EDD SDI payment card drained - $2,900 stolen from Money Network while on disability
I just discovered my EDD disability payments were stolen from my Money Network debit card. I've been on SDI for 2 months (back injury from work accident), and when I checked my balance this morning, there were four unauthorized charges totaling $2,900 at stores in Florida! I've never even been to Florida. Two charges were at gas stations, one at a Target, and another at some electronics store. All within 24 hours. I immediately called Money Network customer service, and I'm beyond frustrated. They said they can't process my fraud claim over the phone or online - they have to mail me a paper form that I need to fill out and return. But THEN I can email it back to them? Makes zero sense. Meanwhile, my account is now negative, my card is frozen, and they said a replacement won't arrive until 7-10 business days from now. I'm completely without funds for medication and basic needs. Has anyone dealt with this fraud situation with their disability payments? How long did the claim process take? Did you get your money back quickly? Any tips on how to make this process go faster? This is my only income source right now and I'm panicking.
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StarStrider
omg this EXACT thing happened to me back in january!!! my SDI money was drained at gas stations in texas (im in norcal) and money network was USELESS!!!! took them 3 weeks to even process my claim and another 2 weeks to get the money back. the whole time i had ZERO dollars for my medications and rent. EDD doesnt care either they just refer you back to money network. its a scam!!!
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•3 WEEKS??? I can't wait that long! Did you do anything to speed up the process? Did you need to file a police report too?
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Dylan Campbell
This is happening a lot lately with EDD cards. The Money Network cards don't have the same security features as regular bank cards. What I did when this happened to me was call my disability case worker at EDD directly (not the general number) and explain the emergency situation. They were able to expedite a partial payment to me while the fraud investigation was pending. Definitely worth trying.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•Thank you! I didn't know we could contact our case workers directly. Do you know how I can find their direct number? When I log into SDI Online I only see the general customer service number.
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Dylan Campbell
•You can find your assigned case worker's info in your award letter they sent when your claim was approved. If you can't find it, call the main SDI number and ask to be transferred directly to your case worker. Sometimes they'll do it if you explain it's an emergency situation.
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Sofia Torres
I went through this exact situation in December. Here's what you need to do: 1. File a police report ASAP - Money Network will ask for the report number 2. Call Money Network again and ask specifically for their fraud department (the general reps aren't as helpful) 3. Request an emergency replacement card with expedited shipping (they CAN do this despite what they initially tell you) 4. While waiting, go to your local EDD office in person with ID and explain the situation - they sometimes can issue an emergency payment 5. Document EVERYTHING - rep names, call reference numbers, dates Also, once you get your new card, IMMEDIATELY transfer funds to your personal bank account. Never keep money on that card any longer than necessary. The Money Network cards have terrible security.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•Thank you so much for this detailed advice! I'll definitely file a police report first thing tomorrow. I didn't know they could expedite the replacement card - the rep I spoke with definitely made it sound impossible. I'll specifically ask for the fraud department.
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Dmitry Sokolov
Have you tried contacting Claimyr? When I had a similar problem with my SDI funds, I couldn't get through to anyone at EDD for days. Used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to an actual EDD disability representative in less than 30 minutes, and the rep was able to coordinate with Money Network to resolve my issue faster. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd It's worth it when you're dealing with something urgent like missing funds. The EDD rep I reached helped flag my case as high priority and I got resolution in 5 days instead of weeks.
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StarStrider
•these claimyr comments are on every disability post 🙄 seems sketchy tbh
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•Thanks, I'll look into it. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get this resolved faster. Has anyone else used this service successfully for SDI issues?
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Ava Martinez
its probly skimming. hapens at gas stations all the time. they put a thing over the card reader that copys ur card info. my frend had this happen on her disabilty card too. money network SUKS they took like a month to fix it for her. u should call ur doctor and see if they can help with meds meanwhile
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•That makes sense - I did use the card at a gas station about a week ago. Now I'm paranoid about using the new card at any public terminal. Good idea about contacting my doctor, I'll see if they can provide samples to get me through.
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Sofia Torres
One thing to note for everyone on SDI - Money Network has a mobile app where you can temporarily freeze/unfreeze your card. I HIGHLY recommend keeping your card frozen 100% of the time except when you're actively using it. This has prevented fraud on my account even when I know my card was compromised in a data breach. Also, call your State Assembly member's office and explain that you're without disability funds due to fraud. Their constituent services can often work miracles with EDD issues - they have special liaisons and can escalate cases.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•I didn't even know about the freeze/unfreeze feature! That's really helpful for when I get the new card. And contacting my Assembly member is a great idea - never would have thought of that. Thank you!
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Miguel Ramos
Im sorry this happened to you. When I was on disability last year my card got compromised too. Its so stressful when your already dealing with health issues and then have to fight for your money! One thing that helped me was going to a food bank while I was waiting for everything to get resolved. Also call 211, they sometimes have emergency assistance programs that can help with utilities or rent if you're going to be late because of this. Hang in there!!!
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•Thank you for the suggestion and kind words. I'll definitely look into local food banks and call 211. It means a lot to know I'm not the only one who's been through this.
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QuantumQuasar
This is why I always transfer my disability payments IMMEDIATELY from the Money Network card to my personal bank account. Never leave money sitting on that card! It's shocking how widespread these fraud issues are with disability payments and how little EDD seems to care about fixing the problem. Be persistent with Money Network and don't accept their timeline. Ask to speak with supervisors. Mention that you're considering filing complaints with the CFPB and your state representatives due to their failure to provide emergency assistance during a clearly fraudulent situation. They often magically find solutions when you mention regulatory agencies. Also, weird suggestion but it worked for me - contact them through Twitter/social media. Sometimes their social media team can escalate issues faster than phone support.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•I'll definitely be more assertive when I call them back. The CFPB complaint is a great idea - I didn't think about regulatory agencies. And I'll try their social media channels too, thanks for the tip! Once I get a new card, I'm absolutely going to transfer funds immediately.
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StarStrider
did u set up the fraud alerts on your card??? money network has them but they dont tell anyone about it when u get the card. go to the website and look for security settings once u get ur new card
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•No, I had no idea they had fraud alerts! They really don't make this information clear at all when they send the card. I'll definitely set that up with the new card. Thanks!
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Sofia Torres
Just following up - have you made any progress with this situation? Were you able to contact your case worker or try any of the suggestions here? I hope you're getting some resolution.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
•Thanks for checking in! Filed the police report yesterday, and finally reached someone helpful at Money Network after asking specifically for the fraud department. They're expediting the replacement card (should come in 3 days instead of 10). Also went to my local EDD office in person and they were able to issue a limited emergency payment to help with medications and essential expenses until this gets resolved. Still waiting on the actual fraud claim to be processed, but at least things are moving now. Thanks to everyone for all the helpful advice!
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