Additional Information for Nationwide Settlement Solutions

On October 5, 2023, the Wisconsin Department of Justice obtained a consent judgment against Missouri-based Nationwide Transfer, LLC and co-owners Michael Miles and Stacey Hammit.  Nationwide used telephone and direct-mail solicitations to attract Wisconsin consumers to attend sales presentations about its timeshare exit services which misled consumers into purchasing expensive “timeshare exit” services that they often failed to deliver.

The lawsuit alleged that Nationwide made thousands of telemarketing calls to Wisconsin telephone numbers without being registered as a telephone solicitor as required by state law. In addition, Nationwide allegedly made thousands of calls to Wisconsin telephone numbers that were listed on the Do Not Call Registry, in violation of Wisconsin law. The amended complaint further alleges that thousands of mail solicitations Nationwide sent to Wisconsin residents failed to identify the name of the principal seller, and misrepresented that Nationwide possessed specific information about the recipient’s timeshare. Lastly, the amended complaint alleges that Mr. Miles and Mr. Hammit were personally liable for Nationwide’s violations of Wisconsin direct marketing laws.

The Consent Judgment includes a permanent injunction, consumer restitution, civil forfeitures, and reimbursement of the State’s costs. If Defendants resume marketing to Wisconsin residents in the future, they are prohibited from misleading consumers about their timeshare exit services. They would further be required to escrow all up-front payments until completion of services if the company offers a 100% money back guarantee and document all purported timeshare exits they obtain for consumers. Finally, Defendants must provide a refund to customers who can verify that Nationwide did not obtain a timeshare exit for them, or that they obtained a timeshare exit themselves after paying Nationwide for services.

The judgment for restitution, civil forfeitures, and attorney fees totals $566,831.20. Of this amount, Defendants are required to pay $231,079 to DOJ for restitution to 49 customers who did not receive the services they paid for. The Defendants also will pay $230,00 for a civil forfeiture, court fees and surcharges, and will separately pay $105,752.20 to reimburse DOJ and DATCP’s costs and attorney’s fees.

Better Business Bureau is advising consumers to use caution when considering doing business with Nationwide Settlement Solutions.  BBB has received a pattern of consumer complaints alleging failure to honor a contract promising to sell consumers timeshare, failure to issue refunds, failure to cancel contracts, misleading sales presentation and poor customer service.