Cash Advance Apps
Empower

Is Empower app legit?

By Editorial Team
Last Updated: Nov 13, 2025

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.

How reliable is Empower?

Recent Empower (now Tilt) reviews from 2025 paint a mixed picture on reliability. Here’s the gist:

  • Always there: Plenty of borrowers say the app “always comes through” or is “there when I need it,” making it their go-to backup between paychecks
  • Dependable payouts: Users frequently mention fast, same-day cash advances with no surprise fees, calling the service “consistent” and “reliable” over months of use
  • Login headaches: Others report constant time-outs, forced logouts and a recent update that locked longtime customers out of their dashboards
  • Syncing gaps: Some complain that linked 401(k)s or net-worth data vanish or refresh inconsistently, leaving account balances in question
  • Stability dips: A handful of long-time users say the app has become “unstable” and needs periodic reinstalls, warning that it isn’t as solid as it once was

Table of contents

How reliable is Empower?How much can I get from Empower?What users say?Scam reports

How much can I get from Empower?

  • High upfront: A handful of reviewers say Empower handed them $200–$400 right after signup, big enough to cover rent or other urgent costs.
  • Growing limit: Others start at $10–$25 and see the line jump each time they repay on time, sometimes doubling quickly.
  • Tiny starts: Plenty of users only get $10–$25 (or $25–$50 without direct deposit), far below expectations.
  • Sudden cuts: Reports of limits sliding from $200 to $25, $100 to $10, or $40 to $20 show amounts can drop without warning.
  • Unclear cap: Reviews list anything from $10 to $400 and one note about a “half-your-weekly-paycheck” ceiling, so the true max is anyone’s guess.
  • Fee math: Paying an $8 membership and getting just a $20 offer has some users questioning the trade-off.
App reviews talking about Loan Amounts:
"...it works out perfectly for me, once my first or second payment is made toward my account the amount to borrow increases instantly..."
"Great for small short term loans- 25-75 with a credit score of 650ish..."
"...I love tilt, I can get cash instantly and pay it back for a small fee on my next payday. Every time I pay it back my amount I can borrow increases!..."

What users say?

Positive
3%
Negative
97%
Many users complain about difficulties in canceling their subscriptions with Empower, often citing unauthorized charges even after attempting to cancel. Several reviews mention being charged monthly fees despite not having access to their accounts or having already canceled their subscriptions. Users express frustration with customer service, describing it as unhelpful or unresponsive, and some report needing to change their bank details to stop the charges. The sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, with users feeling trapped by a service they no longer wish to use.
App reviews talking about Subscription Cancellation:
"...they are still charging me the 8.00 they said they would cancel and not charge my account..."
"...I canceled my subscription and I still continue to charge my account..."
"...they keep charging me the monthly fee EVEN THOUGH I CANT ACCESS ANYTHING..."

Scam reports

We dug through the latest feedback and found about 20 recent reviews flagging Empower (now Tilt) as a scam. Many say they never saw a single advance yet still get hit with the $8 “subscription” every month and call the company “thieves” or “shysty.”

The recurring theme is mystery debits: folks report surprise pulls of $8, $100, $200—even $450—after canceling or being denied a loan, with customer support doing little beyond canned replies. Several reviewers ended up canceling their cards or filing fraud claims to stop the charges.

A chunk of users also can’t log in after the rebrand, worry their SSN and bank data were phished, or link Tilt transactions to unrelated DoorDash hacks. One retirement-account holder even says Empower held their funds hostage, confirming the broad concern that money goes in easily but doesn’t come back without a fight.

App reviews talking about Scam:
"...they have been charging me $8 a month but I have NEVER been able to borrow money from them..."
"...they still money from my back account. Last time I take money from then they charge me but this time they charge me 450 dollars..."
"...I canceled my subscription and I still continue to charge my account no one will contact me about getting refunded ridiculous scam..."
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