Date Received: 2015-03-19
Issue: Using a debit or ATM card
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I receive government VA XXXX benefits that are loaded to a Direct Express debit card issued by Comerica Bank. I was recently incarcerated and my account was therefore locked. While incarcerated, my sister, who is my power of attorney, attempted to work with Direct Express to access my funds to cover my living expenses and they stated that they would not release the funds because I was in jail. In no contract or agreement anywhere online or in physical possession does it state that a beneficiary of VA XXXX benefits shall be rejected coverage while incarcerated, so that is my XXXX issue. I was released from XXXX XXXX jail on Tuesday, XX/XX/XXXX XXXX and immediately upon release, I contacted Direct Express at XXXX to unlock my account. They XXXX requested proof of release and I faxed the documentation to XXXX. I followed up on Wednesday, XX/XX/XXXX XXXX and Direct Express confirmed that they had the fax, but now they needed XXXX forms of picture identification. Since I currently have no money, I walked to a printing company and faxed XXXX forms of picture identification. I called again today ( XX/XX/XXXX XXXX ) to follow up and they said, " we do n't need XXXX forms of picture identification ; we only need the proof of release '' and much to my surprise, now they DO NOT have it and that it takes up to 6 business days to obtain the proof of release that I faxed on Tuesday, XX/XX/XXXX XXXX. I asked to speak to a supervisor and the person hung up on me. I called back, explained my situation again, asked to speak to a supervisor, was put on a long hold, and the same representative by the name of " XXXX '' stated that a supervisor is unable to speak to me until Direct Express receives my faxed proof of release, which could take up to 6 days. He hung up on me after I further questioned their practices.
Company Response:
State: MI
Zip: 48823
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2015-03-19
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: No