Consumer complaint received 2024-09-05
Product: Debt or credit management — Debt settlement
Issue: Charged upfront or unexpected fees — 
Company: Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC (IL)

Consumer Fraud Subject : Urgent : Please Help Escalation of Unresolved Issues with Strategic Finacial Solutions LLC.

I am writing to express my extreme dissatisfaction and frustration with the handling of my debt consolidation program by Strategic Finacial Solutions LLC who falsely represented themselves as a made-up company called XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX this group does not exist and is a front for Strategic Finacial Solutions LLC . Since XXXX, I have repeatedly escalated my concerns regarding my account status, litigation issues, billing, and overall account management. Despite my numerous calls, emails, and personal efforts to resolve these issues, I have not received a proper review or escalation of my account. 
Key Concerns : 1. Unfulfilled Promises : In XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX promised to reduce my debt by XXXX % or refund all fees. These promises have not been fulfilled, resulting in a breach of contract.

2. Misleading Information : I was given misleading information and advised by multiple managers to get a lawyer.

3. Continued Charges : Despite being informed that my debt is no longer being settled, I am still being charged {$480.00} a month for no services rendered. 
4. Lack of Communication : My repeated calls for escalation have gone unanswered. Calls are hung up on, and emails receive no response.

5. Overcharging and Misrepresentation : I have been overcharged during periods when my case was not actively worked on. Settlements on all accounts have exceeded the initial balances by 10-30 %.

6. Failure to Contact Creditors : The firm has not contacted most of the companies on my behalf, despite the power of attorney provided. 
7. Unresponsiveness to Requests : I have repeatedly requested copies of recorded conversations and all notes on my account. XXXX XXXX customer service has refused to share this information, advising me to retain a lawyer to obtain it. 
8. Website Blocking Downloads : The website is now blocking any downloads, including the contract, which they are in clear breach of.

Attached are screenshots and additional details of some of the information I have managed to gather. The initial screenshots are of the letter XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX keeps sending me to sign, which I refuse to do, especially after the communication regarding the lawsuit for consumer fraud. 
This experience has been absolutely horrible. Every aspect of this company is a lie. They took a lot of money and did nothing. I have faced multiple garnishments from my paycheck due to lack of communication and lawyer presence. I was asked to remove myself from the program so it wouldnt count against them. All debts were over 30 % more than the intake amount, yet I have not seen any money back. I paid in advance for nothing. Recently, I received an urgent request to sign an amendment stating they wont ask for advance payments, which is absurd after they have already charged me in advance for three years and done nothing. I refuse to sign that and demand my money back.

I urgently request a thorough review and immediate resolution of these issues. I can not continue to manage this on my own and need your assistance. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX Here are the details I received on the pending investigations and filings : Information Regarding Strategic Financial Solutions Lawsuit To Whom It May Concern : The consumer presenting this letter to you is enrolled in a debt relief operation that was recently sued by regulatory enforcement agencies. This letter provides background on the lawsuit and how it has impacted affected consumers over the last several months should you wish to take this information into account in addressing the consumer 's debt. On XX/XX/XXXX, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Attorneys General of seven states ( " Plaintiffs '' ) filed a lawsuit against Strategic Financial Solutions ( " Strategic '' ) and related parties ( the " Defendants '' ) alleging they took unlawful advance fees in a debt-relief operation. More than 60,000 consumers became clients of law firms ( " Law Firms '' ) which worked in conjunction with the Defendants. ( A copy of the complaint with a complete list of Defendants and other case documents can be accessed at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX The Law Firms are not defendants in the lawsuit, and Defendants contest the claims.

ome of the important Orders in the lawsuit are set out below. 1 ) Temporary Restraining Order Entered : On XX/XX/XXXX, the Court entered a Temporary Restraining Order ( " TRO '' ), prohibiting the taking of advance fees, freezing Strategic 's assets, and appointing a receiver to take temporary control over Strategic. ( A copy of the TRO can be found at the website provided above. ) 2 ) Preliminary Injunction Entered : After a two-day evidentiary hearing and consideration of briefs filed by the parties and the Law Firms ( who intervened in the action ), on XX/XX/XXXX, the Court entered a Preliminary Injunction ( " PI ) against the Defendants and preliminarily determined that Defendants and the Law Firms have taken unlawful advance fees from consumers in violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule ( " TSR '' ). The Court also confirmed the appointment of a receiver. ( A copy of the PI and Decision and Order can be found at the link provided above. ) The Defendants and the Law Firms have appealed the PI ruling. No Further Advance Fees : The PI prohibits Strategic and the Law Firms from taking any further advance fees from consumers during the pendency of the lawsuit. The consumer funds located in dedicated accounts at payment processors XXXX XXXX. 
Lawsuit Filed : On XX/XX/XXXX, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the States of New York, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Wisconsin ( Plaintiffs ) filed a lawsuit against Strategic Financial Solutions and affiliated companies ( Strategic ) and related individuals ( the Defendants ) alleging they operated a debt-relief operation that collects unlawful advance fees. ( A copy of the Complaint with a complete list of Defendants can be found in the Documents section of this webpage. ) The Defendants vigorously contest the lawsuit. 
XXXX ) Temporary Restraining Order Entered : On XX/XX/XXXX, the XXXX entered a Temporary Restraining Order ( TRO ), prohibiting the taking of advance fees, freezing Strategics assets and appointing what is known as a receiver to take temporary control over Strategic. ( A copy of the TRO can be found in the Documents section of this webpage. ) XXXX ) Intervenor Law Firms : A number of the debt relief law firms ( Law Firms ), including yours, who were not named in the Complaint, but which work closely with Defendants, filed a motion to participate in and defend against the lawsuit. The Court allowed the Law Firms to do so. The Law Firms are as follows : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
XXXX ) Preliminary Injunction Entered : After a two-day evidentiary hearing and consideration of briefs filed by the parties and the Law Firms, on XX/XX/XXXX, the Court entered XXXX Preliminary Injunction ( PI ) against the Defendants and preliminarily determined that Defendants and the Law Firms have taken unlawful advance fees from consumers in violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule ( TSR ). The Court also confirmed the appointment of the Receiver. ( A copy of the What form of relief are you seeking? ( exchange, repair, refund, product delivery, etc. ) * I want to be reimbursed based on the breach of contract and fraudulent activity. The company has now blocked the downloads of contracts due to the pending investigation. I have been in this program since XXXX and waisted over 1000 hrs. calling, emailing, complaining, and trying to get resolution on my own no help. They have now removed my back account, so the active plans become overdue. I need your help pleaseeee I am begging you. I have attached some of the key documents highlighting the issues.