Scottish Friendly Reviews 3,140

I wanted to contribute to my Grandchild's Junior ISA Account and initial information said this could be done by a Bank Transfer payment - no mention of restrictions!
However when my Junior ISA top up account was processed I was forced to make a payment by regular DD or Lump sum in the following Month through the SF App and not through my On line Bank Account
This is ridiculous as it is therefore not possible to make the transfer immediately and will clearly cause problems towards the end of the tax year.
I want to be able to make a payment at short notice on a date I want to make it - ie Today or Tomorrow
On this bas the Family will have to consider changing to a more flexible Junior Isa Provider
VERY Disappointing and unsatisfactory

So, after 10 years of paying £270 per year, getting notices every year of the bonuses I had earned, and receiving a final payment notice telling me of my final bonus, I got paid £2568.95 which is less than the £2700 I had invested. They either employ the worst investment team, or take extortionate fees.
Either way, a poor investment - don’t waste your money.
Update - I did as Scottish Friendly asked, and got in touch. It would appear that while I was complaining, Scottish Friendly were fixing their error. On the the day I sent an email, a cheque arrived for £566, so thanks. Also, because the complaint was upheld, they're sending a little bonus, so for all of that, I'll change my 1 star to 5, thanks

Good to save plus 50 on top of investing

I was really struggling to log in to my account with Scottish Friendly, and I just have to say how amazing the support was.

Cathrine was so kind, patient, and genuinely helpful. She stayed on the line with me the entire time to make sure I was able to sign in properly. Knowing how busy they are, she could easily have asked me to try again later or left me to sort it out myself but she didn’t. She stayed with me until everything was sorted.

You don’t always expect this level of customer service these days, but Cathrine truly went above and beyond. Scottish Friendly are incredibly lucky to have her on their team. Thank you, Cathrine!

This company refuse to pay out cashback for signing up where all terms have been clearly met.

They were supposed to pay me £310 for contributing £100 per month to their ISA. Instead, they sent me a £50 voucher and claimed that this was instead of the £310 cashback and that they would not be honouring the cashback payment.

This is a terrible attitude towards their customers. How they can see this as a fair resolution is beyond me.

Please don't bother sending me a generic response trying to paper over the cracks of your awful company. I am writing this review so other people don't have to deal with you in the future.

Avoid this company at all costs.

The website is not very clear. I opened 1 account for a child, and then clicked link to create account for a second child different name etc. However if you follow that link you end up creating 2 accounts / pots for the first child.

Natasha the lady i spoke to was obviously customer focused. Polite and very knowledgeable and bought my enquiry to a successful conclusion. Definitely an asset to the company. Thankyou.

Issued my sons child bond in the my name for the incorrect amount, advised they would issue a cheque for the difference in my sons name, no cheque received so called again some 10 days after initial contact, only to be told I need to return the funds and they will reissue the cheque in my sons name for the full amount. We are now almost one month over my sons 18th birthday. Why was i told one thing and then another, money been spent yet nothing they can do until i return the money. TOTAL SCUM. NO HELP. WAITING FOR MANAGER TO CALL BACK & REPLY BY COMPLAINTS DEPT THAT AGENT APPARENTLY SENT.

"obfuscation /
breach of contract /
magical appearance of T&C's NOT in the contract."

It has been said, by some, that Scottish Friendly are "a bunch of money-loving liars".

That's not something I'd say.

I'd lean towards considering saying something more along the lines of "Scottish Friendly appear to put profit before people."

In the main, I find the company very good. However, the website can be hard to follow for elderly people and could do with more explanation. For example. If someone is looking to invest a one-off lump sum why does it talk about monthly direct debits without explaining things clearly.

Easy to use and always in control of your money

Easy to use.

Easy to set up a new policy, easy to transfer money out, flexible and generous welcome reward.

Really upset by low returns on isa. Did some digging - this “top junior isa awards x7” is an award they pay for entry to - and then write a slick little campaign. I will be contacting the “awards” people and trading standards as this is extremely misleading.

I found it easy to set up a junior ISA and the app is useful. I found it was easy to navigate the various products and the direct debit was taken on the correct date.

User friendly. I can see my account easily.

So, two of us had plans,,Account Ref: L9031666 (CR: 103002214). That's mine, bring up details, see address you'll get the other person's plan.

Over £5,000 they owe us.
They deny they have the money, 4 months this has been going on for and nothing, just several letters of communication off different departments plus a 3rd party involved are trying to get details.
They are suddenly DEAF! So I gave them another month, told them I'd be screaming from the roof tops, next is TV and news network, anyone who will listen.
We have ZERO confidence in this company, they say, they are in their rights to keep our £5000 plus...THIEVES..
We just now want our money back!

See you in court...

Don't touch them with a barge pole everyone.

And don't give me the usual bullshit of call this number, I've spent hours trying to sort it..
So how about you call me..

As I said, bring up my details, you'll find a phone number..

You'll probably hear off the newspapers soon..

Horrible outfit ☹️