Money Network card suddenly locked after declined transaction - can't access EDD funds for 24 hours

omg this EXACT thing happened to me last week!!! so infuriating!! i had NO IDEA we were supposed to call them after a declined transaction?? like who even does that normally? my card got declined at target (had over $900 on it) and then i tried to get cash from an atm, BOOM locked out. missed my rent payment deadline and got hit with a $75 late fee. thanks money network 🙄

Unfortunately, Money Network is implementing these aggressive security measures to combat fraud. Here's what everyone needs to know to avoid this situation: 1. If ANY transaction gets declined, call the number on the back of your card immediately 2. Don't attempt another transaction until you speak with them 3. Set up direct deposit to your personal bank account instead of keeping funds on the card 4. Always have a backup payment method available The system is designed to freeze accounts when it detects unusual patterns, but their definition of 'unusual' is clearly too sensitive. For your current situation, you can request an emergency unlock by asking to speak with a supervisor - sometimes they'll override the 24-hour hold for genuine hardship cases.

The Money Network switch has been a total disaster compared to the old BofA cards. My wife and I both experienced similar issues. Here's a tip: as soon as your benefits hit the Money Network card, IMMEDIATELY transfer everything to your personal bank account. Don't even wait a day. Their fraud detection system is hyper-aggressive and poorly designed. Also, their customer service is completely overwhelmed right now. I spent 2.5 hours on hold last month trying to get my account unlocked after a similar situation.

have u tried the money network app? sometimes u can still transfer money using the app even when the card is locked. worked for me once but not sure if thats still a thing

I work with unemployment claimants professionally, and this Money Network issue has been affecting hundreds of people. The 24-hour lockout after declined transactions is their standard protocol, but there's actually a little-known workaround: 1. Call Money Network and specifically request an "emergency funds release verification" 2. They'll transfer you to their verification department 3. You'll need to provide additional identity verification 4. If approved, they can lift the 24-hour hold It doesn't work in all cases, but worth trying. Also, for anyone having trouble reaching EDD to complain about these Money Network issues, I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They get you through to an EDD representative quickly instead of facing busy signals and disconnections. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km The more complaints EDD receives about Money Network, the more likely they are to address these problems.

Sorry to hear that didn't work. Sometimes the terminology varies by call center. Try asking for the "financial hardship override" instead - that's another term they use. Make sure to emphasize that you have critical bills due today that will result in significant penalties if unpaid. If the regular rep can't help, specifically ask for the "account security team" rather than a regular supervisor.

This whole EDD Money Network situation reminds me of when I was on disability last year and they kept sending my payments to an old address even after I updated it online three times!!! The system is BROKEN no matter what payment method they use. I ended up having to drive to an actual EDD office to get it fixed. Maybe try that?

For what it's worth, I've been on UI since February 2025 and have had zero issues with Money Network. The key is to NEVER use the physical card - just set up direct deposit to your bank as soon as your claim is approved. I've never experienced any of these lockouts or issues because the money never sits on their card for more than a few minutes. The EDD Money Network portal lets you set up automatic transfers that happen instantly when benefits are deposited. Look under Account Settings → Payment Preferences → Direct Deposit → Auto-Transfer. It's slightly hidden in the interface but works perfectly once configured.

I got locked out of my Money Network account 3 times last month!! Each time was because I tried to use my card at a gas station. Apparently their system flags gas stations as "high fraud risk" locations. So ridiculous. I ended up getting a whole new card issued because the customer service people couldn't explain why it kept happening.

UPDATE: Finally got through to a supervisor at Money Network after calling back multiple times. They agreed to lift the 24-hour hold after I explained about my urgent bills. Had to answer about 20 security questions and verify my identity again, but at least I have access to my money now! For anyone else facing this issue: be VERY persistent, ask specifically for a supervisor, mention financial hardship, and don't take no for an answer. Also, I'm definitely setting up that auto-transfer to my bank account that someone mentioned above so I never have to deal with this again. Thanks everyone for the advice and commiseration!