Self

• Helpful Online Dashboard
• Competitive Monthly Fee
• Responsible Credit Building
• Educational Resources

Helpful Online Dashboard

Self has an online dashboard that customers can access if they want to view their balance, download account documents, see their repayment schedule, and check their credit score.

If customers need to update any personal information that has already been given to the company, they can do so via their account dashboard.

Each customer will have access to this dashboard with a username and password.

Competitive Monthly Fee

Self offers fairly competitive monthly fees for its credit builder program in comparison to other companies in the credit repair industry.

Customers have a few monthly payment options, with the cheapest option costing $25 per month for 24 months. The other Self Credit Builder account options cost $35 per month for 24 months, $48 per month for 12 months, and $150 per month for 12 months.

Each option requires a $9 one-time, non-refundable administrative fee and offers a post 12 to 24-month cash amount.

Responsible Credit Building

The company's credit builder loan program involves customers receiving a small, FDIC-insured installment loan. The next month after they receive the loan, they begin making payments to their Credit Builder account.

Self will report these equal payments each month to all three of the major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Customers have the option to pay off the account or close the account early.

After the loan is paid off, the customer should have an improved credit score due to the controlled payment history. Overall, customers have the opportunity to build credit with the company's responsible Credit Builder program.

If consumers cannot manage to pay their loan payment, the company encourages them to cancel their account before they miss a payment. Consumers who have past-due payments (of 15-30 days) will be charged a late fee. 

Educational Resources

Self offers a few different educational resources on its website that all website visitors can learn from. These resources include a personal finance blog and several articles that cover what a Credit Builder loan is, how credit works, how credit scores are calculated, and more.

The company also provides a frequently asked questions section and is fairly transparent about the services it offers.

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• Non-Traditional Credit Repair
• Consumer Responsibility 

Non-Traditional Credit Repair

Although Self offers a responsible Credit Builder program, it does not offer an option for traditional credit repair services.

The company's credit builder program may not be what some customers with bad credit are looking for. Most companies in the credit repair industry also do not lock customers into a lengthy contract like Self's Credit Builder program.

Consumer Responsibility 

The company, unlike traditional credit repair services, relies on consumers making responsible choices throughout the credit builder program.

For instance, the company may encourage consumers who cannot meet their loan payment requirements to cancel the program, but it is up to consumers to actually take the necessary action. Those who don't can receive late payment fees and could hurt their credit.