Customer Reviews (500)

Brokeassfoo90 • 2025-03-28T14:46:58-07:00

I got this app to help build my credit got credit sesame cash didn’t use it for 6 months hit me with some inactivity charges whatever il eat that but when I went to call an close my account I got hung up on an every time I called back I got hung up on I tried to use the call back an would ring once an hang up. The guy I talked to was completely rude and hateful to me 100% do not recommend using this app or there debit card

ShannyShan1972 • 2025-03-16T13:18:37-07:00

This app is great when you want to know what’s affecting your credit score. It’s always given me a great look at what it credit score is.

Breaker 13 • 2025-03-15T20:21:07-07:00

Caught my identity being used…Next step is fixing the problem!

Summary of Key Insights

Credit Sesame presents itself as a helpful tool for credit score management and financial health improvement. The app boasts features like free credit score checks, personalized recommendations, and credit monitoring. However, user reviews reveal a mixed experience. While many users praise the app for its ease of use, informative features, and positive impact on their credit scores, a significant number express concerns regarding inaccurate scores, misleading offers, poor customer service, unexpected fees, and difficulties canceling subscriptions. The overall sentiment is cautiously positive, with a strong emphasis on the app's utility when it functions as advertised, but tempered by recurring complaints about transparency and reliability. The app enjoys a relatively high percentage of 5-star reviews (65%), but the substantial number of 1-star reviews (20%) signals serious underlying issues that need addressing.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but based on review content, the reviews span several years, with more recent reviews indicating ongoing issues.
  • Analysis Methods: Manual sentiment analysis, keyword extraction to identify recurring themes, and categorization of issues and feature requests.

Key User Pain Points

  • Inaccurate Credit Scores: Many users report discrepancies between the scores displayed in Credit Sesame and those reported by other services or lenders. This undermines trust in the app's core function.
  • Misleading Offers: Users complain about receiving credit card or loan offers with "very good" approval odds, only to be denied upon application, leading to hard inquiries that negatively impact their credit scores.
  • Poor Customer Service: A significant number of reviews mention difficulties contacting customer support, unresponsive representatives, and unresolved issues, particularly regarding account cancellations and unexpected fees.
  • Unexpected Fees and Difficult Cancellations: Users frequently report being charged unexpected fees (especially related to the Sesame Cash card or upgraded subscriptions) and struggling to cancel their accounts, often encountering unresponsive support or technical glitches that prevent termination.
  • Technical Issues: Several users report technical issues like login problems, app crashes, features not working, and inability to load pages or update information.
  • Issues with Sesame Cash Card: Many users have had negative experiences with the Sesame Cash card, including unexpected inactivity fees, difficulty transferring funds, and held deposits.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Integration of all three credit bureaus (Experian and Equifax, in addition to TransUnion) for free.
  • More accurate credit score predictions and recommendations.
  • Improved and more responsive customer support (including phone support).
  • Easier account cancellation process.
  • Better dispute resolution process for inaccurate information on credit reports.
  • More frequent credit score updates.
  • A way to contact whoever is on your credit report in the derogatory section.
  • Ability to dispute items directly through the app without having to pay for a subscription.
  • Improved fund transfer times for Sesame Cash accounts.
  • Better fraud protection.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Ease of Use: Many users find the app easy to navigate and understand.
  • Credit Monitoring: Users appreciate the daily/weekly updates and alerts regarding changes to their credit reports.
  • Credit Improvement Tips: Some users find the personalized recommendations and actionable steps to improve their credit score helpful.
  • Identity Theft Protection: The identity theft protection and monitoring features are valued by users.
  • Free Credit Score Access: Access to a free TransUnion credit score is a key benefit for many users.
  • Debt Snowball Tool: The debt snowball pay off tool is appreciated by users.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Improve Customer Service: Address the widespread complaints about unresponsive and unhelpful customer support. Implement a more efficient system for handling inquiries, resolving disputes, and processing account cancellations. Consider adding phone support.
  • Enhance Credit Score Accuracy: Investigate and rectify the discrepancies between Credit Sesame's scores and those reported by other sources. Ensure that the app accurately reflects users' credit profiles.
  • Increase Transparency Regarding Fees: Clearly communicate all fees associated with the Sesame Cash card and premium subscriptions upfront. Provide users with easy access to manage their subscriptions and payment methods.
  • Streamline Account Cancellation: Simplify the account cancellation process and eliminate technical glitches that prevent users from terminating their accounts.

Medium Priority:

  • Refine Offer Recommendations: Improve the accuracy of credit card and loan approval odds to avoid misleading users and negatively impacting their credit scores.
  • Address Technical Issues: Resolve the reported technical issues, such as login problems, app crashes, and feature malfunctions.
  • Improve Fund Transfer Times: Reduce the processing time for fund transfers in Sesame Cash accounts.

Low Priority:

  • Enhance App Design: While many users find the app easy to use, some suggest improvements to the interface to make it even more user-friendly.
  • Reduce Promotional Offers: Balance the promotion of credit card and loan offers with the core functionality of credit monitoring and improvement.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • A credit monitoring service that guarantees accurate credit scores and offers a money-back guarantee if the score is inaccurate.
  • A credit repair service that provides transparent pricing and a clear roadmap for improving credit scores.
  • A banking app specifically designed for credit building, with features like automatic savings and responsible spending reminders.
  • A service that allows users to easily dispute inaccurate information on their credit reports directly through the app, without having to pay for a subscription.
  • A credit card recommendation engine that uses advanced algorithms to predict approval odds with high accuracy.

Trends and Observations

  • Language Preference: The majority of reviews are in English, but there is a notable presence of Spanish-language reviews, suggesting a significant Spanish-speaking user base.
  • Recurring Themes: The issues related to unexpected fees, difficulty canceling accounts, and inaccurate credit scores are recurring themes throughout the reviews, indicating persistent problems.
  • Shift in Sentiment: Some long-term users report a decline in the app's quality over time, particularly after changes to the Sesame Cash card and the introduction of new fees.
  • Impact of Updates: Some users report that updates have caused the app to stop working on their devices.

Conclusion

Credit Sesame offers a valuable service for monitoring and improving credit scores, but its potential is undermined by recurring issues related to accuracy, transparency, and customer service. Addressing these pain points is crucial for restoring user trust and enhancing the app's overall reputation. The app's strengths, such as its ease of use and credit monitoring features, provide a solid foundation for future improvements. By prioritizing the recommendations outlined above, Credit Sesame can solidify its position as a trusted partner in helping users achieve their financial goals.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/credit-sesame-grow-your-score/id476718980?uo=2