Charles Schwab Corporation is one of the largest brokerage firms in the United States, providing a comprehensive suite of financial services to both individual investors and institutions. Their offerings include investment accounts, trading solutions, banking services, and retirement planning, all designed to help clients achieve their financial goals. With a strong focus on innovation and customer service, Schwab empowers investors with the tools and resources needed for informed decision-making in today's dynamic market. Visit schwab.com to learn more about how they can support your investment journey.
Charles Schwab receives overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many customers expressing frustration over account management and service quality. Reviewers frequently mention feeling trapped or scammed, particularly regarding issues with account security and the handling of funds.
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Complaints about bounced checks and confusing verification processes are common, leading to a perception of poor customer service. While some users appreciate Schwab's ThinkOrSwim platform and acknowledge the professionalism of certain staff members, these positives are overshadowed by the overall dissatisfaction. Many consumers advise against opening accounts, citing a lack of support and accountability. Overall, the sentiment is predominantly negative, reflecting significant concerns about the company's reliability and service.
Each source counts by its number of reviews. Only reviews written by people are scored.
Rating, volume, share of the score, six-month trend and fake-review risk for each source
Source
Rating
Reviews
Weight
6-mo
Fake risk
★
Trustpilot
Imported Trustpilot reviews
1.6
200
100%
-0.1
● Low
1.6 / 5 overall
=
200 reviews across 1 scored source
How fake risk works ⓘ
Reputation trend
Monthly average rating from reviews written by people · latest review Jan 2026.
Last 3 months
1.5▼ 0.1
12-month avg
1.6
All-time
1.6
Category avg
3.5
Monthly averageCategory average
Monthly average rating and review count
Month
Average
Reviews
Feb 25
1.5
24
Mar 25
1.7
13
Apr 25
1.3
22
May 25
1.4
9
Jun 25
2.3
14
Jul 25
1.4
13
Aug 25
1.9
11
Sep 25
1.4
11
Oct 25
1.5
12
Nov 25
1.4
10
Dec 25
1.7
15
Jan 26
1.5
29
What people praise & complain about
Share of positive (4–5★) and negative (1–2★) reviews mentioning each topic · based on the 200 most recent reviews.
Top praiseof 27 positive reviews
Customer service59%
16 mentions
Helpful support30%
8 mentions
Fast & efficient15%
4 mentions
Easy to use11%
3 mentions
“They have excellent online fillable PDF forms, extensive helpful information for new investors, good customer support...”
On “Customer service” · Jan 2, 2026
Top complaintsof 169 negative reviews
Account issues43%
73 mentions
Customer service38%
65 mentions
Payment issues11%
19 mentions
Fraud7%
11 mentions
“They lured me into opening account promising that as an European I will trade US ETFs through them”
On “Account issues” · Jan 21, 2026
How it compares
Same method for every company: overall rating, legitimacy checks, the average rating of reviews mentioning each area and the 6-month trend · Money & Insurance.
Overall rating and review count for this company and similar companies
Don't be fooled by many of their positive reviews here, My experience with them was terrible and I regret trying them out because I lost everything to them. Avoid them at all costs and choosing to move on with Grand scale 's trading has been the best decision so far.
TD able to answer question through msg. but, CS a lot of simple question they ask you to call CS. Why can't you just put your heart to reply msg instead of pushing customer to call for non-urgent questions???
What types of accounts can I open with Charles Schwab?
Charles Schwab offers a variety of account types including individual and joint brokerage accounts, retirement accounts such as Traditional and Roth IRAs, as well as checking and savings accounts. Each account type is designed to meet different financial goals, so it's important to review the features of each to determine which best suits your needs.
Are there any trading fees associated with Schwab brokerage accounts?
Charles Schwab offers $0 commission on online stock and ETF trades, which makes it a cost-effective option for investors. However, there may be fees associated with certain mutual funds, options trading, and other specialized services, so it’s advisable to review the specific fee schedule on their website.
How can I contact customer support at Charles Schwab?
You can reach Charles Schwab's customer support team via phone, chat, or secure messaging through your online account. They also have a comprehensive help center on their website, where you can find answers to common questions and access resources for account management.
Is there a mobile app for managing my Schwab accounts?
Yes, Charles Schwab offers a mobile app that allows you to manage your accounts conveniently from your smartphone or tablet. The app provides features such as trading stocks and ETFs, checking account balances, transferring funds, and accessing market updates and research tools.
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What research tools does Schwab provide for investors?
Charles Schwab offers a robust suite of research tools including market analysis, stock screeners, and third-party research reports. You can also access educational resources such as articles and webinars to enhance your investing knowledge and help you make informed decisions.
Can I transfer my existing brokerage account to Charles Schwab?
Yes, you can transfer your existing brokerage account to Charles Schwab through a process called an ACAT transfer. Schwab provides an online tool to guide you through the transfer process, and they can assist with the necessary paperwork to facilitate a smooth transition.
What are the tax implications of withdrawing from my Schwab IRA?
Withdrawals from a Traditional IRA are typically subject to income tax, and if you take a withdrawal before age 59½, you may incur a 10% early withdrawal penalty. Roth IRA withdrawals may be tax-free if certain conditions are met, including the account being open for at least five years. It's advisable to consult with a tax advisor for personalized guidance.
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Schwab may be ok for personal accounts, however opening a Simple IRA for non-profit employees is a nightmare. Every representative gives different instructions, ultimately referring back to the website to choose from a multitude of forms. Retirement account customer service is hard to deal with as their validation process is inconsistent and the representatives are following scripts. Businesses who have IRA matching plans cannot access the Schwab portal, so all correspondence has to be done through someone’s personal account. Including uploading other employee applications. I am halfway through this process and wish I had never begun.
Horrible experience ! Poor interest rate !! I will not encourage anyone to continue here just follow my photo lead for the best alternative and a smooth experience .
What a huge disappointment! After depositing so much money into my Charles Schwab account, their debit card is absolutely useless! The support is awful. What a waste of time and money! I won't trust doing any business with them ever again!
I didn’t select Charles Schwab, they acquired accounts by not earning the business, they bought accounts through acquisition of TD Ameritrade. It’s not been pleasant dealing with them. At every turn it’s been difficult to get things accomplished. I am so happy to have transferred all of my accounts, my wife’s accounts, and most of my children’s accounts away from Schwab. Still dealing with not very responsive customer service getting action on the final transfer of assets. It will be a bright day when I’ve completed the work to get away from them. Not a very helpful group
I wish I’d read Schwab reviews prior to going with this company, I’ve talked to a few nice people at Schwab - only one out of five was snotty, and the problem is that they all tell me something totally different about doing a transfer.. to add to the confusion, other family members are calling Schwab as well and they are getting more different stories.ugh. Ridiculous.
Had a brokerage account with Schawb for a couple years. Decided to open a bank account last week. They open the account, take my deposit, send a debit card which I activated earlier today. Tried to login and got an error that I have no accounts with them; called support and they have "made a business decision" and cannot explain further to close everything and have to send a check for the money I had with them.
Schwab works fine. I can't trade Canadian stock (well, unless I want to pay a big fee) so those, I buy OTC. The big problem with Schwab (look at all the 1*) is moving money around. A simple RMD, day after day: "well we received it Friday (It was mailed the prior Friday)--it took 7 days to arrive? Now, "it takes 3-5 days to move it from my IRA to my Reg-T account. WHY. It should take the same day, settled the next day. I have missed out of $124 today and that will get bigger, as the cash sits there waiting for them to remove it. (I took it out of Santacruz Silver and wanted to take the RMD > Reg T and buy the shares back, thus the loss. Very, very slow.
They are charging 24% of my transaction in "industry fees". When asked about it, they said that's what it is and nothing can be done. When I dug into it, updating W9 would remove this issue. Now, good luck if you attempt to update your W9, they will make it complicated, requesting steps that are unheard of.
Steer way from this frim, they are not sincere with their services. I have been having difficulties with my withdrawals for months and till date nothing had been done. I regret ever dealing with them. Anyway, I am now doing well with PAIVA and my finances has been improved so well.
Schwab close down my account without any tangible explanation , I will not encourage anyone to continue with this company rather just follow my photo lead for a smooth amazing experience .
In short, horrible!
My employer invests our RSU in Schwab and I wish I never got this RSU! Their system belongs to 19th century! Everything is messed up. I tried to create an account from their email more than 10 times, no success! call them twice no success! Finally, they shared a 21 pages pdf with me to fill out and fax it to them! Maaaaan! I have a lot of better things to do and you have my money, you need to provide the service not me, begging you to resolve your issues! Horrible horrible experience!!!!
schwab decided out of the blue to close my accounts due to "business decision " they are completely dishonest and i do NOt recommend them at all. if they ever send you a request for info about your accounts DO NOT answer. they collect this data and use it against you and for data harvesting probably. in the letter they sent me they told me my accounts will close later on and yet they closed it earlier...does that sound like an honest company? shady. stay away from schwab. furthermore their app is awful and terrible
Tried to send a wire transfer. Email from Schwab said it went through. Review of my account showed it did not go thru. I never received a message there was an issue. The customer service team told me why I didn't get a notice, and the excuse was very lame! The Southlake office where I work thru at Schwab is not helpful at all as well!
I opened this account less than 1 week ago.
Sent my signature card and waited. Tried funding my account but they took too long to link my external account. I just tried logging in and I couldn't. Tried to receive an otp to verify, again. and it didn't work. Called customer service and my account was closed for "business Reasons".? All I wanted to do was to open a cd at a decent rate. I was going to invest some of my life savings, 184k and thank god I didn't because where would I be now?
Does Schwab offer any tools for retirement planning?
Yes, Charles Schwab provides several tools for retirement planning, including retirement calculators and personalized retirement planning services. These resources can help you estimate how much you need to save, evaluate your current savings strategy, and determine the best investment options for your retirement goals.
What are the benefits of having a Schwab checking account?
A Schwab checking account offers benefits such as no monthly maintenance fees, unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide, and access to online bill pay and mobile check deposit. Additionally, it seamlessly integrates with your investment accounts, making it easy to manage your finances in one place.
How can I access my Schwab account statements and tax documents?
You can access your Schwab account statements and tax documents through the online account portal or mobile app. All statements are available in a secure digital format, and you can choose to receive them via email or download them directly for your records.
About Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab Corporation is one of the largest brokerage firms in the United States, providing a comprehensive suite of financial services to both individual investors and institutions. Their offerings include investment accounts, trading solutions, banking services, and retirement planning, all designed to help clients achieve their financial goals. With a strong focus on innovation and customer service, Schwab empowers investors with the tools and resources needed for informed decision-making in today's dynamic market. Visit schwab.com to learn more about how they can support your investment journey.