Money Network Card account suddenly locked - can't access funds even after calling rep
I'm so frustrated right now with this Money Network card nightmare! Everything was fine with my first EDD payment - got the card, activated it, even transferred money to my bank with zero issues. Then today, I tried logging in to check my new payment and BOOM - completely locked out. Can't access the app OR the website after a few failed login attempts (their system kept saying my password was wrong even though I KNOW it was right). Called customer service and the rep gave me a temporary password that didn't even work! They just said 'try again in a few hours or maybe tomorrow' like it's no big deal that I can't access MY MONEY. I managed to check my balance and initiate another bank transfer through their automated phone system, but who knows if it'll actually go through. Has anyone else dealt with this Money Network lockout issue? Any tricks to getting back into your account faster? This is seriously stressing me out.
39 comments


StarSurfer
The same thing happened to me last month! The Money Network security system is ridiculously sensitive. What worked for me was waiting exactly 24 hours (not just 'a few hours' like they say), then trying again using a different device than the one you got locked out on. I had to use my laptop instead of my phone. Also make sure you're clearing your browser cache before trying again. When you do get back in, immediately set up the text verification option for future logins - it's much more reliable than just the password.
0 coins
Yuki Nakamura
•Thanks for the advice! I'll try waiting the full 24 hours and use my laptop instead of my phone. Did your bank transfer still go through even while you were locked out of your account?
0 coins
Carmen Reyes
money network is THE WORST!!!! been locked out 3 times in 2 months 🤬🤬🤬 their whole system is garbage, my friend said to just transfer everything out as soon as it hits ur card dont even leave anything on there
0 coins
Andre Moreau
•While Money Network certainly has issues, immediately transferring everything isn't always the best approach. Some people have reported transfer delays of 3-5 business days, so keeping some funds on the card for immediate needs can be wise. Also, repeatedly moving money quickly sometimes triggers fraud alerts in their system, which can cause additional lockouts.
0 coins
Zoe Christodoulou
This is a common problem with the Money Network cards that EDD uses for unemployment benefits. The security system is designed to be extremely cautious (which is good for preventing fraud) but terrible for user experience. Here's what you need to do: 1. Wait the full 24 hours as others suggested 2. Call the number on the back of your card again, but this time ask specifically for a "security reset" not just a password reset 3. Have them send the verification code to a different method than before (email if you used phone before, or vice versa) 4. When you get back in, adjust your security settings to add multiple verification methods The phone transfers generally still process even when locked out of the online account, so that money should appear in your bank in 2-3 business days. In the future, many people find it easier to set up direct deposit to your bank account instead of using the Money Network card - you can change this in your UI Online account settings.
0 coins
Yuki Nakamura
•Thank you for these detailed steps! I didn't know to ask for a "security reset" specifically - I'll definitely try that tomorrow morning. And I'm definitely switching to direct deposit once I can access everything again. This card system is just too unreliable.
0 coins
Jamal Thompson
My cousin had this exact same issue when she got unemployment last year! She said it was because she was trying to log in from a different IP address than when she first registered the card (she was at her mom's house). Something about their fraud detection being super aggressive.
0 coins
Mei Chen
I went through this exact nightmare with Money Network last year and spent HOURS trying to get it resolved through their regular customer service with no luck. I finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me connect with an actual EDD representative who could override the security lock on my account. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The EDD rep was able to issue an immediate override since they could verify my identity on their end. It saved me from waiting 3-5 business days for the security hold to clear automatically. Might be worth looking into if your money is urgent and you can't wait for the normal reset process.
0 coins
Yuki Nakamura
•I hadn't heard about Claimyr before. Did you need to talk to an EDD rep specifically? I thought the Money Network card was managed by a separate company from EDD?
0 coins
Mei Chen
•You're right that Money Network is separate, but the EDD rep can still help because they're the ones who authorize the payments and can verify your identity in their system. Once I got through to EDD using Claimyr, the rep connected me with their Money Network liaison who could push through the security override. It's apparently a common enough problem that they have a process for it.
0 coins
CosmicCadet
have u tried using incognito mode? sometimes the browser stores old info and thats why it keeps rejecting ur login. worked for me last time
0 coins
Yuki Nakamura
•I haven't tried incognito mode specifically, but I did try a different browser altogether with the same result. Might be worth trying incognito too though, thanks!
0 coins
Andre Moreau
For anyone dealing with Money Network card issues, it's important to understand the difference between their regular customer service and their security department. Regular CS reps cannot help with account lockouts - you need to specifically request their security team. Call 1-866-692-9374 (the number on the back of your card), then press 0 to speak with a rep, and immediately ask for the "Security Department" or "Fraud Prevention Team." They're the only ones authorized to perform true account unlocks. The standard customer service can only give temporary passwords which often don't work if your account is in security lockdown mode. Also, be prepared to answer detailed verification questions - they'll ask about recent transactions and possibly the last four of your social.
0 coins
Yuki Nakamura
•This is super helpful, thank you! I definitely just spoke with a regular customer service rep who seemed pretty clueless about the whole situation. I'll specifically ask for the Security Department tomorrow.
0 coins
Liam O'Connor
i had this problem too!! what worked for me was deleting all my cookies and browser history, restart my computer, then wait till like 3am to try again (less server traffic maybe??) and somehow it worked lol. these prepaid card websites are always so glitchy!!
0 coins
StarSurfer
•The 3AM thing actually makes sense! Their system likely runs maintenance and resets overnight. I've noticed several government-related services seem to work better in off-hours.
0 coins
Yuki Nakamura
UPDATE: I got back into my account! Followed advice from several of you - waited 24+ hours, called and specifically asked for the Security Department, cleared all browser data, and used my laptop instead of my phone. The security specialist had me verify some recent transactions and then sent a special reset link to my email that actually worked! My bank transfer from yesterday also went through successfully. Thanks for all your help everyone!
0 coins
Zoe Christodoulou
•Great to hear you got it resolved! For future reference (and anyone else reading this), I highly recommend switching to direct deposit if possible. You can set this up in your UI Online account under "Payment Preferences." It bypasses the Money Network card completely and sends payments directly to your bank account, typically 1-2 days after certification is processed.
0 coins
Aurora Lacasse
So glad you got this resolved! This thread is incredibly helpful - I'm bookmarking it in case I run into the same issue. The Money Network system really needs an overhaul, but at least there are workarounds. Your experience with the Security Department specifically is really valuable info that I hadn't seen mentioned in other forums. Thanks for taking the time to update us with what worked!
0 coins
StarSailor
•I'm so glad I found this thread too! I've been dealing with Money Network issues for weeks and didn't know about asking specifically for the Security Department. That's such a game-changer. @Yuki Nakamura thank you for sharing your update - it gives me hope that I can get my account unlocked too. I m'definitely going to try the laptop + cleared browser data approach tomorrow morning and call for the Security Department right away instead of wasting time with regular customer service.
0 coins
Ava Martinez
I'm currently dealing with this exact same issue right now! My Money Network card got locked yesterday after what I thought were correct login attempts, and I've been panicking about accessing my funds. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly reassuring - especially knowing that the phone transfers still go through even when locked out of online access. I'm going to follow the advice here and wait the full 24 hours before calling specifically for the Security Department tomorrow. It's frustrating that their regular customer service can't actually help with lockouts, but at least now I know who to ask for. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!
0 coins
Nathan Dell
•I feel your frustration! I went through the same panic when I first got locked out. One thing I'd add to the great advice already shared - when you call tomorrow, have your EDD customer account number ready along with your Social Security number. The Security Department will need both to verify your identity before they can unlock your account. Also, if possible, call right when they open (I think it's 8 AM) because the wait times get really long later in the day. You've got this - based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the Security Department is much more helpful than regular customer service. Keep us posted on how it goes!
0 coins
Hiroshi Nakamura
This is such a comprehensive thread - thank you all for sharing your experiences! I'm saving this for future reference. One additional tip I learned from my own Money Network struggles: if you're still having trouble after trying all these steps, you can also visit a physical Bank of America branch (they partner with Money Network for EDD cards). The tellers there can sometimes help verify your identity and call Money Network's backend support on your behalf. It's not widely advertised, but I had success with this when their phone support couldn't resolve my issue. Obviously calling the Security Department directly is faster, but the branch option can be a good backup if you're still stuck!
0 coins
Luis Johnson
•Wow, I had no idea about the Bank of America branch option! That's really good to know as a backup plan. I've been dealing with Money Network issues on and off for months and never knew they had that kind of partnership. It makes sense though since BofA handles a lot of government benefit cards. Thanks for adding that tip @Hiroshi Nakamura - having a physical location to go to when phone support fails could be a real lifesaver, especially for people who aren t'comfortable navigating all the phone menu options or waiting on hold for hours.
0 coins
NebulaNova
This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar Money Network lockout situation right now and was feeling pretty hopeless until I read all these solutions. The tip about asking specifically for the Security Department instead of regular customer service is gold - I wasted 2 hours yesterday with a regular rep who kept giving me the runaround. I'm planning to call first thing tomorrow morning and follow the steps outlined here: wait the full 24 hours, use a different device with cleared browser data, and ask directly for Security/Fraud Prevention. It's reassuring to know that others have successfully gotten through this nightmare! I'll definitely be switching to direct deposit once I get back in - this card system is way too unreliable for something as important as unemployment benefits.
0 coins
Sarah Jones
•You're absolutely right about direct deposit being the way to go! I just switched mine over last week after dealing with multiple Money Network lockouts over the past few months. The process is pretty straightforward through UI Online - just go to "Payment Method" in your account settings and you can add your bank routing and account numbers. It usually takes one payment cycle to take effect, so you might get one more payment on the card before the direct deposit kicks in. But once it's set up, payments typically hit your bank account 1-2 days after you certify, which is often faster than waiting for the card to be loaded and then transferring. Hang in there - based on everyone's experiences in this thread, it sounds like the Security Department should be able to get you sorted out quickly once you reach them!
0 coins
Zoe Gonzalez
This entire thread should be pinned or turned into a FAQ! I've been helping my elderly neighbor with her EDD benefits and she's run into this Money Network lockout issue twice now. The most frustrating part is that their regular customer service acts like they can help but they really can't - we wasted so much time before finding out about the Security Department. The tip about having your EDD customer account number ready is crucial too - they asked for it immediately when we finally got through to the right department. For anyone still struggling with this, I'd also recommend writing down all the verification info they might ask for (recent transaction amounts, dates, etc.) before you call so you're not scrambling to remember details while on the phone. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops to access our own money, but at least this community has figured out the workarounds!
0 coins
Yuki Tanaka
•Absolutely agree this should be pinned! I just went through this exact same lockout nightmare last week and wish I had found this thread sooner. Your point about writing down verification info beforehand is spot on - they asked me for my last three transaction amounts and dates, plus when I last successfully logged in. Having that info ready made the call with the Security Department go so much smoother. It's honestly shocking how unhelpful the regular customer service reps are compared to the Security Department - like they're completely different companies. @Zoe Gonzalez it s'really kind of you to help your neighbor navigate this mess. The whole system seems designed to frustrate people into giving up, but threads like this prove we can figure it out together!
0 coins
Jessica Nguyen
This thread is absolutely incredible - thank you everyone for sharing such detailed solutions! I'm actually bookmarking this because I have a feeling Money Network issues are going to keep happening. What really stands out to me is how much better the Security Department is compared to regular customer service. It seems like Money Network's regular reps literally can't access the tools needed to fix lockouts, which explains why they just give useless temporary passwords that don't work. The fact that multiple people have confirmed this pattern makes it clear this isn't just bad luck - it's a systemic issue with their support structure. For anyone reading this in the future: skip the frustration and ask for Security/Fraud Prevention right away. Don't waste hours with regular customer service like so many of us did!
0 coins
Dylan Mitchell
•This is such valuable information! I'm new to dealing with EDD and Money Network, and honestly this whole thread has been like a masterclass in navigating their broken system. The pattern everyone's describing about regular customer service vs. Security Department makes so much sense - it explains why I kept getting nowhere with my initial calls last week. I ended up giving up after being told to "try again tomorrow" three different times, but now I realize I was talking to the wrong people entirely. I'm definitely going to reference this thread if I run into lockout issues again. It's frustrating that we have to become experts in their internal department structure just to access our benefits, but I'm grateful this community figured out the actual solution!
0 coins
Javier Torres
Just wanted to add another data point - I experienced this exact same lockout issue about 3 weeks ago and can confirm everything people are saying about the Security Department being the key. What I learned that might help others: when you call that main number (1-866-692-9374), you can actually skip the automated menu entirely by pressing 0 multiple times right when the call connects. This gets you to a human faster. Then immediately say "I need the Security Department for an account lockout" - don't let them transfer you to regular customer service first. The Security rep was able to unlock my account in about 10 minutes after verifying my identity. Also, they mentioned that using public WiFi (like at coffee shops or libraries) can trigger their fraud detection, so that might be something to avoid in the future. Hope this helps anyone still dealing with this frustrating situation!
0 coins
Lola Perez
•This is such a helpful tip about pressing 0 multiple times to skip the menu! I hate navigating those automated phone systems, especially when you're already stressed about being locked out of your account. The public WiFi trigger is really interesting too - I wonder if that's what happened to me since I was at a Starbucks when I first got locked out. It makes sense that their fraud detection would flag unusual IP addresses or unsecured networks. Thanks for sharing the exact phrasing to use when you get through to a human - having a script ready definitely helps when you're dealing with customer service. This whole thread has turned into the ultimate Money Network troubleshooting guide!
0 coins
Zara Ahmed
Wow, this thread is like a goldmine of information! I'm actually dealing with a Money Network lockout right now (happened this morning) and was about to panic until I found this. The consensus seems clear: wait 24 hours, call specifically for the Security Department at 1-866-692-9374, and have all your verification info ready. I love the tip about pressing 0 multiple times to skip the automated menu - those phone trees are the worst when you're already stressed. It's honestly ridiculous that we need a whole strategy guide just to access our own unemployment benefits, but I'm so grateful this community figured out the actual solutions. I'll definitely be switching to direct deposit once I get back in. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's really reassuring to know this is solvable and I'm not alone in dealing with this broken system!
0 coins
Brady Clean
•You're definitely not alone in this - it's such a relief to see how many people have successfully navigated this exact same problem! I went through my own Money Network lockout nightmare about a month ago and this thread would have saved me so much stress if it had existed then. One small addition to all the great advice already shared: when you do get through to the Security Department tomorrow, don't be surprised if they put you on a brief hold while they "reset your security profile" - that's actually a good sign that they're doing more than just giving you another temporary password that won't work. The whole process took about 15 minutes for me once I reached the right department. Hang in there, and definitely make that switch to direct deposit your first priority once you're back in!
0 coins
Astrid Bergström
This thread is incredible - I wish I had found something like this when I was dealing with my Money Network lockout last month! I ended up figuring out some of these solutions the hard way after days of frustration. One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you're planning to switch to direct deposit (which you absolutely should), make sure your bank account has been open for at least 30 days before you make the switch. I tried to switch to a brand new account and EDD rejected it, forcing me to stick with the problematic Money Network card for another month. Also, for anyone who travels frequently or moves around, Money Network's fraud detection seems to flag logins from different cities even within the same state. I learned to always log in from the same location/device when possible. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this amazing troubleshooting guide - you're helping so many people avoid the nightmare of dealing with this broken system!
0 coins
Noah Torres
•That's such valuable info about the 30-day bank account requirement! I had no idea about that restriction and almost made the same mistake. It's frustrating that EDD doesn't clearly communicate these requirements upfront - you only find out when your direct deposit gets rejected and you're stuck with the Money Network card longer. Your point about location-based fraud triggers is really important too. I've been wondering why my account sometimes works fine from home but gets suspicious when I travel. It sounds like Money Network's security system is overly aggressive about flagging anything that seems "unusual" even when it's perfectly legitimate account access. This whole thread has become the unofficial Money Network survival guide that EDD should have provided from the start!
0 coins
Melina Haruko
This thread has been a lifesaver! I'm dealing with a Money Network lockout right now (day 2 of being unable to access my account) and was getting really anxious about my pending payment. Reading everyone's experiences has given me so much relief - especially knowing that phone transfers still process even when you're locked out of online access. I tried calling yesterday but made the mistake of just talking to regular customer service who gave me the usual "temporary password that doesn't work" runaround. Tomorrow I'm going to follow the proven strategy from this thread: call 1-866-692-9374, press 0 multiple times to skip the menu, and immediately ask for the Security Department. I've already written down all my recent transaction info and EDD account number so I'm ready for their verification questions. It's absolutely crazy that we need this level of strategy just to access our own money, but I'm so grateful this community figured out the actual solution. Once I get back in, direct deposit is my first priority - this card system is way too unreliable for something as essential as unemployment benefits!
0 coins
Mateo Lopez
•You've got the perfect game plan mapped out! I just went through this exact same situation two weeks ago and following the strategy outlined in this thread worked like a charm. The key really is getting to the Security Department right away instead of wasting time with regular customer service. When I called, I had all my verification info ready just like you're doing, and the whole process took about 15 minutes once I reached the right person. They were able to do a complete security reset and send me a special unlock link via email that actually worked (unlike those useless temporary passwords). Your pending payment should still process normally even with the lockout - mine did. And yes, definitely prioritize that direct deposit switch once you're back in! It's such a relief not having to worry about Money Network's glitchy system anymore. You've got this - tomorrow you'll be back in your account and this will just be a frustrating memory!
0 coins
Malik Johnson
This has become the most comprehensive Money Network troubleshooting guide I've ever seen! As someone who went through multiple lockouts over the past year, I can confirm everything shared here. The Security Department route is absolutely the key - I wish I had known about this months ago instead of wasting countless hours with regular customer service who literally cannot help with lockouts. One additional tip I learned from my experience: if you're calling during busy periods and getting long hold times, try calling right at 8 AM when they open or around 4-5 PM when call volume tends to drop. Also, when the Security Department does their verification, they might ask about transactions from several weeks back, not just recent ones, so try to review your account history if you have access to any old statements or emails. The direct deposit switch is 100% worth it - I made the change 6 months ago and haven't had a single issue since. No more worrying about card lockouts, failed logins, or website glitches. Payments just show up reliably in my bank account 1-2 days after certification. For anyone still dealing with Money Network: hang in there, follow the advice in this thread, and then get off that card system as soon as possible!
0 coins