Charlie is a banking solution designed for people 62 and older and receiving Social Security benefits. Charlie gives you more for your money, fraud protection to keep it safe, and delivers it with an experience that’s relatable and respectful.
Written by the business, not verified by us.
Is Charlie legit?
Charlie (charlie.com) has a 4.2 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 102 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Money & Insurance and its reputation is good. 81% of reviews are 4 stars or higher and 12% are 1 star; The business has replied to 80% of negative reviews; Reviews mostly discuss Customer service, User experience. Last updated 2026-08-28.
What reviewers say
AI generated
Reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently praise the support team for being exceptionally helpful, patient, and knowledgeable when answering questions about their accounts. People also love receiving their direct deposits and social security checks several days early, alongside instant text notifications for every single transaction. Users find the banking application extremely easy to navigate, making overall financial management straightforward and stress-free.
However, some people mentioned difficulties transferring money or withdrawing funds to other external bank accounts. Others noted occasional long wait times and difficulties when trying to reach customer support representatives by phone for assistance.
Auto-generated from all reviews of this business. For reference only.
⭐ 1 STARS – Charlie Work: exploitation, illegal deductions, inhumane housing – this is modern gangmaster practice
I left this agency after just one month, and I am filing legal action against them for unfair and illegal conduct. This is not a legitimate employment agency – this is exploitation, pure and simple, exactly like illegal gangmaster practices that should not exist in the Netherlands or anywhere in Europe in 2026.
They steal money from vulnerable workers with made-up charges, absolutely no notice, no explanation, and no proof whatsoever:
• Fictional deductions for "work shoes" I never received
• Charged me for the same accommodation multiple times
• Kept a €200 key deposit with no valid reason
• If you use your own car, they invent fake fines or penalties and take the money straight from your pay without asking
• After working a full month, I received less than €500 in total, after all these unjustified cuts
The housing they provide is absolutely inhumane: 20 to 30 people crammed into a single house with only two bathrooms, dirty, neglected, and full of rats. I have video proof of a rat trying to get into my bedroom.
The staff are cruel and unprofessional: they abandon young people who came here from far away to work, throwing them out onto the street without any warning or help at all.
This agency operates illegally and abuses people who are just trying to earn an honest living. I will not stop until this is reported to every authority and these practices are stopped. Do not work with them – you will be exploited and robbed.
Charlie was amazing for seniors they offered fraud control I. At one time was able to get my check on the first of the month! Then I got a letter saying they were going out of business January 21 I’m devastated they were the best ever and I will miss them terribly
Suddenly out of the blue, Charlie has decided that it is time to close the service that it offered. I really loved Charlie at first and for almost 2 years but then they send me this thing that they’ve decided to close and as of January the accounts would all be closed. I felt it would be a nice thing if someone could give me a reason for this closing and I wrote a letter and I held onto online for Customer Service but I got no answer at all. Basically all I’m told is we decided to close no reasons no questions answered nothing.
I am very disappointed.
They keep saying they paid me Decembers payment when in fact it was for November. I also get SSI and when I called about that I was told it was paid on November 24th yet does not show up on my statement. I've reported you to the police, the office of the inspector general for SSA,the federal trade commission and the consumer financial protection bureau. I'll be filing with FDIC also against you and Sutton Bank.
Reply from Charlie2025-12-19
Hi Thomas,
We apologize sincerely for the confusion. A member of our team reached out this afternoon to assist, but they weren't able to get in touch. They have followed up via email to resolve this issue. Please rest assure your money is safe. Thank you for being a Charlie customer.
Charlie is exiting the banking business and will close all deposit accounts and linked debit cards on January 21. Please transfer out all funds before that date and notify the Social Security Administration where to send future Social Security direct deposits. Log in to your Charlie account for detailed instructions and an FAQ. Our customer service team is at [email protected] to answer any questions. To help with this transition, Charlie has also partnered with Chime on a $350 introductory offer for new Chime Checking Accounts. Terms apply. Thank you for being a Charlie customer.
Rating: NEGATIVE STARS. WFUL AWFUL AWFUL. Ripped me off $4.50 each time I made a deposit in my own account at Walmart. Walmart was SUPPOSED to be in-network and free. LIARS!! Charlie or Sutton bank ows me money and I better get it refunded before they close!!!!! Shame on you people for taking advantage of olf folks. Big MISTAKE taking that card.
Reply from Charlie2025-12-18
Hi there,
We are so sorry you are experiencing this. Please reach out to us via email at [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you. Thank you for being a Charlie customer.
Did not get a new card. Cannot get to my money. Cannot get through to the customer service. Worked fine until my card expired. Cannot wait to close my account Ava get my money out. No branch, no supervisor to help. On hold long after they said the wait was only 2 minutes. I'm up to 15 minutes. So frustrating.
Reply from Charlie2025-12-12
Hi there,
Due to a high volume of inquiries, please reach out to us at [email protected] for the fastest support. We look forward to assisting you.
Not only have they quit the service of crediting your account on the 1st of the month, they are actually withholding my payment now. SSA tells me on my account page when payment has been made. This month was on the 3rd. Yet Charlie says it isn't expected until the 5th. I've emailed support about this on more then one occasion and have yet to receive any response. I'm about to go to Sutton, maybe they can give me an answer. At this time I can think of no reason whatsoever to keep doing business with them. Now they say they paid my December payment in November. I've already gone over this. With them. I'm not going to edit this. It stands as is.
Reply from Charlie2025-12-13
Hi Thomas,
Thank you for reaching out and providing this information. Based on our records, your 3rd of month payment was provided 3 business days early on 11/28. It looks like you have already connected with our team on this matter, but if you need more support, please dont hesitate to email us at [email protected] for the fastest assistance.
Hi Adrian, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and I’m very sorry for the worry and frustration this has caused. For the fastest support in the future, please email us at [email protected]. We look forward to assisting you.
They Refuse to Delete Your Information Even Though You Are NOT THEIR CUSTOMER
ETA: After my contact with this company, they contacted the friend who referred me to them & told her they were closing down their business which they knew even before they took my personal, confidential info. They are STILL accepting applications.
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This is a financial services company incorporated in Delaware. It is not a bank, & it violates the DTPA. This is a WARNING to anyone who may be considering opening an account with them.
An old friend recommended Charlie for seniors 62+. No fees, & you receive SS 3-4 days earlier than you otherwise would. Sounded good. The site said all it needed was my legal name, SSN, address, telephone number, an email address, etc. I provided all of this information. They sent codes to my phone & to my email. I parroted back the codes. I did not know it then, but IT WAS ALREADY TOO LATE FOR ME. It would be too late for you, too.
Then they asked me to call them. I called them & asked, "what do you want?" I could not get an answer. This literally went on for 30 minutes. I kept saying, I gave you all the information you wanted to open an account. You then asked me to call you, so I am calling you. WHAT DO YOU WANT??? I was speaking to a woman in the Philippines. There would be LONG, LONG, LONG pauses between what I said & her response which was hardly anything. I believe they were getting as much of my voice on recording as possible---30 minutes worth of my voice.
Finally, I was asked to email them a photo of a bill sent to me at my address. I FOOLISHLY did so. Still not enough. Next, they demanded I send them photos of my license front & back AND a "selfie" holding my driver's license. I said ENOUGH!!!! I have never taken a "selfie" in my life, & I am not going to do it now. I gave you all the information you said you needed to open my account; then you asked for a lot more. THAT IS DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE. If I had known that you were going to demand all of this other stuff, I NEVER WOULD HAVE BEGUN THE APPLICATION. They are harvesting & storing your personally identifiable information including a long record of your voice.
They refused to open the account & they refused to delete my information. They said the are obliged to keep my info for 5 years, but they will keep it longer than that. I am NOT their customer. They have no need to keep my name, address, phone number, email address, SSN, DoB, etc. This is dishonest and a violation of my privacy.
I have filed complaints against them with the BBB & the attorney general's office in both California & my state. I am looking into what other agencies may oversee them. If they were a bank, then the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency would oversee them, but they are not a bank.
I am going to have to file a lawsuit against them just to get them to delete my private information. In this day & age of identity theft, hacked computers, etc., the fewer the companies that have your information, the better.
If you have not yet started an application with them, please BE AWARE OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU. Not only will they take your name, address, phone number, SSN, DoB, & email address as they claim at the start, but then they will tell you that is not enough and demand FAR, FAR more information.
Just with the initial information, you will have provided enough information for them to steal your identity. If you give them all the rest of what they want, you are even worse off. Not even the FBI or any other law enforcement agency has a right to demand this information from you. Not even SS demands a "selfie" with your driver's license & copies of your utility bills, passport, etc.
PLEASE DO NOT BE A FOOL LIKE I WAS. Brick & mortar banks are a misery to deal with anymore, but no brick & mortar bank is going to ask you to give them the stuff that Charlie demands.
Now, they have personally identifiable information on me & they refuse to delete it. If that sounds scary to you, then I urge you to protect yourself & your information & DO NOT START AN APPLICATION WITH CHARLIE. Warn your family, friends, & co-workers if you still work. They are compiling ALL of your personal information, even LONG, LONG recordings of your voice. These people are BAD. I would not refer an enemy to them much less a friend.
I since discovered SS will send your benefit directly to U.S. Direct Express debit card each month. Google them. You do NOT need a bank account to get your SS. Pay with this SS approved debit card. Buy money orders with the debit card for payees that need paper. Keep your info out of the hands of lowlife companies like Charlie. Check with SS. They will verify this debit card is a great way to get direct deposit of your SS each month.
ETA: They are still emailing me long after they refused to open an account unless I sent them my license & a "a selfie." I told them I would NEVER do business with with them & to get stuffed. Yet, they are still harassing me with emails.
It started back in early October when I discovered my inability to transfer my money from my Charlie account to another bank to pay my monthly bills I needed to go to an ATM. I am a 70 year old senior veteran who lives on a fixed income where a $100.00 loss could mean loss of groceries for part of the month. When I was shorted $100.00 at a Charlie assigned ATM. At that time I wrote a negative 2 star review that caught the attention of the Charlie team. After speaking to a representative of the bank I agreed to remove my review. Since they seemed to be genuinely willing to help me in these two matters. They issued a $100.00 reimbursement for my loss at their assigned ATM and a commitment to rectify my inability to transfer my money. Now in November I now have the able to transfer my money,however they took back the $100.00 from my account with no exclamation as to why. I was actually shorted $100.00 at assigned ATM.
Kathlene T, has worked diligently to help me and solve these issues. I am now able to transfer money to different accounts. THANKS KATHLENE
Reply from Charlie2025-11-06
Hi Steven, thank you for taking the time to share this, and I’m very sorry for how this has unfolded.
We want to make this right. Please send us an email to [email protected] with your full name and the email address or phone number associated with your Charlie account. We will escalate the matter for investigation and keep you informed of what we find.
Again, I’m very sorry for the frustration and hardship this has caused. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to correct this.
Charlie is good but I'm having issues withdrawing to other bank which is still mine
I did link my bank it didn't go through, I did with debit card same thing please I need help on how to withdraw to another external account
Reply from Charlie2025-11-06
Hi Janice, I’m really sorry you’ve been blocked from withdrawing to your other bank. That’s frustrating, and we want to get it working reliably for you.
A few quick things that often fix this kind of problem and what you can try right away:
• How withdrawals normally work — and the fast alternative
You can link your other bank account (it must be in your name) and send money by ACH — that usually takes about 5 business days to arrive.
You can also send money instantly to a debit card (the card must be in your name) by tapping Move Money → Withdraw → Send to my debit card. If the instant transfer doesn’t complete quickly, the funds will return to your Charlie account within 30 minutes.
If you used Plaid and it’s failing, one reliable step is to remove the Plaid connection and re-link or trying the manual routing/account-number method can help.
Double-check the routing and account numbers and that the account is registered in the same name as your Charlie account. Small typos or mismatched name info are a common cause of a failed link.
For your security, please don’t post account details publicly. Contact us through the secure support channel at [email protected] and include:
- Your full name and the email or phone number on your Charlie account.
- Any error messages you saw, and the dates/times of the failed attempts (screenshots are very helpful)
When we get that through a secure channel we’ll have our team review and try to find a permanent fix.
The ONLY downside I feel with Charlie is the wait time for customer service. I have begun to keep my place in line and have them call me back and that is working better. Frankly, I don't think there are many operations like Charlie that run any faster. I do think that they need more phones or people or both...something... so that they are not losing customers due to that problem.
The good news is that the charges are minimal. I came to Charlie through Social Security because I have my retirement funds direct-deposited into Charlie. This is how they began and I came from a credit union that was taking hundreds of dollars because my funds would hit on different days.
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