Cash Advance Apps

Cleo reviews: complaints & concerns

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Although Cleo has a lifetime average rating of 4.4 on the App Store and Google Play Store, it received a lower rating of 3.5 from user reviews in May 2025. Some users have raised concerns about various aspects of the app. Read on to discover these complaints, common concerns, and more.

What do Cleo users complain about?

Out of hundreds of user reviews published in May 2025, here are some of the biggest frustrations shared:

  • Unwanted charges: Dozens of users reported being charged subscription fees without consent, even after canceling or never using the service.
  • Poor customer service: Many users complained about the unhelpful AI chatbot and the inability to reach a human for assistance.
  • App glitches: Numerous users experienced app crashes, freezing, or technical glitches that hindered access to their accounts.
  • Low advance amounts: Users were frustrated about being offered low advance amounts—as little as $20—despite paying subscription fees.
  • High fees: Several users mentioned unexpected or high fees, including subscription fees, advance fees, and express fees, calling them excessive or predatory.
  • Misleading advertising: Some felt deceived by promises of high advances up to $500, only to be offered much less after signing up and paying fees.
  • Difficulty canceling: A number of users struggled to cancel subscriptions, stop charges, or remove their bank information from Cleo.
  • Split advances with extra fees: A few reported advances being split into multiple transactions, each incurring a separate fee.

Overall, unexpected charges, poor customer support, and technical issues dominate the dissatisfaction with Cleo's cash advance service.

App reviews talking about Complaint:
"...they take $5.99 out 1st then gives you a very low ball advance..."
"...I cannot find the 'add Cash Transaction or transaction ANYWHERE..."
"...I was told I have to wait a few hours before the customer service team will respond..."

Scam reports

Even though Cleo claims to have over 5 million users, we found 50+ reviews published recently describing the service as scammy (for context, this is out of hundreds we analyzed). About 40 explicitly call the service a “scam”, “fraud”, or accuse it of stealing money, while others describe unauthorized charges or hidden fees that made them feel deceived.

Several users worry about identity theft or data misuse, and many report never receiving the promised cash advances despite paying subscription fees.

The overarching theme is that people feel tricked and financially harmed, citing unwanted subscriptions, surprise charges, and frustrating interactions with AI-based customer service that offers no real help.

App reviews talking about Scam:
"...they say they love me money and they charged me $69 and some change and I never got the money..."
"...Cleo promised me an advance and got me to provide my credit card information as part of the process. After going through all the steps, it ended up denying me without explanation..."
"...I have been trying to close my account and get the money that was left in both the checking and the savings accounts for over 2.5 months now..."

Overdraft reports

We found nine overdraft-related complaints about Cleo. Several users report that the app withdrew funds from their bank accounts earlier than agreed or without permission, leading to overdraft fees.

Some mention difficulties with customer service, stating they couldn't reach a human to resolve the issues. A few users also allege that even after disconnecting their bank accounts, the app reconnected and continued to withdraw funds, causing further overdrafts.

App reviews talking about Reported Overdraft:
"...it's saying I didn't pay my advance but it took it out of my account..."
"...screwed up my bank account so bad, that I can't pay bills no nothing..."
"...took money outta my bank account 4 times without permission..."

What users say on other topics

Positive
3%
Negative
97%
Many users complain about difficulties in canceling their subscriptions with Cleo, often citing unauthorized charges even after cancellation attempts. There are frequent reports of being charged multiple times for the subscription fee, with some users unable to secure refunds. The process to cancel seems frustrating, with users expressing dissatisfaction over unresponsive customer service and a lack of real human interaction. The sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, with users feeling trapped and misled by the service.
App reviews talking about Subscription Cancellation:
"...Repeatedly took a $5.99 'payment' from my account for cleo plus 3 different times in 2 days and then refused to refund any of it..."
"...I canceled my subscription and they still took money out account and refused to refund it..."
"...they make it easy to install and get your banks info..but when you cancel the subscription they keep taking money from your account..."

Complaints about Cleo

In March 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit against Cleo for misleading users about the cash advance amounts and delivery speeds promised through their Cleo Plus and Cleo Builder subscriptions. Many customers received much less than the advertised $250 or $500, and experienced delays even after paying fees for expedited service. Cleo also made it difficult for users to cancel subscriptions, sometimes continuing to charge monthly fees despite cancellation requests. As part of a settlement, Cleo agreed to pay $17 million, improve their disclosures, obtain informed consent before charging for subscriptions, and make the cancellation process easier.