Pockit (A comprehensive review)
By
HuutiMoney
In this brief guide, we are going to talk about Pockit. What it is, how it can help you if you can’t currently open a bank account and its features.
What is Pockit?
Pockit is a simple easy to use prepaid current account which works from an app, it was founded in 2014. The Pockit website claims you can open a Pockit account in under 3 minutes and begin to take control of your financial life. Pockit is based around getting people who are financially excluded access to a bank account. It does not come with an overdraft facility or any credit facility.
People who are financially excluded will usually not have good credit scores or any credit history at all and this may make it very hard for them to get a bank account.
With Pockit you can pay in cash at over 28,000 local shops, you will have a sort code and account number which you can use to get your wage paid into or receive benefits from the government, or receive money from friends and family.
Pockit also allows you to track your spending and because it should register on your credit file as a bank account which you now own, you should see your credit score rise.
You will also be able to pay your bills through direct debit with Pockit. This should help you avoid missed or late payments.
You can also block your Pockit card through the app which means if you ever lose your card you can instantly block it.
Signing up
Signing up to Pockit is very easy and straightforward you can either do this online or via the Pockit app. One your application is received and your account has been activated you can start using the Pockit app. Your Pockit card will usually arrive 2 days after your account has been activated.
Pockit isn’t free. It costs £0.99 a month and then there is a £0.99 fee if you want to pay in cash at the cashpoint, a £0.99 fee if you want to send money to a UK account and a £0.99 fee if you want to send money abroad or a 3.5% exchange rate fee or less.
There is also a £0.99 fee when you pay for something with a direct debit, a £0.99 fee when you get money out in the UK and a £2.25 fee when you get money out outside of the UK.
There is also a 4% exchange fee.
With Pockit you can send money to most countries aside from India due to local law.
You can also use your Pockit Mastercard in most countries aside from Brazil due to security reasons.
To open a Pockit account you will only need your full name, your address and your date of birth. In some cases, you may be asked to produce identification documents. You must be over 18 to open a Pockit account.
If you want to share your Pockit account with friends and family then you can do this by requesting up to three extra cards for your Pockit account.
These cards can either: share the same balance as your Pockit account or have a separate balance from your main Pockit account.
Pockit also has some extra features such as its partnership with Loqbox and its Pockit cashback offers.
PockitLoqbox
Pockitloqbox is the partnership between Pockit and Loqbox. It is essentially just a lead generation campaign by Lowbox but for some reason, Pockit is charging their users a hefty £9.99 to open the Loqbox and then £0.99 to put money into the loqbox. This £0.99 fee can be excused as their standard direct debit fee.
You can alternatively use the Loqbox service which is free to use from Loqbox directly.
Loqbox helps you build your credit and build your savings by putting money away each month which replicates the effect of repaying a loan and is registered on your credit file as such.
With Loqbox you decide how much you want to save and put this amount away each month for 12 months.
At the end of 12 months, you unlock your loqbox and get your savings back. At this point, your credit score should also have gone up. You are able to unlock your Loqbox at any time if you need access to funds but your credit score may not go up. People have seen their credit scores go up by as much as 100 points.
If after 12 months your credit score hasn’t gone up then Pockit will refund your setup fee.
If you find that you are struggling to make your Lockbox payment then you should unlock your loqbox immediately to avoid missing a payment and having a missed payment recorded on your credit file.
Pockit Cashback
With Pockit you can also earn up to 10% cashback on your purchases with particular stores. You can see a full list of stores which you can earn Pockitcashback here.
Pockit aims to pay your cashback within 60 days.
Pockit review
Pockit has four stars out of five possible stars on its Trustpilot review. It has received over five thousand reviews.
Extracts of Pockit reviews on Trustpilot
A 1 star review on Pockit.
“ I am absolutely furious with Pockit!!
I am absolutely furious with Pockit!!! I have been Pockit for about a couple of months now and I had important money transferred into my account. As soon as it was transferred I could not access my account atall. I tried to log into the app several times but a message came up saying my account is under review. It has now been two weeks and I am still unable to access my money!! I am soooo furious I called several times they asked for documents to be sent over I sent every document they asked for but they still did not give my access to my account and my money. Some of the staff on the phone who I spoke to had zero patience and actually spoke to me quite rudely without answering the questions which I asked. I really need my money they are literally Horrible! “
A 2 star review on Pockit
“ Disappointed
Lost money with them after a company went into liquidation refused to refund me because it went over 120 days. Absolutely shocking service on the phone when I rang up to enquire the agent simply said they have never had anything like this happened before. I suggest you get some training on it then. Then I got a really snarky reply to my other email saying the agent gave me good advice. Really rude!!!! I sent you a complaint email but never got a reply back. Disappointed in your service and MasterCards too seeing as you passed me to them!!! “
A 3 star review on Pockit
“ After many emails in all honesty I had
After many emails in all honesty I had to call up before I got somewhere still stuck on identifying for upgrade plus getting chhhargged every time I top up or check balance in machine“
A 4 star review on Pockit
“ Customer Focused/Great Bank
I find Pockit Ltd to be customer focused though they sometimes face little delays in funds transaction but they quickly respond when contacted by online account messaging. The best way to contact them with complaints and inquiries is by online account contact messaging to get any issues resolved. So far I find them to be very good and innovative with their online banking. I have bank with them for over three years and find them progressing. “
A 5 star review on Pockit
“ I’m a self employed and needed a bank…
I’m a self employed and needed a bank account for my customers to transfer there bill into mine but been refused for account by banks so use ask to put money in my friend’s account nd then found Pockit and know my money comes straight in my account, can use my Pockit card everywhere, thank you Pockit 😁 “
Pockit Faqs
Is Pockit safe?
Yes, Pockit is safe and takes its safety and security very seriously. This means your money should be safe with Pockit. You provide very little data when you sign up with Pockit and this means there is less information for someone to use if Pockits safety was compromised. Your Pockit account is also password protected and requires a pin and a security question in some cases.
Is Pockit a bank account?
Yes, Pockit is a bank account which is targeted at people who have been refused typical bank accounts due to having no credit history or bad credit. You can set up your Pockit bank account online in as little as 3 minutes.
Where can I pay money into my Pockit account?
You can pay your money into your Pockit account by doing a transfer from another bank into your Pockit account or by paying in cash at any of the 28,000 pay points in the UK. You will be charged £0.99 to pay money into your Pockit account.
Once you deposit cash at the pay point it will usually reflect on your credit file in as little as 30 seconds but sometimes this can take up to 30 minutes to show on your balance and statement.
Do you need ID for Pockit?
No, you will usually not need to provide any ID when you sign up for Pockit. In some cases you may be required to provide an ID when signing up with Pockit. You will need to take a picture of your ID as well as take a selfie.
How long does a bank transfer take Pockit?
Bank transfers usually take up to 2 hours to show in your account but in some cases it can take up to 3 working days to show.
For 2 hours, the bank transfer will need to be done during the working hours.
Does Pockit do direct debit?
Yes, Pockit does direct debit but for the Pockit direct debit you will need to pay a fee of £0.99.
How do I upgrade my Pockit account?
There is no upgrade available for Pockit. The Pockit account is a standard account.
How can I unblock my Pockit card?
You can unblock your Pockit card by logging into the Pockit app. Select cards and then click unblock. Your Pockit card should now be unblocked.
Can I use my Pockit card abroad?
Yes, you can use your Pockit card abroad but not in Brazil. Pockit will charge you an exchange fee of 4% . Pockit will cost you £2.25 for you to withdraw money from the ATM.
How do you contact Pockit?
You can contact Pockit through the Pockit app or by contacting the call centre on: 02033229170 (open from 9 am to 6 pm, Mon-Fri) or contacting them via email at help@Pockit.com.
How does a Pockit card work?
A Pockit card works like any other MasterCard. Your Pockit card should arrive 2 days after you have activated your Pockit account.
How do I order new Pockit cards?
To order a new Pockit card you should contact Pockit via telephone on 02033229170 (open from 9am to 6pm, Mon-Fri) or contacting them via Email at help@Pockit.com and let them know you want to order a new card.
What is Pockit MasterCard?
A Pockit Mastercard is the MasterCard that comes with your Pockit account. The MasterCard is prepaid which means you will have to load it with money before spending.
Where is Pockit based?
Pockit was founded in 2014 and is based in London.
How do you send money Pockit?
To send money in Pockit, simply log into the app, click transfer out and select UK transfer if you are making a UK transfer, insert the sort code and account number and then execute a transfer.
Where can I use Pockit card?
You can use your Pockit card in every country aside from Brazil due to security reasons.
How do I get my Pockit pin?
To get your Pockit pin you should log into the Pockit account and click on the pin link.,This will display your Pockit pin to you. You can use this immediately for cash withdrawals or to make purchases.
Do you need ID for Pockit?
No you won’t usually need ID for Pockit but in some cases, you may be required to send your ID documents when creating a Pockit account or verifying certain account activities. In these cases, you will need to take a picture of your ID documents and then take a selfie.
What bank does Pockit use?
Pockit doesn’t use any bank. It has its own bank infrastructure.
Can I pay a Cheque into my Pockit account?
As far as we know it isn’t possible to pay a cheque into your Pockit account.
Can you set up direct debit with Pockit?
Yes, you can set up a direct debit with Pockit but this will cost you £0.99 for every direct debit that comes out.
How long does a bank transfer take Pockit?
A Pockit bank transfer can take from as little as 30 minutes to as much as 3 working days. Your best chance to reduce the amount of time a bank transfer takes is to do it during a weekday and within working hours.
If you need financial advice and you live in the UK then you could contact the Money Advice service over the phone or via chat for impartial advice.
You can also contact the debt charity “Step Change” if you are in debt and need help.