Varo Money Reviews

Some months ago, I signed up for Varo after hearing it was better. Time goes by, and I realize I never received my card. I then emailed them and asked them to send me a new card. The reply asked me to verify my current email, which I did.

This morning I got an email saying that my new card has been ordered, so I decided to finally switch my direct deposit info to them. About 30 minutes ago, I got an email that said they were closing my account all of a sudden. The email begins with "Based on a review of your account activity, we have decided to close your Varo Bank Account and, if applicable, your Varo Savings Account." But the crazy thing is, I haven’t even had any transactions yet, so I am very confused. After 4-5 months of me having this account in my name, why are they just now saying they have reviewed my account. Plus how can I have any transactions when I hadn’t even received my card yet.

I’m not sure what game they are playing, but I don’t appreciate it, especially since I just changed over my direct deposit and now I have to change it again.

I'm very upset. They closed my account at the last minute, when I just reloaded my card with money. They emailed me at the last minute about my account with no reason at all. I’m very pissed off, and I have to wait 14 days until they send my refund check.

I had my phone stolen while I was in London on 8/15/2018. It has been insanely frustrating not being able to review ANY transactions with my own eyes, as they only provide the statements IN-APP.

I honestly think Varo is in violation of this:

Reglation E, section 205.4: § 205.4 General disclosure requirements; jointly offered services. (a)(1) Form of disclosures. Disclosures required under this part shall be clear and readily understandable, in writing, and in a form the consumer may keep. The disclosures required by this part may be provided to the consumer in electronic form, subject to compliance with the consumer consent and other applicable provisions of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-Sign Act)(15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.). A financial institution may use commonly accepted or readily understandable abbreviations in complying with the disclosure requirements of this part.

Yes, I did agree to enroll into their online banking service; however, I now have zero access to my transactions and statements. I have no clue if their are unauthorized charges on my account, which if there are could be blamed on me for not disputing timely. Which is where their second violation of Reg is comes in:

Section 205.6: (a) Conditions for liability. A consumer may be held liable, within the limitations described in paragraph (b) of this section, for an unauthorized electronic fund transfer involving the consumer’s account only if the financial institution has provided the disclosures required by §205.7(b)(1), (2), and (3). If the unauthorized transfer involved an access device, it must be an accepted access device and the financial institution must have provided a means to identify the consumer to whom it was issued.

I've reported this to the CFPB and encourage more people to do so, as they really need to change this ASAP. The more complaints the CFPB gets for this will def put them on the spot (https://www.consumerfinance.gov/). As for the time being, I finally was able to save up enough money and will be getting a phone this Friday, will attempt to download my statements from the app? I am not even sure if that's possible. If it isn't, please take the time to screenshot and include them in your CFPB complaint.

From out of nowhere I get this "account closure" email stating they decided to close my account. I have no idea why nor would they give me any explanation. I have not done anything illegal. I just get my Uber payments deposited through Instant Pay, and bought food, gas, and paid bills. I wrote to Varo again and they said: "they made an appropriate choice based on my transaction history." All I get are vague and generic responses. I didn’t know using my Varo card for Uber Instant Pay and buying food and gas was illegal.

I opened this account over a month ago and I’ve supposedly been sent three cards. Two by US Mail and one was supposed to be brought to my front door no later than last Friday. I’ve already set up direct deposit, but without a card, I won’t be able to access my money, and therefore I fear I may have to close my account. I really wanted this to work out.

I decided to open an account with them for almost 6 months now. I randomly get an email stating my account is closed and there is no appeal for it. I immediately contacted customer service and they told me I have to email them in order to get any information. (Calling customer was a waste of time, they never have any answers for you.) So I email them and ask how did I violate the terms and conditions. Apparently, my transactions are a problem, the person emailing me clearly stated that based off my transaction history they made the decision to close the account effectively and immediately. I have direct deposit, so that means now my paychecks will be delayed and thrown off.

They are so inconsiderate, and they will not give you any specific details such as why my transactions would be an issue with anything, it’s my money. I would not recommend them to anyone, they don’t even deserve one star.

I opened this account for the higher interest rate for a savings account. It seemed to work well for the first transfer I made, after that, I would sign in and see an error message every day. "There was an issue linking your TD Bank account."

At first, it was only mildly irritating, but after I noticed it was an ongoing thing, I got tired of it. It seemed like I had to initiate a deposit in order for the message to go away. The transfer process also took longer than any bank to bank transfer I have ever done. It would not post into my Varo account until at least two days after it had been withdrawn from my funding source. This error message has scared me into not using the account at all. There are also extremely low limits for transfers; $200 per transfer. There are better online banks that provide service that is consistent, providing the security one needs for their money. It’s almost as though this app is still in Beta, to be honest.

After a first minor bad experience with Uber instant payments, I decided to continue using it. First time I called they said there was nothing wrong with the account and Uber said it was a problem with the card. Almost two weeks later they responded to my email with an explanation. So I continued using it.

The second bad experience was with a refund from a body shop, services were paid by the insurance company, and the body shop offered me two refund options, one by check and another one as a refund to my debit card. I accepted the latter. It took almost ten days to release the funds and not a single email to explain what was going on, so I decided to call. They explained what the issue was, we sorted everything out and funds were released shortly thereafter.

A few days later, without any notices, they suspend my account for the same transaction that had been settled and approved. They requested documents, and they were sent. The money in my account was for child support and operating costs for my work. I desperately explained the situation, but nothing helped. I explained why I desperately needed the funds and the response I received from a supervisor was that "child support payments can wait," and she hung up on me.

Do NOT use this app! There are better alternatives such as Simple or Chime.

I currently have an account with Varo, and I really regret opening it. I filed a dispute on fraudulent charges because someone used my information to make purchases at Walmart and another location. They took over a week to investigate and then came back to me and said they are closing the dispute and no error was made because I’ve shopped at Walmart in the past. They also closed the dispute of the other charge without reason.

I’ve tried calling emailing and even escalating complaints to get the disputed department to call me back, and I get nothing. Whenever I call, the representatives are short and nasty. They keep telling me they’re sending me information in the mail, which I never received, and they refuse to open my disputes. I am now out of almost $500.00 because Varo is too lazy to do anything about people fraudulently using other people’s debit cards.

Don’t use this bank. They are a huge scam. I am definitely closing my account after my next direct deposit.

My first check was deposited. I needed this check. You are promised immediate funds as well as early direct deposit. This is not the case. I deposited my check and the hold time is 13 days. 13 days! I was told my funds would be available on the 23rd. It still isn’t there.

When I call customer support (which is also terrible, very rude, and uncaring people), they are unhelpful and told me it will not be ready until the 31st. So for 13 days not only can I not pay my bills, but I’ve been starving for a couple of days and now have to continue starving for a total of 13 days. There is no resolution. They promise loans and lending, and can’t even do that so I do not have to starve. This company is absolutely terrible. Do not get Varo. Find a different bank or just cash your checks cash. This is asinine. And beyond low. This is the lowest company I ever had to deal with.

I repeat, stay away from this company unless you like waiting upwards to two weeks to get your hard earned money.

I have tried emailing them the proof in an email and have not received a response about that either. The only thing I can do is call this terrible customer support. Absolutely the worst company ever, that I had to deal with.

Repeat. Do not get a Varo Bank account. I would give zero stars if that was an option.

I have had an account for a month now, maybe five transactions and three of them have been a headache. I paid a credit card, the money was in the account, that’s how I was able to access the funds to send them, and after that, there are no transactions in my bank, yet the money is magically gone. Last straw, I closed the account.