Some one stole my money they give a provisional credit which is bull$#*!. That's another way of for the thief and them to keep and steal your. They claim they are FDIC backed I guess. But it stands for For $#*!s In Corporated. Because you are certainly gonna get $#*!ed even with police involved.

Tip for consumers:
You would be better off going to a real bank

Products used:
Nothing because I didn't purchase anything

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user shardah
Maryland
1 review
2 helpful votes
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December 9th, 2022

This is a scamming company, I am not sure why the government is using these cards. My client is without his money for months because he forgot his pin and they just keep transferring him to an automatic system that does not help you!

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user roberta4023
Philippines
1 review
1 helpful vote
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October 9th, 2023

I have my veterans disability payments going to DE and am in the Philippines ever 6 months I have to update with them. They make this process very difficult and this month of October I have not been able to update. They won't give me access to my funds due to they believe fraud. I have given them all the info they ask for SS # home address ect. They say that in order to update my card has to be declined here. And I have to call within 24 hours but it takes 2 to 3 days just to get to speak to them. I am a long way from home and I need my money. Bad business I will transfer my benefits to another account. They are really bad hard to contact

Thumbnail of user tiyeb
Alabama
1 review
6 helpful votes
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November 2nd, 2023

Customer service rep sounded like he hated his job and had a TERRIBLE attitude. Should definitely get More customer service training or be fired. Terrible experience after being on hold for a hour and on top of that being hung up on twice without ever even talking to anyone human by the automated system. All over terrible experience. But I did get my question answered. GEESH!

Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user louellar3
Mexico
1 review
8 helpful votes
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January 10th, 2023

It's a scam! They block your account for no apparent reason & when you call them they don't answer at all,if they did they put you on hold for 2 hrs. The reason for them blocking, they are suspicious that you the owner of the card is an imposter or fraud when you haven't reported such thing so they just block it. I'm gonna take my money out & put it in a real bank!

Thumbnail of user matrond
Pennsylvania
1 review
8 helpful votes
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January 5th, 2023

I would avoid using Direct Express unless you have no other choice. Horrid service. Avoid at all costs. Specifically, if they freeze your card for online purchases, you have no way of reaching them as they keep hanging up. I would rather wait on hold than be hung up on. At least that gives the illusion of your issue being handled. This is ridiculous. It's been three days and no luck getting through. I have bills. Direct Express gonna pay my late fees? SMH.

Tip for consumers:
Change your bank to one with real love customer service.

Thumbnail of user timl631
California
1 review
9 helpful votes
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June 11th, 2022

Very shady employees. Card was locked and unable to use for food called in spoke to multiple people from Mexico who hardly spoke English. One guy even told me this was the only job he could get. Funds went missing right after Mexican lady asked me for verification details and tried to get me to give her my actual PIN number!. How this company isn't shut down is unbelievable. The phone reps are illegals in Texas who are locking cards and stealing funds.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user marka2303
Maine
1 review
1 helpful vote
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August 6th, 2022

Got a new card in mail activated it. Worked for a day then was locked. No notice nothing family member passes tried to pay for dinner for family nope could not. Called waiting hours just to speak to someone who barely spoke English then said my info was wrong and wanted a picture of my license. I told em this was a outrage and I need to speak to manager. Was told I had one warning. I said f your warning get me a manager got second warning. Asked for manager again got third warning. Hung up on. Now I call again and am on hold for even longer around 2 hrs. To get a women saying I was sent to wrong department I said please give me a manager she laughed and went into a speech about it was not her duty cause I need to call back. These people are pure terrorist to anyone on disability. Please will someone get to the bottom of this. At this moment there holding my money hostage. If I don't get through in a few days I'll cancel my account with them. NEW AGE NAZIS!

Tip for consumers:
Don't even bother calling customer service cause they don't serve customers with any respect

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Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user patriciap3033
California
1 review
1 helpful vote
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July 18th, 2023

I forgot my pin. Shame on me. Direct X will not take my call because it cant confirm my identity. However its been three weeks and social security office has requested direct express to call me multiple times. NO CALL. If called, identity masked and left NO message. Lost card and no money. Very disappointed!

Tip for consumers:
Terrible service. How does direct express keep its contract with social security. Ss office says it receives numerous compaints yet nothing done. Direct express continues to fail for seniors….those most dependent on ss $. Pathetic.

Products used:
No purchase. Social security $ funded to card.

Service
Value
Quality

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