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 legit. It’s a built-in, fee-free overdraft advance that covers card purchases and cash withdrawals when your balance dips below zero, then auto-repays from your next deposit. Limits start around $20 and can climb past $200 based on your direct-deposit history, and the exact number is always shown in the app. Qualify by activating your Chime card and receiving at least $200 in direct deposits each month; anything that would push you past your balance plus your remaining limit simply gets declined without fees. You can temporarily raise that limit with monthly Boosts from friends, and tipping after you’re back in the black is optional and doesn’t affect eligibility.
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Is Dave app legit?
Dave is a real company (Dave Operating LLC, Los Angeles) that partners with Evolve Bank & Trust and says it has helped 4 million+ members tap up to $500 in ExtraCash. While that makes it a legitimate, regulated business, the FTC sued Dave in Nov 2024 for allegedly overstating the “up to $500” offer, hiding a $3–$25 instant-transfer fee, and presenting a 15 % charge as an “optional” tip linked to feeding a child. A Dec 2024 amended complaint sought civil penalties and personally named founder Jason Wilk. So the service exists and delivers advances, but be aware it’s facing ongoing federal scrutiny over its marketing and fee practices.
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Is Brigit app legit?
Brigit is a real fintech company (Bridge It, Inc., founded 2017, HQ in New York, NMLS ID 2429907) that lets members tap $25–$250 interest-free and claims over 9 million users. It partners with Coastal Community Bank for its credit-builder accounts, so funds sit with an FDIC-insured institution. Still, regulators have spotted problems: the FTC accused Brigit of misleading marketing and hard-to-cancel subscriptions, and in November 2023 the firm agreed to refund $18 million and change those practices. BBB complaints filed in 2025 also cite unauthorized withdrawals, denied advances after a $14.99 fee, duplicate repayment requests, and difficulties reaching support. Bottom line—Brigit exists and pays out advances, but its recent track record means you’ll want to watch your bank activity and make sure you can get help if something goes wrong.
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Is EarnIn app legit?
EarnIn is a legit cash-advance platform that’s been around since 2013. The Mountain View–based company is run by founder-CEO Ram Palaniappan, says it serves “millions” of users, and is registered with NMLS (Activehours, Inc. #2535570; EarnIn US1 LLC #2567882). While tips are optional and the app doesn’t charge interest or run hard credit checks, it’s not controversy-free: in November 2024 the D.C. Attorney General sued EarnIn, calling its advances illegal payday-style loans with effective rates over 300 % APR and accusing it of deceptive “free” marketing and pressure to tip.
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Is Empower app legit?
Empower (now gradually rebranding to Tilt) is a real U.S. company headquartered in San Francisco, with an additional business address in Garden City, Idaho. The service says it has already “provided relief to millions of people” through its 0 % APR cash advances of $10–$300 and other credit-building features. You can reach the team by email around the clock (support@empower.me or help@empower.me) or by phone on weekdays at +1 747-221-9389. We couldn’t find any publicly reported regulatory actions or widespread complaints in the data provided, which, along with the company’s visible contact information and multi-year track record, indicates Empower’s cash-advance product is a legitimate option.
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Is Klover app legit?
Klover appears to be a legitimate service. It’s run by Klover Holdings, Inc. (founded in 2019 and based in Chicago, IL) and claims more than 2 million users as of November 2025. The app connects to your checking account through Plaid and lets qualified users tap $5–$400 in interest-free advances that are automatically repaid on the next payday. There are no hard credit checks or mandatory fees, though faster “Express” delivery runs about $1.49–$19.99 (you can cover that with in-app Klover Points), and tipping is optional. No major regulatory complaints have surfaced so far, and you can reach support by phone (888-293-8767), email, live chat or in-app help if anything goes wrong.
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Is MoneyLion app legit?
MoneyLion’s Instacash advance is a real service offered by a New-York–based fintech that’s been around since 2013 (NMLS ID 1237506). You can draw up to $1,000 at 0 % APR with no credit check, repay automatically on payday, and choose free 1- to 5-day deposits or pay an optional turbo fee for instant delivery. That said, regulators have flagged problems: the CFPB sued MoneyLion in 2022 for allegedly illegal fees and tricky cancellations, and the NY Attorney General filed a 2025 lawsuit claiming the “0 %” marketing hides steep costs when users add turbo fees and tips. The cases are still pending, so while the cash advance feature itself works, it’s smart to keep an eye on optional charges and follow the updates.
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Is Albert app legit?
Albert’s cash advance feature is legit. The service is run by Albert Corporation out of Covina, California, and it partners with Sutton Bank and Stride Bank for checking and savings, so user funds are covered by FDIC insurance up to $250,000 on a pass-through basis. The company claims more than 20 million customers and, as of November 2025, reports no regulatory complaints or enforcement actions related to its cash-advance product. Advances of $25–$250 (some see up to $1,000) come with no credit check, interest, or late fees, and missed repayments aren’t sent to collections or credit bureaus.
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Is Cleo app legit?
Cleo is a genuine cash-advance service. It’s offered by Cleo AI Inc. (NMLS #2575411) out of Wilmington, Delaware, and the app routes banking through Thread Bank, Member FDIC. The company says it has 8 million+ users and can front you $20–$250 interest-free—up to $500 once you graduate to its Credit Builder line. Legitimacy hasn’t kept it out of trouble. In March 2025 the FTC accused Cleo of exaggerating advance limits, downplaying $3.99–$9.99 express fees, and making it hard to cancel. Cleo settled for $17 million, agreed to spell out every charge up front, and must provide an easy cancellation path for the next decade. BBB complaints filed later in 2025 raised similar concerns about surprise fees and repayment snags. So, Cleo will send real money, but read every fee disclosure, know your repayment date, and keep track of how to cancel before you tap “advance.”
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Is FloatMe app legit?
FloatMe is an actual business: it started in 2020, is headquartered in San Antonio, and shows up on regulators’ rolls (NMLS #2596392 and a California DFPI license). You’ll need the $4.99 monthly membership to tap its interest-free “Floats,” which can reach $200 and come with no credit check or collections if you miss repayment. Legit credentials aside, the service has drawn scrutiny—86 BBB complaints in the past three years and, more seriously, an FTC order from October 2024 forcing $3 million in refunds and a ban on the deceptive “dark-pattern” hurdles it used to keep people from canceling. In other words, FloatMe exists and is regulated, but its complaint record is worth weighing before you sign up.
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Is Vola Finance app legit?
Vola Finance appears legit. The Delaware-based company has been around since 2017, was started by Tushar Bagamane, and says it has more than 500,000 members who have collectively avoided about $100 million in bank fees. It offers interest-free advances up to $500 without credit checks and reports that 99 % of users connect their bank accounts in seconds. We found no record of official regulatory complaints against Vola Finance as of November 2025, but remember that “no news” doesn’t guarantee a spotless record—always review the terms and decide if the $500 limit, flexible repayment and optional credit-building card fit your needs.
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Is Grid Money app legit?
Grid Money is a real cash-advance service run by Hatfield, Inc. out of San Francisco. The app offers interest-free advances that start at $50 and can grow to $200 as you repay on time, with free 1–3-day delivery (or instant funding for a $2.99 fee). Although the product itself is legitimate, 196 formal complaints have been filed in the last three years—69 of them in the past 12 months—citing issues such as unauthorized $10 Grid+ subscription withdrawals, inaccurate credit-bureau updates after bankruptcies, and overdraft-triggering retry attempts. Keep those concerns in mind when deciding whether to use the app.
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Is Beem app legit?
Beem looks legit. It’s operated by Line Financial PBC in San Francisco and claims 5 million+ users, over $100 million in advances and $300 million in total payments processed. As of August 2025, no government or regulatory complaints have been filed against the service and it holds an A+ BBB rating. Still, always read the fine print on those optional express-delivery fees and the app’s automatic, income-based repayment before grabbing a $10–$1,000 Everdraft.
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Is Gerald app legit?
Gerald looks legit. The cash-advance service is run by Gerald Technologies, Inc., a New York-based fintech (it isn’t a bank). Advances of $40–$200 come with no credit check, interest, tips, or transfer fees, and the company requires part of each advance to be used in its in-app Cornerstore or for a mobile-plan purchase. As of August 5 2025, no official regulatory complaints have been filed against the app. If you need help, Gerald lists a real website (joingerald.com), support email (support@joingerald.com), phone line (+1 862-800-2564), and a contact form.
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