Scottish Friendly Reviews 3,134

TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

3.7

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 216 reviews, most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Many people find the platform easy to use, appreciating the smooth process for setting up accounts and managing investments. Reviewers often highlight the helpfulness and politeness of the customer service staff, noting their efficiency in resolving issues and providing support. The process of adding and withdrawing funds is generally seen as straightforward, and many users are satisfied with the overall service provided. However, some people were dissatisfied with certain aspects of the payment system, particularly the waiting times for funds to clear and limitations on minimum payment amounts. There are also occasional reports of login difficulties and inconsistencies with the online system, which some users found frustrating. A few other people also felt that communication could be improved, especially when dealing with complex transactions or account closures.

What people talk about most

User experience

Reviewers mention positive feedback about user experience, highlighting the ease of setting up accounts and... See more

Payment

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of payment. Many customers express frustration with delays in... See more

Customer service

Consumers find customer service to be ambiguous. Many reviewers praise helpful and polite agents, with some... See more

Service

Users describe ambiguous interactions with service. Many reviewers report extremely poor service, citing... See more

Staff

People report ambiguous experiences with staff. Many customers praise the helpfulness, politeness, and... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Very easy to add funds and withdraw funds. You always know how much more you can add to your ISA. The only gripes I have are the changes they made so we can’t compare performance using graphs, and I... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Easy to use ISA investment platform Even better if I could easily see how each fund they offer was performing

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

We set up this account for my son and only my husband has access to view the account in full, but it’s super easy for other family members to make contributions too. You just send them a link, they re... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Useful little app to keep track of your savings. When I have had to contact SF to sort out administration on my Bond they called back promptly and I was able to sort things out with a real human being... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Investment company
  2. Financial Institution

Written by the company

Scottish Friendly is one of the UK’s leading financial mutuals and we’ve been around since 1862. Being a mutual organisation means that we’re owned by our members, not shareholders, so all the profit we make is used for the benefit of our members. Scottish Friendly believes investments should be for everyone. We aim to offer affordable investments and protection plans, to be fair on cost and to offer a quality, secure and trustworthy experience however you deal with us.


Contact info

3.7

Average

TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

3K reviews

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

Replied to 96% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 48 hours

How this company uses Trustpilot

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Issued my sons child bond in the my…

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.

26 February 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Dear Cooper,

We are sorry to hear about your negative experience, we have forwarded this onto our complaints team and hope this is resolved for you quickly.

Best wishes, Scottish Friendly

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

SHOCK/HORROR Ins.Co DON'T pay up!

"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."

23 February 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Dear Pils,

We're sorry to hear you haven't had a good experience with us. We understand you are already in contact with our claims team and we hope your issue is resolved soon.

Best wishes,
Scottish Friendly

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

In the main

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.

20 February 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Hi Keith, thank you for taking the time to leave a review and providing us with your feedback. We are always looking to make approvements to enhance the experience our customers have with us and this is very much appreciated.

Kind regards

Scottish Friendly

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Good app.

Easy to use.

8 February 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Hi Dennis, thank you for the review.

Kind regards
Scottish Friendly

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Easy to set up a new policy

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

7 February 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Hi James, this is great to hear. Thank you for the review.

Kind regards
Scottish Friendly

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Very dodgy advertising and returns

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.

7 February 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Dear Allison, we’re sorry to hear about you're not happy with the returns. Please email us at contactus@scottishfriendly.co.uk, including your name, date of birth, policy number and contact details, and reference ‘Trustpilot’ in your message if you would like us to look into anything further for you.

A member of our team will be in touch to discuss this with you. Alternatively, you can call us directly and we’ll be happy to help.

Kind regards
Scottish Friendly

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I found it easy to set up a junior ISA…

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.

5 February 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Dear Leona, thank you for your 5 star review. Best wishes, Scottish Friendly

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

User friendly

User friendly. I can see my account easily.

4 February 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Dear Joanne, thank you for your 5 star review. Best wishes, Scottish Friendly

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

They either haven't got a clue, liars or a Ponzi scheme!

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 ☹️

4 February 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Dear KAS, we have reached out to our complaints department and they have confirmed your complaint is under investigation. We are sorry to hear about your negative experience, and hope to have a response for you soon. Best wishes, Scottish Friendly

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Declan made this a lot easier of an…

Declan made this a lot easier of an experience for me got it all sorted today in 40 minutes. He was very helpful and extremely kind.

2 February 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Dear Abby, thank you for your 5 star review. We have passed your feedback onto Declan's team. Best wishes, Scottish Friendly

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Joined with an ISA through topCashback

Joined with an ISA through topCashback
Had to raise a claim, still waiting months and months later
If not sorted soon then will be transferring elsewhere!

1 July 2025
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Dear Natalie,

We’re sorry to hear about your experience and would like the opportunity to look into this further for you. Please email us at contactus@scottishfriendly.co.uk, including your name, date of birth, policy number and contact details, and reference ‘Trustpilot’ in your message.

A member of our team will be in touch to discuss this with you. Alternatively, you can call us directly and we’ll be happy to help.

Kind regards
Scottish Friendly

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

App is very helpful

App is very helpful. I’m colour blind so find some of the colour contrasts a challenge.

1 February 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Thank you for your 4 star review.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Trying to keep my sons CTF

Absolute shocking service! Trying to cash out my son’s CTF account as he turned 18 at the beginning of the month. Constant stalling tactics from Laura who is dealing with it, downloaded bank statement (clear date on there, sons name, address, sort code and account number along with the banks name clearly displayed at the top of the statement) they can’t accept that statement it has to be a paper one with a date on. explained the bank is paperless and the date is there clear as day! all we’ve had is tactics not to pay out. Complaint going in to the financial ombudsmen as I fear they do this a lot in hope account holders will give up and won’t withdrawer their money. If you have CTF with them I wish you good luck in trying to withdrawer it because they are hell bent on trying to keep the funds. My daughter didn’t have this problem with legal and general, she literally logged in and withdrew the money to which it was paid into her bank within 5 working days. BELIEVE THE BAD REVIEWS

30 January 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Dear Victoria,

We’re sorry to hear about your experience and would like the opportunity to look into this further for you. Please email us at contactus@scottishfriendly.co.uk, including your name, date of birth, policy number and contact details, and reference ‘Trustpilot’ in your message.

A member of our team will be in touch to discuss this with you. Alternatively, you can call us directly and we’ll be happy to help.

Kind regards
Scottish Friendly

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Easy to understand

The information provided regarding savings is easy and straight forward . App is user friendly and easy to navigate through.

29 January 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Thank you for your review.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible

Terrible. Been trying for 3 weeks to cash in my daughter’s child bond. The company seem reluctant to return her money to her and are using stalling tactics to avoid sending her money , requesting ID, bank statements , which we provide , then they write back requesting something totally different. Been told payment will go straight to my daughters bank, then by a cheque in her name, now to her fathers bank. No consistency and still waiting for her money after nearly a month since first requesting it.

27 January 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Dear Sara,

We’re sorry to hear about your experience and would like the opportunity to look into this further for you. Please email us at contactus@scottishfriendly.co.uk, including your name, date of birth, policy number and contact details, and reference ‘Trustpilot’ in your message.

A member of our team will be in touch to discuss this with you. Alternatively, you can call us directly and we’ll be happy to help.

Kind regards
Scottish Friendly

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Stay Away!!

Stay away from this provider. Once you are with them, extremely poor customer service. Very unhelpful and poorly trained customer service staff. Managers do not come on telephones.

23 January 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Dear Sunnyp,

We’re sorry to hear about your experience and would like the opportunity to look into this further for you. Please email us at contactus@scottishfriendly.co.uk, including your name, date of birth, policy number and contact details, and reference ‘Trustpilot’ in your message.

A member of our team will be in touch to discuss this with you. Alternatively, you can call us directly and we’ll be happy to help.

Kind regards
Scottish Friendly

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Used Scottish friendly for my kids…

Used Scottish friendly for my kids isa's. It was difficult to setup pays into the isa's for grandparents. What we didn't realise that each set of grandparents had their own policy as well as us as parents. So each kid has 3 policies and each policy has a £50 early exit fee. 1 of the policies only had £122 in it.

The platform fees are way too high at 1.5%. They also moved funds 2025 and charged us for the pleasure.

There is far better value out there.

Edit, Scottish friendly have responded below. I'm not sure why, as I'm simply detailing their policies. Unless I can email and quote trust pilot and they'll magically charge less...... Which is even worse of a company in my opinion.

23 January 2026
Unprompted review
Scottish Friendly logo

Reply from Scottish Friendly

Dear Mr Bell,

We’re sorry to hear about your experience and would like the opportunity to look into this further for you. Please email us at contactus@scottishfriendly.co.uk, including your name, date of birth, policy number and contact details, and reference ‘Trustpilot’ in your message.

A member of our team will be in touch to discuss this with you. Alternatively, you can call us directly and we’ll be happy to help.

Kind regards
Scottish Friendly

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