Although Dave has an average lifetime rating of 4.6 on the App Store and Google Play store, it received a 3.6 rating from user reviews in February and March 2025. Some users did voice complaints about various aspects of the app though. Read on to discover these complaints, common concerns, and more.
Based on numerous user reviews in early 2025, here are some of the most common complaints:
Even though Dave is a legitimate company, we found 14 reviews published recently describing the service as scammy (for context, this is out of hundreds we analyzed). About 13 explicitly call the service a “scam” or “fraud,” while others mention unexpected charges or fees that made them feel misled.
Several users report unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts, with amounts as high as $300, and difficulties obtaining the advertised loan amounts. A few expressed concerns about potential identity theft due to suspicious login attempts after signing up.
The common theme is that people feel tricked or financially harmed, often citing surprise fees, lower-than-promised cash advances, and challenges with customer service or closing their accounts.
We found six overdraft-related complaints, with most users reporting that Dave withdrew funds before their deposits arrived, leading to overdraft fees up to $30.
Some users were charged for services they never used or after deleting the app, resulting in unexpected NSF fees. Others mentioned they couldn't adjust repayment dates to match their payday, causing repeated overdrafts when payments were taken before funds were available.
In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed complaints against Dave Inc. and its CEO, Jason Wilk, alleging deceptive practices. They accused the company of misleading consumers about cash advances, charging hidden fees, misrepresenting charitable donations, and failing to clearly disclose monthly membership fees.