Direct deposit option now at EDD - worried about security risks

I switched to direct deposit the first week they offered it and haven't had any issues. It's SO much better than waiting for that stupid Money Network card to reload! My payments hit my account 2-3 days faster now. As for security, EDD actually partnered with a third-party banking system that's pretty secure. Just make sure you're using a strong password for your UI Online account and have 2-factor authentication turned on. If you're really worried, you could always open a separate checking account just for your EDD payments and transfer the money out as soon as it hits.

omg i had no idea they were doing direct deposit now!! where do u even find this option?? ive been stuck with that stupid card for months & hate the fees

My cousin had his EDD account hacked last year and it was a NIGHTMARE to fix!!! They stole over $5,000 from his card. I'm sticking with paper checks even if it takes longer. No way I'm risking direct deposit OR that Money Network garbage. Not worth it.

Look, the real security issue isn't the direct deposit - it's getting through to EDD if something does go wrong. I tried for THREE WEEKS to reach someone about a payment issue with my claim. Called 47 times in one day and kept getting the "we're experiencing high call volume" message and disconnected. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through and fixed my issue in 20 minutes. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km As for the direct deposit, I think it's actually safer than the Money Network card. Those prepaid cards have way fewer protections than a regular bank account. Just enable all security features on your EDD account - complex password, security questions, 2FA if available.

I work in cybersecurity and can confirm that direct deposit is generally more secure than prepaid cards like Money Network. Here's why: 1. Bank accounts have federal protection (FDIC insurance) and fraud monitoring 2. Banks typically offer zero liability protection for unauthorized transactions 3. EDD's direct deposit system uses encryption and doesn't store your full bank details 4. Money Network cards can be physically stolen, skimmed, or cloned To maximize security: - Use a unique, complex password for your EDD account - Set up account alerts for any EDD transactions - Check your account regularly - Consider a separate bank account just for EDD funds - Never respond to emails or texts asking for your EDD login info The biggest risk isn't the direct deposit itself - it's phishing attempts trying to get your EDD login credentials. Be vigilant about that.

I switched to direct deposit about three weeks ago, and it's been smooth sailing so far. The setup process was straightforward - just needed my routing and account numbers. My latest certification payment hit my account TWO DAYS earlier than it used to with the Money Network card. Regarding security, there's always some risk, but I feel safer with direct deposit because: 1. My bank has 24/7 fraud monitoring 2. I get instant alerts for any transactions 3. My bank has a dedicated fraud department that can freeze accounts quickly With the Money Network card, I had issues with random ATM fees, confusing balance info, and poor customer service. One time my card got declined at a gas station even though I had funds available - super embarrassing. If you're still concerned, follow the separate account advice others mentioned. That's what I did - opened a free checking account just for EDD payments, then I transfer the money to my main account immediately.

Just wanted to say I HATE that stupid Money Network card!!! my card got damaged and it took 3 WEEKS to get a replacement while my money was just sitting there!!! definitely switching to direct deposit ASAP

One thing nobody's mentioned - make sure the bank account you use for direct deposit doesn't have overdraft protection linked to a credit card or line of credit. EDD payments can sometimes trigger fraud alerts at banks, which might cause delays. You don't want to end up paying bills from an account expecting EDD money that's delayed. Also, @OP - to answer your earlier question, you set it up entirely online through your UI Online portal. No phone call needed (thank goodness, because getting through to EDD is nearly impossible these days).

I just made the switch to direct deposit last month after being on the fence for a while. The setup was super easy - took maybe 5 minutes online. What really convinced me was when my Money Network card got locked for "suspicious activity" (aka me buying groceries at a different store than usual) and it took 4 days to unlock it. Meanwhile I had rent due! The direct deposit has been flawless so far. My payments show up exactly when EDD says they will, sometimes even a few hours early. I followed the advice about opening a separate account - went with a local credit union that doesn't charge fees. Now I just move the money to my main account once it hits. One tip: screenshot your direct deposit setup page once you complete it. I learned this the hard way when the EDD website was down and I needed to verify my payment info for something else. Having that backup saved me a headache. The peace of mind alone is worth it. No more worrying about lost cards, ATM fees, or sketchy card readers at gas stations.

I've been hesitant about direct deposit too, but reading everyone's experiences here is really helpful. The separate account strategy seems like the perfect compromise - you get the convenience and speed of direct deposit while limiting your exposure if something goes wrong. One question though - for those who set up the separate account, did you use a big bank or credit union? I'm wondering if smaller institutions might be better since they often have more personalized customer service if issues arise. Also, has anyone had their bank flag EDD deposits as suspicious initially? I know some banks get weird about government payments sometimes. Really appreciate everyone sharing their real experiences instead of just speculation. It's making me feel a lot more confident about making the switch!

I'm in the same boat as you - just heard about the direct deposit option and torn between convenience and security concerns. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been super reassuring though! The separate account strategy seems like the perfect solution. I'm particularly concerned because I remember all those horror stories from 2020-2021 about EDD fraud, but it sounds like the direct deposit system itself is actually more secure than those Money Network cards. Plus several people mentioned their banks have better fraud protection than the prepaid cards ever did. I think I'm going to take the plunge and set it up with a new checking account just for EDD. The idea of getting my payments 2-3 days faster and not dealing with ATM fees or lost cards is really appealing. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences - it's way more helpful than trying to figure this out on my own! Has anyone had issues with the verification process when setting up direct deposit? Like how long did it take for them to confirm your bank info?

I just switched to direct deposit last week after reading through all these comments and I'm so glad I did! The setup was exactly like everyone described - super straightforward online process, got the test deposits in 2 days, verified them, and boom - my latest payment hit my new checking account yesterday morning instead of that awful Money Network card. I followed the advice about opening a separate account specifically for EDD payments and went with a local credit union. They were really helpful when I explained what the account was for and even waived the minimum balance requirement. The peace of mind is incredible - no more worrying about card fees, lost cards, or sketchy ATM machines. For anyone still on the fence: the fraud concerns from 2020-2021 were mainly about people's EDD accounts getting compromised, not the payment methods themselves. Your bank's fraud protection is going to be way better than anything Money Network offers. Just use strong passwords, enable 2FA if available, and consider the separate account approach. It's honestly been life-changing not having to deal with that prepaid card anymore!

I was in the exact same situation as you a few weeks ago - excited about finally having direct deposit but terrified about security after all the EDD horror stories. After reading tons of posts like this one and talking to people who made the switch, I decided to go for it and I'm so glad I did! Here's what convinced me: the separate bank account strategy is genius. I opened a no-fee checking account at a local credit union specifically for EDD payments. That way, even if something did go wrong (which it hasn't), the hackers would only have access to an account that I immediately empty after each deposit. It's like having the convenience of direct deposit with the security isolation of the Money Network card. The setup process was surprisingly smooth - took maybe 10 minutes online, got the verification deposits in 2 days, and my first payment hit the account exactly when expected. No more dealing with ATM fees, lost cards, or that terrible Money Network customer service! My advice: if you're on the fence, the separate account approach really eliminates most of the risk while giving you all the benefits. The fraud stories from 2020-2021 were scary, but they were mostly about compromised EDD logins, not the payment methods themselves. Your bank's security is going to be way better than any prepaid card system.