Cash Advance Apps

Dave reviews: complaints & concerns

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Although Dave boasts an impressive lifetime rating of 4.6 on the App Store and Google Play Store with over a million reviews, recent user reviews in April and May 2025 averaged a lower rating of 3.5. Some users have voiced complaints about various aspects of the product. Read on to discover these complaints, common concerns, and more.

What do Dave users complain about?

Out of hundreds of user reviews published in mid-2025, here are some of the biggest frustrations shared:

  • Unexpected charges: Over 20 users complain about unauthorized charges, often after canceling or closing their accounts. Many report small amounts like $1 being deducted monthly without their consent.
  • High fees: About 15 users mention high or increasing fees. Some are frustrated that advances are split into smaller amounts, resulting in multiple fees.
  • Early repayments: Around 10 users say the app debits their accounts before their scheduled payday, causing overdrafts and financial stress.
  • Poor customer service: More than 10 users express frustration with unresponsive or unhelpful support, difficulty contacting a real person, and inability to resolve issues.
  • Inconsistent advance amounts: Several users report their eligible advance amounts fluctuating without explanation, or being unable to get approved for an advance despite meeting criteria.

Overall, unwanted charges and high fees seem to be the most common complaints among users.

App reviews talking about Complaint:
"...charged five dollars for something I never signed up for..."
"...they fluctuate the amount of money available to you..."
"...the amount that they let you borrow changes without warning..."

Scam reports

Even though Dave is a legit company, we found numerous recent reviews describing the service as scammy (for context, this is out of dozens we analyzed). Over 40 users explicitly called the app a "scam," "fraud," or "thieves." Many users reported unauthorized charges, difficulties canceling their memberships, and unexpected fees that made them feel deceived.

Several reviewers mentioned concerns about unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts, even after they thought they had canceled or unlinked their accounts. Others expressed frustration with customer service, saying they were unable to resolve issues or get clear answers about charges.

The overarching theme is that users feel tricked by hidden fees, unwanted subscriptions, and challenges in disconnecting from the service. Many cautioned others to avoid the app to prevent similar negative experiences.

App reviews talking about Scam:
"...they will literally charge you money just for having the app..."
"...this app is fake don’t waste your time on it..."
"...they started charging me monthly without me knowing..."

Overdraft reports

We found fifteen overdraft-related complaints, with most users reporting that Dave debited their accounts before payday—leading to overdraft fees from their banks. Several explicitly blame incorrect or unexpected repayment dates set by the app, causing early withdrawals and financial hardship.

Others mention unauthorized charges or hidden fees that overdrew their accounts, including unexpected membership fees and charges after account cancellation. Some users also report that when they couldn't repay on time, Dave repeatedly attempted to withdraw funds, draining their accounts until the full balance was recovered.

App reviews talking about Reported Overdraft:
"...they decided to draw money out of my actual bank account overdrawn it even though I told them the money was in the account..."
"...they automatically pull the funds the day it’s due if u don’t repay it, so very disappointing..."
"...Dave pulls repayment from your account before your actual payday. If I had the funds already sitting there, I wouldn’t need the advance..."

What users say on other topics

Positive
5%
Negative
95%
Many users complain about the difficulty in canceling their subscriptions with the Dave app. They report unauthorized charges even after attempting to cancel or delete their accounts, with some mentioning recurring fees that persist despite their efforts. The process to unsubscribe seems cumbersome, with users expressing frustration over unresponsive customer service and prolonged attempts to resolve the issue. The sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, with users feeling trapped by a service they no longer wish to use.
App reviews talking about Subscription Cancellation:
"...the hardest app to unsubscribe from..."
"I’ve unlinked my bank account from this app NUMEROUS times and they are still taking my money!!!!"
"...charged 5$ a month for 2 months to tell me im not eligible for an advance..."

Complaints about Dave

In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint against Dave, accusing them of misleading customers about cash advance amounts and charging undisclosed fees like Express Fees and monthly membership fees. Later that year, the Department of Justice added CEO Jason Wilk to the complaint and sought civil money penalties.