PA UC banned fraud banks list - where can I find which banks don't allow direct deposit?

They don't publish the list anywhere I could find!!! I had the SAME exact problem with my online bank last month. Spent 3 days trying to figure it out. The system kept saying something about "security measures" but wouldn't tell me which banks are allowed and which aren't. SUPER FRUSTRATING!!! I ended up just using the stupid Money Network card.

The PA UC system has been blocking several online-only banks and some prepaid accounts since mid-2024 as part of their fraud prevention measures. Unfortunately, they don't publish a comprehensive list because they update it frequently. From what I understand, traditional banks with physical branches (PNC, Wells Fargo, local credit unions, etc.) are generally accepted. Most of the blocked institutions are newer fintech banks or prepaid card accounts that don't have the same verification standards. If you're having trouble getting through to UC to verify if your bank is permanently blocked, I'd recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They can connect you to a PA UC agent usually within 30-45 minutes instead of spending days trying. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2

my chase bank account worked fine fyi

I was trying to use Chime and got rejected to. then tried Capital One online banking and that worked fine. seems like its just the newer online-only banks that they dont trust for some reason lol

This whole system is a JOKE. They make it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to get your own money! I couldn't use my bank either and was forced to use their stupid card. Then the card didn't work at half the ATMs I tried and charged me fees at the others. Called the Money Network customer service and waited 45 minutes just to be told I should've read the fine print. PA UC needs to get their act together and stop treating us like criminals!

To offer some additional information: if the Money Network card isn't working for you, remember you can also request a paper check as a payment method. It takes a few days longer to arrive, but it's an option if your bank is on the restricted list and you don't want to use the card. To change your payment method to paper check, you'll need to contact PA UC directly through your dashboard or by phone. As mentioned earlier, getting through by phone can be challenging, but services like Claimyr can help you connect faster.

When I had this issue last year, I called the PA UC Fraud Department directly at (717) 772-4408 rather than the main UC number. They were able to tell me which types of banks were being flagged but wouldn't give the full list for security reasons. The agent did confirm my local credit union was fine, and I switched to that. Much less hassle than trying the main helpline.

i actually figured out a workaround for this. i couldnt get approved for direct deposit to my online bank so i just accepted the money network card, then i setup auto transfers from the card to my regular bank account. theres a way to do it in the money network app. not ideal but it works ok except it takes like 2-3 days for the transfer to show up

Just wanted to add that I had success with PNC Bank for direct deposit after my online bank got rejected. The whole process is definitely frustrating - it feels like they should at least give you a clear explanation of WHY your bank was rejected instead of just a generic "fraud prevention" message. One thing that helped me was opening a basic checking account at a local branch specifically for unemployment benefits. Most big banks will let you open an account with minimal fees if you set up direct deposit. It's an extra step but might be worth it to avoid the Money Network card hassles that others have mentioned. Also, if you do end up having to use the card temporarily, I found that using it at grocery stores for cash back (instead of ATMs) helped me avoid most of the fees while I was getting my banking situation sorted out.

This is really helpful information! I'm dealing with the same issue right now with my online bank being rejected. The lack of transparency from PA UC is so frustrating - they just give you that vague "fraud prevention" message without any explanation of what banks are actually accepted. I'm going to try calling that fraud department number that @Ethan Anderson mentioned before I resort to the Money Network card. If that doesn't work, opening a basic checking account at a traditional bank specifically for UC benefits sounds like a solid plan. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and workarounds - this thread has been way more helpful than anything I could find on the official PA UC website!