ComplaintsforOptimal Debt Solutions

• Initial Complaint

  12/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On August 30th, 2023 I signed up for a debt consolidation program through Optimal Debt Solution. The agreement was to save and pay off 8 creditors. I paid into the account for 2 months, each payment for 176 dollars. I decided after the 2 payments to cancel program as I was receiving help for a family member. I called and contacted Optimal Debt and Global (the bank my funds were held in) and cancelled as I was instructed to do. I never received any of my money back. I spoke to *********************** Senior Debt Advisor Optimal Debt Solutions ******************* ********************************** and told him I didn't receive my money back. Be said he would be in touch with client services and they would call me back to discuss refund. I didn't get any call. I would like what monies I have owed to me returned. Thank you

  

  Business response

  12/21/2023

  Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We have been in contact with ************** and believe we have resolved this matter. We will continue to follow up to ensure her full and complete satisfaction. 

  Customer response

  12/21/2023

  Hello,

   

  I am happy to report that the company did give me a refund.  *************** was very kind, apologetic, and accommodating.  He handled my complaint and was able to resolve my issue.  

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  08/23/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Despite paying Optimal Debt Solutions for over two years to settle my debts and constantly being told "Don't do anything. It's being taken care of," I am now being garnished due to Optimal's inability or incapability to do their job. I would like a complete and full refund for everything I have paid to Optimal. I will seek legal action if need be.

  

  Business response

  09/11/2023

  Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We are unsure of the timing of this complaint, however, we have resolved the account in question and have been in touch with ************** and will continue to do so until this account is resolved. Please let us know if there is any other information needed. 

  Customer response

  09/20/2023

   
  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. ******* went above and beyond in responding to my complaints and got everything resolved in an amazing fashion.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

• Initial Complaint

  07/10/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I trained this company for months ago and have been terribly disappointed with the results so far. In truth, I felt pushed into this, and I cannot afford the monthly payment. Because of this, I have missed a few payments. I was told by a man named ****** that he would get me my $400 back, but when I called his number today, I got a different person entirely, and I am waiting for them to get back to me. Working with them is like pulling teeth. I am so frustrated and disappointed. **************

  

  Business response

  07/31/2023

  We have spoke with ************** and we feel we were able to resolve this matter. 

• Initial Complaint

  06/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I talk to someone in November of 2022 to help with debt relief. I was still paying on my *********** credit card and struggling to pay the Discover card. When I talk to someone in November I thought they were going to take my money and start paying the two credit cards and he also ask about Fortivia I told him okay to adding that company in it also. When January came *********** and Discover Card contacts me, the amount has gone up. I thought it was because I hadn't sent the paper back to the company Optimal Debt Solution. I hurried sent the paper thinking the next month it should right. No wrong still calling. The amount is getting higher and higher. I called this other company that they probably sit across from and ask the young lady from Global Client Solution about what was going on she explained to me that they have to get in touch with my creditors and negotiate an amount and then they will start making the payments. I'm like that's not what was said the first time I talked to that guy. Well I got sick and I was able to focus more on this situation. I contacted Global Solution today 6/6/23 and the young lady said they kept the money for fees that I owed them. So when I call Optimal Debt Solution, **** claimed they paid ********. All I want is my money back. They were taking $175 out of my account every month from December 2022 until March 2023. Please help. Thank you.

  

  Business response

  06/12/2023

  Thank for you for bringing this matter to our attention. ******************** enrolled in our debt resolution program in in Dec, 2022 and we successfully negotiated a settlement on her Fortiva account in April, 2023, resulting in a savings of over $300. However, shortly after that, ******************** stopped making payments toward her program.

  It appears that there was a misunderstanding regarding the nature of our program. ******************** believed that we would make monthly payments towards enrolled accounts. However, we only make payments when we are able to secure a settlement that is less than the total about owed. Given that ******************** was delinquent on her accounts when she joined our program, making monthly payments without obtaining an agreeable settlement would result in those payments being applied to the full balance.

  We strive to provide clear information about how our program works. We communicate this verbally during the enrollment process, during the welcome call, in our service agreement and in our client welcome packet. We are unsure what led ******************** to believe that we make monthly payments, and we regret not having the opportunity to address her concerns prior to the filing of this complaint. 

  We have made numerous attempts to contact ******************** through phone, email and text message both before and after receiving this complaint. Unfortunately, we have been unsuccessful in reaching her, and to date, we have not received a response or any communication from her. We have cancelled her account and initiated a refund of the remaining funds.

• Initial Complaint

  05/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I needed to go through bankruptsy and my friend suggested this place as seen on TV. I called and spoke to ****, unusually accommodating. Gave him my SSN. reports showed what I owe. He said that all combined that my payment would be $****** for 42 months. May even be less. They suggested this way. I even asked what their charges are. He said it is included in amount given to me. They will contact creditors. Tell them the situation. In the meantime, **** said that being I owe a loan to ******** to switch banks. They will contact them. **** said to cut up cards, Block creditors and not to speak to anyone.Then I find out that I am switched to *********************** at ****** Law Firm in **********, **. I talked to her twice and was assured again. I then can not get a hold of her.I am then handed over to Global LLC. A *************************. He said the same thing as the other 2. My monies (******) would be put in a holding and if I change my mind it is there for my taking. Lies upon lies. I forgot to mention the next morning after Optimal, a ****************** came as a notary. 49 pages. Would not explain nor show me. Kept saying, sign, sign and showing me where. I had a TERRIBLE time understanding him. He said I would get these papers. He was here less than an hour. Jamaican? I even complained to ****. Many times I have called these people because I got constant phone calls, texts, mail. They always said that, "not to worry". Companies do that. But they have been told. Up to the present. I insisted on papers, hard copy. Instead they emailed 49 pages to me. My stepson, *********************, got through all of that. I HAVE been frauded. They left me $67. after taking out what they wanted. **** said that they let the money sit and then pay something. I have paid a total of$852.49. I was deliberately misinformed. They never contacted a creditor. I started looking up lawyers and came across: ************************************************************ ***************** ******, ** Need refund.

  

  Business response

  06/06/2023

  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. **************** is not a client of Optimal Debt Solutions. However, we did speak with **************** and believe her concerns have been resolved. Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance. 

• Initial Complaint

  05/08/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I entered into a debt management program with Optimal Debt Solutions in February of 2023. At that time, I provided several accounts to be included in the program. I was told they were able to do so and quoted a monthly payment amount.Weeks later, I received a welcome packet from Optimal Debt Solutions, indicating the monthly payment, as quoted. However, my plan only included a fraction of the accounts I originally indicated, of which I had not previously been informed.Over the course of three months, having deposited a total of $350.00 into an account, I was led to believe would be utilized to pay renegotiated payments to my creditors, Optimal Debt Solutions and ***************, the affiliated bank where *********** were being held, had charged fees, totaling nearly $235.00, while NOTHING had been paid to any of the assigned creditors.Additionally, new derogatory remarks and delinquencies were reported to the credit bureaus, making it clear that Optimal Debt Solutions had done nothing, by way of contacting said creditors, nor advocating/negotiating the debts on my behalf.To make matters worse, statements provided by ***************, revealed a discrepancy, indicating an amount of $10.00, unaccounted for.Given these facts, I ask that Global Debt Solutions, refund ALL of the money remitted to them in regard to my account, minus the fees charged by ***************.I have also asked that *************** close my associated account and refund my remaining balance.

  

  Business response

  05/25/2023

  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. Upon reviewing ************************** account and complaint, it appears that there was a lack of communication and understanding regarding the program. In February, ********************** enrolled in our 37-month debt resolution program. However, during the three months he was with us, only two successful payments were made. We made multiple attempts to contact him through various channels, but received no response until May 8th when he emailed us to cancel the program, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of effort in negotiating, making payments, and contacting creditors. This indicates a misunderstanding of how the program operates. Typically, most clients see their first settlement within 4-6 months with consistent payments.

  All information relevant to Mr. ********** complaint is conveyed verbally during the enrollment process and welcome call, as well as in writing through our service agreement and welcome packet. Unfortunately, we were unable to complete the welcome call with *********************** While we strive to ensure all clients are well-informed about the program and know what to expect throughout the process, communication is crucial for our programs success.

  We regret not resolving this matter prior to receiving a complaint, but we have refunded all the funds, less 3rd party banking fees, that ********************** paid into the program. We hope this resolves the issue, and ********************** is welcome to contact us anytime if there are any additional concerns we can address.

   

  Customer response

  05/26/2023

   
  Complaint: 20031013
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Claims made, regarding their inability to complete the welcome call and my failure to contact them until May 8th are absolutely false.

  In addition, only two successful payments were made on my part, as I was not willing to make additional payments to Optimal Debt Solutions, after learning that nearly $235.00 of the $350.00 I had deposited, up to that point, went to pay fees, assessed by Optimal Debt Solutions themselves, without first receiving a clear and itemized explanation of the charges and their, considerably higher than industry standard, fees, which are clearly geared toward achieving their own financial gain, and not at all beneficial, nor conducive to achieving debt relief or resolution for the customer. 

  Furthermore, I'm able to provide documented proof, that I made several inquiries and attempts to contact Optimal Debt Solutions, regarding this matter, which went unanswered by Optimal Debt Solutions.

  I'm also able to provide documented proof that the so-called "welcome call" was successfully completed between myself and Optimal Debt Solutions, and that the company's claims of my failure and/or lack of effort to communicate, regarding my account, are completely untrue.

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

• Initial Complaint

  05/04/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I online searched ****** Debt assistance, and found what I thought was a local ****** company. I provided preliminary information, and was shortly contacted by ****** **** who was with Optimal Debt Solutions in ******* - not ****** as was given online impression.****** was friendly and compassionate. I was given a sense of trust that the solution that was offered - $176 a month for 4 years - was a fair and good solution to my needs.I provided all requested information, including my checking account routing and number.Later that evening, I ran the numbers and reviewed the documents signed via eSignature. It was a rip off - absolutely no debt reduction as promised to assist in the same but pulling $2226 over my current debt of approximately $6222. This is a breach of trust, to say the least, and is well close to fraud. I have called twice today, 5/4/22, and sent several emails to account contact ****** **** ********************************** requesting cancel, no response received, to then two calls to the company speaking to ****** Services ****. **** assured me that no funds would be taken out of my checking account on 5/18 nor at any time thereafter, from my account.I received a Welcome from ***************, LLC and provided them with all contract provided information with promise to cancel. I have yet to receive actual email confirmation from any contacts.The representative of the company, ****** ****, gave all needed assurances but the "approval" that came back was not only misleading, but wrong in how it was represented to a person aged 64 as helping a debt solution.I have phone records, and emails, that support my request.Thank you!

  

  Business response

  06/03/2022

  We were able to speak with ****************** regarding this complaint and believe that ****************** simply had a change of heart soon after completing the enrollment process and decided to cancel. ****************** called into our client services department to inform us of her decision to cancel and we we verbally confirmed that we would be cancelling her account and that we would be following up once the cancellation is fully processed. We received this complaint the very same day so we believe ****************** was fearful that we would not cancel her program as we stated. However, we followed up the next day to confirm in writing that her account has been closed. ****************** replied confirming receipt of the confirmation. As such, we believe ****************** is satisfied with the resolution since we were able to cancel her account and confirm cancellation prior to any payments being drafted to begin the program. Please let us know if any other information is needed to resolve this matter and close the complaint. 

*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. ↩