Self Reviews

Self Credit Builder: Build Credit. Build Savings. Build Dreams.

self.inc
2.03
35 reviews
Poor Rating
Based on 35 user experiences

Rated 2.03 out of 5 by 35 Happy Customers

17.1%
2.9%
2.9%
20%
57.1%
All 5 ★ 4 ★ 3 ★ 2 ★ 1 ★ 😊 Positive 😐 Neutral 😞 Negative Reset Filter
AI Review Summary Based on 35 reviews

The reviews describe a highly polarizing experience with Self. The majority of reviews are one-star complaints focusing on persistent issues with customer service, such as unresponsiveness and outsourced support, as well as problems with billing transparency and account management. Conversely, a significant number of five-star reviews credit the service with substantial credit score improvements and praise for building credit without traditional credit checks. The summary reflects this divide, noting recurring complaints about customer service and fees alongside repeated endorsements of the credit-building results.

What customers love
  • Credit score improvement
  • No credit check required
  • Builds credit history
  • Good credit card option
  • Effective credit builder
Common concerns
  • High service fees
  • Poor customer service
  • Account management issues
  • Slow support response
  • Misleading billing practices

Last updated 2 weeks ago

U

Their customer service is horrible

Their customer service is horrible I tried making a payment and I was referred to a chat And when the chat sounded like a robot and just kept saying the same thing over and over that you had to click somewhere and I could never find the place where I was saying to click I ended up just disconnecting because I could never find the button that they were referring to I asked for a customer service number and could never get an answer just kept getting the same response you have to click here so the customer service here is just horrible You ll never get a life person to help you
C

Accounts closed for being 7 days late ONCE

I have had my accounts for 15 months never late on payments and my billing statements for the credit builder account usually showed that 0 00 was due for that cycle as I typically paid before the statement was issued September I experienced the first late payment due to having not received my direct deposit due to Veterans Affairs having a slight issue While trying to resolve this My Self credit card bill became 7 days late On Sept 7 they closed my accounts having never been late and my credit card balance having been fully paid every single month so that I never carried a balance forward and avoiding being charged interest 7 days late Just 7 days Closing my accounts dropped my credit score 110 points For being 7 days late They collected my savings and still haven t returned the remainder over as they said they would in 7-14 days following the closing of your account This company is supposed to be helping people Poor excuse for a financial company I suggest avoiding them at all costs What s even funnier the credit builder account wasn t even due until Sept 16th August 1st I had paid over 386 on my credit card and had paid it off completely The next due date was Sept 1 So like I said 7 freaking days late is all
P

Self - The US company that believes in staffing support in other countries

Self the company that apparently steals people s money and says they care about your credit score as they outsource their support to the Philippines Maybe Self should just take their business their as well If your pro USA then don t give Self your business All the support team knows how to do is say we re sorry for the inconvenience and close your account
C

Do not

Do not for any reason attempt to call customer service Go position yourself in front of a brick wall then slam your head into it repeatedly This has the exact same effect My card had fraudulent charges They processed it anyway Tried to get a replacement card I won t bore you with details just remember what I said about the brick wall End of the day this company does not have any customer service based in the U S which means redirected redirected redirected Brick wall I ve yet to get a new card or even ask the right person And literally no one you get on the phone cares even in the smallest amount Do your credit building anywhere else Brick Wall
K

Horrible way to save and build

Horrible way to save and build credit When you decide to close your account- repayment to you is jumping through hoops sending multiple emails and waiting for what would seem forever I have waited now over 30 days to get my own money back- but they sure do take the payments same and next day I would not recommend self for credit building Find other ways and you will thank yourself later
Z

This company is one of the worst

This company is one of the worst A company taking advantage of what they can legally do but on the edge or what is moral for customers Buyer beware they do not work with you on anything at all and charge insanely high fees for what this is
D

SCAM So I paid 465 plus a 9 service fee

So I paid 465 plus a 9 service fee while they re allowed to earn interest on my money into this platform to only receive back 375 dollars What a scam I never borrowed any money from these assho es or benefited financially from them with a loan but they set it up as if it was a loan Haven t really noticed my score improving tbh from self financial I had a better rating after using sable
J

No credit reporting was done on the 3

No credit reporting was done on the 3 bureaus Too many fees the money promised back to you doesn t add up Way too many mistakes Just do what you advertise quit scamming folks Class action definitely coming
S

Legal EXTORTION at its finest

Wish I could give negative stars they offer a credit building service you prepay for a loan they supposedly pay you after your final payment LOLOL Not only is this BS but if you stop paying they actually have the nerve to send your account to COLLECTIONS TO COLLECT THE UNPAID PREPAYMENT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SAVING FOR YOU THIS IS THE BIGGEST SCAM I VE EVER SEEN
C

Self has been a nightmare from the

Self has been a nightmare from the start They claim we have the option of which monthly payments we want to do but they chose that for me They do not disclose how much they will be taking of your monthly payments How do I only have 187 saved at 35 a month for 8 months There are so many hidden fees they don t tell you about beforehand and only once you sign up and are locked in do they tell you about the additional charges They take more money than is saved and keep disconnecting your bank for the bills and rent Their customer service is terrible and if you make a complaint on apple they gaslight you with a generic response and don t let you respond back

About Self

Whether you are new to credit or rebuilding credit history, Self makes credit accessible. Reports to all three credit bureaus. No hard credit check to start!

United States

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Frequently Asked Questions

Self Financial Inc., operating as Self, is a financial technology company. Its primary mission is to help individuals build credit and savings simultaneously by addressing the 'credit catch-22,' where people often cannot access traditional credit products due to a lack of credit history or a low score.

The Credit Builder Account is a secured installment loan held in a certificate of deposit (CD). Users select a plan, make fixed monthly payments over a term (e.g., 12 or 24 months). These payments are reported to all three major credit bureaus. The loan amount is secured in a CD, and after completing payments, the user receives the saved principal (minus finance charges), building both credit history and savings.

Key benefits include establishing or repairing credit history through reported on-time payments, building savings in a structured way, no risk of accruing revolving debt as funds are secured in a CD, and access to educational resources. The process is designed to be transparent and low-risk.

Yes, Self reports payment history for the Credit Builder Account to all three major national credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Consistent, on-time payments are a significant factor in building a positive credit history.

The Self Visa® Credit Card is a secured credit card offered to qualified users who make on-time payments on their Credit Builder Account. A unique feature is that it requires no additional security deposit, using the credit history built with Self as the foundation for eligibility.

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About Self

Self: Building Credit Through Savings

Self Financial Inc., operating as Self, is a financial technology company with a clear and focused mission: to help individuals build credit and savings simultaneously. The company addresses a fundamental challenge in personal finance—the "credit catch-22," where individuals need credit to build credit history but are often denied access to traditional credit products due to a lack of history or a low score. Self's innovative solution bypasses this paradox by offering a Credit Builder Account, a financial product designed to establish or repair credit history through a structured, secure, and educational process.

Core Product: The Credit Builder Account

The cornerstone of Self's platform is the Credit Builder Account. This is not a traditional loan or credit card. Instead, it functions as a secured installment loan that is held in a certificate of deposit (CD) account for the user. Here is how the process works:

  1. Application and Plan Selection:Users apply online and select a Credit Builder plan with a specific payment amount and term (e.g., 12 or 24 months). Importantly, Self reports to all three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
  2. Monthly Payments:The user makes fixed monthly payments over the term of the plan. These payments are reported to the credit bureaus as positive payment history, which is a major factor in credit scoring models.
  3. Funds Secured in a CD:The total loan amount is secured in a CD in the user's name. The user cannot access these funds during the payment term, which eliminates the risk of accruing revolving debt.
  4. Payout and Savings:At the end of the term, after all payments (minus interest and fees) have been made, the CD matures. The user receives the saved principal amount, minus the finance charge, thereby building both a credit history and a savings fund.

Additional Features and Products

To complement its core offering, Self has expanded its product suite to provide a more holistic financial toolkit:

  • Self Visa® Credit Card:Qualified users who make on-time payments on their Credit Builder Account may become eligible for the Self Visa® Credit Card. This is a secured credit card that requires no additional security deposit, using the history built with Self as a foundation for further credit growth.
  • Credit & Account Monitoring:The Self mobile app and online dashboard provide users with free access to their credit score and credit report information. Users can track their progress, view their payment history, and receive alerts.
  • Financial Education:The Self website and blog offer a wealth of educational resources on topics like credit scores, budgeting, debt management, and savings strategies, empowering users to make informed financial decisions.

Target Audience and Value Proposition

Self primarily serves individuals who are new to credit (such as young adults), those looking to rebuild damaged credit, or anyone who wants a structured, low-risk method to improve their credit profile. The company's value proposition is built on transparency, education, and a proven mechanical process. By tying credit building to forced savings, Self helps users avoid predatory lending practices and creates a tangible financial asset at the end of the term.

Security and Accessibility

As a fintech company, Self prioritizes security, utilizing bank-level encryption to protect user data. The platform is designed for digital-first accessibility, with services managed entirely through its website and mobile application. Self partners with federally insured banks to hold user funds, adding an additional layer of security and regulatory compliance to its operations.

In summary, Self.inc provides a unique and practical solution for credit building. It demystifies the process by offering a clear, step-by-step path that combines responsible financial behavior with the accumulation of savings, ultimately aiming to improve the long-term financial health of its users.