Is Varo Bank: Online Banking safe to use?
Varo’s listing says it is a real bank and Member FDIC. The recent helpful reviews, though, contain serious trust complaints: users describe account closures, locked access to funds, unresolved fraud disputes, and money they believe was not protected. There are positive reviews too, but a cautious user should treat access and dispute handling as the main risk to evaluate before moving primary funds.
Do not trust them with your money!
Don't mess with varo your money is not fully secure I'm out $8182
I've have a account with Varo for over 3 years, and I have yet been able to get access to my account. No matter how I try I always get turned away or they tell me an error has happened. I've got almost $1,200 in it that I can't get to. Don't trust this online back it's really bad banking. they will try to steal your money.
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Does Varo Bank: Online Banking close or lock accounts without notice?
Yes, recent reviews strongly raise this concern. Users describe accounts being closed, cancelled, suspended, or locked with little warning, then having to wait for access to remaining funds or a mailed balance check. A few reviews say an account closure was later described as an error, but the main pattern in these reviews is sudden loss of access rather than smooth resolution.
everything was perfect until one day my account got cancelled, blocked, finished, whiteout advice, just from the night to the morning I found out I can't use my money, I didn't have access to my cards. I know you have the right to end my account but at least say something before doing it, :/ and now I have to wait almost a month to get my money balance back.
I banked with Varo for years and they closed my account without notice 2 days ago! I had plenty of money between my checking and savings accounts (~$10k), money was actively coming in and going out, and I was using their Believe card for small, regular payments. This was my primary bank account! I'm now having to wait 2 weeks for "processing," then another ~week for the shipment of my remaining balance check. I have bills coming up that I have the money for, but now aren't going to get paid.
This company is awful. I just opened the account a few days ago and got my first direct deposit today. I paid some bills and got food. Then just a few hours later I get an email saying my account has been closed with no explanation or warning. now I have to wait 3 weeks to get a check in the amount of what was still in my account. If they thought the transactions were suspicious then they should have reached out to me. but instead now I have no money and have to find another bank.
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Does Varo Bank: Online Banking cash advance actually work?
It works for some reviewers, but it does not appear reliable or guaranteed. Recent users report being able to get advances, while many complaints say eligibility changed, limits dropped after repayment, or the app denied an advance with little explanation. The Play listing also says cash advances require qualifications and fees apply.
Absolute joke of an app/bank. my first advance I was given $200. paid it back early and was dropped to $100 on my next advance. paid that back early and was dropped to $50. for absolutely no reason. I'm gonna pay that off and immediately switch back to Chime. Varo is the worst banking app out there, by far. Stay away
I have had Varo since at least 2019. They have had a few issues, they usually get fixed quickly. However, I have always used their Varo advance. Always paid on time, usually at least 24 hours before it was due. Not ever been late, not ever had to make additional payment plans. I just borrowed and would re borrow when needed. This last time I made my payment, before due date, it literally offered me 500 less. No explanation etc. I will not ever recommend this company again.
Varo should have a 4.8 Rating great bank I get paid Two or 3 days in advance I'm able to Get Cash Advances and Vloc Thank You Varo ✨
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Do you need a Varo Bank: Online Banking account or direct deposit to borrow money?
Reviews say many users were surprised that borrowing was tied to opening or using a Varo bank account, direct deposit, or depositing money with Varo. The app description also says cash advances are funded directly into a Varo online bank account and that qualifications apply. If you only want a standalone payday-loan app, the reviews suggest Varo may not be what you expect.
It doesn't say you have to open a bank account before you apply but when you get into the application it says you have to get a bank account through them. you should say that upfront.
Sam Crooks different name with Promises of greener pastures and instant loans adjust the whole bait and switch maneuver to get you in there switch over your direct deposit only to find out they lied just like all the other ones that promise funds based on direct deposit if there's a waiting period just say that I can't stand liars and thieves I will definitely be resending my direct deposit from them going back to chime highly do not recommend zero Stars if I could worthless no customer service
WAS LIED TO BOUT LOANS GOTTA HAVE A DEPOSIT FIRST SO SORRY THEY DIDN'T ADDRESS THE STATEMENT NO LOAN UNTILL YOU DEPOSITED MONEY PERIOD
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Does Varo Bank: Online Banking have login problems?
Login and access problems are a major theme in recent reviews. Users describe being locked out after app updates, being unable to reset passwords, the app not loading, and access issues after losing or changing phones. For a banking app, these complaints matter because login trouble can mean not being able to move or use money when needed.
Here we go again, just updated the app (8/28/26) & now I'm locked out of my account AGAIN! Every time I update the app I can no longer access my GD account. Why can't you devs ever get your $hit together? This is becoming the worst banking app I've ever used! I highly suggest people go elsewhere for their banking needs. I've been using Varo for years now & it's only gotten worse with every update.
absolute garbage. won't allow me log in half the time. un-links external accounts with out my knowledge and then won't allow me to relink them. complete waste of time
I haven't had any problems with my account and I have been able to get a cash advance anytime I needed it ❤️ love this Bank only if you don't misplace your phone and you try to get back into your account?? then there's trouble😩
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Is Varo Bank: Online Banking customer service helpful?
Recent reviews are mostly negative about support. Users complain that it is hard to reach a live person, chat support feels automated, supervisors do not resolve issues, and support either hangs up or sends users back to the same channel. Positive support experiences exist, but the most detailed support reviews are critical.
This bank is a joke. The customer service in particular. you can never speak to a live person you can only text chat and its very frustrating to get even the simplest answers from them. this is not an American based bank. I've had nothing but terrible customer service and no one to complain to because they're all from another country so what so they do NOT care.
Told me I could get a $20 advance and then when I go to use it I get an email saying they changed it to $0. I tried they're "live agent" and its ai. Even when they say its a human its ai.
Poor and very unhelpful customer service. Not able to close an account cause customer service never answers or hangs up on you!! You have a better chance of using Chime than this bank!
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Why won’t Varo Bank: Online Banking accept my address or approve my signup?
Address validation and signup approval are recurring problems in the reviews. Users report the app rejecting apartment fields, saying an address is invalid, warning about USPS delivery, requiring a physical address, or declining the account based on submitted information. If your address is nonstandard, this app may create friction before you ever open an account.
I can't even sign up because it keeps telling me apt number is missing I DON'T HAVE ONE. I've never had this issue anywhere else why can't I just continue?? And then when I type anything, it says the apt is WRONG OR MISSPELLED ok why don't you just tell ME what the apt is then if you seem to know?? I LIVE IN A HOUSE
Kept throwing a USPS might have difficult delivering here error. I don't know what to tell you, that's my address and I get mail there. couldn't even set up an account.
must have a physical address to apply so if you live at a hotel you must use someone else's address
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
How long does Varo Bank: Online Banking take to cash checks?
The reviews about mobile check cashing are poor. Users say checks took too long to become usable, approved checks were still held, and one reviewer said check deposit attempts led to suspension. Based on these reviews, Varo may not be a good choice if fast mobile check access is your main need.
don't use this app ,it's so bad , especially when cashing checks online ,don't do it they take almost 2 weeks for it to even work ,not convenient at all ,if I could give it a zero I would
update: I am giving up on this bank. they suspended me twice for trying to deposit a cheque thats not worth more than $200. They dont say why, customer care has no clue. They r not interested in taking feedback. this bank gives good interest rates. But, the customer service is subpar. Varo doesnt provide the option to download the activity as a excel/Csv. the only option is pdf. Copying activity from pdfs is not easy to i have to manually copy everything manually when tracking my activity :(
They approved my check but I had to wait 5 days to cash it. I really needed that money and was very disappointed
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Is Varo Bank: Online Banking the same as Zelle?
No. Varo is a banking app whose listing says it supports sending and receiving money with Zelle. Reviewers who were looking specifically for Zelle say they felt misled by search ads or branding and did not realize they were signing up for Varo. If you only want Zelle itself, read the listing carefully before entering personal information.
I was looking for Zelle, I feel misled
I searched up zelle and this app was the first one that appeared as sponsored and has the same color scheme and same font as zelle. I didn't even know until after it made sign up with my ssn. Very misleading business practice.
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Does Varo Bank: Online Banking pay the savings interest rate it advertises?
The listing advertises a qualified high-yield savings product, but recent reviews include complaints that the rate did not match what users expected or had become lower. The reviews are not enough to audit the actual rate, but they are enough reason to check the current in-app terms and qualification rules before relying on savings interest.
scam bank they don't give you the interest rate they show and tell you for your savings account & when you say something to them they act like you cant do the math & lie to you
been with you guys for over a year and always problems with debit cards not working at certain payment points and now the app never loads on my phone for over a week... if I want to use the believe card I can't because i can't transfer funds on the go anymore. the only reason I stayed was the apy on savings and now that's lower to... please fix app I already uninstalled cleared data, everything and it doesn't work,
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Answers above are generated from real Google Play reviews of Varo Bank: Online Banking, not editorial opinion.