• Direct Express

Direct Express

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Overview

Direct Express has a rating of 1.21 stars from 295 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 193rd among Credit Cards sites.

  • Service
    159
  • Value
    151
  • Quality
    149
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 3%
Positive
3
Neutral
2
Negative
95
36
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What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

No positive highlights yet

Critical highlights

  • Customer service agents are rude for the most part.
  • *5th, DE is not able to explain why and how so many debit cards are hit with Fraudulent Charges.
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.

Top Critical Review

“An absolute joke”

Jason S.
2/29/24

Direct express is without a doubt the worst possible way to receive your pension or social security funds. Their customer service is non existent taking numerous calls to even have a chance of getting a hold of a representative. Then they like to hang up on you while saying they will transfer you to another representative. Your deposits are most often late by hours and sometimes days. I can't conceive of a single reason they are still in business other than their government contract. Avoid at all cost.

Reviews (295)

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Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (93) debit card (17) bank account (20) replacement card (11)
Thumbnail of user jasshumaker
1 review
2 helpful votes
February 29th, 2024

Direct express is without a doubt the worst possible way to receive your pension or social security funds. Their customer service is non existent taking numerous calls to even have a chance of getting a hold of a representative. Then they like to hang up on you while saying they will transfer you to another representative. Your deposits are most often late by hours and sometimes days. I can't conceive of a single reason they are still in business other than their government contract. Avoid at all cost.

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Thumbnail of user curwick80
1 review
1 helpful vote
March 4th, 2024

Have been trying for over a week to speak with someone about a replacement card and have got no where. I wonder if anyone actually works for this company never been able to address my issue and can't even touch my money scam the one that are already struggling. It's a big fat lie about the 24-7 customer service because no matter the time of day or night I still have no spoken to a single sole all while they have the money that belongs to me

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Thumbnail of user 726shasha
1 review
2 helpful votes
February 22nd, 2024

When you are not being treated, fairly about your own money, call the inspector generals office on DR Xpress and find another bank that can handle your money. Change your accounts the best way you know how and put them out of business and also file claims against them because what they're doing is fraudulent is unfair and they're treating people like their scum of the Earth. Please people file complaints with your inspector general.

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Thumbnail of user changingtodirectdeposita
1 review
3 helpful votes
February 3rd, 2024

I don't typically like to write bad reviews but this one should come with a warning. I wasn't aware my card had expired till I needed to use it. Once it's expired it's no longer good. Numerous times ive tried to use my card online & it's always locked. It takes days to finally speak to a live rep & it's never their department & or the call gets dropped. It doesn't allow me to upload funds or transfer to my bank account.?Online website isn't working either. I've needed access to my card several times over this past week, it's still locked. It is now day 4 calling customer service trying to get through to someone that's willing to help. #Horses#^+

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Thumbnail of user lisah4382
1 review
1 helpful vote
February 1st, 2024

Having trouble with automatic services February 1st waited 4 hours to speak to an agent. I'm still waiting on agent to answer. It's currently 2:30pm still on hold waiting on agent to assist me with card theft situation. Never go through these services not enough employees working customer service by the time Direct services answers thieves have already emptied your whole bank account. Better off getting a savings account elsewhere. Smh 🤦🏽‍

Thumbnail of user jep8
1 review
2 helpful votes
December 29th, 2023

Suspect internal employee fraud as a result of my $200 taken not returned. On hold an hour at the least listening to the same ridiculous, annoying tune over an over plus the AI voice. Got a new card, used once and now can't access paycheck money right after fraud dispute. System says credit card invalid including other info entered, possible hack. They are crooks. Go with a true bank to get your SS funds, DE is horsecrap.

Service
Thumbnail of user 10tanishall1055
1 review
1 helpful vote
March 1st, 2024

That new "feature" to transfer money over to your bank doesn't work. I can't transfer money to cashapp. And social security won't let me use my bank for the money sent to the direct express card. These people suck and shouldn't even be in business. I have to go to one bank just to withdraw most of the money out and transfer it over to my bank institute which is a hassle and is very irritating! They Seriously SUCK!

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Thumbnail of user lauriecamerinolambert
1 review
1 helpful vote
February 23rd, 2024

They shut my account down with no warning. When I got declined at the pharmacy they told me it was for suspicious fraud and for my protection. They never provided any proof for this. They said I will get a new card in 10 business days. It is a long time to go without food and medicine.

Thumbnail of user herbmom1970
1 review
1 helpful vote
February 23rd, 2024

I have used this company for my disability payment for 6yrs. They locked down my account and never contacted me. My card was declined at the pharmacy and when I called they said it was fraud and my own protection but, never provided any proof of fraud. They then said they would mail me another card in 10 working days. That is a long time to go without food and medicine. How is this protecting me?

Service
Thumbnail of user leahd230
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 22nd, 2024
• Updated review

You can't talk to a person. When you do they say they transfer you then it hangs up! They wont send you the paperwork so that you get your provisional credit. So you get victimized twice once by who ever hacked your account. Then again by DIRECT EXPRESS! Because they don't want to give your money back. Plus they stick it to you again by making you pay for another card. So then it's at least 90 days before you get your money back. They know your are on a FIXED INCOME They could careless about the customer and apparently our Government doesn't care either how poorly they treat their customers / citizens that are disabled!

Tip for consumers:
This is theDIRECT EXPRESS CARD THE GOVERNMENT PUTS YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS ON

Service
Value
Quality
No protection
August 23rd, 2022
• Previous review

My card has been hacked 2! Times in 6 months I live alone on a fixed income. Anyway they won't put the money taken back also they charge you for a replacement card. On top of that they are rude like you did something to them! When your the one who has been victimized by first the hacker aand then Direct Express!

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Quality
Thumbnail of user christion
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 26th, 2024

I have a card through direct Express that was given to me by the social security administration. That card got stolen, and despite verifying all of my (re: the card holder) information the woman I spoke too refused to issue a new card. Or even lock the old one. Useless.

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Thumbnail of user treyboy42
1 review
0 helpful votes
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 janetl1636
1 review
1 helpful vote
February 19th, 2024

Most of the time I cant even use the card.i have to go get a prepaid card and put money on it because my online purchases keep being declined what good is the dam card,who wants to spend hours on the phone trying to talk to someone about using your own money.

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Thumbnail of user hectorh2250
1 review
4 helpful votes
October 8th, 2023

I'm in my fourth week still no card the investigation took shorter than me getting a replacement card. I reported foreign activity on my account. I did not withdraw money from ATM on that day in Queens I was in Long Island NYPD detective's house celebrating his son's 1 year birthday. Just a reminder the birthday boy father is Batman. Investigation took less than a week to decide that I was at fault can't be in two places at the same time I wish that was possible. US Direct 1.2 rating really sucks

Tip for consumers:
Why a $13 overnight charge and a $4 replacement card when it never comes

Products used:
US Direct customers use cash next time or you won't be accused fraudulent activity. US Direct Express won't show you the video of the ATM withdrawal.

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Value
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Thumbnail of user xelas
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 10th, 2024

Direct Express is getting as bad as the Social Security office about being able to speak to someone, and then if you call at 2am, a recording tells you " that because of heavy call volume" you will need to call back another time. How in the hell do they have that many people calling in at that time of the night that they can't take your call? They must think that we are all ignorant to what their scham is. Hire some flipping people if you don't have enough employees to handle the heavy call volume. Doesn't take a genius to figure that one out. And then when you do get a live person on the line finally, they are ruder than hell to you on the phone.

Thumbnail of user fhise1951
1 review
2 helpful votes
December 28th, 2023

The Directexpress fraud services help the identity thieves steal your money. A website called Askcrew fraudulently took $234 from my account. Askcrew agreed to return my money but investigators closed my case and told me to pound sand. Never ever ever ever trust Directexpress with your SS check. The attachment is from the email where the thieves tried to return my money but directexpress helped them instead of me the customer.
Franklin R Hise
*******@mail.com

Thumbnail of user tiyeb
1 review
6 helpful votes
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 christined2152
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 9th, 2024

I am now a widow and single mother after tragically losing my husband to cancer. My son is entitled to Social Security benefits since his father passed. At this point, I am now six months into trying to deal with Direct Express. The first debit card that was supposed to be sent to me never arrived. It took me endless phone calls and an appointment at Social Security to be told to call "this number" (Direct Express) and request a new card. Took forever to get through. Requested new card. It took two weeks to arrive. I activated the card and now am on Day 9 of trying to transfer funds from Direct Express into my bank account. I have followed the WRITTEN instructions provided by Direct Express as to how to transfer funds. I am not a moron. I have a degree and have worked in the legal field for over 25 years. I would transfer funds (four times now) only the next day to find that the transfer was "declined" by Direct Express. Why? Who knows. They just decline it and don't provide any explanation. No communication whatsoever. Your only recourse is to call their 888 number (which takes forever to get through - today it took 35 minutes just to speak to a "live" body, and another 20 minutes to be transferred to a supervisor) Basically, I have found that (1) the "letter" (written instructions) that were provided to me by Direct Express is incorrect. The two customer services reps for Direct Express that I have spoken to in the last two days didn't know that this letter was included to customers with their debit card. The letter does not include correct instructions. For instance, they state to provide a "scanned copy" of the front of your driver's license, when, in fact, you must provide a PHOTOGRAPH of your driver's license, and not only the front of it, but the BACK of it, too. I have now tried four times to transfer funds, and four times it has been declined. Customer service can't help you. They don't have access to the reason why either. It's a complete guessing game as to what you did wrong, and the customer service rep doesn't know either. What a joke.

Tip for consumers:
Avoid if you can. Unfortunately, it's connected to Social Security. In my case, I have no choice.

Products used:
Bureaucracy bull$#*!.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user joe.filipak
1 review
1 helpful vote
December 22nd, 2023

Avoid this bank. They refuse to let you ACH your money to another bank. They are scammer. They hold your money to make the interest on it. There is no communications from them and their customer service is lazy. They just tell you everything good on their end it the other bank. AVOID AVOID AVOID. Get your money in a real bank and not this bank. They should be closing their door soon I we are lucky.

Tip for consumers:
AVOID AVOID AVOID

Products used:
debit card only. They refuse to do and ACH without crazy demands.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user tc488
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 26th, 2024

If I could rate this business any lower I would. I don't know why Social Security signed me up for a Direct Express card when I already have a bank account. Since you can't even send people money with this card and I needed to pay my mother, I tried to verify my identity and my bank account so I would be able to transfer money from the DE card to my bank. Well at first I sent in my ID and they didn't accept it, so I had to send them my social security card and birth certificate too. They rejected all of my documents due to "inconsistent information" or some bs like that.

They told me to go to the Social Security office to file a request to get the money back from Direct Express. When I got there the guy didn't even know that was a service they offered. His coworker had to help him file the request. It's been months later and I still haven't gotten my money back. I have almost $4000 in SSI backpay stuck in that DE card and if I don't get my money next month I'm going back to the SS office to figure out what's going on. I have no idea how Direct Express is still able to be partnered with the government after all the negative reviews on here and other websites exemplifying their shady business practices. If I didn't know any better I would say it's a concerted effort to steal from the old and the disabled.

Service
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Thumbnail of user cayeb1
1 review
4 helpful votes
November 20th, 2023

My first call was the wrong number. I was told abruptly that I had the wrong department and to call back. No sorry, but...no let me see if I can help you get to the right person. She disconnected with no hesitation like I had interrupted her day. That is what prompted me to look at reviews. I will not be signing up!

Thumbnail of user georgec2138
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 29th, 2024

I reported money missing from my card I reported it on the 5th of the month and never received the complaint paper now I gotta wait longer for the reimbursement

Products used:
Direct express

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user donaldmahr132
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 29th, 2023

All I have ever been able to do with the card is withdrawal money at an ATM. I can't pay bills with the so called account, there is no routing number or account number so I don't feel comfortable calling it an account. I can't pay for gas, cash app money to pay a bill. Nothing. This is a card for people who are plainly stupid about the benefits of a regular prepaid card which comes with a routing number, account number, transfer funds selection, order personalized checks, pay bills, and so forth. I wouldn't suggest this card to a homeless bumb.

Products used:
Direct express card

Thumbnail of user netguy09
1 review
1 helpful vote
October 31st, 2023

DO NOT USE THIS APPLICATION BECAUSE HALF THE TIME IT'S NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE OTHER HALF THE TIME THEY ARE UPDATING AND TELLING YOU THAT THEY ARE MAKING CHANGES BUT THEY SEEM TO BE FOR THE WORSE I'VE BEEN WITH THEM FOR 10 YEARS AND THIS LAST NEXT DEPOSIT WILL BE THE LAST THIS CARD IS GARBAGE AS IS THE BANK I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU USE ANYTHING BUT US DIRECT EXPRESS OR YOU WILL REGRET IT AND I WILL LAUGH AND SAY I TOLD YOU SO...!

Thumbnail of user ceeleeb
1 review
1 helpful vote
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.

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1.2
295 reviews
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