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NS&I: Income Bonds reviews

3.15
Based on 23 reviews, last reviewed 24th Feb 2024
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48%

Latest highest rating:

4

Preferable to a Savings Account. I wanted another option other than a savings account. I was looking for a fixed term and guaranteed interest rate. The terms offered for one year and ... Read more Reviewed on: 24th February 2024
Bob Cheeseman's avatar
Bob Cheeseman

Latest lowest rating:

1

Can't recommend - Worst Customer Service process. It is now nearly two months since I asked them to resolve a problem with my account and many. many emails and phone calls later. I have had zero respo... Read more Reviewed on: 26th September 2023
Gill Grant's avatar
Gill Grant

About this product

NS&I bond reviews are honest reviews written by people like you. While many people look at the interest rates on offer, what about the NS&I's customer service? Smart Money People is fast becoming the UK's leading source of independent NS&I bond reviews. We need your help! By writing your honest reviews, you can help increase trust and transparency in the financial world.

NS&I Income Bonds reviews (23)

Review of the NS&I, Income Bonds:

simple to use

4
simple to use online - and rates are competitive Reviewed on: 2nd June 2023

They've lost £500 sent to them ... unbelievably bad crowd

1
£500 was sent to them three weeks ago but still hasn't been credited to my account. Each time I phone it takes best part of an hour to get through. Their chat service is not working, and they don't accept emails. You can’t use their Message service as it’s just from them to you. Absolute nightmare to deal with. I've complained to the Ombudsman, see what that does. Next step Small Claims Court. I can understand all the other appalling reviews. Reviewed on: 11th December 2020

The biggest bunch of chancers since the Labour party

1
Invest with these idiots at your peril. These so called "customer service" cases were obviously cut from the same cloth or went to the same school judging how they treat investors. The same obnoxious school that turns out these 9 to 5 menial types for these large corporations, hence why people end up stressed because these prats can't grasp the fact that sometimes customers actually require a manager or someone with an IQ to deal with some issues. Invested fortunes over the years and still get treated like shit. They can't even action requests for cash withdrawals without many lengthy calls that go no where, hence creating aggressive behaviour. NEVER give these people your bank details because bank transfers end up in no mans land and you end up between NS&I and your bank trying to trace your money, which both deny they have. These obnoxious types totally refuse your request to speak to someone with a brain as its "company policy" NOT to do so, thus protecting even bigger idiots to stay calm in their ivory towers polishing their chairs with their arses and trying to look important. The CEO is about as much use as a dog with wheels and has the same attitude as Gerald Ratner towards his many wage & pension paying customers. If you choose to invest, contact companies house to get as much info on these people and where they live so you can collect your money in person if required via debt recovery companies or legal action. The sooner this company fails, the better off customers will be protected!!! Reviewed on: 9th December 2020

World's worst bank?

1
I've been attempting to set up an is a since June. Countless phone calls (with very long waits), and promises. I can't even get my account number. Last time I failed their security questions because they come from a third party. Absolutely abmissmal. I would definitely NOT recommend NS&I to anyone! Reviewed on: 29th August 2020

Appalling!

1
Went through online application for income bonds which took my money but provided no evidence on screen or by email that it had opened an account in my name. I've spent nearly four hours on hold on NS&I's local-rate phoneline to its sales and then complaints teams, seeking confirmation that my money would be repaid - both times I called the complaints service the phone was answered by someone who was not part of the team and could not address my complaint. Reviewed on: 27th June 2020

web access

3
In my experience web access is unreliable. I'm frozen out for a week or more. They say sorry but the process works on the basis the customer must be at fault. No suggestion they'll even look into fixing things. Reviewed on: 29th June 2017

web access

3
In my experience web access is unreliable. I'm frozen out for a week or more. They say sorry but the process works on the basis the customer must be at fault. No suggestion they'll even look into fixing things. Reviewed on: 29th June 2017

Idiot customer service

1
I've had a bond for 3 years. I've called on several occasions to update my address etc but told they'd sent paperwork to me...at my old address?? Then I call again and explain again so I get told they've sent paperwork to me to fill out...at my old address?? (Clearly not clever customer service as I've moved and this the sole reason for my call). One time I called and was advised they'd updated my address so I asked to close the account, but this couldn't happen as I had 2 customer records now, one in my new address and one in my old. I was put through to the relevant department to merge my records (although never thought this merging was a customers responsibility) so spoke to someone else who asked for both my account numbers, one of which I didn't have as it was an error by whoever updated my address. After 10 minutes of them searching I was advised I'd be receiving contact from them after the merge, then I call back to close the account. 3weeks pass and not heard anything so call again, have to again update my address which has hopefully officially been done now but call back next week to close it again as there's a stop on my account due to returned mail...from sending paperwork to update my address to my old address?! Never made so many calls to one company for a simple request that's turned into an absolute palava!!!! Constantly my responsibility to call and update their errors!!!! Reviewed on: 15th April 2017

Good solid product not so solid website

4
NS&I may not be the trendiest or most eye catching financial institution but it has to be the most secure and dependable cos it's the Government. Interest rates are acceptable and the benefit is the Treasury is not likely to go bust. If you deal online via the NS&I website you need a lot of luck. Its like navigating the London Underground without a map and all the lights out. You will end up on the Central Line and probably reach maturity before your product does. They will send you a password before you are allowed in and if you don't use within 14 days will consider you have lost interest and cancel your subscription. Use their call centre instead. Its free, calls seem to be answered quickly and the service is good. I have invested but as yet have not tested their repayment procedure.Discounting their website, overall the rest of the service is good and the main advantage is the dependability of the provider. Reviewed on: 12th January 2017

Probably the worst customer service of any company anywhere - ever!

1
Dreadful clunky set-up, resulting in persistent errors and continuous phone calls to try and sort things out, with the most unhelpful customer service. Reviewed on: 4th November 2016

Low-tech and clueless

1
Outdated IT, out-of-date phone numbers, clunky procedures, antiquated transfer mechanisms and card-payment applications = a goliath organisation that is completely out of touch with modern banking. Reviewed on: 4th November 2016

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