Consumer complaint received 2024-11-20 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Opening an account — Didn't receive terms that were advertised
Company: SOFI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
SoFi advertised a {$300.00} checking account bonus when qualifying $ XXXX qualifying direct deposits were made within a specified 25 day period. The terms and conditions were stated as follows : -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- receive at least one Direct Deposit ( as defined below ) from an Eligible Participant, the first of which must be before the end of the Promotion Period. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holders SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments ( e.g., Social Security ), made by the account holders employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency ( Direct Deposit ) via the Automated Clearing House ( ACH ) Network. Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers ( e.g., transfers from XXXX, XXXX, XXXX. ), merchant transactions ( e.g., transactions from XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, etc. ), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature ( e.g. IRS tax refunds ), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holders Direct Deposit activity to determine eligibility and may require additional documentation to complete this verification. The amount of the bonus, if any, will be calculated during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period as described and defined below.

Direct Deposit Bonus Period : The Direct Deposit Bonus Period begins when SoFi receives a Direct Deposit of {$1.00} or more within the Promotion Period and ends 25 calendar days l
ater ( the Direct Deposit Bonus Period ). For the avoidance of doubt, the Direct Deposit Bonus Period shall not extend beyond the Promotion Period. The bonus amount will vary based on the total amount of Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period. Once the Direct Deposit Bonus Period has elapsed, SoFi will determine if you have met the offer requirements and will deposit any earned bonus into your checking account within seven ( 7 ) business days. For example, if SoFi receives between {$1000.00} and {$4900.00} in Direct
Deposits during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period, you will receive a one-time cash bonus of {$50.00}. A member may only qualify for one bonus tier and will not be eligible for future bonus payments if Direct Deposits subsequently increase after the Direct Deposit Bonus Period.

Total Direct Deposit Amount in Direct Deposit Bonus Period Cash Bonus Tier {$1.00} - {$990.00} {$0.00} {$1000.00} - {$4900.00} {$50.00} {$5000.00} or more {$300.00} -- -- -- -- - I had three transactions that met the requirements within the time period as follows : XX/XX/XXXX {$2500.00} Direct Deposit from Employer XXXX {$1900.00} Direct Deposit from Employer XX/XX/XXXX {$670.00} ACH from small business for services rendered I contacted customer support, they sympathized and elevated a complaint. That ticket was closed within the hour, with no request for additional verifying information or method to dispute or even respond to the decision. They did not elaborate on why the value was only {$50.00}. They did not state which transactions did not count and why. For all I know, they didn't look into it at all. 

I feel the above constitutes duplicitous advertising on the behalf of SoFi and is a poor way to acquire and treat new customers.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation