Consumer complaint received 2026-06-23 00:00:00
Product: Payday loan, title loan, personal loan, or advance loan — Installment loan
Issue: Problem with the payoff process at the end of the loan — 
Company: Berkshire Financial Services, LLC
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Complaint Company Names Involved : Berkshire Financial Services ( Florida ) XXXX XXXX XXXX Representative : XXXX XXXX Complaint Type : Debt Relief / Debt Settlement Scam / Deceptive Business Practices I am the owner of a business called XXXX XXXX. I obtained a XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) from XXXX XXXX. A few months after entering into that agreement, I was contacted by a company called Berkshire Financial Services located in Florida. Representatives from Berkshire Financial Services told me that my agreement with XXXX XXXX was allegedly illegal and that they could help me settle the debt for a substantially lower amount. Based on these representations, I agreed to work with them. Berkshire Financial Services then partnered me with another company called XXXX XXXX XXXX, and I was assigned an account manager named XXXX XXXX. Over the course of our relationship, I paid approximately {$8000.00} to these companies with the understanding that they would negotiate and settle my debt with XXXX XXXX. However, after making these payments, I became increasingly concerned because there appeared to be no meaningful efforts being made to settle the debt. I received no evidence of negotiations, no settlement offers, and no updates demonstrating that any work was being performed on my behalf. As a result, I requested to cancel the agreement and asked that my funds be returned. I was told that this would be handled. However, since making that request approximately two weeks ago, I have been unable to reach anyone at either Berkshire Financial Services or XXXX XXXX XXXX. My phone number appears to have been blocked or placed on a no-call list. My emails, phone calls, and text messages have gone unanswered. Meanwhile, XXXX XXXX has continued pursuing collection efforts and has threatened legal action due to the failure to make payments. When I spoke directly with XXXX XXXX, I was informed that they have encountered similar situations involving companies that claim they can settle XXXX obligations but fail to do so. At this point, I believe I may have been misled into paying thousands of dollars to companies that represented they would negotiate my debt but have failed to provide the promised services and have ceased communicating with me after receiving my money. I am requesting that the CFPB investigate Berkshire Financial Services and XXXX XXXX XXXX for potential deceptive and unfair business practices. I am also seeking : A full accounting of all funds paid. A refund of the approximately {$8000.00} paid for services that were not performed. An investigation into whether these companies are engaging in fraudulent debt-settlement activities. Any other relief deemed appropriate. I can provide payment records, contracts, emails, text messages, call logs, and other supporting documentation upon request.

Company public response: Company believes complaint caused principally by actions of third party outside the control or direction of the company
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation