Grain: The Digital Credit Card Reviews

I don’t even know where to start on this review. I’ve been trying to work with these folks for the past few weeks, but I wasn’t able to because I live in WA. The company was only working with 5 states at that time and now they’re going nationwide. I got approved in a matter of seconds for actually a real credit account. I highly recommend this for people who trying to work on their credit score because many banks won’t work with you with a 600 or lower unless you apply for the secured credit card. These folks are giving people like me a chance with a real credit card which is going to be your regular daily basis debit card. UNBELIEVABLE! I did have some technical issues when trying to connect my bank info, because I applied with a different email address the first time. I called customer service and it was fixed in less than 5 minutes. It was a black dude on the phone, did an awesome job man. After you get approved for a line a credit, people please make sure you’re responsible of your account and make payments on time. Stuff like this ain’t easy to find. My name is Germain by the way. This company deserves some LIKES, SHARE, THUMBS UP, and GOOD REVIEWS. ❤️❤️❤️

I have been trying to reach Customer Service, in regards to setting up my account, verifying my email address, both, emailing them, and calling them. With no regards to getting back to me in a timely manner. I need help, financially, that is why I’m trying to set up this account, and order also to better my credit score, I am not able to verify my email address. Sense, I would have to go through my bank, there is no way I can send them screenshots, I am totally blind, and, I wish that their app would be a little more accessible in regards to setting this account up, I thought I signed up a while back, and I cannot find the link to change my password, without having to verify my email. I have tried to email them, twice now. Last night, and it was a message sent to them that I sent, after business hours, so it sent me the automated reply to that, and now, who knows when they’ll get back to me. I would advise people if they want to sign up, you can, however, Customer Service is a little sketchy. As far as not getting back on a timely manner and so forth for help. And also, I would definitely be careful. Because if you are having tech issues, who knows when we’ll get back if ever. So good luck to everyone, that’s trying to improve their credit, and needing help. We’re all struggling financially, and this is a very frustrating process to go through.

Once again, I cannot login to my this app account. This has to be the worst app I’ve ever used. I’ve contacted support before and it literally takes months to receive a response. I have autopay setup so I’m not understanding why do I keep getting notifications from credit bureaus (not this app) that my payments are late. I have yet to receive a notification from this app stating my payment is past due. Yet, I received an email from Experian notifying me about a 30-day late payment. Tried to login to check and see why and of course, I can’t login. The money is NOT WORTH IT! I’ve emailed multiple times and just receive an automated message. This is affecting our actual CREDIT! You have to do better. It’s so freaking frustrating. This is like the 3rd time you’ve disconnected my bank account and NOT NOTIFY ME!!!! I don’t understand what’s so hard about emailing your clients/customers about any changes made to their account. This isn’t a simple checking account. This is an actual CREDIT account that reports to the THREE MAIN BUREAUS. People are working relentlessly to build their credit and make on time payments only for a company with EXTREMELY POOR customer service to destroy it over a technicality. FIX THIS!!!! I really should report this to BBB. Because this is absolutely ridiculous. I just logged in and decided to pay the card off and never deal with this company again. My credit score literally dropped 15 points because of YOUR mistake.

I’ve been a customer with this company for over a year and never missed a payment about a month ago they’ve been having severe issues with their app updates and for some reason every time I’ve tried to reconnect my bank account even after going back-and-forth with the customer service over emails nothing or no one will help me fix my situation and it’s very frustrating they have a customer service phone number but you can never get through to an actual person on the phone I’m really starting to wonder if this company is a legit company or not they say they’ll get back to you in two days through email and who has time to sit here playing tag on email messages I really hope something can be done soon or I will have to report the issue to my bank and to the credit bureau so they don’t mess up my credit!!

#Wish somebody would help me

I took a $1000 unsecured credit line with them in May of 2020, mainly to decrease my credit utilization and get a bump in my score. Ever since then, it has been a maddeningly frustrating experience. In October, I wound up closing the checking account that I signed up with because I switched to a bank that had branches closer to me. this app does not allow you to change your connected bank account yourself, instead directing you to email their customer service team or call their office. When calling, once you finally get to where u can be out thru to a customer rep, it immediately tells you that no reps are available call back later and disconnects. No option to leave your number or wait on the line or get a call back. I’ve called literally 30-40 times during business hours and no one has ever answered. The email is just as bad. It auto sends a reply that someone will get back to you, but it never happens. I have sent a total of 34 emails over the course of the last 6 months and literally not a single reply. In the mean time, they continue to report my payment as late to the credit bureaus and dole out multiple late fees to me, despite ignoring my pleas to pay using any other method. They literally have no other payment options besides using your connected account. I’ve never been more horrified by a companies negligence.

The application collects a huge amount of personal information but is extremely buggy. I definitely shouldn’t have trusted them with all of my personal information when they can’t even operate an app that functions as designed. First time I gave them all of my information and Grain said it could not verify my identity. I tried again a few days later. This time I had to restart Grain 2 or 3 times while completing ge application. Then I finally got a credit offer. I electronically signed the agreement and terms. Then it asked me identity verification questions (not the same step as the first time). None of the questions applied to me so I answered them accordingly. Then it said “we are having trouble connecting to our identity verification provider, please try again later”. I tried again as instructed and then it locked me out and just says they can’t verify my identity. I got several emails stating my bank account was linked to their ACH provider and I can’t even manage that. They just collected all of my information and connected themselves to my bank account and locked me out of their platform. Will definitely be reporting to the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Credit Protection Bureau!

Update on the update: of course no one from customer service is responding again. I’ve decided to file a formal complaint with the CFPB and will close this account once they update the past due amount to current! I sent them a money order b abuse my account/bank is still disconnected! No one is responding to emails or calls! I’m closing this account! These people are crazy.

Update: Someone from this app finally got back to me and provided me with an alternative payment method. I’m glad I can remain in good standing and continue to pay my bills on time, which was my main concern, thank you!

This company started off very good, but it’s gone all bad lately. They never get back to you when you email them, and forget about them answering the customer service number during business hours when you call. Grain frequently disconnects from your bank jeopardizing your payment history, and so far, no update or word from them regarding the money order I mailed to them using the address on the monthly statement they provided. As this point, I’m going to file a complaint with the BBB to see if I will get a response from them that way. You will NOT be messing up my credit for your inadequacy!!!!!!!!

UPDATE 6/12: I contacted the CEO of this app via LinkedIn and now I have access to my account.. crazy how I have to go thru certain measures just to get answers.

I’ve noticed people talking about this app , done some research and went on ahead and bite the bullet. I downloaded Grain and went thru the process flawlessly until I paid my deposit. I checked my bank to make sure this app deposit come off my account which it did and also checked this app app to see if they received funds which they also did as well. Few days pass and I wanted to use this app to make a purchase but couldn’t access Grain . I kept getting a error message, I’ve tried this for a few days until I finally decided to contact Support via phone which goes to automatic system(YES, I called between the operating hours it shows on website) I got no answer. I contacted via email to support and got a automated message sent back saying due to a high volume of Support requests that I’m looking at a 7 business day response time. I’ve played the waiting game and still no response so I tried contacting again and there was no response again. Honestly at this point I just want my deposit back.

So while up until recently everything was good with Grain/line of credit, there has been a major glitch that needs to be resolved. I opened my account last December and was approved for the full 1000, i took it out for some Christmas shopping, and left automatic payments on. This has been working perfectly fine but apparently sometime in the last month their app DISCONNECTED from my bank and stopped processing payments. I never changed anything nor did I receive any notification. I logged in today to pay the loan off in full to see that the account was late, fees assessed, and marked 30 days late. Because their system disconnected from my bank and stopped processing the automatic payments? This is absolutely unacceptable. I am waiting for a reply from customer service, but honestly this is the kind of issue that will break this service. I don’t think I’ll be doing business again with them any time soon. Not unless this is resolved smoothly.

EDIT: I am furious. You’ve reported my account as late when it was your system that disconnected from my bank and stopped automatic payments. This has to be fixed

I tried this option after reading the reviews. My credit score isvover 600 and I have several bankvaccounts. The account with the most activity doesn't work with the software that this app uses to verify an account. The account with the least activity the Plaid software works with.

After waiting I was offered the $150 line of credit. The catch is I need to deposit $150 into my checking account. I responded with No Thanks the first time and gave my reason why I would not accept the offer. Signed back in and the offer of $150 was there again. So this time I clicked accept. That is where I saw I would have to deposit $150. I declined again and gave my reason why $150 was unacceptable.

Finally, I tried this option also because I thought the offer was for a digital credit card. Not a line of credit to go to your checking account.

I used to love this company and credit account. They used to be responsive, quick and just all out great for when I needed it. Now, it is just ridiculous....let me elaborate....I have had this account for nearly two and a half to three years and all during that time, everything ran smoothly and never was I once asked to upload any documents to further verify my identity. Now I know things can change and requirements can change...I totally get that, so with that said, I received an email a week or so ago saying for my to verify my ID. Well I went about doing just that. They wanted me to take a picture/scan my ID and then take a selfie. Did that all and Grain claimed it was sent successfully. Barely a day later, I get an email saying verification failed and they have blocked my account totally. I can log on, but I can do much of anything else. I have tried contacting them more than four times now to resolve this and they simple just don’t respond. Maybe this review will make them respond finally....doubtful though.

I love Grain. My husband and I are trying to buy a house in a year and I’m hopeful this will help us build our credit to where we need it to be. Income has never been an issue for us but credit always gets us denied even if our income is high. I’m so glad Grain isn’t like that and bases it off your income. I have a question though and hopefully someone responds because I can’t find the info anywhere. I got approved for a 400 dollar credit line but have to pay a 200 dollar deposit. I don’t mind that at all, just confused on the process. If I put 200 deposit does that mean I’ll only have a 200 dollar credit line to withdrawal to my debit card or does it mean it’s 400 available and the 200 deposit just sits there in your this app account until you make the consecutive on time payments to get it back?

I haven’t read anybody else’s reviews on here about Grain but I got scammed out of 252 dollars. I thought this was going to be a great way to help out during my transition between a new job and my new home, seeing as how I had so much happen at once. Instead of being helpful during this stressful time this app took my money and has failed to make themselves available for any assistance. If you call there is no one to answer, and I’ve called several times. The recording will tell you no one is there. I’ve sent an email and thought I got a response back, instead it was an automated email stating that they would get back to me in about 7 days. Took my money and now all Grain says is that they can not verify my identity, I uploaded my state ID, social security card AND a selfie. No help not at all, I’m in a deeper hole now until I get my first big check from my job, thank god I’m going to be paid well. Still no excuse for they way this app operates. I would not recommend Grain or company to anyone else, quite the opposite - I’m going to be warning anyone I know avoid these people like the plague.

How does a reputable company approve you then ask you to upload documents to prove your identity? I even uploaded my Drivers license, social security card and tax info and the company says they couldn’t verify my identity and the decision is final.
How can you not verify my identity when you use plaid to link your bank account. I had to have the passwords for that. You have all my documents and still can’t verify me, something fishy is going on with this company.
I have never had an issue with a company verifying me. I went to look at the reviews and I see so many other people have the same review with this app. You can’t even reach anyone to speak to, all they do is send you an email in 14 days. Maybe you could verify people if you can actually talk to a human but that is not an option at this company. The customer service is nonexistent.
If you are not even going to attempt to verify people and collect their sensitive information to not even look at it then you don’t even need to be in business and I will be filing a complaint with the better business bureau.

This is my second round of trying to reach them for months. A few months ago my bank stopped working with their payment processing company, so my payments stop being processed. It took me weeks to get in touch with someone about how to continue making payments. I was sent a one use PayPal link and told to contact them again when I needed another one (this was on March 3rd). Of course I haven’t been able to get in contact with the again for months and now my payment history is at 60%. I have money to make these payments but Grain literally gives me no alternatives other than opening/using a new bank account (but wait, you also have to contact customer service to change your bank account!) Seriously, this app’s concept is so amazing, but the technology is lacking. There is no reason I shouldn’t be able to use different payment methods within Grain or at least make payments over the phone through an automated system in 2021. I’ve never had to beg anyone to allow me to make payments!

I am so frustrated and from reading other reviews, this is a common problem. I downloaded Grain and was approved for a $500 credit line. You took a $250 deposit from me and several days later I received an update that I would not be on boarded due to the fact that you could not verify my identity. I gave you everything you asked for, you took my money and did not make good on the contract I signed. I have called your customer service, emailed you and I still do not have this situation resolved. I don’t want to have to involve my attorney about something so minuscule as $250 but it’s the principle. I signed your contact you said I was approved, you took my money and then told me no! I need this resolved ASAP! I’m not going to send 50 emails and call your recording over and over. I’m going to sue you if you do not resolve this immediately. People don’t take loans or apply for credit just because. They do it because they have a need. This is a service that you agree to provide and you have not delivered on your end.

I have a 619 middle fico score. I recently applied for a Citibank secured credit card. To my surprise I was denied. I spent the last 3 years paying off debts and now I had no way to build positive reporting history bc I kept getting both inquiries on my report and subsequently denial letters.

Grain solves that issue. The approval process is based on your ability to manage your checking account and not your credit history. I was approved for a $1,000 unsecured line of credit!! This will allow me to build positive reporting history without another inquiry on my credit report.

Grain is a GAME CHANGER!!

When you apply they ask to connect your bank account and it will give you results instantly! You can accept or deny the offer before they even ask for your social!

The payments report to all 3 credit bureaus so its a huge bonus for anyone building their score or new to credit.

This is a great starter account for anyone new to credit!

Grain will also allows you to see your credit score and gives you tips on how to build your score up! I love Grain, it came at the right time and a few months from now I should be a home owner!!!!

I’m excited to share Grain with everyone I know who is rebuilding!!

RECOMMEND IT TO EVERYONE!

***UPDATE***
Patrick responded to my concern and fixed the pending initial deposit. I was able to withdraw from my balance. This seems like it will be a great program for those who are building or in need of rebuilding credit.

I downloaded and opened an account on July 16. The initial 1.01 has been pending since then. It's been 2 wks. I called customer support the Monday after I started the account. I was told that it takes up to 3-4 days. It's been well over that now. I called customer service again a few days ago. I was told that tech support would contact me. I haven't heard from them. I tried to call myself and after waiting on hold for about 15 minutes, an automated message comes on saying no one is available. I would like to be able to use this service but I can't seem to get any help.

The chances of being boarded on Grain are between Slim and None, and Slim just left town. What is so confusing about this? “Third party can’t identify you, you will not be boarded”. Sound familiar? Most people on here have been boarded on other apps that have absolutely no problems identifying them, Mr. Developer….with your “aww shucks” attitude, regarding many people on here that did fill in their identity info correctly, like the old queeryeye here. I can’t quite figure out the lame real reason this cringy app blocks many people from being boarded. But I can assure anyone that the truth is not being told by the Developer on here, or Grain uses the most incompetent 3rd party in the history of apps to identify people properly. Both reasons are unacceptable.

If I could rate Grain a 0, I would. I am so beyond tired of this dumb app. You need to adjust my on time payment percentage to 100%. I complained about this last year that it’s your systems fault for not being able to connect to my bank when I’ve correctly added my credentials to plaid. Just because Grain decides to disconnect without warning affecting my payment to not be auto withdrawn is so scammy and shady of this company. This needs to be addressed ASAP. And all of those late fees refunded back to me. I will put a BBB complaint in if not addressed. I see other reviews of others having this same issue, this is affecting our CREDIT that this dumb app is supposed to help but instead is making us look like we can’t pay our bills on time when you don’t NOTIFY us that our bank has unlinked. In the other review responses you say you notify us? Where??? I don’t have a single email notification about this and I’m supposed to magically assume that you’re gonna decide one day to disconnect my bank AGAIN?!

I honestly love Grain and what it is truly all about. They have given people the opportunity the build their credit in a way that is safe and easy to understand. I have never been MORE excited to build my credit and Grain is 100% the reason why.

One thing, when you do a credit withdrawal and they become pending on the main screen, I’m not sure if it’s a bug but when I click to see details it just keeps loading. Just wanting to give some experience from a customers point of view! The withdrawal goes through and I receive an email. It’s only after the withdraw is made that I can’t see the details. Thank you again

Rudy

Yes it’s real and yes it’s great.

Pros:
•Simple and fast application process.
•Very much a real deal- it’s not a scam.
•No hard credit inquiry.
•Conveniently have money deposited DIRECTLY into your checkings account. Yes you read that correctly- money goes from this app directly into your linked account. No having to carry another card and worry about losing it.
•App is simple and very easy to navigate.
•Set up auto bill pay and I think you MAY pay less interest than if you don’t have it setup.
•Really great and quick when it comes to responding to any questions/concerns.

Cons:
• It can take up to two days (maybe three or four?) to either receive a deposit or post a payment. Obviously plan if you’ll need some money well ahead of when you think you’re going to need it.

Overall it’s a great app, and I’m really liking it. Should be common sense to not run up a balance that you can’t afford to pay off just like any other credit card. Utilization rate is still a thing even if you don’t have a tangible card.

9/10 recommend

I am rebuilding my credit after a bankruptcy! I have found various apps that help with payday advances etc. This is one of the best apps I’ve tried so far! They give you a credit limit based off your checking account and your banking habits and you can utilize the funds when you need or if you need. I didn’t really need the funds but wanted to show a credit utilization, so I decided to utilize some of my credit! My first payment isn’t due until May! I’ll be paying it much sooner than that! But Grain is truly amazing! I really wanted the chance to rebuild my life and I finally get the chance! I am forever grateful!

this app is hands down the most affordable way of boosting your credit! Compared to typical secured cards with exorbitant interest fees and high security deposits, this app calculates your credit based on your income and has the lowest interest rate I’ve ever seen from such a service! Plus, with it being a revolving credit line, you have the capacity to increase your credit score and build good credit much faster than any secured card on the market.

this app is changing the credit game...and theirs is one you won’t want to miss playing.

Thank You, this app.

Wow - what a fast and easy sign up process! I've never signed up for an app as fast as this. It was also really intuitive and nicely designed which helped a lot. Using Grain is also easy and straightforward. I will definitely use this regularly for every day purchases and am excited to build my credit up in the process. Very happy with Grain !

I signed up about a week ago. I think this is a pretty cool idea. I would recommend verifying security deposit sooner, or initiating the security deposit via debit card so the account can be used immediately. Also, I’m reading that the money transfers takes days, that’s bad if someone has an emergency and needs to use their “credit-card”. Other than that I think this is an amazing app. I was going to give 4 stars, but I think y’all deserve 5. Just fix it the small things, and I’m sure you’ll get more business!

The concept of Grain is great, the process to apply is easy and very quick. I just wish the credit line amount was able to be directly deposited to your account by using your debit card as it’s not so much using your debit card as a credit card if it takes a whole day to transfer funds.

I apply and got a 100 credit limit, but I put 100 down. So how does that work?? Just pay it untill I get a bigger limit? Do I get my 100 back ? Or if they gave me a 1000 limit would I have to put a 1000 down ?

Grain looks like it just got started. I think this is going to be a big app. I will be sharing it with people who need to build credit.

**Caution Grain is currently only available in 4 states.** I’m annoyed that I created an account and linked it to my bank and let it run analytics on my bank account. Now, only after gathering my banking data do I find out it’s not available in my state. It needs a simple design change. Upon the apps’ first launch, ask the user their state and provide a button to be notified when available in their state. Because now, instead of being excited for the future of Grain, I’m disappointed for having shared access to my bank unnecessarily. Not good, this app team.

I live in California and as I was signing up, I received a message saying this app is not available in my state. Strange because the other product description states the product IS available in California. It’s a crappy program don’t waste your time.

So far everything went smooth for me, got approved for a credit line right away, can’t wait to use it, hopefully everything goes well with the service in the long run 👍

This sounds like a great idea. Who wouldn’t want to build further credit based on their cash flow and with their debit card? However, even though I was approved for a line of credit Grain is telling me it is not available for use in my state yet. Bummer, but I eagerly await the day that it is! Until then I’d suggest listing the states that Grain can be utilized in at the moment.

Hopeful and excited to see if this works at building my credit. Want to buy a car in a year and a half.

This is the type of app I’ve been looking for. Simple layout, quick transactions, and def going to help build my credit! Couldn’t ask for more!