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

A

Self works

Self works I have completed the program twice and the best part is no credit check I built up my credit limit on my card and helped my history
E

I had a great experience with Self

I must be the only one Lol but i had a fantastic experience with self When i started post credit repair i had a credit score in the low 300s After 11 months with self im at 699 It usually goes up several points every month When i finally accepted the self credit card Which reports as unsecured even tho they use your loan repayments As the deposit my score jumped around 60 points right there There is definately a flow to how to use self An expected path that you are walked through It goes something like this 1 Set up loan2 Make ALL pmts ontime 3 Accept our self credit card4 Pay balance to 0 every month5 Move your loan payments to secure a higher limit on credit card6 Pay off loan For me this has worked beautifully and i imagine the ppl complaining on here had late payments or didnt Read the financial docs of what self is I had 0 score on 2 bureaus and 323 on the final bureau Now to be on the cusp of 700 in 1 short year Its a game changer I can get anything i want financed at a decent rate Self is awesome If you need help with credit repair I used inceptioncreditrepair They got all my baddies removed and it took about a year So 2 years total and my credit score is back on top Self changed my life Before self i couldnt get approved for anything Now i can get approved for everything and at a decent rate Also with their credit card i have a way to continue to build my credit ling after the loan is done The card has 0 intrest as long as pmt in full is made monthly wise useage of credit so its a win win in my book IF you r ready to tackle rebuilding your credit and can be ontime with your payments then give self a try
S

Good Credit Builder and Credit Card

I m shocked to see so few reviews on this company with most of them being negative Could be that most people don t visit their Trustpilot page unless they had a bad experience If you want to read up on more reviews of this company check their Google Play app reviews Here s mine I opened a credit builder loan with them 11 months ago for the 48 a month plan They charge way less fees then an alterative such as Credit Strong builder plan I was able to qualify for their credit card after 3 successful payments I love having a credit card that won t be canceled by the bank if I don t use it I haven t used the card but it works good for the purpose of aging your credit file with having this credit account open I also like having my credit building payments go towards the secured credit line amount Self makes it easy to get a credit card without a hard injury So in conclusion they helped bring a credit card and a credit building loan to my credit file Glad it s ending soon so my income to debt ratio can increase while reaping the benefits of positive payment history being reported by Self and continuing to have their credit card on my credit file Only improvements would be perhaps update the given credit score more often and when I go to make a payment it always says 0 is the amount due when really it s the monthly 48 payment due Perhaps mention that we will be required to verify our identity before claiming our money at the end of the loan since I had to read other reviews to find that information
R

I Have No Idea Why All the Bad Reviews Competitors Fake Reviews

I Have No Idea Why All the Bad Reviews Competitors Fake Reviews Either fake reviews or people aren t following Self s guidance I wanted to attach my score history but there s no attaching here 12 months ago my score was 553 I kept seeing these commercials about a service called Self After research I signed up for their Credit Builder loan 35 month 6 months after their Visa starting at 150 credit limit Now it s 850 Added a few other cards with limits of 300 500 700 limits I was just approved for another at 1 900 so that s all I ll need now I listed all my monthly bills and divided them into different credit accounts keeping all 4 under 30 Everything is on autopay Then payment from my bank to the card accounts are auto debited This all got me fron a 553 score to 676 I ve never had it that high and 700 is looking right at me Just need to keep things as-is and it will get there as they age So I have no idea what everyone s issues are
N

The best credit decision I have made

My credit score has gone up almost 140 points in 12 months I signed up for Self in September 2022 it is now September 2023 I took a 500 self loan over 12 months I immediate got a big boost on my credit report After a few months I was offered the self card which basically takes what you ve paid towards you loan and applies it as a deposit on the secured card Each month or so it has increased my limit as I ve paid more on the loan They also added an unsecured limit on the card

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.