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.
Out of hundreds of user reviews published in May 2025, here are some of the biggest frustrations shared:
Overall, unexpected charges, poor customer support, and technical issues dominate the dissatisfaction with Cleo's cash advance service.
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.
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.
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.