Varo Bank review: Mobile deposit

On 10/11/2023 at 8:00 AM I completed a mobile check deposit for the first time with Varo Bank. I have been with Varo for a year now and for the most part, I have been very happy with this company. They have great perks for discounts, you can get a small, short-term loan when you’re low on funds and Varo doesn’t hold direct deposits which means as soon as payroll sends the file, the funds hit your account. However, the mobile check deposit option is just awful. On Varo’s Deposits help page it states: After you deposit a check using the Varo Bank app, our team will review your check. If you deposit your check on a business day (excluding federal holidays) before 4:00 PM MT, you’ll hear from us via email by the end of the next business day with an update on whether your mobile deposit has been accepted or rejected. This is not true, because it’s passed that time and I have not heard anything from this bank! With the understanding it takes time to verify the check, however, the check is from the same employer as my direct deposits. And attempting to contact Customer Service to inform them of this is a nightmare. I chose an incorrect phone option just to speak to a live agent so I could be transferred to the correct option since the automated option doesn’t give that option! I also gave a detailed suggestion in the “Suggest a feature.” “Expedited Mobile Deposits.” ATMs can detect fraudulent checks before they are deposited. Why can’t AI be programmed to scan the picture of my check? There doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency. Now that payments are starting to bounce and the rent is due, I will never use this feature again, and after reading the reviews on other platforms it’s probably best the feature doesn’t even exist.