Transactions We May Refuse To Process
A Transaction may not be processed if: the amount of the Transaction exceeds your available balance, the Card has been reported lost or stolen, we are uncertain whether you have authorized the Transaction, or there is a dispute involving your available balance. If you believe you were entitled to receive Benefits in an amount different than what was credited to your Card Account, you should contact the Agency.
The Fast Route To A Live Person
We all have the same frustration when calling any organization we want to speak with a live person but instead encounter transfer after transfer through an automated system. There are here are more than 4.5 million Direct Express® accounts, but we know a shortcut.
Follow these steps to access a living person at Direct Express:
- Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish, or 3 for any other language
Once you have selected your language, you will be given the option to:
- Press 3 to report a lost, stolen, or damaged card
- From here, youll be given the option to enter your 16-digit card number or press 2 if you do not have the card number
- Press 0 or zero to speak to a live agent if you are not the card holder
Record Of Your Transactions Card Account Balance & Know Your Balance
You should check your Card Account balance and Transaction history on a regular basis. The information is available to you free of charge through our Customer Service number and at our web site, www.usdirectexpress.com. For a fee, you can also receive written statements each month.
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Limitations Of The Social Security Debit Card
While you can use the Direct Express Social Security debit card for the majority of your purchases, there are some limitations. You can use your card for online purchases as long as the retailer accepts MasterCard debit as a payment method. To use your card for gas purchases, you must pay the clerk inside the gas station you cannot pay at the pump. If you use your Direct Express card to rent a car, the car rental agency will place an authorization hold on up to $500 of your funds. The authorization hold will be released when you return the rental car, but the money might not get back to your account for up to two weeks. In addition, the car rental agency may request additional documentation because you’re not using a credit card.
I Am Trying I Have A New Card For Direct Express Got Money
Accountant’s
I am trying
Accountant’s Assistant: The Social Security Expert can help with that. Just a few quick questions to understand your situation better. What is your current age and retirement age?
I have a new card for direct express got money on it for the first of the year but my old card they didn’t give me my money off of it
Accountant’s Assistant: How long have you been receiving social security? Have you worked in the last 10 years?
For 35 years
Are you trying to change your bank account information with the Social Securirty?
Sure. But what are you trying to do with that “Direct Express” account?
Is there anything else I can help you with today regarding your original question?
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to assist you. I’ll opt-out so another expert can properly assist you. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.
Unfortunately you will need to contact your local office and let them know you are still missing money from that fire. I have no access to any area that would let me issue you any money. Do you have the local office number? If not tell me your Zip code.
I read that already.
Unfortunately you will need to contact your local office and let them know you are still missing money from that fire. I have no access to any area that would let me issue you any money. Do you have the local office number? If not tell me your Zip code.
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Who Is Eligible For The Social Security Debit Card
Anyone who receives Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits is eligible to use this card.
Because its a prepaid debit card, you can only use your Direct Express Social Security debit card if you have funds in your account. Once youve spent or withdrawn your entire account balance, youll have to wait for your next monthly disbursement to use your card again.
How Your Credit Score Is Affected
While it looks and swipes like a credit card, the Direct Express card is not a credit card. No credit check is necessary to receive the card or to have your benefits deposited to the card each month.
When you make purchases, youre not borrowing money, and theres no balance to repay each month. Your card usage isn’t reported to any of the major credit bureaus, which means that it’s not included in your credit report and won’t impact your credit in any way. You can, however, use the card for paying other monthly bills that may affect your credit.
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How Can I Get A Replacement Direct Express Card
As soon as you find out that your Direct Express Card is lost or stolen, immediately call the Direct Express card Customer Service Department.
It is important that you call right away because if someone is illegally using your card, calling right away protects you from losing funds deducted from your card by an unauthorized user.
This also protects your Social Security benefits.
Direct Express lost card replacement can be done in one easy step.
Simply call 1-888-741-1115 if your card starts with 5332 or, call 886-606-3311 if your card starts with 5115.
If you need your replacement card as soon as possible, direct express may charge you a fee to ship your card via FedEx or UPS.
Alarming Incidents Of Fraud
It appears online fraudsters have zeroed in on the Direct Express card as a target for fraud.
Thieves are stealing government benefits paid to hundreds of retirees, veterans, and even those on disability who use the Direct Express debit card.
This prompted the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration to issue a warning to cardholders:
US Senate Investigation
An investigation by the Office of United States Senator, Elizabeth Warren, found some very disturbing issues.
The Senator opened the investigation to Comericas handling of Direct Express fraud cases,
This was after a constituent in Massachusetts contacted her office to report that Comerica left the account of her family member vulnerable to fraud and failed to reimburse him.
The investigation found that hundreds of individuals were affected by fraud in the Direct Express program.
According to information provided by Comerica, in the one year after the feature was introduced to all Direct Express cardholders in August 2017, there were 480 cases of fraud.
The total amount of confirmed fraud is almost $460,000, an average of nearly $1,000 stolen per affected individual.
The news report on the investigation indicated that:
The Direct Express program was plagued by similar incidents of criminals impersonating beneficiaries and draining their accounts.
Victims were not notified of the fraud by Comerica. In some cases, months were spent trying to get these critical benefits restored.
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Direct Express Card Cancelled Without Warning
Another complaint by Direct Express cardholders is the frequency of cards being canceled without warning.
Direct Express is canceling cards without notice due to suspected fraudulent activity.
Oftentimes, this results in cardholders being locked out of their account without access to their money.
In some cases, cardholders have to use another form of payment to complete the purchase because their Direct Express card was shut off without notice.
In addition, getting the card reinstated or re-activated can also be an issue due to the difficulty in reaching customer service, as explained above.
This then leaves cardholders days, and sometimes weeks without access to their funds.
Legal & General Terms
Customer Service: 1-866-606-3311
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How Do I Get A Social Security Direct Express Card
Fortunately, the process behind getting a Social Security debit card is fairly simple. You can elect to receive a card as soon as youve been approved to receive your retirement benefits.
All that you have to do, as either the recipient or a representative of a payee, is sign up for one. You can do this by either going to your local Social Security office or by calling the Direct Express card enrollment center at 333-1795.
Once youve been successfully enrolled, youll be given a card and your benefits will be applied directly to the cards account each month. Youll then be able to use the card to make purchases as you see fit, which makes it a good choice for those who either are unable to make regular trips to the bank to deposit checks or who dont have access to a traditional bank account.
Tampa Bay Social Security Recipients Claim Crooks Used Direct Express Cards
TAMPA, Fla. Two Pinellas County social security recipients claim crooks stole their benefits and went on a spending spree.
They join a growing number of others across the country who complain their Direct Express MasterCard, the only way they collect social security or veteran benefits, was used by crooks.
The answer that I got is, theres too many discrepancies so were not going to return that money,’ said Mary Dykstra.
Dykstra says shes trying to help her mother, after thousands went missing from her debit card. She logged in to her mothers account to find strange charges from all over the country.
DoorDash, GoPuff, Lyft that was in San Francisco, she said. Theres $106 at a KFC.
Dykstras account also shows a charge for more than $1,800 for an upcoming outside hard rock concert in Miami.
My mother is sitting upstairs in a wheelchair, Dykstra noted.
For 4.5 million Americans, the Direct Express MasterCard is their only way to access their social security and veteran benefits. The government no longer issues paper checks and distributes benefits through direct deposit or the Direct Express MasterCard. For those without a bank account, the card is the only option.
Meanwhile, Wayne Hidalgo, also of Pinellas County, says hes fighting thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges too.
I havent been able to sleep and eat. I just keep getting ripped off constantly by these scam artists, Hidalgo said.
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Social Security Direct Express Cards Vs Credit Cards: Whats The Difference
The Social Security Direct Express card is like a debit card for your benefits.
Many people think that getting paper checks or direct deposits are the only ways to receive their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits each month. However, there is a third option. The Social Security debit card is a prepaid card that recipients can use to access their benefits without having to worry about keeping a current bank account.
That said, there is some confusion surrounding these cards. Though you can use them to make purchases they are not . Below is a look at how Social Security Direct Express cards are different from credit cards, as well as the pros and cons of using one to receive your benefits.
How Does The Direct Express Social Security Debit Card Work
When you sign up for Direct Express, you’ll receive a debit card in the mail. It looks like any other debit or ATM card and has an electronic chip. The government will begin to deposit your monthly Social Security or other eligible benefits onto the card.
You’ll be issued with a personal identification number or PIN. You can use your card and PIN to withdraw cash at ATMs or to buy goods or services from retailers.
You can use your Direct Express Social Security debit card, providing you have money available. However, once you’ve spent your balance, youll be unable to use the card until the government pays your next federal benefit payment into the account.
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Rude And Unhelpful Customer Service Agents
As mentioned above, it is very hard to get a live customer service person at Direct Express.
However, even when you get someone on the phone, there is no guarantee that they are going to be helpful to you.
Cardholders have reported that some customer service agents have been rude, inconsiderate, and provide unhelpful information and will sometimes hang up on you.
The United States Department of the Treasury reported in January 2020 that there is a 94% customer satisfaction with the Direct Express card. That is far from what cardholders are saying online.
A simple Google search about Direct Express reviews will lead you to an overwhelmingly negative response from cardholders about their experience with Direct Express customer service.
You can see reviews posted by our readers about Direct Express customer service here, here, and here. You can also read reviews from the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Affairs.
Difficulty In Reaching Customer Service
Perhaps, the biggest complaint against Direct Express is the difficulty in reaching customer service. It does not matter what time of day or night you call, it is very hard to get a live person on the phone.
Some cardholders have reported that when they call, they get a message of high call volume and then they are immediately disconnected.
Even though Comerica bank is responsible for issuing the Direct Express card, it does not manage the customer service portion of the card.
That function is outsourced to Conduent, a publicly-traded conglomerate in Florham Park, N.J.
Conduent is NOT doing a good job with Customer Service
The customer service provided by Conduent for the Direct Express program has been very frustrating to cardholders.
Some cardholders have reported calling for days, even weeks without success.
Some of these callers are veterans and people with disabilities who rely on their benefit payments to pay for necessary medication.
The United States Treasury Department promised stronger oversight of Comerica Bank, the issuer of Direct Express cards.
This was contained in a press release when the department renewed its contract with Comerica for another 5 years, starting in January 2020.
However, despite that promise, not much has changed.
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Are There Any Fees To Use The Card
Yes, you may need to pay fees for some transactions.
You’re allowed one free ATM cash withdrawal for each benefit payment. If you need further withdrawals, you’ll pay a fee of 85 cents per withdrawal.
For an 85 cent fee, you can withdraw cash over the counter at Walmart.
You can also transfer funds from your Direct Express card into another bank account. You’ll pay a $1.50 fee for each transfer to a U.S. bank account.
Online purchases and bill payments are typically free. You can also buy money orders from the U.S. Post Office to pay bills and pay only the post office fee.
Checking your account balance costs nothing, but if you prefer monthly paper statements, you’ll pay 75 cents each month.