RushCard Users Still Can't Get Their Money
More than a week has gone by since Russell Simmon's pre-paid debit cards went offline, leaving thousands without access to their RushCards, which are primarily used by people without access to traditional banking.
The outage has gone on for more than eight days, hitting black and latino consumers disproportionately, according to BuzzFeedNews.
People complained on social media that they have been left high and dry without access to their funds, and they say that in some cases, customer service chose to just hang up the phone rather than try and work with people or explain the situation.
Simmons' company has only said that a "technology transition" was the cause behind the trouble after what was supposed to be limited regular maintenance quickly spiralled out of control. First, a small group of users said they couldn't use their cards at gas stations or restaurants. Then, direct deposits weren't showing up in the system and the issue appeared to be affecting the majority of RushCard users.
The company says most of its services are back online and that command centers have been established in Cincinnati and New York City to help people who are still unable to access their money.
Last week, Russell Simmons, who acquired his fortune as a hip hop mogul in the 1990s, published an apology video online on his Facebook. He has also apologized on Twitter and made his direct messages public so he can hear from RushCard customers directly.
In an effort to make nice with customers, the company has also suspended all of its fees from Nov. 1 to Feb. 29, 2016. The company charges an assortment of fees for activating cards, maintaining accounts, and using ATMs that are out-of-network.
