Russell Simmons Creates a Fund to Pay Back Rush Card Users

If you’re a Rush Card member who was affected by the recent computer glitch, you are in luck!

Russell Simmons, the multimedia tycoon who founded the predatory debit card in 2004, has created a fund to pay you back for your losses, the NY daily News reports.

“This whole situation has been devastating for them, and we want to make sure they are made whole,” Simmons told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The technical problem began earlier this month when a switch to a different payer system failed. The outage lasted 10 days, affecting thousands of cardholders.

The glitch prevented low income Rush Card users from accessing their cash to pay their bills and buy necessities. Many Rush Card consumers took to social media to complain that they faced evictions and car repossessions because of the snafu.

Simmons expects donations to the fund to grow into the millions of dollars. A third party will distribute the funds to affected users who documented their losses.

The government will monitor the fund to ensure there are no abuses and that everyone is made whole again.

But Simmons isn’t out of the woods yet. He faces a probe by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau into Rush Card’s operations and a class action lawsuit filed by 5 Rush Card users.

Thanks to loyal reader Marcella B. for the tip.

Low E. {CIRCA 1908}

HEADS ARE GONNA ROLL…

ON A SIDE NOTE: I CAME ACROSS A COMMENT ABOUT WHITE JAPAN’S TATTOO BEING FAKE FOR THE VIDEO…THAT MESS IS RED, SWOLLEN AND PROTRUDING SLIGHTLY – THAT ISHT AIN’T FAKE! BUT THE ATTEMPT AT SAVING HER FEELINGS IS VERY REAL.
puppylove

Somebody gettin fiyad
SugarFoot a.k.a Ty

As the elders would say “Russell you know you need your azz whooped!!!”
LeeSeeCee

Oh boy…
mzwhang90210

Wait…it’s THEIR money right? It wasn’t stolen or misplaced right…it was just inaccessible right?
Then whyyyy does a fund have to be “created???”
And why does the said fund need donations???? I thought the $$ was just sitting somewhere but couldn’t be dispersed…

WTH???
jeniefrumdabloc™

Russ I have a different outlook on your tail now bruh smh
SugarFoot a.k.a Ty

Simmons expects donations to the fund to grow into the millions of dollars
_______
expects donations *blank stare* Russell stop playing with these people. How about you cut a check for their losses and you wait on the donations for reimbursement. Why would people donate to cover your errors? This has got to be the dumbest shyt ever. I want to see that damn agreement the cardholders signed
casiepriest33

Now that people have been evicted he wants to get involved.
MzApple

is that why she is running that sharpie challenge on ig?
jeniefrumdabloc™

Wait donations ….. chile are you serious
SugarFoot a.k.a Ty

get out of my head whang This shyt is going to make me pull my school books back out. Sandra get us a copy of that agreement *opens my CSI cyber app*
jeniefrumdabloc™

Exactly like wtf …
YOUR man chose BSweet #ohwell

I hope those folks get reimbursed in a timely manner. That’s all I got.
THE OLDER SISTAH

Sounds like Russell is trying to stay one step ahead of the investigation that is certainly to follow.
jeniefrumdabloc™

Chile …… this is why I want my people to get educated….. this kinda obvious game is ran on a person without it …. donations ????
Renay Peters

She done chiited and her mom/hood trainer hokyo toni is the worst for words!
Low E. {CIRCA 1908}

HOW ARE YOU TODAY??
Low E. {CIRCA 1908}

ABSOLUTE WORST…SEE YALL ON THE MORROW!
jeniefrumdabloc™

but he not though …… he wants other people to pay for his company fawk ups ….. that’s the irony in this write up
SunnyChi

Wow. It’s about time.
SunnyChi

The fees associated with this card would be enough for me to run smh
casiepriest33

This shyt is beyond ridiculous. Russells yoga pants wearing azz needs to be shot. This made get a second checking account. I needed to diversify my quick cash. I also made a promise to myself to withdraw $200 every pay period to hoard. My bf used to always say you better keep some cash on hand. This is scary!
mzwhang90210

Hey bew.
Empress

Fund? Donations? Government monitoring? I am assuming that someone has had several extremely large transfers to an offshore account and is kicking it somewhere El chapo style with these poor people’s money. Unacceptable.
SugarFoot a.k.a Ty

Let’s say people donate millions to reimburse the cardholders. When they (RushCard) finally get their system together, they will keep the money they’ve held from the past few weeks because technically the cardholders have been paid back already with the donations. Chile…..I can’t, but he tried it. I feel sorry for the folks but the way my common sense is set up ……
mzwhang90210

Russell is somewhere like…
Chitsngiggles

He’s not doing anything that big banks don’t do when they get in trouble. They wait for a bailout. It was ok when Citibank did it, but Russell can’t do it.

Just like tax breaks for big corporation is welfare. No difference than food stamps
MissyJ

So this fund better be for extras not their money. Like if you lights were cut off and you had to pay a 100 fee to get em back on..
MotherOfDragons, GetOffMyENuts

Yeah…no. I won’t be donating. In other news, I read the Zola story…?
Chitsngiggles

I don’t even know why I go back and read the comments in other post. I’m so sick of this girl accusing me of having a different login. Yes in the past I have created different logins to come back when the blog was closed. Now that it’s open ain’t no need for that. This is for the dumb, dumber, and dumbest who keep saying that stupid shyt.

Whatever was going on Tuesday, I wasn’t here. I was spending the day with my HUSBAND. Get you one. Check my IG.

I want the monkey to stop trying to bring me into her circus show.
mzwhang90210

Hey…look at THIS…

The Rush Card, does not work like a standard checking or debit account.
Depending on which of the two types of Rush Card a customer gets, the fees can be very high. Activation and monthly fees can run as high as $19.95.
There are fees for ATM balance inquiries and withdrawals. There are statement and “maintenance fees.” There is a fee for paying bills with the Rush Card. The highest cost fee, however, can be the “convenience fee.”

This convenience fee charges between 50 cents and $1 each time your Rush Card is swiped or used to make a purchase. Long story short, the Rush Card could cost you $100 a month or more — to access your own money.
Mister Fantastic

Put that Consumer Finance Protection Bureau on THAT NECK you get some understanding then. Acting like he is helping someone, smh…
Miany

Aint nobody donating to that!!
If i wanna give my shii away I will give it to a reputable charity…these mofos need to find the folk cash and put it back in their accounts, period.
Mister Fantastic

Put that Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on THAT NECK you get some understanding then. Acting like he is helping someone, straight vulture, smh…
THE OLDER SISTAH

And people sign up for it because they don’t do their homework and find out if there are cheaper options available.
mzwhang90210

YUP. And since its “Uncle Russ”..it must be legit.
Chile….
THE OLDER SISTAH

There you go!
FoxyDiva

Yea he knew that was wrong! There should be a probe by the CFPB. Taking advantage of the low income aint cool. Especially when that is the demographic that has supported him throughout his career
Ms. YaYa

Chiiiile!!!!!
Anonymouse

How is he taking advantage? It’s called capitalism! It’s up to them to educate themselves about the advantages/disadvantages of this card!
SugarFoot a.k.a Ty

no its called theft by receiving
mzwhang90210

Hey Miany!!!!
Yeah…like somebody else said…why doesn’t “Uncle Russ” front them the $$$.
Ole bean sprout eatin bastid.
Anonymouse

Why anyone would sign up for this is completely beyond me. Better off with the Walmart Money Card.
mzwhang90210

Ain”t nobody contributing to Russells “building fund.”
Anonymouse

Theft implies that someone took something without your CONSENT… smh
YOUR man chose BSweet #ohwell

I am well. You?
YOUR man chose BSweet #ohwell

$100 a month for my money… okay. Sure.
FoxyDiva

Holding on to their money for 10+ days was no where in the user agreement.
SugarFoot a.k.a Ty

did he not take these funds without consent and without the intent to return since he expects the public to pay it back with donations? If the funds are sitting somewhere as he claims, he has the resources to advance the company if he really wants to do the right thing but since he is asking the public to cover this shyt, the money is probably gone
SugarFoot a.k.a Ty

chile…..
Smartypants

Omg. I can’t. But I was just telling bae this:

I know nothing about IT but companies need to stop telling the whole world when they’re about 2 do maintenance. What better time than that to hack??

I think they got hacked.
Smartypants

Looking forward to the news stories on the mess coming out of the many, many audits.
http://totallifechanges.com/PurTEA VanillaCaramel2shotsExpresso

Donations? China Black mom is going address this next.
http://totallifechanges.com/PurTEA VanillaCaramel2shotsExpresso

White japan???
AnonymousRose

and they wonder why folks don’t want to deal with black business, Make no /sense, Rush card was doomed, when Prisoners was using them, that’s the real issue, CCA has confiscated these cards along with those Greedot cards smh scam…..
NeverSurprised

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Russell Simmons has an estimated net worth of $340 MILLION. So now he has the temerity to sit out by the pool at his house in the Hamptons and ask WORKING CLASS AMERICANS to DONATE money to a company that HE founded and from which he has collected millions, right up to the point where money has “somehow” managed to “disappear” from the pockets of semi-literate black folks who didn’t know they could simply get a PREPAID debit card from a reputable bank. Lord, please deliver my people from the throes of ignorance and deceit (especially deceit inflicted by their own “brothers.”)
missmiami305

i hollered!!!!!!!!! im kinda slow so I was like huhhhhhhhhh when I red white japan
NeverSurprised

I hollered right along with you. LOL!
SpideySense

Amen!
GTFOHWTBS

Rush card (RC) members, please keep us and media informed about what you were offered in terms of $ for this 3 week hardship on you and your family. Sadly, the only thing he is concerned about is his reputation, image, and brand, why else would he tell this RC members to stop blasting him on social media. He could care less about the poor/suffering. Oh, I forgot he said he was praying for those who were without their $, get real. #WakeUpPeople
Rachel

Cause their screwed up system dont know what each account actually had. And if you depend on most rush cards users to be totallly honest then you would be paying out more than what they had. In an essence some people will be double f*****
ArDnAhC45

Yeah, with donations. Puhleeze!!
Traci404

Wait…you gotta take up DONATIONS ..
To fix a computer glitch?

No SON, WHERE IS THE MONEY? Computer glitch my ass!
Traci404

Who has ever heard of this?

RUSSELL has embezzled this money, and now you need people to donate to a fund to reimburse people.
1. Dont you have business insurance
2. Your a multi millionaire YOU cut a check
3. Tell the truth – money does disappear like this it leaves a paper trail.
4. Where are the original funds?

I hope he goes to jail.
Blaisefiyah

Bottom line: Get a reputable financial institution to hold your money.
Side note: If you are in Chexsystems, pay your debt like a responsible adult and then you will be able to do the aforementioned. Simple folks.
AJ

So, in essence, he is starting a GoFundMe page for the people he duped…damn shame!
Readytochokemothernatureonout

I ordered one years ago when it first came out and never used it even though my job completely destroyed my bank account at that time. I went instead to a credit union.
Auditor

A $5 settlement a piece…good luck…
Auditor

All companies do it…that’s why you see those change boxes in every store. They don’t give money out THEY coffer. That’s YOUR money they donating!
Auditor

True…
Auditor

Sadly with these “prepaid” cards there may not be any gov protections. Like how your bank is protected by the FDIC…that protection may not available for prepaid cards. These people may just be a$$ed out…
Auditor

Ok just go into the bank account where the money is held…I’m confused…
Auditor

Naw naw son…where them books at? You better have some kinda trail. This coming from an Auditor…
kyra thomas

did not get my check yet
Fendi

The article should read, “Russell Simmons, multimedia COON…” Ol’ predatory lending, horse teeth, slack tongue, fake yogi, green juice guzzling, modelizing azz.
Fendi

I was hoping Beige Taiwan had indeed gotten a temporary tattoo with the Predator’s baby’s government name, but I do believe her tattoo, unlike her butt, hair, eyelashes, teeth, nails and jewelry, is real.
Fendi

*cues Gangsta Boo* Where them dollas at? Where them dollas at?

Negroes are forever interested in protesting and signing petitions. They need to march their azzes down to Russell Simmons’ suburb and shine a light on how he is living, while many of them cannot pay their bills and rent. Some of those people are facing eviction because of this snafu.
Fendi

Greendot is one of Steve Harvey’s sponsors on his talk show. Interesting…
Fendi

Russell will take that money and have his bussy rejuvenated. To quote the prophetic Sweet Brown, “I hath not a single moment to entertain such tomfoolery.”
Wakando Shamar Taylor

Set up a fund? i thought it was just a glitch where did the money go? Why when the gkitch was repaired people money was gone in the first place? Glitches happen all the time its just mean u cant access ur money it shouldn’t be gone all together!
EasyBreezy

#HeMayBeAyogiButHeShady
Auditor

Exactly…bet if someone blew up the spot…he’d find that money lol
sunni_daze

Well if they face eviction and car repossesion, they weren’t paying that ish before the system went down. And are now trying to work Uncle Russ for the come up. Well all no you have to be months behind before evictions and atleast 90 days behind for repossesion.
sunni_daze

I had to read that twice. White Japan……you need a time out. lls.
lovelygamour

This is not bad investments to make more money. This is straight robbery. He has to show where the money went! If I was him I would cover it. The banking systems are about checks and balances. His company obviously didnt plan right. Then wanted to waive fees until right before tax time. Now he wants donations. I guess those nasty models he is seen with arent cheap.
lovelygamour

Ive used kaiku 1.95 a month certain atms free.
Now im using amex serve vip. 1 a month with certain free atm. People ( black and white) pull out those rushcards like they are gold/balling. I feel sorry for them.
I also have 2 credit union accounts and a national bank. These people on chex system need to find a bank that dont care.
lovelygamour

Walmart also has amex walmart bluebird. Ive never had it but it comes with checks. Rush wasnt the first and I dont see how as a millionaire he can sleep at night.
fRAktal Reality

BAM!! You SHUT DOWN that deception, Mzwhang, with laser-targeted precision. *High 5 and a Fist Bump* Something CROOKISH was/is going on.

The ‘glitch’ may have been caused by a cyber ‘hacking’ criminal.
fRAktal Reality

Isn’t that what government bailouts did for white-owned companies (run by Ivy leaguers) that fawked up? If AIG and GM can get assistance, why not Russell? The cardholders need to be made WHOLE.
jeniefrumdabloc™

and so that make it right ??? Is that what your saying …. all companies were wrong in that aspect and so is Russ…. and check this out … you can compare all day with other companies etc …. bottom line stay on topic. What Russ is doing is passively insulting these people’s intelligence and to me that tells a lot about a person ….. Russ ain’t shyt for this
lovelygamour

In a lot of states your landlord can file after the missed payment. Especially if the courts are backed up. Some landlords lie just to get a person out faster. Like saying a crime has been commited. In my state a landlord can file after 30 days. So if its been 3 weeks since these people have been paid then yeah, some have got notices. Do you work for rushcard. Cause even if you have emergency funds most people dont want to lose a whole pay.
lovelygamour

Ive always said that this is a card for crime or label whores. I use prepaid cards when i dont want to leave a trace and rushcards set the stage for greed. Its always been the highest. The rushcard live could been used oversea so I could see someone paying that high price to push their money but for everyone else their are so many options. I want to separate my funds so im using (no fee)walmart money- job provided and ($1amonth) amex serve vip- radio one for another job. One contractor goes to a branchless credit union and I have a traditional credit union and an online bank. If some one hacks/steal/lien one account I can switch. Ive had autopay trouble before and not having all my money in one place help.
AnonymousRose

Prisoners was stealing money off other folks cards, they been used in fraud I can recall since 2010, so this no suprise
sunni_daze

But there are still legal guidlines that have to be followed and no one is getting evicted for being 10 days late, unless they have a habit of being late on the regular basis. Then a PM can request eviction, but not just off 1 time being late, no that doesn’t happen and I have worked in leasing. No I don’t work for Rushcard, I work with common sense. Holding pay is one thing but if your car is being repossed or your being evicted, you haven’t been paying befrore this happened.
Mister Fantastic

You have a issue with a collection agency or financial institution and file a CFPB complaint, they will get on them like PITBULLS everytime.
Low E. {CIRCA 1908}

THEY SAY THE ASIANS LOOK DIFFERENT https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5a16feb7886870b58e876a7ffc6b264e7419e743bb55ec579123b82d4a427799.gif
Low E. {CIRCA 1908}

IT LOOKS SO REAL…IF IT AIN’T KUDOS TO THE ARTIST. I’VE HEARD OF VISUAL EFFECTS BUT DAMN!
Low E. {CIRCA 1908}

BUT YOU GOT THE MEMO…THAT’S ALL THAT MATTERS! YOU IS KIND, YOU IS SMART……LMAO
Low E. {CIRCA 1908}

WHANGS AND THANGS!
Low E. {CIRCA 1908}

WHEN I SAW MOMS AND MOMS MONIKER I WAS LIKE “THAT APPLE AND THAT TREE LORDT…”
Low E. {CIRCA 1908}

MADE SENSE TO ME!
NeverSurprised

Your argument is patently absurd (sorry to be blunt). The change boxes in stores are for donations to 501c3 CHARITIES that the stores are supporting. UniRush, LLC is NOT a charity. It is a FOR PROFIT joint venture between Rush Communications, LLC and Unifund CCR Partners, Inc. (Unifund happens to be one of the largest purchasers of distressed institutional loan portfolios and consumer debt in the nation. It’s principles have decades of financial industry experience, here and internationally.) When have ordinary citizens been asked to donate to a FOR-PROFIT COMPANY (not a charity) simply because that company has inexplicably “misplaced” millions of its customers’ dollars? This is an INTERNAL management issue and the company ALONE is responsible for rectifying it. Simmons is just hoping there are enough black people who are too stupid to understand this simple business principle and who go into THEIR pockets so he won’t have to go into his..
Auditor

I stand by my statement. Once YOU have looked at hundreds of companies’ books let me know. I also know lots of people who have looked at dirty companies’ books and oh the horror stories I hear. Never said his company was a charity. A charity is a “company” too and they steal too. They just get away with A LOT easier. Don’t let the “non-profit” fool you!

But yes those money trays they have in stores go to the charities but whatever store has them claims that money as theirs and writes it off as a donation to that charity on THEIR BOOKS. So when you see JCPenney donated 10 mil to St Judes some if not all that money came from their shoppers! There clarified it for you.

Now I never said he should be asking Black folks for donations to get THEIR OWN money back. All he has to do is pull their money out of whatever account he’s supposed to be holding it in. That’s why I said in another comment “better look at them books” because there SHOULD BE a paper trail. BUT prepaid cards don’t have the same protections as having a bank account would do (and he knows this) that’s why he’s not tripping. My friend and I got to talking and said he probably was playing with folks money LIKE a bank and has either lost it in investments or has it tied up in not very liquid investments or he just flat out stole the money. But either way I feel sorry for whoever has a card because there may not be anything they can do.
lovelygamour

you do not have to have a history of being late. the judge will probably make arrangements for the person but a landlord can file a few days after your late. the article said people were 3 week without pay. so the time frame adds up. people in some states face eviction after the first missed payment. they are then giving time to find a new place. I don’t know what city or state you live in but don’t assume you know how every place works. you are calling these people liars but you don’t know their state. New York is forgiving while most parts of Indiana are not. florida can be rough too. so having common sense means know that places are different.
sunni_daze

Oh. you must have been affected. I work in property management and evictions aren’t that easily done here.
lovelygamour

you have attempted to be witty again and you fail. I volunteered at a legal aid clinic. genius you don’t work for a nation wide pm firm. so my assessment still stands. different jurisdictions different rules. are you like this at your job? you have to always be right even when you have limited knowledge. you just sound like someone who’s significant other cheats on them as an escape.
sunni_daze

I wasn’t being witty. A I couldn’t care less about what you do or who you do it for, I made my comment off of what I know. So please sit and spin on a stiff one.