Varo Bank: Mobile Banking Reviews

by Winteroutloud

I opened an account in March with Varo for their interest rate to help grow my savings. Made a few initial depots and pretty much just left it like that. Then, a few weeks ago I was notified that my account had been closed. No reason, no notification beforehand that anything strange was going on. “We will email you in 2-3 business days,” was their only comment. Attempts to log in on VaroBank and website were met with an alert that my account was locked.
A week went by with no contact from them. Couldn’t get through via the automated customer support because my account number couldn’t be found. Finally, after being disconnected several times and spending actual hours on hold, a human told me that she was “elevating my case” and that someone would get back to me via email within 24 hours. Again, nothing.
So far, it has been two weeks and I have yet to receive any communication from Varo. My account is closed, I have no access to the funds I had deposited, no way of contacting anyone who can actually help me, and I still don’t even know why any of this happened.
Zero stars for communication and customer service. I just want my funds back so I can put this terrible bank behind me.

by Philly_Meggz

I loved this bank and referred them to all my friends but when I got the $50 bonus for doing so they took it back 33 days later. They just locked me out of my account because my husband put us in a family plan with AT&T and they gave us new phone numbers but I still have the same phone. So I had noticed that my save my change feature was really going right in their pockets because they don’t put it in my savings account, 2 months ago I made a purchase for $27 and had $87 in my account my remaining bal was $16 how is that possible? I just had $280 in my main account and $105 in my savings so since I’ve got a new number I cannot access that money, my card is being declined and I called and they said that my balance is $0 that all my money was transferred but they don’t know where or to whom! So they have been stealing my money for a year now and now they completely screwed me over. They are now saying that I haven’t had an account with them since November 2020 when I just had $1000 deposited into my account in the 23rd of this month! The representative who updated my phone number 7 times said she has never seen anything like this and she is very sorry but she doesn’t know how to help me. So beware and pay close attention, keep your own documentation of spending and your in a note book do not depend on VaroBank like I did! Good Luck 🤞🏽

by Nacita Moore

Since Varo received their charter to become a bank there has been nothing but ongoing issues with them ever since. From glitches with activation to account glitches, swiping your card and paying for items glitches, weird account error message glitches...I got annoyed with it all and moved my DD back to Chime temporarily hoping that maybe one day Varo will get it together and I would potentially switch back. I did leave my account opened to deposit and cash checks via mobile deposit. They used to have a great turn around time with that. I have been using this service for over a year or two. Well now they are slacking in that area also. Banks make their money based on how much funds you hold in your account at the end of the day. So you would think they would be doing everything they can to keep their customers happy. Hmph not this bank. It was fine when they were Varo Money. I don’t understand why they chose to switch over. It’s been nothing but chaos ever since. I’m to the point where I am so disappointed with these folks that I am about to close my account completely. I gave them the benefit of the doubt. I gave them many chances and months to redeem themselves. I’m so disappointed especially after speaking so highly of their services. It’s very saddening and very unfortunate.

by April Scarlett

This bank is the WORST bank in the history of online banks! They are never on time with stuff they mail you, customer service is absolutely horrible, and if you have to call them don’t expect any kind of help! VaroBank is terrible and you can’t do anything with your money until you receive the card even if it’s a varo to varo transfer, which has nothing to do with a card! Hardly any kind of transfer is instant! It’s all around a horrible bank! I sat in the dark for 4 days all because my card didn’t come on time and customer service couldn’t help me in any kind of way with “MY” Money to pay my lights until the card came! I was supposed to receive said card on Friday well it didn’t come, even though the crappy app said the 14th which was 3-4 days before the Friday date that customer service told me. They also preceded to tell me they couldn’t give me my card number over the phone! I was gonna connect it to my Chime (awesome bank btw)and transfer my money out which they couldn’t help me with. So once I finally get my money out of this bank and turn my electric on I will definitely be closing my account down!!!

by OpieNovak

I have been using Varo Bank for about a month now. The first two weeks went fine, no real issues. I got all of my funds transferred into their bank, and then they froze my account, stating that there was a problem with their system that should be cleared up by the end of the day. So I waited. 2 days later, I still have no access to my money. I call again, each time with over an hour hold time. I get another rep that tells me the same thing, almost word for word like it’s memorized. You’ll have your funds by the end of today, tomorrow at the latest. I wait a couple more days, spend an hour and a half on hold. Same memorized speech. I’m leaving for a work trip in an hour with a $20 bill and a prayer that they will fix it so I can get home. My mortgage is past due, bills are stacking up, and all my money is controlled by Varo. After explaining this to the rep, he just hung up on me. I’m completely at a loss here with no money, and now am seeking legal action to obtain my funds and close that account. Oh yeah, I can’t even close my account, did I mention that? This company has cleaned out all of my funds overnight, and I’ve had it. Stay away!

by ShihTzuLovah

I’ll just keep adding to this until someone does something. Varo emailed me after the review below. Nothing since 11/22 and nothing back from my email on 11/26 asking for an update. The issue is still there. NO View Card button unless I close VaroBank and start over. I even spoke to a phone rep before writing this - they said they’d escalate it and email me, that didn’t happen. I’m about to close my account.

Original review: I switched to Varo from another online bank that constantly had technical issues. It’s been fine until recently. Upon logging in, the View Card button is gone, and I have to close VaroBank and start over to make it reappear. Every single time. I updated VaroBank , did the software update, etc. I submitted a support request, and finally got an “automated” email six days later with seven different suggestions for login help. I don’t need help logging in. I need you to fix this issue that only started a couple weeks ago. It’s very inconvenient. I use the View Card feature all the time to lock and unlock my card since I had my old debit card number stolen. Make it easier to connect with an actual person. Don’t take almost a week to respond and then send me a bunch of mumbo jumbo that has nothing to do with my request. Obviously no one read it. Not happy.

by Ihatevaro

The mobile deposit feature is pretty useless. I’ve deposited several checks over time, most of my deposits are direct though, and it’s Willy nilly as to whether or not they feel like approving them. I have a check made out to my middle name, rather than first, and they will not accept the check due to that one thing. Oddly enough they’ve accepted a check made out the same way and deposited it into my account earlier this year.
I call customer no-service and am on hold for an hour then speak to someone who basically told me there’s nothing I can do but send an endorsement override email so you can take the check to another place and cash it then deposit the cash. Never could tell me why one check was approved and this one is denied nor could they put me on the phone with anyone who could explain. After several minutes on the phone and many emails I’m trying to find a reputable bank to cash my check with the Varo bank name smeared all over the back of it,and me not have to pay to cash it and then pay to deposit it into this account. If it weren’t for my paycheck being direct deposited next week I’d close my account today. Real sad excuse for a bank. Stay far away.

by Ssammyt

Varo is an excellent bank if you never have an issue, but if you do even if it’s a serious problem which I have had. They have the worst customer service, they never stick to their own policies. I was told 3 days ago after numerous phone calls and emails over the past 45 days that the only people in all of Varo’s banking staff that the only people that can refund a fraudulent charge is the dispute team. I have never had an overdraft, nor filed a dispute before. But I have 2 fraudulent charges that has left our family very tight on eating much less paying bills that are stacking up because $400 is a lot of money to a family of 5. I followed everything Varo said to do in case of fraudulent charges, just to be ignored, lied too every time I call, and been hung up on. The help section on this issue has been going on since 2018 and they acknowledged the problem and it’s the same for Everyone. 2 months or more before they refund money on fraudulent charges IF you get reimbursed at all. I have never wasted my time to write something like this on s business because I know the struggle it is to run one but this has been criminal. Varo should not be in the financial industry. Crooks don’t think about it and run to another bank!

by RandallG123

Came for the high interest yield savings (like most people) and cancelled my account within a month. Would’ve cancelled sooner but I wanted to give the bank a chance. It’s the 1st of December and I still haven’t received my funds and it’s been over three weeks since I cancelled. Customer service’s feedback was “they’re escalating it and they’re not sure a check was even issued...”.I still don’t have my money which I saved for Christmas shopping and I don’t even know when I’ll get it. To be more specific Varo has ridiculous limits (like tiny limit i.e $50) for the amount you can deposit into your savings from an outside institution. You can avoid the limit if you originate the transfer from the outside institution but many banks charge a fee for doing that. Ally bank, a direct competitor, doesn’t have any limits or restrictions like that. Essentially Varo tries to get you to utilize more of their services like their checking account (obligatory checking account by the way). They want you to get automatic deposits too, for example, and in return they will increase your deposit limits. On top of everything they made the cancellation process a nightmare. There are so many better options out there. Stay away

by Honeejr210

I have no idea what happened but if a few bad apples fell from a tree throw them away and not the whole tree. I signed up a friend saying that this bank was hands down the best and he wanted to add a check he received from Carvana. What happens… no check capability. Been like that for quite a bit. He is upset and gave a thumbs down. I also needed to get the 50 for signing him but he did not use my link. I sent an email to customer service and the answer was so confusing. So I don’t know if I can still get the referral bonus or not. I hope I don’t have to change banks been with varo since it opened. No one should have to do direct deposit to cash a check. The first payment once set up with a company is normally a check. So explain how I’m supposed to do direct deposit before getting to cash a check????? Check cashing is a must have feature for banking. With or without direct deposit. If you have fraudulent checks then you need to put in place a way for them to be stopped. New check 10 day waiting period. Different payor then a 7 day waiting fee if your account is established. Large amount again waiting period. If your account is in good standing no issues then these stop gaps would not be in place…but direct deposit in order to cash… not good practice.

by Dominicanfella

VaroBank is worse than the original app. You should have kept the old one. I shouldn’t have to open VaroBank to view my updated balance. The old app would let you see your balance via notification if you spend anything. Also when you make a transfer from savings to checking or visa versa there is no notification at all. You guys took one step forwards and 10 steps back. When someone send you money via Zelle for example, still no notification saying the money is received as well. You have to log in and wait to see the funds. It use to be almost instant with the old app. This update was the worst thing you guys have done. I was ok with updating my direct deposit and all those other things, but not giving the user proper notifications is not good. I need to be able to see what goes in and out of my account, and I see other reviews saying the same things. Why change something that wasn’t broken? At least keep the useful things. It’s useful to be able to view your current balance after you spent some money without having to log in completely. Whoever took away these features should give me their job. You had one job. One job. Now I need to find another bank.

by KoreanQueen25!

It doesn’t make sense that you have to make 1,000 dollars within 30 days in order to use the advance feature which lets you borrow money until pay day but if I was making 1,000 a week or could have it within 30 days I wouldn’t be borrowing money from you all that really makes the feature pointless to those who really need it it doesn’t make sense nor does it seem fair especially to a loyal customer who’s been with you all for a while and never let my account go into the negative until I recently was told I had to make 1,000 within 30 days to even be qualified for an advance. I really thought about just closing my account because of that simple inconvenience being that it was the only reason I had started with Varo and because I could save more with having a saving account, but many other apps have the same feature at this point and would be reasonable when it comes to borrowing money until payday. Also I’ve been with you all since the first varo app that was out all the way up until the new app so I feel as if there should at least a membership where if you’ve been so long and have direct deposit set up then you should qualify it’s not like it’s not already setup where you all will receive your money soon as it hits the account so it’s something to put into consideration not only for me a loyal customer but for the rest of your customers in general. Thank you

by Ron97FU

I started with chime. Phenomenal bank. Then I tried Varo. Worst experience for online bank. Terrible customer service. They don’t even have an in app way to chat to customer service. You can’t even request a new card within VaroBank . I had my account charged or hacked 5-10 separate times. Sometimes for 99 cents other times for 40, then hundreds. At least they disputed and gave it back or this would be way different. Varo advance is trash. Doesn’t pay it back on when you get direct deposited you have to schedule it and if you miss like I apparently did you can NEVER be eligible wow for 20 dollars.
Chime let me 25,45 then 90. Even 200 when Covid started. Never a fee always paid back and able to be used again after I got paid or deposited.
I now use current which visually looks better and has better features.
I CANNOT for the life of me could see how Varo could even earn praise let alone preference when there way better banks. You can’t link Varo with other services like plaid since apparently not famous enough but either choose Chime or current. Albert or anything. Varo is trash.

by Hjjnbssregggg

This bank started off great- I was getting my direct deposits a day earlier m in the evening and I also like how you can change your pin on VaroBank whenever and not to mention, you can also turn on notifications for any and all transactions with your bank account/debit card. Here’s the bad: there’s been numerous times where I’ve made instant Deposit transfers from cash app and Venmo and they took a day to deposit into my account (they should’ve deposited instantly). When I called Varo about it, each and everytime they would say it was an error with the system and no eta on when it would be resolved. Today , for the third time…. My direct deposit did not deposit on the scheduled day (today) and their excuse was that they haven’t received direct deposits today due to an error in the system and that there would be no eta on when I’d get my direct deposit. Ok, then why is that my other bank accounts received my direct deposits?? (I have my DD split into 3 accounts)
This isn’t ok at all seeing as some people have bills and if you’re direct deposit is “delayed” on your pay day and you have important bills to pay on that day, you’re basically screwed. Once my direct deposit posts I will be deleting my account.

by BabySweetieBear

I’ve been a member of Varo for 2 years, and have to say that since it’s become Varo Bank, getting through to customer service seems impossible.
With the old Varo, I had nothing but excellent customer service. They always answered the calls or emails. I’ve been trying to get through to customer service for a week now, but no luck 😑
I start calling each morning at 8:00 when they open for business. There’s no wait time mentioned then, but no one answers. I’ll wait for an hour, then am told by the automated system that the wait time is less than 15 minutes. Um, no. It’s more like an hour. I don’t stay on beyond that. When called after 10:00 am, the estimated wait time is “ greater than 60 minutes “. Ugh. I just want to find out some important ( to me) information about a direct deposit that seems to be floating around in my old account. Emails aren’t answered either.
Their inefficiency has become my problem, and there’s no way to get in touch.
I hope someone from Varo bank reads this and makes it right. I don’t like being disappointed in Varo!

by Ceecollins88

I’ve been with varo for years now, and I have had nothing but the best experience I’ve ever had with a bank in my life, until the dark day… when VARO GREW UP FROM O BRCOME VARO BANK!! I’ve have been unknowingly drained financially, and when I realized it was happening I have been given anything but answers , and I’m still trying to figure out how I am missing almost $7k!!! Varo never sent me anything to tip me off my account had a hole in it, and I was just waiting for my new and old accounts to merge together at some point and I had such faith in varo I was giving them the benefit of the doubt on the time it seemed to be taking. Fast forward , and I am very disappointed and terrified that my life savings is gone and I’m not going to be able to get a dime of it back no matter how much I try.. my opinion is to bank with anywhere else, and don’t even consider varo until they get it all together and then pay close attention to the details so your life won’t be thrown off track with no one to help you out..

by DylanR2015

I’ve been with Varo for awhile now and it just gets better and better! My only complaint ever is I don’t have direct deposit so ACH transfers do take awhile, roughly 3-4 days but money gets there. Transfers within the account are instant though. ALSO I’ve had a few ACH transfers take an extra day or two. I didn’t even send any complaints and they just GAVE ME MONEY! I’ve gotten $25 twice now for delayed transfers as an apology from them. Most recently my reason for making this review was their email responses. I sent an email noticing I couldn’t make any ACH transfers. Their automated reply said 3-4 days so I thought they’d get back to me by Monday or Tuesday. THEY REPLIED NEXT DAY ON A SUNDAY! This may sound silly because this is a bank. But from my experience it really feels like they care! It’s like a small town bank with the bigger bank benefits. If you’re on the ropes definitely join Varo! You’ll soon find out for yourself why it’s so great!

by SweeTsOkc

I’ve been using Varo since 2018, and it’s pretty cool. I’ve also banked with Chase, IBC, and MidFirst. A physical bank comes in handy if you’re living paycheck to paycheck and need that money on your card that day. Varos’ answer; if you have direct deposit then you can get paid early like with other popular apps. So that’s even better. And if you’re not in a rush you can just take a picture of the check and it’ll be in there the next day of the week. And you can deposit cash by green dot cards. But the customer service is better than any other bank I’ve had. And I’ve yet to run into any issues. They are also always ontop of the new. They were one of the first to get the cards you can just tap like Apple Pay etc. idk I’m easy going so this bank works out well for me. And the early pay is cool. If you need a bank I’d recommend this Forsure. If your bank is troublesome or anything switch over. If it’s not then only switch if you need to get paid earlier

by Trullfarm2020

Everything has been smooth sailing no issues until I had to report my account for fraud I had to freeze my account so now I have no access to it until fraud department contacts me and I’m being told it can take 2-3 days my opinion fraud issue should be taken care ASAP and you talk to someone the same day to start a report most banks you do talk to someone immediately but this bank is making me wait . I have field a police report and still haven’t filed a report with the bank except freezing my account to stop anymore money coming out so no access to money at all and they don’t seem concerned when this is your main account and have a family to provide for they expect you to wait for them for god knows how long.. bills don’t freeze nor do day to day expenses. I just think these issues should be handled right away and not have to wait days for a phone call . I am not the suspect I am the victim that someone stole a large amount of money from my account it wasn’t just a little .

by Fghwr

This bank has been nothing but great . I can’t stop praising them. They offered me to sign up for their Believe card. This claims it will help build your credit. Let me tell ypu this place delivers. It took about three months and a we bit of a credit score drop for applying . BANG my credit score went up 111 points . Could be more but I still have a few bills left to take care of that take a point off here and there . I recommend this bank and they deliver what they promise. Great customer service. Only bank that has ever retrieved my money from fraudulent charges . Only bank. Never had an issue with customer service even when I was melting down. Lost my card needed money for car gas etc and they got me to be able to access my account with a card o r time access and rushed me a new card and a new account very fast response. They called me down they siding hang up on me like other banks do . I wasn’t rude just melting down cuz I was stranded and they un stranded me very quickly . Thank you Varo for always being their for me . Kudos to each and everyone of you

by Joncof

I can’t log in. Why are there two apps for this bank?

by JMarchView

The new app and card are so pretty I love this Varo much more! and I have been a customer for almost 3 years

by TheBaddestManT

I love Varo been having them for almost 2 years now.

by Hhfftgxjjvccf

Love love love VaroBank!
Great features
Best customer service on the planet

by Amolghotankar

Awesomeness with the new bank.