Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/22/2025

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I came across a solicitation for OTA/ Online Trading Academy and inquired about what was involved with the course. After connecting with a ******** *******, an enrollment specialist, I was explained my situation as I was disabled and undergoing some psychological issues at the time. I was looking for something to keep me occupied and earn some money doing it. I was advised that I could leverage the trading sessions that they publicize for members and use the data to place trades for options, and make $50-$100 a day with minimal investment. This never came to fruition.I was then presented with a signup agreement to finance the cost of enrollment through a company called CoveredCare by ******************, and ended up financing around $8k. After signing up, I was never provided with the training, haven't been able to access any content, and have been paying this loan through *********** out of fear of being sued based on what ******** **** advised if payment wasn't ********* forward to today, I have now paid $4287.84 over the past 16 months, in monthly payment installments of $267.99, with a current payoff amount of $6511.40 as of 07/21/2025. I was taken advantage of, not in a sound state of mind, and essentially scammed out of my hard-earned money with the threat of being sued for non-payment.Looking at the reviews of Online Trading Academy, it looks like the *** has previously pursued damages against OTA. It appears that their predatory practices are still in full effect.I'm seeking to have the balance remaining forgiven and payments made refunded so I can get back on with my life.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/06/2025

  Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns. We take matters like this very seriously and want to ensure you receive the proper support and resolution.
  Weve made two attempts to reach you and will continue to keep you on our teams call calendar until were able to connect directly or weve made a total of five attempts. While we do not typically make frequent outbound calls to existing students, we are always quick to respond when contacted. To date, we have not received any prior complaint or inquiry from you through ************* or myself.
  According to our records, you live approximately 17 miles from our Irvine Center, which remains fully staffed and available to assist you. Our goal is to better understand your experience, review the details of your enrollment and access to training, and work toward a fair resolution.
  Please let us know a convenient time for you to speak so we can address this matter directly.
  Sincerely,

  ******* *******

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/29/2025

  To whom it may concern, I'm rejecting the business's response to my complaint, based on the fact that further correspondence had occurred via email with ******* *********, the ***************** Specialist" from Trading Academy Headquarters, and the business did not address the concerns detailed in the original complaint. 

  
  

  Via email with ******* *********,  on 08/12/2025, I advised that my preference is to maintain communication via written correspondence. I additionally asked if he was able to address the issue and make the situation right. ********* response on 08/18/2025 was as follows:

  "Hello again, ***,
  I'm perplexed why you will not have a phone conversation if you are seeking to come to a mutually agreeable resolution. I'll address a few points here and once again invite you to have a phone conversation with me. 
  In your complaint to the Better Business Bureau you said, I was advised that I could leverage the trading sessions that they publicize for members and use the data to place trades for options, and make $50-$100 a day with minimal investment. This never came to fruition.
  First off, nowhere in your Enrollment Agreement (purchase contract) are there any earnings claims or promises you're going to make a certain amount of money per day. To the contrary, it does say this.
  REPRESENTATIONS I acknowledge that Trading Academy has made no representations or warranties other than those expressed herein; and Trading Academy specifically disclaims any other representations or warranties. Moreover, I recognize and acknowledge that my performance depends upon my individual effort, aptitude, skills, time availability, market conditions and dedication in the training program and use of the Community as well as other factors. This Agreement represents the entire understanding and supersedes all prior statements, agreements and understandings, if any, either oral or written. I acknowledge that the Trading Academy training program and use of its products and services should not be construed as a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell any security or the suitability of any investment strategy. The purchase, sale, or advice regarding any security, other financial instrument or system can only be performed by a licensed Industry representative such as, but not limited to a Broker/Dealer, Introducing Broker, ****************** Merchant (***), Forex Dealer Member (FDM) and/ or ********************* Advisor. Neither Trading Academy nor its representatives are licensed to make such advisements. All purchasers of any Trading Academy training programs or products are encouraged to speak with a licensed representative of their choice regarding the appropriateness of investing/trading or of any particular investment/trading strategy.
   
  Second, as with learning any other complex skill set (like a foreign language or playing a musical instrument), learning our curriculum takes time and effort. From what I can see, from your purchase date up until now your efforts have been very minimal. If you do not put in the work, how would you expect anything to come to fruition?
  In your complaint to the Better Business Bureau, you also said, I was never provided with the training, haven't been able to access any content. Weve been here to provide the education you purchased along with support. I have no record of you ever calling or emailing asking for guidance in accessing academic content.  
  In your complaint to the Better Business Bureau, you also said, it looks like the *** has previously pursued damages against OTA. It appears that their predatory practices are still in full effect. We Settled with the *** (without admission of guilt) to avoid years of costly litigation versus the US government. And one might consider this, if anything we did was even close to being as bad as the allegations, don't you think the *** would have continued pursuing the case until someone went to prison instead of settling?
  This is what I can see from my perspective. Unless you can provide additional details, this is where I stand. If you would like to reconsider and have a conversation I would look forward to talking with you. Our entire staff also stands by ***** and willing to provide you with the exceptional education you purchased as we have for thousands of other students over the 28 years we've been in business."

  
  

  My response to ******* on 08/28/25 was as follows:

  "Hello *******,

  My intent is to keep communications documented via written correspondence, given that previously made verbal guidance received by a member of your team proved to be inaccurate. 

  Regarding you're inclusion of the representations section of the agreement, your representative misled me through this entire process and took advantage of the fact that I was disabled and not in a mentally sound state of mind. Had I not been, I would have never agreed to sign up to begin with. It's ridiculously immoral and unethical to pressure someone going through a mental health crisis to take a private student loan with the false promises of generating significant income.

  The false promises of generating income are exactly what led to the original *** complaint, which resulted in a $362,000,000.00 judgment. This same judgment also included permanent restrictions to prevent future misrepresentations, including earnings claims and misrepresentations about the training programs. Additionally, there were recordkeeping requirements mandating consumer complaints and refund requests to be retained for 10 years after the order's entry dated 09/11/2020. 

  Long story *****, *******, all I'm seeking is my money back and this predatory loan from ************ to be forgiven. This debt has completely ruined me financially, and as a single father of two school children, this is literally pushing me towards bankruptcy. 

  Thank you for your time,"

  
  

  I received a response 6 minutes later on 08/28/25 from ******* advising the following:

  ***,
  The Better Business Bureau has already taken down your complaint, because you've refused to talk to me about the issue. I will not be responding to additional e-mails, unless it is an e-mail to schedule a phone appointment. Again, I will be happy to send an e-mail recapping any points covered in a phone conversation.

  
  

  
  

  As it stands, my original concerns remain unaddressed, and the business has attempted to no longer address this issue as the BBB complaint with mistakenly closed. My desired outcome remains the same, updated as of 08/28/2025. I'm seeking a refund in the amount of $4555.83, the total sum paid over the past 17 months, and for the open loan to be forgiven on the remaining balance of $6405.26 as of 08/28/2025.

  
  

  A copy of the email thread between me and ******* ********* has been attached to this reply. 

  
  

  
  

  Thank you,

  --

  *** ********

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/29/2025

  On August 12, 2025, the customer responded to our email and declined our request for a phone conversation to address the matter. Our employee, **** *********, even offered to provide a follow-up email summarizing any discussion points, but this was also declined. Since then, we have extended two additional invitationsvia text on August 15, 2025, and email on August 28, 2025reiterating that we cannot reconsider our decision without a phone conversation. We remain ready and willing to speak at the customers convenience and will provide an update should the customer choose to engage in discussion.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/12/2025

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  Please retract my complaint against this business, complaint ID ******** effective immediately. You can officially consider this complaint resolved.
  
  Regards, 
  
  *** ********