Is App Legit - All Articles
Check if an app is legit or not before trusting it with your money. We investigate Dave, Brigit, and other cash advance services by looking at their company history, what users say, complaint records, and regulatory status. Read more below to make sure you're on the safe side.
Is Chime SpotMe app legit?
Chime SpotMe is a legit cash advance feature offered by Chime, a financial technology company headquartered in San Francisco. With SpotMe, you can overdraft up to $200 without any fees, interest, or hidden charges on debit card purchases, cash withdrawals, and Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card purchases. To qualify, you'll need at least $200 in direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account over the past 34 days and enroll through the Chime app. As of March 2025, there are no official regulatory complaints about Chime SpotMe mentioned on their official website.
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Is Dave app legit?
Dave is a legit cash advance app. The company, headquartered in Los Angeles, was founded in 2017. Dave claims to have helped over 4 million members get ExtraCash™ and saved users $2.5 billion in overdraft fees. While Dave is legit, it's important to note that in late 2024, the FTC filed complaints against Dave Inc. and its founder, alleging deceptive practices such as misleading advertising of cash advances, charging hidden fees, misrepresenting the use of customer tips, and enrolling customers in recurring monthly membership fees without transparent disclosures or a simple cancellation mechanism.
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Is Brigit app legit?
Brigit is a legit cash advance app. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in New York, the company claims to have over 9 million users. Brigit offers features like instant cash advances up to $250 without credit checks or hidden fees. However, it's important to note that in November 2024, the FTC ordered Brigit to pay $17 million in refunds to over 1.8 million customers due to allegations of deceptive practices. These included advertising cash advances that most users didn't qualify for and charging undisclosed fees. So while Brigit is a legitimate service, it's a good idea to read the fine print and make sure it fits your needs before using it.
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Is EarnIn app legit?
EarnIn is a legit cash advance app. Founded in 2013 by CEO Ram Palaniappan and headquartered in Mountain View, California, the company has raised significant funding over the years, including $125 million in 2018. While EarnIn offers convenient features like accessing your earned wages before payday, it's important to note that in November 2024, the Attorney General of the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the company. The lawsuit alleges that EarnIn deceived over 20,000 DC borrowers by providing loans with illegally high interest rates exceeding the District's 24% cap and operating without the required lending license.
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Is Empower app legit?
Empower is a legit cash advance app. It's a fintech company based in San Francisco, California. Keep in mind that Empower isn't a bank; banking services are provided by nbkc bank, Member FDIC, and their Empower Thrive line of credit comes from FinWise Bank. While they offer genuine services, it's worth noting that on October 31, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor reported errors in Empower's procedures, leading to financial losses of about $40,000 for an individual. This indicates there was an official regulatory complaint against Empower.
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Is Klover app legit?
Klover is a legit cash advance app. Founded in 2019 by CEO Brian Mandelbaum and CTO Dominic Bennett, the company is headquartered in Chicago. They claim that over 2 million people have used their app to help manage their finances. While Klover is legitimate, it's important to note that they have faced class-action lawsuits in 2024 and 2025 alleging that they charged excessive fees resulting in extremely high APRs, potentially violating consumer protection laws.
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Is Albert app legit?
Albert is a legit cash advance app. Developed by Albert Corporation and headquartered in Covina, it offers cash advances up to $250 without credit checks or interest. You can receive funds instantly (a fee applies for instant transfers). As of March 2025, there are no official complaints reported against Albert.
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Is MoneyLion app legit?
MoneyLion is a legit cash advance app. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York, MoneyLion offers services like instant cash advances, mobile banking, credit-building loans, and more. While MoneyLion is a legitimate company, it's important to note that they faced regulatory actions in recent years. In November 2023, they settled with the Colorado Attorney General, agreeing to provide $271,000 in restitution after an investigation found they collected illegal membership fees tied to loans. Additionally, in 2022, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a civil lawsuit against MoneyLion alleging violations of the Military Lending Act and the Consumer Financial Protection Act, which MoneyLion is contesting.
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Is Cleo app legit?
Cleo is a legit cash advance app. Founded in 2016 in London by Barnaby Hussey-Yeo, the company is now headquartered in New York. Cleo is an AI-based fintech platform that helps over 150,000 people manage their money every day. The company claims to have over 5 million users. As of October 2023, there were no official regulatory complaints about Cleo.
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Is FloatMe app legit?
FloatMe is a legit cash advance app that launched in early 2020. Based in San Antonio, the company operates on a subscription model costing $4.99 per month with no additional fees or interest charges on advances. FloatMe aims to help people living paycheck to paycheck by offering small cash advances without credit checks or interest. However, it's important to know that in 2024, the FTC charged FloatMe with deceptive practices like false promises of free and quick cash advances and making it hard to cancel subscriptions. They were ordered to refund over $2.6 million to affected users. As of March 2025, it's something to keep in mind when considering the app.
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Is Vola Finance app legit?
Vola Finance is a legit cash advance app. The company, headquartered in Newark, Delaware, claims to have over 500,000 happy members and to have saved users $100 million in bank fees. Vola Finance offers instant cash advances up to $500 with no interest charges and no credit checks. Unlike some other apps, there are no known official complaints about Vola Finance as of March 2025.
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Is Beem app legit?
Beem is a legit cash advance app. Offered by Line Financial PBC and headquartered in San Francisco, the app claims to be trusted by over 1 million Americans as of March 2025. There are currently no official complaints about Beem.
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Is Grid Money app legit?
Grid Money is a legit cash advance app developed by Hatfield, Inc., headquartered in San Francisco. The app offers features like quick cash advances up to $100, credit-building loans, and an income protection program. As of March 2025, there are no official complaints or regulatory actions against Grid Money.
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Is Gerald app legit?
Gerald is a legit cash advance app developed by Gerald Technologies, Inc., a financial technology company based in New York. The app offers instant cash advances from $10 to $100 with no fees, interest, or credit checks. It also provides features like buy now, pay later options for essential purchases and rewards through in-app engagement. As of March 2025, there are no official complaints reported about Gerald.
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