Customer ReviewsforConsolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada Inc

This organization is fantastic. They are very professional, helpful, clear, and their communication was excellent. I was able to track everything on my account on their website. I was their client for 3.5 years, and they helped me get out of debt, and save me from paying massive amounts of interest. I paid off all my creditors, and received a Certificate of Full Performance letter. I am very happy with them, and I highly recommend them.

Hi ******, firstly Congratulations on the completion of the program and paying off your debts; that's no small feat for anyone. As well, thank you so much for taking the time to provide this review. It will go a long way to helping others on their journey to become debt free. If there is anything we can do to help answer any questions you may have regarding your finances, we are there for you. Best of luck, and once again, congratulations on your success. Yours truly, Jeff ******** AFCC, MSM Executive Director

**** ** **** * ***** *** *** ******* ** *****! They told me that they will contact my bank, so I will only need to pay them (to pay off my loan with the bank). On the first month, not only did they charged me way sooner that they told me they would, but I was also being charged from the bank. (No one can afford to pay the bank and the wooping 600$ a month toward the same loan, so with them and the back, I had to pay 1000$ a month). I called them saying they charged me way sooner than they told me, and that they said they would contact my bank, so that this very situation would not happen. They told me that it would take at least 2-3 months before they get in contact with my bank!? How can anyone, especially someone who ask for help financially, able to afford to pay 1000$ for 3 months until they finally contacted my bank, to get them to agree on the terms. All they told me, was "I know it will be a tough few months, but it will be worth it". Seriously? They put me in the negatives, I was not able to pay for my rent, *** ********* ** *** * ** ***** ** ** **** ** ******* ******* ** ****. * **** * ** ******* *** ****, **** ** ***** ****** *** *** ******* ** ********* ****** *** **** ** **** ***** **** ** ******* **** Here I am panicking, calling to cancel with them, from ***** to me, and charging me way before they should, all while trying to deal with my bank and explaining to my landlord what was going on, ** * ***** ** ********* I had to call them multiple times, to cancel "services" from them, and the get my money back. They only gave some of my money back. they gave me the 300$ but would not give me my 49$ because they called it a service fee. There was no service, the "service fee" was supposed to pay for them contacting and dealing with my bank, they never did, and yet they won't give my money back, from a service they never did. Every time I called, I felt like they kept making excuses and promises and they always brake. ***** **** ** ** *****

Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada, Inc. is a national, non-profit credit counselling agency. Since our inception in 2007, our organization has assisted many families across Canada that were experiencing financial difficulties. Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada, Inc. is currently servicing thousands of clients and disbursing payments to hundreds of creditors on a monthly basis. Our operation is completely automated and is operated by some of the most sophisticated computer systems in the industry. In addition, our client service and counselling staff is well trained and dedicated. We provide a quality service and ask for our clients’ cooperation and patience. The review’s portrayal does not align with the actual program events. The client’s account was charged as agreed, with their consent. We learned of the auto-pay agreement that the client had with the creditor when the client contacted us on Friday, March 1, 2024 regarding their unexpected withdrawal which the client believed would have automatically been cancelled. As a third-party debt management agency, we cannot cancel such arrangements; clients must do so themselves. We explained our proposal process and reminded the client of the program payment which was scheduled for March 1st, 2024. The client agreed to us reversing the draft when cleared and rescheduling it for a later date. We even offered to expedite the refund process with a conference call to the client’s bank. On Monday, March 4, 2024, the client called and requested to cancel the program citing supposed inconsistencies. We explained the process yet again but promptly froze the client’s program and so the client’s subsequent calls were not to cancel the already-canceled program. The client contacted us on March 11, 2024 when the credit reversal was received and inquired about the non-refundable initial fee which we clarified. The following day the client called and we assisted the client with a specific request to send a drop notice to the creditor. Three days later the client advised us that the creditor is yet to receive the drop letter. The next business day we sent it again and have since verified with the creditor that it was received. Despite attempts to discuss the review’s allegations, we have been unable to reach the client. As a gesture of goodwill, we have issued a $49 credit to the client’s bank account and apologize for any discrepancies in their expectations and their experience. We are happy to have the consumer as a client of Consolidated and apologize again for any misunderstanding and or any inconvenience. Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada, Inc. has a long history of providing a quality service and has an excellent reputation. It is our policy to endeavor to resolve any dispute to the satisfaction of all involved. We appreciate your bringing this client’s concerns to our attention.

They've taken funds of random amounts out of my account at random times, and I am still constantly getting calls from the debt collectors they were supposed to be helping with.

The success of the debt management program is contingent on our clients making timely, consistent, monthly payments to be remitted to their creditors, to re-pay their debt according to the arrangement that we make with them. Several of the pre-authorized direct debit drafts for payments were not paid by the client’s bank and the fee for the non-sufficient fund activity as disclosed in the Direct Debit agreement, was not always collectible. One of the consequences of non-payment resulting in delinquency is, the creditors will drop the accounts from the debt management program, discontinue the program benefits and resume their collection efforts, which is what transpired in this client’s case. We made several attempts to reach this client to discuss ways in which we could help the client get back on track, but our efforts were futile. On March 10, 2023, the client submitted a request for us to cancel the program and the direct debiting attempts and we complied. Since coming across this former client’s review, we attempted yet again to reach the former client to discuss their concerns, explain the repercussions of their non-payments and see how we could best assist, but the person who answered the telephone call simply stated, “Leave me alone” and hung up. Should the former client change their mind, they are welcome to contact us to review their debt management program account activity and their payment history; we would be more than happy to oblige. As always, we strive for client satisfaction with all our programs, and we are still happy and willing to work with this former client.

***** ****** **** It will mess your credit up just like a bankruptcy. I paid it all off and it's messed my credit from great to good. Can't even get a 1000$ credit card. Haven't missed a payment on my bureau for 9 years. It will drop your credit like 200 points when you sign up

Thank you for the note. This may be a good opportunity to clear up some misperceptions around a debt management program. Creditors do not report our clients’ enrollment as they do a bankruptcy and the impact to a consumer’s credit profile is not the same. How a client makes payments during their enrollment with Consolidated is reported by their creditors and how creditors report to the credit bureaus varies from creditor to creditor. Whenever a payment is skipped, even at the onset of the program as was the case in this instance, it creates a delinquency which the creditor reports, and that delinquency will negatively impact the client’s credit. Creditors prefer to see a “cooling off” period, an abstinence from consumers, from applying for new credit, just following their completion of a debt management program. Subsequently, when applicable, we make suggestions to clients as to how to rebuild or improve their credit rating in the interim when necessary. We have reached out to you to offer support and we are yet to hear back.

amazing work by Luigi P., helping me understand each step with clarity and patience. very professional no judgment at all about my debt, showed me different programs and we find together the one that suits me best

Thanks so much for your feedback. I will be sure to pass this along to Luigi! We are thrilled that we could help you find the best solution for YOU! Best of luck going forward.

I had previously posted a raving review for Consolidated Credit. However, I would like to retract that. They took the initial $49.00 payment from my account 2 weeks before they agreed to and now are saying it's "non refundable ". They claim to relieve your stress when all they do is add to it.
********************* They will talk circles and not really answer your questions....horrible company preying on people they know are down and out financially.

Good afternoon Vicki. We are very sorry that you are unhappy with our service and our nominal one-time fee of $49 has been refunded. We have reminded our counsellors to make sure they explain to all clients before they sign the reasons, and timetable, of all payments including fees and debt payments, involved with being a client of Consolidated Credit. At all times, our goal is to help our clients understand the debt solutions available and put together a plan that will relieve the financial stress they are under. In our 15 years, we have helped hundreds of thousands of individuals and families with their debt problems and will continue to strive to help Canadians start their debt-free journey.

Extremely poor service no phone calls ever returned. Staff doesn't seem to understand the English language as they start to argue with you when you ask for a supervisor. Also no communication they just do what ever they like to do with an account. I have had numerous problems with the inexperienced and untrained staff. Very poor business experience and management here. If I knew what this place was about I wouldn't have even talked to them in the first place. Offen couldn't access the account as the log on information was lost many times so had to redo the profile and reset accout log in.

Hi Philip, thanks for your note. As a returning client, we were surprised to hear of your troubles, especially after a positive experience that encouraged you to return us. Please know that we deploy technology advances to our systems on a regular basis to improve the experience of our clients. That strategy often includes training and hiccups along the way as we implement the changes necessary to improve the services we provide.

Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada, Inc. has a long history of providing a quality service and has an excellent reputation. It is our policy to endeavor to resolve any complaints to the satisfaction of all involved. We appreciate you bringing your concerns to our attention.

Our leadership team is available and our Executive Director's email is available on the website along with a complaint form. We invite you to contact us if you have any questions.