I purchased a Wal-Mart Visa Money Card (through Green Dot which is part of GE Money Bank) because I knew I would be going out of town and would not be able to locally access my bank for a long time. I figured the money card could be reloaded at any Wal-Mart location and would be perfect for me while I was out of town. At this point I was also contemplating relocation.
While I was out of town my account was accessed by someone who was not authorized. They canceled the card I had on my person and had a new one mailed to the address on file. An address that I could not access as I was out of town and considering relocation. I found out about this when I went to make a purchase and found that the card was declined. I started at that point a process to lock the account for any transactions and to attempt to have the card stopped (as I found out about it the day after it happened). I was assured by the representative that even if the card did get mailed out that it would be a dead card and could not be activated.
As an additional measure of security the account was locked down and I was advised that it could only be unlocked if a copy of my driver's license, social security card, and proof of the address I was staying at could be faxed over. A couple days later I did attempt to do this but the representative stated that since the fax could not be read that they could not unlock the account.
Confident that the account, and the money inside of it, was safe I delayed in getting the information over. I needed to get clearer copies of my information made so i could send it over.in the mean time the requested card reached the other person in the other state. They called to activate the card and the card was then ACTIVATED without the information sent in. The representative merely verified a piece of information and then TOOK the lock off allowing the other person to activate the card. The person then took the card to an ATM and liquidated my account.
Upon calling in mid-November (since I had actually gotten a new license in my now new city of residence) I find out that the account has been liquidated and that a card was activated on the 6th of October. I immediately file a dispute which has now been denied three times. The reason that they state is that the pin number on the card was changed by the same person who called in on the 6th of October. Well of course. They're the one who stole the money out of the account! I'm told that there is nothing that can be done and that their disputes department will not change their decision. Essentially I have had this money stolen and they refuse to admit to their mistake (taking the lock off of the account in October without the properly faxed documents, which only I could have provided since I am the only one with my driver's license and my social security card). They claim that I have to go through civil court.
The worst part of all of this is, they GAVE the person who stole the money my NEW address that was on file, which I put on file at the start of the dispute process for the very purpose that the other person could NOT verify it. I started receiving messages on Facebook from this person gloating about how they had found out where I live. Not only have they taken my money but they may have put my life at risk.
I will never use their services again. They do not stand by their word (not allowing anyone access to the account without the required documents) else they lie to you to get off of the phone.
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