Vanguard
reviews and complaints

In J I contacted Vanguard to inquire about a required Mutual Fund to Brokerage Fund transfer. The system did not allow me to proceed online because it concerned an organization. Staff at time, mailed the documents for completion and return in a prepaid envelope. I completed the form the day of receipt, and hand delivered the local post office. Three weeks later in a follow-up call to Vanguard, I was told the documents were not received. I was sent the document electronically through Vanguard Secured Message site. After completing and returning electronically via the same Secured Message site, I was informed I must mail the documents.

I signed up 3 times because I thought the system didnt save my information. I put $3000. In, then the system didnt let me in but Vanguard withdrew $3000 from my bank but I can't get in and customer service says you don't have an account with us. Finally I said these information on the facebook and someone called. She said you have two accounts. and they will withdraw $6000 but I still cannot get into my account. She said she will call in 3 days. I don't understand if I don't have an account why they withdrew money? why customer service doesn't help me?

FIRST OFF VANGAURD IS VERY UNPROFESSIONAL AN FRAUDULENT IN HOW THEY STEAL YOUR MONEY. Like many other reviews I attempted several hardship withdraws and provided all appropriate documents ( even tho secure 2.0 act states you can self certify ), they will not talk to you , if you do get someone they have absolutely no knowledge nor can they let you speak to someone that does. They will not let you speak to a supervisor or tell you how to contact one. 10 different conversations and all same nonsense. They say a supervisor will contact you within 24 hours but never happened. It’s illegal at the highest level ! They have scam after scam on how to not give you your own money and in return charge fees for doing this

I asked for a transfer from Vanguard to another pension provider in June.Nothing happened. Vanguard did not communicate with me to let me know what was going on until I complained a week after. They were blaming the other pension provider... but they did nothing to resolve the issue. And the issue was still not resolved 2 months lat er, until I in volv ed ENVE RRA CAP ITAL. IO, a cyber security firm with experience in dealing with issues such as this. They were Able to get my My pension which means a LOT to me. It obviously means nothing to rich, financial institutions like Vanguard who spend millions on advertising but don't look after their customers.

I have had the last few hardship withdrawal requests July, August, and September to exact, denied. I've been told that I've made too many withdrawals for the same reasons. I've even had some unprofessional customer service agents tell me that I am using my Vanguard account as a slush fund. I want my closed and I want my money out of Vanguard but I am still employed. I diligently trying to find a way to close my account and move money. It's a shame when I can't access my own money because of ridiculous rules.

I've been waiting for almost a month for my money, submitted all proper paperwork and notarized, everything checked out with all proper paperwork only to be dooped out of my money, my hard-working money. I've called and talked to customer service, and they keep saying it was properly issued to my bank. My bank has never received a deposit at all. When I call Vanguard their customer service reps tell me it was deposited. I asked if I'm calling Vanguard in the United States, and they say no. WHERE IS MY MONEY? I have called and asked to speak to a manager, and nobody returns my calls. My money hasn't been sent back to them nor has been received by my bank ? So I guess I'm out of 1440.00 that I WORKED HARD FOR.

I'm trying to execute my QDRO thru my 401k account. I contacted them in May 2023 to process it and have had nothing but issues. First, they said I needed a lawyer to do the paperwork. I did that and sent it to them in June and they told me it would take 60 days to process it. After sixty plus days they sent me the paperwork to have the Judge and plaintiffs (my ex-wife and myself) sign it. That was done and it was sent back to Vanguard and now they say it takes another sixty days to process this again and then they'll send more paperwork to sign. I tried to explain that my ex-wife who's getting the money has terminal cancer and needs this money now. I got nothing but poor responses and had associates hang up on me. Just looking to get this accomplished before she dies.

I have been trying for months and months to get a Value At Death statement from Vanguard.

My name is .A.C., my social security # is [protected]. I am the estate representative for M., social security # [protected], plan id # 091795.

I have been trying for months for get a Value At Death statement for the Tarrant County Court and have been ignored, hung up on, lied to and blown off. I am on hold as I write this with a customer person that says no case was ever created. Her name is Leo Camathian.

Please, tell me who do I call? This is a legal document that has to be filed with the court.

M. passed away on February 19, 2023, I have already received the distribution amount of , 211.74, I just need a statement that shows what the account balance was on 02-19-2023.

Can someone please help me?

In May, Vanguard issued a $38k check for a 401k rollover. The check was to be sent to CA. The check was deposited in a TX Chase Bank with no endorsement. Vanguard's bank Wells Fargo did not catch the error either. Now Vanguard is insisting that Chase and Wells Fargo are investigating and we may or may not get the money. Both Chase and Wells Fargo have advised that all Vanguard needs to do is to stop payment and reissue - then the banks will sort it out as they do. Complaints have been lodged against Vanguard's advisor and the company but they keep stonewalling. They are negligent at best and corrupt at worst. They seem to be trying to run out the statute of limitations that we have found has happened to others. Move your money - they are not good people.

Hardship withdraw process is a scam and doesn’t even follow federal guidelines and won’t give you the money no matter what proof and they keep claiming they need more proof. I ask what exactly do I need and all they can come up with is documents from a government agency. But could t tell me what government agency and what it needed to give. What a joke and a disgrace of a company

I have applied three times now to get a hardship withdrawal from my 401K with Vanguard and each time I sent everything requested and would ultimately receive an email that my paperwork was not sufficient. I learned my now ex hadn’t paid in months and found out when I received a demand for payment.. I was advised on my second attempt since the request expired while I was given the run around… to wait for my eviction notice and it’ll be all they need. In doing so, I now am in a very right time crunch and I have NOWHERE to go! I own my double wide which sits on it free and clear but I can either move the trailer (over 20,000.00 and I have no place to put it…) OR move and lot rent continues to add up until they seize it and I lose everything I have… I’m already paying double now that I had to wait for the eviction notice bc of attorney and court fees. I called before sending this request bc I HAVE to do this within a week… and was told what to send., I asked three times and was reassured that was all… I sent a copy of my drivers license a cover letter and the entire packet I was served by the sheriffs office and on the 5th day (friday of course) an email stating I didn’t provide sufficient paperwork… I called and was told to get a new order, my park changed owners since I moved in here in 2017… but my address matches, the managers name matches, my amount owed is documented, a date it HAS to be paid is documented… there is a court date AND a case number with Lake Co Courts who felt this paperwork was sufficient to evict me.. I was told by the “nice” representative to “calm down” bc I started crying … I’m literally gonna lose EVERYTHING AND BE HOMELESS IN A FEW DAYS.. and this guy is telling me to keep playing games mailing [censored] I’ve sent.. if I lose my home now bc my COURT ORDER with not only the stamp from the clerks office but also the Lake Co. Sheriff’s Office stamp showing the date I was served and the officer’s initials on it is not sufficient to show I am facing a HARDSHIP… I will be contacting an attorney for the damages I suffered as a result of this whole situation… I have every call documented every application every email and every receipt from UPS related to all of the times I was required to mail additional documentation which was either provided already or unnecessary when the documents in their possession clearly meets the definition of hardship for Vanguard and the IRS.

Now it's been a month since I filed for my hardship withdrawal and the customer service is at its worse. Ask to get the number for the hardship department, they don't have that. Ask to speak to a supervisor, no one is EVER available and they verify your phone number to get a call back. I have 3 case numbers now and still have yet to get a call back.

On one of their responses they ask for information that didn't coincide with the reason I asked for withdrawal. Then next occasion they tell me May 27 is out side of the allowable timeframe... the timeframe is 90 days, today is Aug 10th. After I say that, the rep states oh the list of my medical services is not listed on EOB, I read for verbatim all the services listed on my EOB. Then wants to tell me oh, well let me push it back through for review again. Why is the customer doing your job for you when all you have to do is READ?

They completed made a hardship HARDER! Now must figure out fees I now incurred because of them.

So far this is my 3rd phone call to Vanguard Customer Service for the same issue.

Each time I spoke to someone they sent back confirmation WITH THE INCORRECT INFORMATION.

GET REPS WHO UNDERSTAND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE …….it is obvious that Vanguard Executives do NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS. Perhaps are only trying to enrich themselves by hiring customer service personnel in another Country at cheap rates and pocketing more profits for themselves by cutting costs and screwing their investors.

GET ENGLISH SPEAKING AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE UNDERSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSONNEL.

SHAME ON YOU VANGUARD FOR SCREWING YOUR CUSTOMERS

My parents had an account with Vanguard. They passed 3 days apart in February. Because they passed 3 days apart, the King County Superior Court has determined they passed away simultaneously. This is consistent with state law, IRS guidelines, and Federal law. Their is only one estate, not one for each of them.

Vanguard is unwilling to recognize this estate and has now frozen 4 million dollars. One of the beneficiaries is a special needs trust. The frezing of the accounts and unwillingness to help me settle the estate is alarming. We are not able to open two estates to fit into Vanguards policies. Vanguard needs to open one estate account consistent with the law and how 6 other financial institutions have operated since my parents' death.

I filed a complaint with the state in the last hour. I am hoping we can get this resolved, before they contact you.

Best Regards,

Vince

I have attempted numerous times to have someone assist me with a withdrawal from my 'many years 401 account. Some of your employees speak poor English and I struggle having them repeat their answers.

One of the Vanguard support people hung up on me during our conversation.

Upon telling a young employee exactly what I wanted and needed (and during the course of su mitting the info) ... she stated, we need to start all over. I have initiated multiple phone calls 6 to 8 total over a few weeks, and still have not received what I now need ... a withdrawal and a rollover.

I am so aggravated with Vanguard, I am ready to close my acct. Your employees need much additional trng.!

We submitted a request for a hardship withdrawal to purchase a primary residence. We are relocating for my wife’s work. We submitted all of the paperwork. We were supposed to close on 7/12/23. No funds have been released but they have asked us for a 3rd time to submit paperwork we have already submitted. We are furious. Customer service is worthless. With the most recent fax I submitted a letter telling them exactly what page and line of the purchase agreement they can find our closing date and signatures of both parties plus where to find the cash needed for closing on the loan disclosures. We are cleared to close with underwriting but can’t close due to Vanguard giving us a run around. It’s unprofessional.