ComplaintsforConsumer Credit Counseling Foundation, Inc

• Initial Complaint

  06/09/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I received a call from a telemarketing company who passed me over to the Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation (CCCF). I spoke with a representative named ****** and her number is *******************. I've filed many BBB reports from similar companies who insist on calling my private business line all day long when it's registered on the *** list. When I asked who ************************* was, she said she didn't know, which is an obvious lie. They're not going to work and pass over numbers to someone just for fun. They're obviously hired to screen for new applicants for credit repair. I'm just trying to get my number dropped from these marketing companies who ignore the *** and then ask if it's okay to pass your call "even if it's on the *** list." So, they know they're calling *** numbers and hoping that this "consent" makes it okay to call. It doesn't. I would appreciate if CCCF would respond and kindly get me off of their list. Thank you!

  

  Business response

  06/17/2022

  Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation is committed to assisting individuals, families and communities helping to eliminate their financial hardships. Offering an extensive program providing debt relief solutions.
  On June 9th, 2022 Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation received a complaint from ****************** stating he received a call from a telemarketing even though he registered his number under the *** list.
  We reached out to ****************** and inform him that we do not use telemarketing to reach out to clients and we have no records of any calls made to ****************** from this office. CCCF only receive referrals from organizations that are assisting their current clients and cant help them with credit counseling services.
  We apologize for this misunderstanding and we want to assure ****************** that he will not be call by our organization.

  Customer response

  06/17/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. I received a call from the company, and they have removed me from their list. I appreciate the call and the help from BBB. Thank you!

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

• Initial Complaint

  01/26/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In November of 2021, I requested information through a website about refinancing credit card debt. Within seconds someone named Alexandria M. from Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation (CCCF) called my cell phone. She explained CCCF is a non-profit that helps people structure a payment plan directly with your creditor and by doing so can get your interest rate lowered. See my attachments where I was told the lower interest rate would be only 2%. She had impressive stats and numbers to show how much money I would save. She said the only catch in return is I have to try to avoid using the credit card. Alexandria clearly misrepresented the program to me because as I later found out, enrolling in the program closed my line of credit with Discover, so I could not use the card even if I wanted to like she implied. In December I was notified that my proposed repayment plan submitted to Discover by CCCF was rejected because the proposed monthly payment was lower than my minimum payment-- the lower amount was not what CCCF and I agreed to before submitting the proposal. Based on this and Alexandria's original misrepresentation, I told CCCF on 12/29 to cancel me from the program. They said no problem, that it would be done and there was nothing else I needed to do. Instead, Discover accepted a second proposal received from them on 12/30. My line of credit was closed. The current interest rate on my account is ****%. Not the 2% promised to me by CCCF. Discover told me they would consider backing-out everything on their end if someone from CCCF advocated for this on my behalf. Two people named ****** and ***** at CCCF told me over the phone this would be done and taken care of. It never was, and they are no longer responding to my emails. Their contact info: Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation. ***********************************************************. **************. *****' email: ************************************

  

  Business response

  02/05/2022

  Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation is committed to assisting individuals, families and communities helping to eliminate their financial hardships. We assist with unsecured debts while providing budget counseling services and educational workshops.
  On November 17th, 2021 ****************** contacted Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation to seek assistance with his credit card debt. After going through a detailed budget analysis and a financial counseling session, it was determined that ****************** would benefit from a *************** Program.
  We apologize ****************** is not satisfy with the services provided by Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation and this case has been assigned to the creditor service manager and will work with Discover to find a solution for ******************. We would like to remind ****************** that the we do not set *************** Guidelines and closing any lines of credit is not decided by CCCF. This was also explained during the enrollment call as well as the agreement ****************** signed and included on this complaint.
  We tried to communicate with **************** but we were not able to talk to him. As mentioned before, this case was escalated to the creditor service manager that will communicate with Discover and ****************** to find a positive resolution.

  Customer response

  03/23/2022

  I apologize that I am responding to this message so late. I did not see the email from BBB until minutes ago.  I understand the complaint with BBB has been closed, but just in case it's not too late for my response to be shared on your website, I would like to respond now. 

  
  Despite claiming they would send future communications with Discover and myself in CCCF's response to my complaint, they have yet to follow-up with me. Further, they ignored my last multiple emails attempting to continue working on a resolution with a member of management. 

  
  CCCF's response is entirely unacceptable. It does not answer my specific complaints. I never claimed they did anything that was not included in the agreement I signed, per se. Rather, they committed a gross inaccuracy while submitting my initial application for repayment to Discover, resulting in it being rejected. I asked a member of their management at this time to cancel my application, which they claimed had been done and that I had nothing else to do or worry about. This was not true. They sent a second application (after telling me my application would be canceled). Further, the lowered interest rate that I am now locked into after the second application was accepted, is not what they said it would be in the written agreement I signed. Finally, their responsiveness to my issues throughout this entire process has been woefully unprofessional. They do not follow through on what they say they will do and are careless when addressing concerns. 

  
  PSA to anyone interested in CCCF, they paint themselves as a non-profit organization that wants to help people going through financial hardships. But all they care about is inducing people into signing their agreement, in predatorial fashion, and they have made little to no effort to help me once I signed. I am worse off for having ever contacted CCCF.   

  Customer response

  03/23/2022

  Please see the attached.

  I apologize that I am responding to this message so late. I did not see the email from BBB until minutes ago.  I understand the complaint with BBB has been closed, but just in case it's not too late for my response to be shared on your website, I would like to respond now. 

  
  Despite claiming they would send future communications with Discover and myself in CCCF's response to my complaint, they have yet to follow-up with me. Further, they ignored my last multiple emails attempting to continue working on a resolution with a member of management. 

  
  CCCF's response is entirely unacceptable. It does not answer my specific complaints. I never claimed they did anything that was not included in the agreement I signed, per se. Rather, they committed a gross inaccuracy while submitting my initial application for repayment to Discover, resulting in it being rejected. I asked a member of their management at this time to cancel my application, which they claimed had been done and that I had nothing else to do or worry about. This was not true. They sent a second application (after telling me my application would be canceled). Further, the lowered interest rate that I am now locked into after the second application was accepted, is not what they said it would be in the written agreement I signed. Finally, their responsiveness to my issues throughout this entire process has been woefully unprofessional. They do not follow through on what they say they will do and are careless when addressing concerns. 

  
  PSA to anyone interested in CCCF, they paint themselves as a non-profit organization that wants to help people going through financial hardships. But all they care about is inducing people into signing their agreement, in predatorial fashion, and they have made little to no effort to help me once I signed. I am worse off for having ever contacted CCCF.   

  

  Business response

  04/02/2022

  Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation is committed to assisting individuals, families and communities helping to eliminate their financial hardships. We assist with unsecured debts while providing budget counseling services and educational workshops.
  On November 17th, 2021 ****************** contacted Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation to seek assistance with his credit card debt. After going through a detailed budget analysis and a financial counseling session, it was determined that ****************** would benefit from a *************** Program.
  We apologize ****************** is not satisfy with the services provided by Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation and this case has been assigned to the creditor service manager and will work with Discover to find a solution for ******************. We would like to remind ****************** that the we do not set *************** Guidelines and closing any lines of credit is not decided by CCCF. This was also explained during the enrollment call as well as the agreement ****************** signed and included on this complaint.
  We tried to communicate with **************** but we were not able to talk to him. As mentioned before, this case was escalated to the creditor service manager that will communicate with Discover and ****************** to find a positive resolution.
  
  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  12/14/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I called CCCF to help me with getting a better rate on my personal loan from ******************* and I did secure that, but realizing that I wouldnt have enough money for my other bills I called to cancel the transaction the day after I spoke with them!I even called them to make sure that my payment would not be taken out of my bank account, by a guy named ****, then on Sunday the 4th of December I checked out my bank account and it was taken out, and have been told many many times that its been set to transfer into my account and it never is!!!I would never deal with this business again if offered free of charge!!!!*************************

  

  Business response

  12/23/2021

  Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation is committed to assisting individuals, families and communities helping to eliminate their financial hardships. We assist with unsecured debts while providing budget counseling services and educational workshops.
  On November 30th, 2021 **************** contacted Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation to seek assistance with her credit card debt. After going through a detailed budget analysis and a financial counseling session, it was determined that **************** would benefit from a *************** Program.
  On December 2nd, 2021 **************** contacted our office to stop the already scheduled payment on December 6th,2021.As explained on the counseling session, all payment are made through ACH and if an already scheduled payment needs to be modify, this will need to be done within 5 days of the scheduled payment since we submit the payment to our banking institution 2 business days prior to the actual payment. When *************** contacted CCCF, the file with **************** payment was already processed and submitted to the bank leaving us with no option of canceling or re-scheduling the payment.
  On December 6th, 2021 **************** contacted our office again and was inform that a refund check will be sent out once the payment clear on our system.
  On December 10th, 2021 a refund check ( #*******)was sent out to **************** for the amount of $75.60.
  We apologize if this caused any issues with **************** but we follow guidelines set by our banking institution and although we try to always accommodate clients with their request, sometimes is out of our hands.
  We are trying to get in touch with **************** to go over her the complaint and reach a positive resolution to this issue. 
  At Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation, we take this complaints seriously and we use this as a tool to improve our services. We would like to apologize to **************** if she had a negative experience and we would like to assure **************** that this issue has been forwarded to Management.

  Customer response

  03/28/2022

  I would like to retract my complaint with the business named Consumer Credit Counseling Foundation.

   

  There was a misunderstanding regarding the setup of my initial account with them, and they are a reputable company.

   

  Sincerely,

   

  ****** Caruso 

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩