I work at a credit union and deal with fraud claims regularly. Just wanted to add a few technical details that might help others in similar situations: The reason Money Network cards are such frequent targets is that they use magnetic stripe technology which is much easier to clone than chip cards. When you get your replacement card, look for the chip - newer cards should have them, but some Money Network cards are still being issued with just mag stripes. Also, if you're having trouble getting through to the fraud department, try calling very early (like 7-8 AM) or late in the evening. The hold times are usually much shorter outside normal business hours. One more tip: if Money Network denies your claim for any reason, you can dispute it with your state's Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. California actually has pretty strong consumer protections for prepaid cards, stronger than federal minimums. Don't let them tell you "it's your word against the transaction log" - ATM fraud can often be proven through location analysis and timing patterns. Really glad you got your temporary credit, Fiona! That's exactly how it should work when you report fraud quickly.

I'm really sorry this happened to you, and I'm glad you were able to get the temporary credit! This thread has been incredibly educational - I had no idea Money Network fraud was such a widespread issue until reading everyone's experiences here. I wanted to add one more tip that helped me when I dealt with a similar situation last year: if you're still having any issues or delays with your case, try reaching out to your local EDD office or state representative's office. Sometimes they can escalate cases that are taking too long or not being handled properly. I know it sounds like overkill, but when you're facing rent deadlines, every option helps. Also, for future reference, some banks and credit unions offer "card controls" through their mobile apps where you can instantly freeze/unfreeze your card, set spending limits, or block certain types of transactions. Once you switch to direct deposit, it might be worth asking your bank if they offer these features - it's like having fraud protection in your pocket. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips in this thread. It's unfortunate that so many people have gone through this, but the collective knowledge here is really valuable for anyone dealing with EDD card fraud.

Same situation here! Going on 5 weeks now with zero communication from EDD. I've been calling every single day at 8 AM sharp and still can't get through. It's honestly making me lose sleep at night worrying about rent. The most frustrating part is not knowing if there's an issue with my claim or if they're just backed up. Has anyone had success with the online chat feature, or is that just as useless as the phone lines?

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - 4 weeks and counting with absolutely nothing from EDD. It's beyond frustrating, especially when bills keep coming but the payments don't. I've been checking my online account obsessively and calling every morning, but it's like shouting into the void. The worst part is not knowing if there's actually a problem with my claim or if this is just their normal (terrible) processing time. Reading through these comments though, it seems like 4-6 weeks is unfortunately pretty typical. Hang in there Santiago - you're definitely not alone in this struggle! 😔

I went through something similar last year and want to emphasize a few key points that helped me. First, when you have your eligibility interview, be prepared to explain your job duties and any positive feedback you received during your employment - this helps establish that you were a good employee who wasn't fired for misconduct. Second, if you have any text messages or emails from your termination day, save screenshots! I had a text from my manager saying "sorry this happened so suddenly" which helped prove it wasn't performance-related. Also, don't be discouraged if your employer contests your claim - many do automatically, but EDD will look at the facts. The key is being honest and having your timeline of events clear in your mind. You've got this!

Hey Sophia, I'm sorry this happened to you - getting blindsided like that is such a terrible feeling. I wanted to add something that might help ease your mind: California is an "at-will" employment state, which means employers can terminate employees for almost any reason OR no reason at all, as long as it's not discriminatory or retaliatory. The fact that your boss said "going in a different direction" without giving specifics actually works IN YOUR FAVOR for unemployment purposes. It suggests this was a business decision rather than anything you did wrong. When you file (which you absolutely should do immediately), make sure to mention that you received no prior warnings, write-ups, or performance issues during your 14 months there. That's a solid employment history that shows you weren't terminated for misconduct. Also, start documenting your job search efforts right away - you'll need to show you're actively looking for work when you certify. Hang in there, you've got a strong case for benefits!

I'm dealing with a similar appeal situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I discovered that might help - if you have a local One-Stop Career Center (America's Job Center), some of them have staff who are trained to help with EDD appeals. They can't call on your behalf, but they can help you organize your documentation and even practice for the hearing. Also, I noticed someone mentioned continuing to certify during the appeal - this is CRUCIAL. Even if you're not getting paid, you must keep certifying every two weeks or you'll lose those weeks permanently even if you win the appeal. I made this mistake early on and lost 3 weeks of potential back pay. The employer letter with their tax ID number is brilliant advice. My former employer initially sent just a basic "laid off due to restructuring" letter, but when I asked them to include their EIN and reference my specific termination date and reason, it seemed to carry much more weight with the Appeals Board. One more tip - if you're really struggling financially while waiting, check if your county has emergency rental assistance programs. Many don't require you to be receiving unemployment benefits, just proof that you've applied and are awaiting a decision. It's not much, but it might help with that rent payment you mentioned.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the EDD appeals process is absolutely broken and it's infuriating when you have clear documentation that you were laid off. I went through something similar last year and it took 4 months to resolve. A few things that helped me beyond what others have mentioned: 1. Try calling the Appeals Board at 8:00 AM sharp when they open - I had better luck getting through then 2. When you submit that employer letter, make sure it's on company letterhead and includes specific details like your last day of work, the reason (layoff/downsizing), and whether it was your decision or the company's 3. Keep a detailed log of every interaction - dates, times, names, what was said. This becomes important if you need to escalate further The assembly member route really does work. I was skeptical but their constituent services got me a response from EDD within a week after I'd been ignored for months. Don't feel bad about using this option - that's literally what they're there for. Also want to echo what others said about continuing to certify. I know it feels pointless when you're not getting paid, but if you win (and with employer confirmation you likely will), they'll pay all the back weeks you certified for. Hang in there - I know it's incredibly stressful but you have solid evidence and these suggestions should help you break through the bureaucracy!

I've been using my EDD Money Network card for about 8 months now and wanted to share some practical tips I've learned through trial and error: **Best Free Cash Options:** - Bank of America ATMs are your best friend - never had a fee there - Grocery store cash back is honestly the easiest route (Kroger, Safeway, etc. usually allow $100-200 cash back) - CVS and Walgreens have Allpoint ATMs inside most locations **What to Avoid:** - ANY ATM at gas stations or convenience stores (learned this the hard way with a $5.95 fee) - Checking balance at ATMs - use the app instead to avoid the $0.75 charge **Pro Tips:** - The Money Network app has a "Find ATMs" feature that shows you exactly which nearby machines are fee-free - You can do multiple smaller cash back transactions throughout the week if you need a large amount like $500 - Keep screenshots of your balance before big withdrawals - I had one ATM eat $200 and it took weeks to resolve For your landlord situation, I'd recommend either hitting up a Bank of America ATM for two $250 withdrawals, or doing cash back over 2-3 grocery trips. Both are completely free and way less stressful than hunting for the right ATM! The card system isn't perfect, but once you know the tricks it's actually pretty manageable.

Been using my EDD Money Network card for about 4 months now and wanted to add a few things that have saved me money and hassle: **Free Balance Checks:** - Text "BAL" to 96411 for free balance updates (way faster than the app sometimes) - Customer service line 1-866-692-9374 also gives free automated balance info **Cash Back Limits I've Found:** - Walmart: up to $100 per transaction - Target: usually $40 max - Most grocery stores: $50-200 depending on the chain - Dollar General: $40 (surprisingly convenient option) **Additional Free ATM Networks:** - Many credit union ATMs are fee-free even if you're not a member - Some 7-Eleven locations have MoneyPass ATMs (but verify the logo first!) **For Large Amounts Like Your $500:** I've found the easiest approach is combining methods - maybe $300 from a Bank of America ATM in two transactions, then $200 cash back spread across a couple grocery trips. Gives you backup options if one method hits a snag. One last tip: if you're ever stuck somewhere with only fee-charging ATMs, sometimes the fee gets refunded automatically within 24-48 hours (happened to me twice). Not guaranteed but worth checking your transaction history! Hope this helps - the card definitely has a learning curve but becomes pretty convenient once you know all the free options.