Cash Advance Apps

Gerald reviews: complaints & concerns

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Although Gerald boasts a lifetime average rating of 4.2 across the App Store and Google Play Store, recent user reviews in May 2025 have dipped to 3.4. Some users have expressed concerns about various aspects of the app. Read on to learn about these complaints, common issues, and more.

What do Gerald users complain about?

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

  • Forced Store Spending: Users are upset that they have to spend a significant part of their advance in the app's store before accessing any cash.
  • Unreceived Products: Many report never receiving the items they purchased, but still being required to repay.
  • No Cash Advance Received: Several users say they never got the promised cash advance, even after meeting all the requirements.
  • Poor Customer Support: Users struggle with unresponsive or unhelpful support, making it hard to resolve issues.
  • Technical Glitches: Frequent app issues, like trouble linking bank accounts or app crashes, prevent users from using the service.
  • Scam Warnings: Numerous users label the app as a scam and warn others to stay away.
App reviews talking about Complaint:
"...makes you spend a certain amount of money on their 'corner store' just to get some lame advance..."
"...you have to spend half of the advance you qualify for..."
"...they make you spend nearly half of the amount of the loan before you can even get money..."

Scam reports

Even though Gerald is a legit company, we found 60+ reviews published recently describing the service as scammy (for context, this is out of hundreds we analyzed). About 45 users explicitly call the service a “scam”, “fraud”, or “rip-off”, while many others describe being forced to make unwanted purchases before accessing their cash advance.

Several users expressed concerns about unauthorized charges and difficulties canceling orders or getting refunds. Some also mentioned not receiving the promised cash advances even after making required purchases, and a few worried about potential data misuse.

The overarching theme is that people feel tricked or financially harmed, often pointing to hidden fees, unwanted purchases, and an inability to reach customer service.

App reviews talking about Scam:
"...they make you spend half of it on their app in a credit store..."
"I was approved for 55 dollars but after being forced to purchase from their store my advance was only $18.11..."
"...they want you to buy stuff from their store where everything is overpriced in order to get a cash advance..."

Overdraft reports

We found one overdraft-related complaint, where the user was frustrated that they couldn't get a cash advance to resolve their negative balance. They felt the app required them to have a positive balance before receiving funds, leaving them unable to get out of overdraft.

What users say on other topics

Positive
2%
Negative
98%
Many users express frustration with Gerald's cash advance app, citing misleading advertising. The app promises cash advances but requires users to spend a significant portion of the advance on overpriced items from their in-app store before accessing any funds. This practice leaves users with only a fraction of the promised advance, which they find deceptive and unhelpful, especially when in need of immediate cash. The sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, with users feeling misled and scammed by the app's business model.
App reviews talking about Advertising Accuracy:
"...they approve you for an amount but make you spend most of it on their app in a credit store..."
"...you have to spend over half of your advance in 'the cornerstore'..."
"...you get a cash advance to only use at some stupid store that sells really bizarre things..."