Cahoot Reviews 442

TrustScore 2 out of 5

1.9

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Many people found the online banking system to be outdated and difficult to use, especially on mobile devices, and noted the absence of a dedicated app. Customers frequently encountered problems with account access, often being locked out after incorrect login attempts or due to issues with receiving necessary security codes and passwords, which are often sent via post. The customer service was widely criticized for being unhelpful, difficult to reach, and for having long wait times, particularly when trying to resolve account access or security concerns. Some people were dissatisfied with the payment processes, reporting difficulties transferring money, with funds bouncing back or accounts being blocked. However, a few other people also felt that the login details worked easily, and they had no problems with deposits or withdrawals, finding the process smooth and quick.

What people talk about most

Website

Reviewers mention significant dissatisfaction with the website experience. Many customers describe the... See more

Payment

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of payment. Many customers report significant difficulties accessing... See more

User experience

Consumers find the user experience to be ambiguous. Many reviewers report significant frustration with the... See more

Customer service

Clients share negative opinions on customer service, frequently citing long wait times and unhelpful... See more

Customer communications

People report negative experiences with contact. Many customers express frustration with long phone wait... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

The online banking feels very dated and is awkward to use on a mobile phone since the web pages (there's no app) are designed for a bigger screen. The authentication is clumsy and old fashioned too (n... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

This company is a disaster. Today is 21st April. I have savings with quite a few institutions and all have given me interest statements for last financial year so I can complete my tax return - ba... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Blocked my new account from transferring money back to myself for savings. Waited ten mi utes when calling the number to unblock, just to be transferred to another department and wait another 10 mins,... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely useless! Opens account, it took 11 days for the security code to arrive and 3 more for the pin details to access online. When I finally get these and am prompted to change user name and cr... See more


Company details

  1. Bank
  2. Financial Institution
  3. Non-Bank Financial Service

Information provided by various external sources

Banking online with cahoot is easy, access to your accounts 24 hours a day or use our mobile banking and automated telephone services


Contact info

1.9

Poor

TrustScore 2 out of 5

442 reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

How this company uses Trustpilot

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Shocking this company have destroyed…

Shocking this company have destroyed my life !! I have had no money for over a month as the on line banking is not fit for purpose and locks you out all the time despite entering correct details , had to go on holiday without any spending money and 2 wks later still no new logons , they insist everything done by post so NO access at all to any of my money at Xmas , unable to buy presents , Dds not paid , massively over drawn , no one ever answers the phone and the complaints number is dead !!! From 22 Nov until now 22 December 25 no access 🚫 no money. No Xmas for me !!!

November 22, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cahoot are making it near impossible…

Cahoot are making it near impossible for me to close my account.

I emptied it (zero balance) then messaged to ask for closure. Got a message back which asked me to reply, but there's no option to reply. So started a new message, got another copy paste message back, again asking me to reply, can't reply.

Have mentioned that I can't reply to messages (there's no option on their website) but keep getting asked to reply, keep having to start a new conversation.

They've taken so long to sort that now interest has been paid and I'm back to having a balance and needing to empty the account (back to square one)

December 21, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Stay away from this one.

Stay away from this one.

I opened an online account, deposited my savings, but then had forgotten my details. No, it’s not just as easy as forgetting a password. They give you a username which is a serious of numbers, a security code AND a password. You don’t even use the password to log in which is ridiculous. I forgot my details so had to wait for a letter in the post, which took a LONG time to come. When I finally got access, the website did not ask me to reset my security code, so therefore I was locked out AGAIN, as the temporary security code would not work. Now I am going through this process again, cannot access my money, as the online support can only send letters and are unable to help. As soon as I can access this scam website I will be withdrawing all of my money and recommending others to stay far far away.

December 20, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Funds returned no reason given

I opened a Sunny Saver easily but when I tried funding it by a bank transfer the money was returned. I wasn't sent any email to tell me why. The account details matched as my bank verified them so it wasn't that. Searching online for a reason brought me here where I can see the awful reviews. I'll not be using the account now.

December 18, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Poor Experience In So Many Respects

A couple of months ago i tried to open a 'simple saver', but Cahoot opened a 'sunny day saver' in error. I wasn't too worried as it was a better rate so i saved the maximum allowed in that account and reapplied for a simple saver. Despite them already having all my details (obviously) and an online option for account holders to open an additional account, i had to enter all my details again. That was a couple of months ago. Three weeks ago i rang to query and was told that the second account HAD been opened, but that it was not showing on my dashboard because my details did not tally with what Cahoot already held. The CS rep dictated a letter for me to write, confirming certain personal details and asking Cahoot to combine the two accounts. I wanted to put in a complaint because of their application procedure, opening the wrong account and not bothering to tell me of the problem etc. But the guy essentially refused, saying there was no point as he had spent a long time on the phone with me (not to mention my time and expense!) and had solved the problem. I sent the letter he dictated 3 weeks ago and have heard absolutely nothing and my account is still missing from my Home page. Seriously poor service all round.

November 27, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Be careful.

Be careful.

I opened an account and paid a large amount of savings in. No problems. Then I tried to make a withdrawal. Immediately the account was blocked. Agent said it would "take up to 5 days to be unblocked or even longer". No specific time offered and the only way I can find out is by keep trying.

When I tried to complain, the agent said he was the complaint handler too and that my complaint would be rejected.

So not only do you lose control of your savings if you use Cahoot but there is no separate complaint handling system either. I've never come across a bank like this.

December 16, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Easy to open

Easy to open. I had to wait a few days for the two envelopes to arrive with login codes etc but not a big issue.

Once this was done, it was easy to register.

The account is an online only account with no app (this is made clear when applying for the account) and yes, it makes it a little more difficult on a mobile phone with scrolling but as it’s a savings account it mostly to check the balance.

I think a lot of the negative reviews are down to people not reading how the account functions and limitations, before applying.

It has the best rates because it doesn’t offer the extra bells and whistles, saving on app development and maintenance.

November 1, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I wish I could say the other reviews are incorrect, sadly they’re not!

I wish I could say the other reviews are incorrect, sadly they’re not! I actually wished I’d done my research before I opened a savings account with them, my bad. They entice you in with good rates, but fail to mention they’re living in the dark ages!

I have experienced the same issues all others had pointed out. I had to wait a week to get two letters to access the online banking, only to have issues following registering to be told I need to send two proofs of identity BY POST! Until I get access to online banking, I cannot access my own money! If I’m lucky I’ll be able to access it some time in the new year!

I wouldn’t waste your time with Cahoot, unless you want to live like you’re in the 1960s!

December 9, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

good rates but awful access

I assumed an online bank (of which i already use several) had an app.. but no.
and until this week you could at least check your balance through the Santander one (though not make any transaction), but now even that has stopped.
and of course the ridiculous delay in getting access in the first place, waiting for letters in the post (i'm opening saving accounts, not something they can lose money on).
defeats the point of having an instant access account if you need to go through a poorly designed website every time.
as soon as they drop the rate, I'm gone..

And based on that experience, I am also staying well clear of Santander.

December 6, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Arrogant staff and out of date documentation

I tried to open a savings account and was told I'd need 3 pieces of information to log in; a user name, a temporary password and a temporary security number, all of which were supplied by cahoot. I succeeded in logging in but at no stage of the process was I asked for the temporary password. I was then sent an email saying that to login in future, part of the process was to check that that my "image and word/phrase appear". I was never asked to provide these so I rang the support team. Apparently they supply a password which I can't use (but which they send anyway, presumably just to add to the confusion) and was also told that text in the email is out of date. I explained that this was very sloppy for a financial website and didn't inspire confidence that their processes were being maintained. I was then told "that's the way it is and it's not going to change". This gives a good indication of what their levels of service would be going forward. Enough said, I closed my account on the spot. Stay away from these cowboys who are so arrogant that they fail to comprehend the basics of providing a credible service and that the customer has a choice.

December 6, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

No issues at all

I must say I was apprehensive about cahoot with these 1 star reviews.

But:
- I opened the high interest account online
- could fund it the same day
- the two letters arrived in a few days
- login details worked very easily
- set another account up as beneficiary and can easily transfer

Absolutely no problems yet. No app, but it's a savings account, not a current account.

December 5, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12 days and STILL can´t access account to the them using the POST!!!!!

I found this bank via the brilliant Money Facts Compare website.

I wanted an easy access savings account as I always chase the best rates and leave immediately that they reduce.

How this bank gets any new customers is beyond me.

I signed up online, waited 7 days for the first letter with a code, which I had to scrape off with my nail like I did when I got my first bank account 100 years ago, and the grey stuff sticks to the surface of your desk and gets under your nail......

I´m now on day 9 of waiting for the security code BY POST and I cannot access the account until I receive this.

I phoned Cahoot and spoke to a very helpful guy in Belfast and he wanted to help me but said his hands were tied as he couldn´t do anything until I receive the TWO letters!!!!

SO, in the meantime I´ve opened an account with SIDEKICK which was instant and with a higher rate as I REFUSE to wait any longer.

Unless this bank gets into this century it will not survive.

Don´t waste your valuable time with this set up.

Post is THE most insecure and unreliable way to keep details secure.

December 5, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Where did my money go?

I recently opened a Simple Saver account with cahoot, and since the minimum deposit was £1, that is what I paid in. Since then, every time I login it displays my balance as £0.00. I've sent multiple "secure messages" complaining about this but received no reply. They don't seem to recognise that if 100% of the money I deposit goes missing, then that's a serious problem.

November 26, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Difficulty completing application for account/loading documents

Completed on line application for a savings account today. Received an email from Cahoot giving me an application reference number. It asked me to click on the link to load document (photo of driving licence in my case). Link asked me to provide the reference number, my surname, date of birth and postcode. All completed correctly. On pressing continue I got the message the details do not agree, check and try again. Checked and all correct. I rang the number it advised I should ring if having difficulty. After explaining my issue I was put on hold while a call to Cahoot was made. Then I was transferred to Cahoot who I had to explain my issue again. The advisor put me on hold to make some enquiries. He came back to apologise for keeping me waiting, put me on hold again. After a further wait I heard a few beeps and the line went dead. Not impressed though both advisors were professional and friendly, especially the Cahoot advisor (name given but not included here).
My experience raises two points for Cahoot. If my application is for Cahoot why include a helpline telephone number 0800 389 7000 which appears to go to Santander only for the advisor having to make a call to Cahoot, then transfer me to Cahoot. Why not show the Cahoot helpline number in the first place. Secondly I advised the first advisor I was a customer of Santander which made me think as Santander has proof of my address etc why do I have to provide proof for Cahoot which is part of Santander. Anyway unless I get another email from Cahoot confirming the account is open or another attempt to load my driving licence photo works later on I will not be following up my savings account application.

December 3, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

It was a pleasant surprise to find…

It was a pleasant surprise to find really helpfu customer service support, today. I had problems setting up the login account (due to my ignorance). Spoken to someone called Kal, in the Belfast centre, I must say Kal was unbelievably patient and helpful. Thank you Cahoot. Wish, all the companies had customer service like yours. Thanks

December 2, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Experience has been all positive

Experience has been all positive. Set up account in September. No problems logginng in or transferring money in to account or out. Once you have set up a withdrawal, the details are kept so it's quicker the next time. Only withdrew a star because of lack of app.

December 2, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Tech not updated since 2000

For an online-only bank, it's very old-fashioned. No app (surely a requirement for an online bank in the 2020s?), website not designed for use by mobile phones (again, this is the 2020s!), and security details have to be sent by post (mine took 12 days to arrive). So headline: don't put any money in until the security details come through; I didn't realise how long this was going to take, and so lost access to my money for a time. Also, the cahoot system will re-use details from any previous account, so if you had a cahoot account upto 15 years ago, be prepared for them to assume you can remember your login details and so not send new security details - the first indication being 2 weeks later when the security details don't arrive by post; there will then be a further 2 weeks for the new security details to be generated and sent.

December 1, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely abysmal

Absolutely abysmal. Have had to reset my login details four times now and wait for ne logon to arrive by post. Based on there 'within five working days' thats a total of 20 days plus non working days. Why you cannot reset them on line like other accounts I have, is beyond me. All my other accounts, I can do it all on line, with my phone to confirm its me. I will finish by emphasising that my log in details each time were not wrong. I dont get this problem with Santander. Re the date of experience its been the full six weeks that I have had this account,

November 29, 2025
Unprompted review

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