Walmart Money Card Services G. E. Money Bank, Green Dot Corporation You Reported Your Card Lost or Stolen? Now Your Money Is Being Held Hostage!!!!!!! Monrovia, California

While checking my online transactions, I noticed a charge for Vesta "Cricket" that I did not make. I called the number and was informed that someone used our card number but did not have the correct expiration date so the card was declined. I should have left it at that, but I decided to report the card stolen, because, after all, they did have our account number.

I was informed that a new card would be issued and we would receive it in 7-10 days. I asked how merchants could take money out for pre-authorized drafts, and they said it would immediately transfer over to the new number. Great, I thought! I asked how we will be able to access our money, because our pay is direct deposited and we are using this card as our bank. They informed me that we would have to wait the 7-10 days to receive the new card. I told them this was unacceptable. How could they do that? We are the victims here, yet you are punishing us. I asked for a supervisor. I asked for the block to be removed from our current card. That cannot be done, she said. It is system generated. I was literally freaking out at this point. She suggested I purchase another prepaid visa card at Walmart and they could do a balance transfer once I activated the card. Oh, great, I said! Why didn't you suggest that in the first place? I just have to drive 10 miles, pay the $3 for the card, deposit $20 on it, and activate it? I'm in. She said the balance transfer would take 3-4 hours, and since it was Friday, would probably be done Saturday morning. They issued a ticket number (I guess for priority cases). 

I called around 10:00 Saturday morning expecting the money to be there.  No, the balance transfer would take another 3-4 hours. I called around 1:30. The CSR had to put me on hold. He couldn't help me. A supervisor got on the phone and said they sent the request over to their Research Department and unfortunately this was against "company policy" and we would have to wait the 7-10 days for our money. You're kidding me, right? How could you do this? How am I supposed to pay for gas, food, and bills? If you knew this was against company policy why did I purchase another card? I'm sure I am not the first person this has happened to? Am I in the twilight zone?

I'm supposed to hear from their corporate office Monday morning, but I'm not holding my breath. I will call corporate. They will fix this. They have violated our rights. We did nothing wrong and they are holding our money. This is, I believe, an unfair business practice and they should be held accountable for their actions.