ComplaintsforBen Franklin Finance, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  05/15/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Requested a payoff receipt over the phone and by email. As of this date 5/15/23 no paperwork stating the loans were paid off has been received.

  Business response

  05/16/2023

  **************, 

  I asked the financing company to locate your account. Your name "*****" is fairly common, but we did find an account with your name in *******, **. If that is you, your account does show as paid off. Financing said they had sent several messages to you in response to your inquiry and even asked you to contact them by phone, but they had heard nothing. Their toll free number is ************. They asked that you simply give them a call and they will provide whatever documentation you need. We look forward to hearing from you and appreciate the opportunity to serve you. 

  Customer response

  05/16/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
  
  I would like a copy of the records where they have sent a copy of the pay off receipt/and or requested contact. I have sent emails and have called with no response on a receipt of payoff. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************
  

  Business response

  05/16/2023

  You're original complaint was that you could not get a receipt showing your account is paid off. Our earlier response was that we acknowledge it is paid and we are willing to send you want you want. We simply need to have you call us to confirm your identity and where you want the statement sent. We are giving you what you want. Is there anything else we can do to help you? 

• Initial Complaint

  01/02/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was also scammed into believing that Distance Learning (DLSI) was associated with *****************. When I contacted the college they mentioned that many people call saying the same, but there is no affiliation. I now have a debt from Ben Franklin Finance of $3,678 and $2,676. All complaints on here are for the same scam. **** continues to response saying that we signed to pay "X" amount of dollars, but we were all under the impression that we were signing up to a college. The speech on the sign up day was all about how great and convenient ***************** is. I want this debt removed from my credit report.

  Business response

  01/05/2023

  Thank you for contacting us. In researching your enrollment we found that you enrolled over 5 years ago and we have no record of you completing any of the 9 classes your purchased. We have never been affiliated with the college you cited which was made very clear throughout the enrollment agreement you executed. That particular school allowed students to test-out of curriculum required for the degree and we provided test preparation materials for those exams. That *** be where your confusion came from, but we have always been clear about our relationship with the student versus the school. Even though your enrollment has expired we would be willing to align you with a great university and help you through our portion of your program at no additional cost. Unfortunately, we cannot alter credit reporting. When an account is delinquent it is reported as such. Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions, or to discuss how to reenter the program. We look forward to hearing from you.  

• Initial Complaint

  12/06/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This business continues to report inaccurately and fraudulently on my credit report. I have never had a contract with them, nor have I ever received any loans from them. They are refusing to provide any information proving or verifying that I ever had an account with them or that any account was transferred or sold to them.

  Business response

  12/07/2022

  After reviewing your complaint that basically states you have never had a contract with us I found the following: 

  1. You purchased an education program in September of this year for approximately $5,200.

  2. You paid approximately $3,520 on that account

  3. You then stopped paying and your account was sent to collection where it is today.

  Please feel free to request a copy of the agreement you signed and we would be happy to provide that to you. Please note that we only bill/collect on actual accounts requested and executed by a customer. We look forward to hearing back from you and will be happy to provide copies of the agreement you signed. 

  Customer response

  12/07/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
  
  [Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.*** ********************** is lying. I signed a contract with ************************* for an online paramedic to RN bridge program that they were advertising.***** told it was inhouse financing with Distance Learning. When I tried to enroll for classes after the first session I was notified that the program I enrolled in was no longer available to out of state students. I spoke with the school that offered the program and was told they never offered that program online. It was only online for their current students because of COVID. ************************* said that my only option was to enroll in a four   year nursing program that wasn't offered online and I would have topay for  more courses with them. Ben ********************** accessed my debit card information from ************************* and withdrew funds from my bank account without my permission. Then when I refused to pay because they did not nor did they ever have a partner school that offered the online program, *** ********************** started and continues to report false information on my credit report as the original creditor.  Distance Learning has no student finance department that offers loans or student financing. *** ********************** never paid ************************* any money in my behalf. And ************************* never financed the contract I signed with them. Neither of them will provide any information pertaining to payments to the school, dates of financial transfers or transactions. ******* ********************** to produce a contract with their name on it, and if account was transferred or sold to them ask them for proof. They scammed me and are engaging in deceptive loan practices. They will not be able to produce a contract with Ben ********************** because one does not exist. After I disputed and asked for verification they sold the contract to a collection agency and are still reporting on my credit report that I owe them along with the collection agency. And they aren't even the creditor. I am trying to upload the contract I signed along with emails and texts from ************************* prior to me signing the contract with all their lies

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

  Business response

  12/08/2022

  Once again, this reporting is accurate. We're not sure how you did not know you have this account when you've voluntarily paid 2/3 of the balance off. You purchased a program, established a payment plan and executed on it. If you do not remember doing this we will be happy to provide you with everything you signed. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you utilize the academic program you purchased. 

  Customer response

  12/09/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
  
  [Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]
  See Attachments 
  Regards,
  
  *************************
  

  Business response

  12/13/2022

  In our original response we researched your claim of not having an account and that we were misreporting. We found that you actually paid over $3,500 on the account you claim you do not have. All billing is the result of consumer purchases. We would be happy to send you a copy of the purchase agreement you approved and signed and a copy of the payments you have already made on the account you claim you know nothing about. If there is anything else we can do to help we would be happy to assist in any way possible. 

  Customer response

  12/13/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
  [Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.They are ignoring and not addressing the basis of my complaint. They are not providing any documents or statements pertaining to my accusations against them and the ***** FTC, US CODE  violations I have specifically outlined in my complaint 

  They are not addressing the basis of my complaint, also they are not producing proof of this contract they claim I signed with *** Franklin.

  They keep saying they will provide one. I provided a copy of the contract and who I signed the contract with. They are not disputing anything I am accusing them of or the issue with inaccurate information they are reporting to the credit reporting agencies.

  How do I proceed when they are ignoring the basis of the complaint?

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

  
  

  Business response

  12/14/2022

  You actually do have an delinquent account that you have made several payments on. It is in collections now and that is what is reporting. Please feel free to contact us for copies of your purchase agreement and you may also contact the collection company to make arrangements for payment. Please feel free to contact our offices for documentation. 

  Customer response

  12/14/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
  
  Failure to respond to the allegations listed in complaint will serve as truth that  Ben Franklin Finance, LLC  admits all accusations of wrong doing by them are accurate and factual for which they have no defense.
  

  Regards,
  
  *************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  09/28/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I saw my credit report and I noticed that there are inaccurate and fraudulent accounts that I needed to report and correct by your company. Evaluate and investigate those account that is not 100% accurate. Here are the lists that indicates the company name, balance, and date last reported:Account Name BEN FRANKLIN FINANCE Balance $3,740.00 Account Number *****

  Business response

  09/29/2022

  Please contact your finance company to confirm the source of the report. We only provide accounts to the finance company that have been approved and fully executed by the student. If you need additional copies of any finance documents from DLSI, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will get them to you immediately. 

• Initial Complaint

  09/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I saw my credit report and I noticed that there are inaccurate and fraudulent accounts that I needed to report and correct by your company. Evaluate and investigate those account that is not 100% accurate. Here are the lists that indicates the company name, balance, and date last reported:Account Name BEN FRANKLIN FINANCE Balance $2,377.00 Account Number ***** Account Name ******************** Balance $3,291.00 Account Number ******

  Business response

  09/28/2022

  Please contact the finance company. The only accounts we provide to them are for enrollments with our company when a student asks to finance their program. If you require copies of your account with us you may contact student services. They will be happy to provide whatever you need to confirm your accounts.  

• Initial Complaint

  09/02/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Distance learning system institution as an LPN was fraudulent charged on a weekly basis from my paycheck I never took classes the school told me since Im not in ******* I cant use that school I need to find a school that will take me yet initial they promise to offer me option of school that I can choose from Im in ******** and no school in this area do not use them not even excelsior no school to sign me on. Im paying for a service that I never received no communication this is a scam at its finest the federal government need to look into this. This is unfair practice to scam healthcare worker please do something.

  Business response

  09/07/2022

  The school you originally was to attend changed policies due to accrediting restrictions. There are options in your area we can help you with. Please contact our office for reassignment. We look forward to speaking with you. 

• Initial Complaint

  07/11/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was an LPN looking to further my education utilizing a strictly online program. This company was the one handling the financing part. I signed up and went through the first class, but it was not what I was looking for. There was no online instruction and the tests were billed separately. None of this was in the contract.

  Business response

  07/13/2022

  I wish you would have contacted us. You apparently enrolled some time ago. We have completely different programs with approved online curriculum and multiple degree paths to choose from. Please contact student services to update your enrollment. We look forward to hearing from you. This is an easy fix!

  Customer response

  07/13/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
  
  [Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]
  
  Regards,
  
  *******************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  04/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am a victim of identity- theft, I am writing to request that you block all accounts disputed as fraudulent on my credit reports with Transunion, Equifax, and Experian. This information does not relate to any transactions I have made. I did not give anyone authorization or consent to use my personal information. I hereby exercise my legal rights enacted by Congress and The ************************* which explicitly states when a victim of identity-theft dispute a fraudulent account on his/her credit report it shall be honored by all credit bureaus and all fraudulent information should be blocked within 4 days and proper notification shall be given to all data furnishers pursuant to section 605b of The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.1. **************************** **** $5,101.00 Acct # *****

  Business response

  04/04/2022

  Thank you for contacting us. We take identity theft very seriously. Every enrollment agreement includes multiple layers of personal information including references, academic history, payment history, banking information, accounts, employment, income, residence and more. Please contact your finance company and we will confirm the information we were provide against your personal information and if there was a verified case of identity theft we will take appropriate action.   

• Initial Complaint

  03/15/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have been having to pay a monthly payment of $194.42 for some loans for my R.N. to Ben Franklin Finance .I cancelled my classes with Excelsior because both the college and Ben ********************** are not trust worthy but I'm still having to pay for a loan that was created in false presence. There are so many individuals that have been affected by this two companies and I don't understand why they haven't been held accountable for their fraudulent business transactions., ********** Account Title : Ben Franklin Finance LLC ABA Routing ********* Account Number :*********

  Business response

  03/16/2022

  The financial agreement you agreed to was for online classes which have continually been available to you and are today. There are a number of accredited schools you may choose from that will accept these classes and award credit for your degree; which was originally intent of the program. Thousands of student nationwide have benefited from completion of these courses for many years. We want to encourage you to take advantage of what you purchased. The program is excellent and all classes are nationally recognized. We believe that if you apply yourself to completion of your program you will be very happy with the results. You will earn college credit that will address your chosen field of study. Please feel free to contact our student services department with any questions you might have. We remain committed to your success! 

• Initial Complaint

  11/12/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I took out a loan with Ben ********************** to further my education after being contacted and practically harassed by a recruiter from DLSi. However I never enrolled in any school due to family illness. Its a good thing I didnt enroll immediately because they ended up switching the RN/BSN school they were originally contracted with after about 6 months of me taking out the original loan. Due to uncertainty and becoming skeptical of the program, I contacted Ben ********************** and DLSi to tell them that I will no longer be pursuing their program. During this time I had made 2 payments to Ben **********************. Also, During this time I still had not enrolled in nor spoken with any one from any school. Im wanting to know who received my payment for services not rendered and why Im not being reimbursed. Neither DLSi or Ben Franklin finance managers will return my calls.

  Business response

  11/12/2021

  I'm sorry there was confusion. If you need to check on your payment simply contact the financial institution and I'm certain they will provide whatever verification you need. Regarding the program; it is not uncommon for schools to change policies including admission requirements. The company has a number of excellent academic partners that *** address the education and career goals you have. I would suggest you simply contact the company and review your options. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you. 

*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. ↩