Arete Financial Group CFPB Complaints

2000 Latest Complaints

Date Received	Timely Response	Product	Issue	State / Zip	Submitted Via	Tags
05/11/2020	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official	NY 11412	Web
CFPB COMPLAINT : XXXX XXXX XXXX ACCOUNT XXXX BALANCDE {$15000.00} REPORTED FTC REPORT NUMBER : XXXX ARETE FINANCIAL GROUP PERPETRATED A SCAM TO DEFRAUD ME OF MONIES THAT WAS INTENTED TO BE DISPURSHED BETWEEN ( 7 ) CREDITORS UNDER A CONTRACTUAL DEBT CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT. ARETE FINANACIAL GROUP PROCESSED A DEBT CONSOLIDATION CONTRACT THAT WAS NOT VALIDATED BY THE CREDITORS THAT I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT HAD PROMISED TO PAY ON MY BEHALF. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT ARETE FINANCIAL GROUP IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND PROMPTLY CEASED PAYMENT TO THE COMPANY. ON XX/XX/2020 CERTIFIED MAIL WAS SENT TO EACH OF THE ( 7 ) CREDITORS INFORMING THEM OF MY POSITION AND REQUESTED THAT THE OUTSTANDING BALANCES BE RE-NEGOIATED AND I FURTHER REQUESTED THAT A NEW PAYMENT PLAN BE CONSIDERED BASED UPON RECALCULATION AND MINUS OF MONIES ALREADY WHICH I AM SUING THE COMPANY FOR THE RETURN OF THE MONIES THAT WAS NEVER RELEASED TO THE CREDITORS. THE CREDITORS FAILED TO RESPOND TO MY OFFER AND INSTEAD CHOSE TOO REPORT THE ACCOUNTS IN DEROGATORHY CHARGE OFF POSITION. ( a ) Block. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a consumer reporting agency shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not later than 4 business days after the date of receipt by such agency of ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of such information by the consumer ; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to any transaction by the consumer. ( b ) Notification. A consumer reporting agency shall promptly notify the furnisher of information identified by the consumer under subsection ( a ) of this section ( 1 ) that the information may be a result of identity theft ; ( 2 ) that an identity theft report has been filed ; ( 3 ) that a block has been requested under this section ; and ( 4 ) of the effective dates of the block. ( c ) Authority to decline or rescind. ( 1 ) In general. A consumer reporting agency may decline to block, or may rescind any block, of information relating to a consumer under this section, if the consumer reporting agency reasonably determines that ( A ) the information was blocked in error or a block was requested by the consumer in error ; ( B ) the information was blocked, or a block was requested by the consumer, on the basis of a material misrepresentation of fact by the consumer relevant to the request to block ; or ( C ) the consumer obtained possession of goods, services, or money as a result of the blocked transaction or transactions. ( 2 ) Notification to consumer. If a block of information is declined or rescinded under this subsection, the affected consumer shall be notified promptly, in the same manner as consumers are notified of the reinsertion of information under section 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) of this title. ( 3 ) Significance of block. For purposes of this subsection, if a consumer reporting agency rescinds a block, the presence of information in the file of a consumer prior to the blocking of such information is not evidence of whether the consumer knew or should have known that the consumer obtained possession of any goods, services, or money as a result of the block. ( d ) Exception for resellers. ( 1 ) No reseller file. This section shall not apply to a consumer reporting agency, if the consumer reporting agency ( A ) is a reseller ; ( B ) is not, at the time of the request of the consumer under subsection ( a ) of this section, otherwise furnishing or reselling a consumer report concerning the information identified by the consumer ; and ( C ) informs the consumer, by any means, that the consumer may report the identity theft to the Bureau to obtain consumer information regarding identity theft. ( 2 ) Reseller with file. The sole obligation of the consumer reporting agency under this section, with regard to any request of a consumer under this section, shall be to block the consumer report maintained by the consumer reporting agency from any subsequent use, if ( A ) the consumer, in accordance with the provisions of subsection ( a ) of this section, identifies, to a consumer reporting agency, information in the file of the consumer that resulted from identity theft ; and ( B ) the consumer reporting agency is a reseller of the identified information. ( 3 ) Notice. In carrying out its obligation under paragraph ( 2 ), the reseller shall promptly provide a notice to the consumer of the decision to block the file. Such notice shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of each consumer reporting agency from which the consumer information was obtained for resale. ( e ) Exception for verification companies. The provisions of this section do not apply to a check services company, acting as such, which issues authorizations for the purpose of approving or processing negotiable instruments, electronic fund transfers, or similar methods of payments, except that, beginning 4 business days after receipt of information described in paragraphs ( 1 ) through ( 3 ) of subsection ( a ) of this section, a check services company shall not report to a national consumer reporting agency described in section 1681a ( p ) of this title, any information identified in the subject identity theft report as resulting from identity theft. ( f ) Access to blocked information by law enforcement agencies. No provision of this section shall be construed as requiring a consumer reporting agency to prevent a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency from accessing blocked information in a consumer file to which the agency could otherwise obtain access under this subchapter.
05/11/2020	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official	NY 11412	Web
XXXX ACCOUNT XXXX BALANCDE {$6300.00} DEBT REPORTED FTC REPORT NUMBER : XXXX ARETE FINANCIAL GROUP PERPETRATED A SCAM TO DEFRAUD ME OF MONIES THAT WAS INTENTED TO BE DISPURSHED BETWEEN ( 7 ) CREDITORS UNDER A CONTRACTUAL DEBT CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT. ARETE FINANACIAL GROUP PROCESSED A DEBT CONSOLIDATION CONTRACT THAT WAS NOT VALIDATED BY THE CREDITORS THAT I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT HAD PROMISED TO PAY ON MY BEHALF. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT ARETE FINANCIAL GROUP IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND PROMPTLY CEASED PAYMENT TO THE COMPANY. ON XX/XX/2020 CERTIFIED MAIL WAS SENT TO EACH OF THE ( 7 ) CREDITORS INFORMING THEM OF MY POSITION AND REQUESTED THAT THE OUTSTANDING BALANCES BE RE-NEGOIATED AND I FURTHER REQUESTED THAT A NEW PAYMENT PLAN BE CONSIDERED BASED UPON RECALCULATION AND MINUS OF MONIES ALREADY WHICH I AM SUING THE COMPANY FOR THE RETURN OF THE MONIES THAT WAS NEVER RELEASED TO THE CREDITORS. THE CREDITORS FAILED TO RESPOND TO MY OFFER AND INSTEAD CHOSE TOO REPORT THE ACCOUNTS IN DEROGATORHY CHARGE OFF POSITION. ( a ) Block. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a consumer reporting agency shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not later than 4 business days after the date of receipt by such agency of ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of such information by the consumer ; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to any transaction by the consumer. ( b ) Notification. A consumer reporting agency shall promptly notify the furnisher of information identified by the consumer under subsection ( a ) of this section ( 1 ) that the information may be a result of identity theft ; ( 2 ) that an identity theft report has been filed ; ( 3 ) that a block has been requested under this section ; and ( 4 ) of the effective dates of the block. ( c ) Authority to decline or rescind. ( 1 ) In general. A consumer reporting agency may decline to block, or may rescind any block, of information relating to a consumer under this section, if the consumer reporting agency reasonably determines that ( A ) the information was blocked in error or a block was requested by the consumer in error ; ( B ) the information was blocked, or a block was requested by the consumer, on the basis of a material misrepresentation of fact by the consumer relevant to the request to block ; or ( C ) the consumer obtained possession of goods, services, or money as a result of the blocked transaction or transactions. ( 2 ) Notification to consumer. If a block of information is declined or rescinded under this subsection, the affected consumer shall be notified promptly, in the same manner as consumers are notified of the reinsertion of information under section 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) of this title. ( 3 ) Significance of block. For purposes of this subsection, if a consumer reporting agency rescinds a block, the presence of information in the file of a consumer prior to the blocking of such information is not evidence of whether the consumer knew or should have known that the consumer obtained possession of any goods, services, or money as a result of the block. ( d ) Exception for resellers. ( 1 ) No reseller file. This section shall not apply to a consumer reporting agency, if the consumer reporting agency ( A ) is a reseller ; ( B ) is not, at the time of the request of the consumer under subsection ( a ) of this section, otherwise furnishing or reselling a consumer report concerning the information identified by the consumer ; and ( C ) informs the consumer, by any means, that the consumer may report the identity theft to the Bureau to obtain consumer information regarding identity theft. ( 2 ) Reseller with file. The sole obligation of the consumer reporting agency under this section, with regard to any request of a consumer under this section, shall be to block the consumer report maintained by the consumer reporting agency from any subsequent use, if ( A ) the consumer, in accordance with the provisions of subsection ( a ) of this section, identifies, to a consumer reporting agency, information in the file of the consumer that resulted from identity theft ; and ( B ) the consumer reporting agency is a reseller of the identified information. ( 3 ) Notice. In carrying out its obligation under paragraph ( 2 ), the reseller shall promptly provide a notice to the consumer of the decision to block the file. Such notice shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of each consumer reporting agency from which the consumer information was obtained for resale. ( e ) Exception for verification companies. The provisions of this section do not apply to a check services company, acting as such, which issues authorizations for the purpose of approving or processing negotiable instruments, electronic fund transfers, or similar methods of payments, except that, beginning 4 business days after receipt of information described in paragraphs ( 1 ) through ( 3 ) of subsection ( a ) of this section, a check services company shall not report to a national consumer reporting agency described in section 1681a ( p ) of this title, any information identified in the subject identity theft report as resulting from identity theft. ( f ) Access to blocked information by law enforcement agencies. No provision of this section shall be construed as requiring a consumer reporting agency to prevent a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency from accessing blocked information in a consumer file to which the agency could otherwise obtain access under this subchapter.
05/11/2020	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official	NY 11412	Web
XXXX XXXX ACCOUNT XXXX BALANCE {$790.00} REPORTED FTC REPORT NUMBER : XXXX ARETE FINANCIAL GROUP PERPETRATED A SCAM TO DEFRAUD ME OF MONIES THAT WAS INTENTED TO BE DISPURSHED BETWEEN ( 7 ) CREDITORS UNDER A CONTRACTUAL DEBT CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT. ARETE FINANACIAL GROUP PROCESSED A DEBT CONSOLIDATION CONTRACT THAT WAS NOT VALIDATED BY THE CREDITORS THAT I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT HAD PROMISED TO PAY ON MY BEHALF. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT ARETE FINANCIAL GROUP IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND PROMPTLY CEASED PAYMENT TO THE COMPANY. ON XX/XX/2020 CERTIFIED MAIL WAS SENT TO EACH OF THE ( 7 ) CREDITORS INFORMING THEM OF MY POSITION AND REQUESTED THAT THE OUTSTANDING BALANCES BE RE-NEGOIATED AND I FURTHER REQUESTED THAT A NEW PAYMENT PLAN BE CONSIDERED BASED UPON RECALCULATION AND MINUS OF MONIES ALREADY WHICH I AM SUING THE COMPANY FOR THE RETURN OF THE MONIES THAT WAS NEVER RELEASED TO THE CREDITORS. THE CREDITORS FAILED TO RESPOND TO MY OFFER AND INSTEAD CHOSE TOO REPORT THE ACCOUNTS IN DEROGATORHY CHARGE OFF POSITION. ( a ) Block. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a consumer reporting agency shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not later than 4 business days after the date of receipt by such agency of ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of such information by the consumer ; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to any transaction by the consumer. ( b ) Notification. A consumer reporting agency shall promptly notify the furnisher of information identified by the consumer under subsection ( a ) of this section ( 1 ) that the information may be a result of identity theft ; ( 2 ) that an identity theft report has been filed ; ( 3 ) that a block has been requested under this section ; and ( 4 ) of the effective dates of the block. ( c ) Authority to decline or rescind. ( 1 ) In general. A consumer reporting agency may decline to block, or may rescind any block, of information relating to a consumer under this section, if the consumer reporting agency reasonably determines that ( A ) the information was blocked in error or a block was requested by the consumer in error ; ( B ) the information was blocked, or a block was requested by the consumer, on the basis of a material misrepresentation of fact by the consumer relevant to the request to block ; or ( C ) the consumer obtained possession of goods, services, or money as a result of the blocked transaction or transactions. ( 2 ) Notification to consumer. If a block of information is declined or rescinded under this subsection, the affected consumer shall be notified promptly, in the same manner as consumers are notified of the reinsertion of information under section 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) of this title. ( 3 ) Significance of block. For purposes of this subsection, if a consumer reporting agency rescinds a block, the presence of information in the file of a consumer prior to the blocking of such information is not evidence of whether the consumer knew or should have known that the consumer obtained possession of any goods, services, or money as a result of the block. ( d ) Exception for resellers. ( 1 ) No reseller file. This section shall not apply to a consumer reporting agency, if the consumer reporting agency ( A ) is a reseller ; ( B ) is not, at the time of the request of the consumer under subsection ( a ) of this section, otherwise furnishing or reselling a consumer report concerning the information identified by the consumer ; and ( C ) informs the consumer, by any means, that the consumer may report the identity theft to the Bureau to obtain consumer information regarding identity theft. ( 2 ) Reseller with file. The sole obligation of the consumer reporting agency under this section, with regard to any request of a consumer under this section, shall be to block the consumer report maintained by the consumer reporting agency from any subsequent use, if ( A ) the consumer, in accordance with the provisions of subsection ( a ) of this section, identifies, to a consumer reporting agency, information in the file of the consumer that resulted from identity theft ; and ( B ) the consumer reporting agency is a reseller of the identified information. ( 3 ) Notice. In carrying out its obligation under paragraph ( 2 ), the reseller shall promptly provide a notice to the consumer of the decision to block the file. Such notice shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of each consumer reporting agency from which the consumer information was obtained for resale. ( e ) Exception for verification companies. The provisions of this section do not apply to a check services company, acting as such, which issues authorizations for the purpose of approving or processing negotiable instruments, electronic fund transfers, or similar methods of payments, except that, beginning 4 business days after receipt of information described in paragraphs ( 1 ) through ( 3 ) of subsection ( a ) of this section, a check services company shall not report to a national consumer reporting agency described in section 1681a ( p ) of this title, any information identified in the subject identity theft report as resulting from identity theft. ( f ) Access to blocked information by law enforcement agencies. No provision of this section shall be construed as requiring a consumer reporting agency to prevent a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency from accessing blocked information in a consumer file to which the agency could otherwise obtain access under this subchapter.
05/11/2020	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official	NY 11412	Web
AGREED PAYEE : XXXX XXXX XXXX FTC REPORT NUMBER : XXXX ARETE FINANCIAL GROUP PERPETRATED A SCAM TO DEFRAUD ME OF MONIES THAT WAS INTENTED TO BE DISPURSHED BETWEEN ( 7 ) CREDITORS UNDER A CONTRACTUAL DEBT CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT. ARETE FINANACIAL GROUP PROCESSED A DEBT CONSOLIDATION CONTRACT THAT WAS NOT VALIDATED BY THE CREDITORS THAT I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT HAD PROMISED TO PAY ON MY BEHALF. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT ARETE FINANCIAL GROUP IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND PROMPTLY CEASED PAYMENT TO THE COMPANY. ON XX/XX/2020 CERTIFIED MAIL WAS SENT TO EACH OF THE ( 7 ) CREDITORS INFORMING THEM OF MY POSITION AND REQUESTED THAT THE OUTSTANDING BALANCES BE RE-NEGOIATED AND I FURTHER REQUESTED THAT A NEW PAYMENT PLAN BE CONSIDERED BASED UPON RECALCULATION AND MINUS OF MONIES ALREADY WHICH I AM SUING THE COMPANY FOR THE RETURN OF THE MONIES THAT WAS NEVER RELEASED TO THE CREDITORS. THE CREDITORS FAILED TO RESPOND TO MY OFFER AND INSTEAD CHOSE TOO REPORT THE ACCOUNTS IN DEROGATORHY CHARGE OFF POSITION. ( a ) Block. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a consumer reporting agency shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not later than 4 business days after the date of receipt by such agency of ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of such information by the consumer ; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to any transaction by the consumer. ( b ) Notification. A consumer reporting agency shall promptly notify the furnisher of information identified by the consumer under subsection ( a ) of this section ( 1 ) that the information may be a result of identity theft ; ( 2 ) that an identity theft report has been filed ; ( 3 ) that a block has been requested under this section ; and ( 4 ) of the effective dates of the block. ( c ) Authority to decline or rescind. ( 1 ) In general. A consumer reporting agency may decline to block, or may rescind any block, of information relating to a consumer under this section, if the consumer reporting agency reasonably determines that ( A ) the information was blocked in error or a block was requested by the consumer in error ; ( B ) the information was blocked, or a block was requested by the consumer, on the basis of a material misrepresentation of fact by the consumer relevant to the request to block ; or ( C ) the consumer obtained possession of goods, services, or money as a result of the blocked transaction or transactions. ( 2 ) Notification to consumer. If a block of information is declined or rescinded under this subsection, the affected consumer shall be notified promptly, in the same manner as consumers are notified of the reinsertion of information under section 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) of this title. ( 3 ) Significance of block. For purposes of this subsection, if a consumer reporting agency rescinds a block, the presence of information in the file of a consumer prior to the blocking of such information is not evidence of whether the consumer knew or should have known that the consumer obtained possession of any goods, services, or money as a result of the block. ( d ) Exception for resellers. ( 1 ) No reseller file. This section shall not apply to a consumer reporting agency, if the consumer reporting agency ( A ) is a reseller ; ( B ) is not, at the time of the request of the consumer under subsection ( a ) of this section, otherwise furnishing or reselling a consumer report concerning the information identified by the consumer ; and ( C ) informs the consumer, by any means, that the consumer may report the identity theft to the Bureau to obtain consumer information regarding identity theft. ( 2 ) Reseller with file. The sole obligation of the consumer reporting agency under this section, with regard to any request of a consumer under this section, shall be to block the consumer report maintained by the consumer reporting agency from any subsequent use, if ( A ) the consumer, in accordance with the provisions of subsection ( a ) of this section, identifies, to a consumer reporting agency, information in the file of the consumer that resulted from identity theft ; and ( B ) the consumer reporting agency is a reseller of the identified information. ( 3 ) Notice. In carrying out its obligation under paragraph ( 2 ), the reseller shall promptly provide a notice to the consumer of the decision to block the file. Such notice shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of each consumer reporting agency from which the consumer information was obtained for resale. ( e ) Exception for verification companies. The provisions of this section do not apply to a check services company, acting as such, which issues authorizations for the purpose of approving or processing negotiable instruments, electronic fund transfers, or similar methods of payments, except that, beginning 4 business days after receipt of information described in paragraphs ( 1 ) through ( 3 ) of subsection ( a ) of this section, a check services company shall not report to a national consumer reporting agency described in section 1681a ( p ) of this title, any information identified in the subject identity theft report as resulting from identity theft. ( f ) Access to blocked information by law enforcement agencies. No provision of this section shall be construed as requiring a consumer reporting agency to prevent a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency from accessing blocked information in a consumer file to which the agency could otherwise obtain access under this subchapter.
05/11/2020	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official	NY 11412	Web
AGREED PAYEE : XXXX XXXX ACCOUNT NUMBER XXXX. FTC REPORT NUMBER : XXXX. ARETE FINANCIAL GROUP PERPETRATED A SCAM TO DEFRAUD ME OF MONIES THAT WAS INTENTED TO BE DISPURSHED BETWEEN ( 7 ) CREDITORS UNDER A CONTRACTUAL DEBT CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT. ARETE FINANACIAL GROUP PROCESSED A DEBT CONSOLIDATION CONTRACT THAT WAS NOT VALIDATED BY THE CREDITORS THAT I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT HAD PROMISED TO PAY ON MY BEHALF. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT ARETE FINANCIAL GROUP IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND PROMPTLY CEASED PAYMENT TO THE COMPANY. ON XX/XX/2020 CERTIFIED MAIL WAS SENT TO EACH OF THE ( 7 ) CREDITORS INFORMING THEM OF MY POSITION AND REQUESTED THAT THE OUTSTANDING BALANCES BE RE-NEGOIATED AND I FURTHER REQUESTED THAT A NEW PAYMENT PLAN BE CONSIDERED BASED UPON RECALCULATION AND MINUS OF MONIES ALREADY WHICH I AM SUING THE COMPANY FOR THE RETURN OF THE MONIES THAT WAS NEVER RELEASED TO THE CREDITORS. THE CREDITORS FAILED TO RESPOND TO MY OFFER AND INSTEAD CHOSE TOO REPORT THE ACCOUNTS IN DEROGATORHY CHARGE OFF POSITION. ( a ) Block. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a consumer reporting agency shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not later than 4 business days after the date of receipt by such agency of ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of such information by the consumer ; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to any transaction by the consumer. ( b ) Notification. A consumer reporting agency shall promptly notify the furnisher of information identified by the consumer under subsection ( a ) of this section ( 1 ) that the information may be a result of identity theft ; ( 2 ) that an identity theft report has been filed ; ( 3 ) that a block has been requested under this section ; and ( 4 ) of the effective dates of the block. ( c ) Authority to decline or rescind. ( 1 ) In general. A consumer reporting agency may decline to block, or may rescind any block, of information relating to a consumer under this section, if the consumer reporting agency reasonably determines that ( A ) the information was blocked in error or a block was requested by the consumer in error ; ( B ) the information was blocked, or a block was requested by the consumer, on the basis of a material misrepresentation of fact by the consumer relevant to the request to block ; or ( C ) the consumer obtained possession of goods, services, or money as a result of the blocked transaction or transactions. ( 2 ) Notification to consumer. If a block of information is declined or rescinded under this subsection, the affected consumer shall be notified promptly, in the same manner as consumers are notified of the reinsertion of information under section 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) of this title. ( 3 ) Significance of block. For purposes of this subsection, if a consumer reporting agency rescinds a block, the presence of information in the file of a consumer prior to the blocking of such information is not evidence of whether the consumer knew or should have known that the consumer obtained possession of any goods, services, or money as a result of the block. ( d ) Exception for resellers. ( 1 ) No reseller file. This section shall not apply to a consumer reporting agency, if the consumer reporting agency ( A ) is a reseller ; ( B ) is not, at the time of the request of the consumer under subsection ( a ) of this section, otherwise furnishing or reselling a consumer report concerning the information identified by the consumer ; and ( C ) informs the consumer, by any means, that the consumer may report the identity theft to the Bureau to obtain consumer information regarding identity theft. ( 2 ) Reseller with file. The sole obligation of the consumer reporting agency under this section, with regard to any request of a consumer under this section, shall be to block the consumer report maintained by the consumer reporting agency from any subsequent use, if ( A ) the consumer, in accordance with the provisions of subsection ( a ) of this section, identifies, to a consumer reporting agency, information in the file of the consumer that resulted from identity theft ; and ( B ) the consumer reporting agency is a reseller of the identified information. ( 3 ) Notice. In carrying out its obligation under paragraph ( 2 ), the reseller shall promptly provide a notice to the consumer of the decision to block the file. Such notice shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of each consumer reporting agency from which the consumer information was obtained for resale. ( e ) Exception for verification companies. The provisions of this section do not apply to a check services company, acting as such, which issues authorizations for the purpose of approving or processing negotiable instruments, electronic fund transfers, or similar methods of payments, except that, beginning 4 business days after receipt of information described in paragraphs ( 1 ) through ( 3 ) of subsection ( a ) of this section, a check services company shall not report to a national consumer reporting agency described in section 1681a ( p ) of this title, any information identified in the subject identity theft report as resulting from identity theft. ( f ) Access to blocked information by law enforcement agencies. No provision of this section shall be construed as requiring a consumer reporting agency to prevent a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency from accessing blocked information in
05/11/2020	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official	NY 11412	Web
AGREED PAYEES : XXXX XXXX XXXX ; ARETE FINANCIAL GROUP PERPETRATED A SCAM TO DEFRAUD ME OF MONIES THAT WAS INTENTED TO BE DISPURSHED BETWEEN ( 7 ) CREDITORS UNDER A CONTRACTUAL DEBT CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT. ARETE FINANACIAL GROUP PROCESSED A DEBT CONSOLIDATION CONTRACT THAT WAS NOT VALIDATED BY THE CREDITORS. I, UNDER THE IMPRESSION PAYMENT WERE CREDITED LATER ESTABLISHED THAT ARETE FINANCIAL GROUP IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND PROMPTLY CEASED PAYMENT TO THE COMPANY. ON XX/XX/2020 BY CERTIFIED MAIL ( 7 ) CREDITORS WAS INFORMED OF THE POSITION AND REQUESTED THE OUTSTANDING BALANCES BE RE-NEGOIATED. I FURTHER REQUESTED THAT A NEW PAYMENT PLAN BE CONSIDERED BASED UPON RECALCULATION AND MINUS OF MONIES OF WHICH I AM PERSUING ARETE FIN. FOR THE RETURN. ALL CREDITORS FAILED TO RESPOND TO MY PAYMENT OFFER AND INSTEAD CHOSE TOO REPORT THE ACCOUNT AS DEROGATORY IN A CHARGE OFF POSITION. ( a ) Block. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a consumer reporting agency shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not later than 4 business days after the date of receipt by such agency of ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of such information by the consumer ; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to any transaction by the consumer. ( b ) Notification. A consumer reporting agency shall promptly notify the furnisher of information identified by the consumer under subsection ( a ) of this section ( 1 ) that the information may be a result of identity theft ; ( 2 ) that an identity theft report has been filed ; ( 3 ) that a block has been requested under this section ; and ( 4 ) of the effective dates of the block. ( c ) Authority to decline or rescind. ( 1 ) In general. A consumer reporting agency may decline to block, or may rescind any block, of information relating to a consumer under this section, if the consumer reporting agency reasonably determines that ( A ) the information was blocked in error or a block was requested by the consumer in error ; ( B ) the information was blocked, or a block was requested by the consumer, on the basis of a material misrepresentation of fact by the consumer relevant to the request to block ; or ( C ) the consumer obtained possession of goods, services, or money as a result of the blocked transaction or transactions. ( 2 ) Notification to consumer. If a block of information is declined or rescinded under this subsection, the affected consumer shall be notified promptly, in the same manner as consumers are notified of the reinsertion of information under section 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) of this title. ( 3 ) Significance of block. For purposes of this subsection, if a consumer reporting agency rescinds a block, the presence of information in the file of a consumer prior to the blocking of such information is not evidence of whether the consumer knew or should have known that the consumer obtained possession of any goods, services, or money as a result of the block. ( d ) Exception for resellers. ( 1 ) No reseller file. This section shall not apply to a consumer reporting agency, if the consumer reporting agency ( A ) is a reseller ; ( B ) is not, at the time of the request of the consumer under subsection ( a ) of this section, otherwise furnishing or reselling a consumer report concerning the information identified by the consumer ; and ( C ) informs the consumer, by any means, that the consumer may report the identity theft to the Bureau to obtain consumer information regarding identity theft. ( 2 ) Reseller with file. The sole obligation of the consumer reporting agency under this section, with regard to any request of a consumer under this section, shall be to block the consumer report maintained by the consumer reporting agency from any subsequent use, if ( A ) the consumer, in accordance with the provisions of subsection ( a ) of this section, identifies, to a consumer reporting agency, information in the file of the consumer that resulted from identity theft ; and ( B ) the consumer reporting agency is a reseller of the identified information. ( 3 ) Notice. In carrying out its obligation under paragraph ( 2 ), the reseller shall promptly provide a notice to the consumer of the decision to block the file. Such notice shall contain the name, address, and telephone number of each consumer reporting agency from which the consumer information was obtained for resale. ( e ) Exception for verification companies. The provisions of this section do not apply to a check services company, acting as such, which issues authorizations for the purpose of approving or processing negotiable instruments, electronic fund transfers, or similar methods of payments, except that, beginning 4 business days after receipt of information described in paragraphs ( 1 ) through ( 3 ) of subsection ( a ) of this section, a check services company shall not report to a national consumer reporting agency described in section 1681a ( p ) of this title, any information identified in the subject identity theft report as resulting from identity theft. ( f ) Access to blocked information by law enforcement agencies. No provision of this section shall be construed as requiring a consumer reporting agency to prevent a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency from accessing blocked information in a consumer file to which the agency could otherwise obtain access under this subchapter.
07/18/2019	Yes	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Don't agree with the fees charged	MI 48089	Web
On XX/XX/XXXX I was falsely mislead into believing that in order to get my student loans back on track, I needed to sign up with this company, ARETE FINANCIAL FREEDOM LLC. I was coerced into doing this when I fully disclosed a XXXX XXXX to the loan specialist I was speaking to. I was told that my student loans would be consolidated and I would be put on a Public service loan forgiveness program. To enter into this, I had to pay an upfront service fee of {$790.00} and monthly maintenance fees of {$39.00}, in which a portion of that would be going to my student loan provider. All of which I did. On XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX I received emails from XXXX XXXX ( My student loan provider ) reminding me that I needed to submit annual documents by XX/XX/XXXX. ) On XX/XX/XXXX I emailed Arete asking if I needed to provide anything to them and alerting them of recent emails from my loan provider. I never heard back from Arete, so I called XXXX servicing. At that time, I was informed that I was not enrolled in Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and that they had not received any payments from me in over a year. I was also told that a company can not charge any up front fees and that every " service '' that Arete was charging for could have been accomplished for free. On XX/XX/XXXX I called Arete Financial and asked for a cancellation of agreement. Person on phone was avoiding my statements. I asked to speak with a supervisor and was told no. I asked for the compliance department and was told that someone would contact me on Monday. I asked again to terminate contract and was told I would not get a refund for " services '' I asked " what services? '' The person on phone told me that the monthly service fee was for " all the time spent on the phone '' XX/XX/XXXX No one from the compliance department at Arete contacted me so I emailed Arete to terminate my contract agreement. I also cancelled my debit card. XX/XX/XXXX I emailed Arete requesting that my money be refunded. XX/XX/XXXX Arete refunded me {$350.00} ( equaling amount of monthly maintenance fee 's I had paid to them ) XX/XX/XXXX I emailed Arete asking for the remaining {$790.00} and offering to call it even if they were to give me back half of that amount ... ..
03/07/2020	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Attempted to collect wrong amount	NY 11412	Web
Disputed : XXXX/XXXX/XXXX CFPB : XXXX XXXX XXXX & Arete Financial Group LLC Account : XXXX In XX/XX/XXXX I contracted the services of Arete Financial Group, LLC a debt consolidation company to assist me with the consolidation of debts that were causing me great financial hardship due to a decline in my income due to a reduction of hours worked for health reason. The program I committed to enabled the payoff of debts to ( 7 ) creditors, one of which is : XXXX XXXX with an original debt of {$6300.00}. I have just completed my accounting for tax purposes and found that I have paid {$600.00} to the creditor via the consolidation program and my balance now due is {$5700.00}. I have continually made my payments on time to this company and paid more than the agreed monthly payment amount and I have never received an update statement requested each month outlining my balance although I have contacted the company over the last ( 6 ) months and have not been able to receive a response to any of my communication. On XX/XX/XXXX I wrote to the creditor and offered my promissory note and payment arrangement which was sovereign certified because it had come to light that the consolidation company is no longer trading and is under investigation for Fraud and Deception by the FTC and it has also come to light that my payments made to the creditor via this company were never applied to my debt which now has negatively impacted the balance owed. My direct offer to the creditor on XX/XX/XXXX to pay off a remaining balance of {$6300.00} was declined by the creditor of which I am grateful as my financial accounts highlights that balance as being incorrect and if it were accepted at that time, I would be liable for paying far more that what is actually owed and I request that the amount owed be corrected to reflect the payment made of {$600.00} via the consolidation company and report the actual correct balance of {$5700.00}. Please see attached signed Agreement page for debt consolidation program and the date of the agreement.
03/06/2020	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Attempted to collect wrong amount	NY 11412	Web
Disputed : XXXX/XXXX/XXXX CFPB : XXXX XXXX XXXX & Arete Financial Group LLC Account : XXXX In XX/XX/XXXX I contracted the services of Arete Financial Group, LLC a debt consolidation company to assist me with the consolidation of debts that were causing me great financial hardship due to a decline in my income due to a reduction of hours worked for XXXX reason. The program I committed to enabled the payoff of debts to ( 7 ) creditors, one of which is : XXXX XXXX XXXX with an original debt of {$790.00}. I have just completed my accounting for tax purposes and found that I have paid {$600.00} to the creditor via the consolidation program and my balance now due is {$190.00}. I have continually made my payments on time to this company and paid more than the agreed monthly payment amount and I have never received an update statement requested each month outlining my balance although I have contacted the company over the last ( 6 ) months and have not been able to receive a response to any of my communication. On XX/XX/XXXX I wrote to the creditor and offered my promissory note and payment arrangement which was sovereign certified because it had come to light that the consolidation company is no longer trading and is under investigation for Fraud and Deception by the FTC and it has also come to light that my payments made to the creditor via this company were never applied to my debt which now has negatively impacted the balance owed. My direct offer to the creditor on XX/XX/XXXX to pay off a remaining balance of {$760.00} was declined by the creditor of which I am grateful as my financial accounts highlights that balance as being incorrect and if it were accepted at that time, I would be liable for paying far more that what is actually owed and I request that the amount owed be corrected to reflect the payment made of {$600.00} via the consolidation company and report the actual correct balance of {$190.00}. Please see attached signed Agreement page for debt consolidation program and the date of the agreement.
03/12/2020	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Attempted to collect wrong amount	NY 11412	Web
Dispute : XX/XX/2020 CFPB XXXX XXXX Incorrect account balance : {$250.00} I contracted the services of Arete Financial Group, XXXX a debt consolidation company to assist me with the consolidation of debts that were causing me great financial hardship due to a decline in my income due to a reduction of hours worked for health reason. The program I committed to enabled the payoff of debts to ( 7 ) creditors, one of which is XXXX XXXX with an original debt of {$250.00} I have just completed my accounting for tax purposes and found that I have paid {$200.00} to the creditor via the consolidation program and my balance now due is {$56.00}. I have continually made my payments on time to this company and paid more than the agreed monthly payment amount and I have never received an update statement requested each month outlining my balance although I have contacted the company over the last 6 months and have not been able to receive a response to any of my communication. On XX/XX/2020 I wrote to the creditor and offered my promissory note and payment arrangement which was sovereign certified because it had come to light that the consolidation company is no longer trading and is under investigation for Fraud and Deception by the FTC. It has also come to light that my payments made to the creditor via this company were never applied to my debt which now has negatively impacted the balance owed. My direct offer made to the creditor on XX/XX/2020 to pay off a remaining balance of {$250.00} in installments was declined by the creditor of which I am grateful as my financial accounts highlights that balance was incorrect and if accepted at that time I would be liable for paying far more than what is actually owed. I request that the amount owed be corrected to reflect the payment made of {$200.00} via the consolidation company and report the actual correct balance of {$56.00}. Please see attached signed Agreement page for debt consolidation program and the date of the agreement.
12/13/2019	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Received bad information about your loan	AZ 85705	Web
Arete Financial Group has been taking money for Student Loan Forgiveness and has not been using it to pay my student loan debt. I recently got an email from the Federal Trade Commission v. American Financial Support Services Inc., et al. Here are the email contents : The lawsuit Federal Trade Commission v. American Financial Support Services Inc., et al. ***Do not REPLY to this email. If you have questions, send them to XXXX. You appear to be a customer of one of the student loan debt relief companies identified below. These companies have been sued by the Federal Trade Commission for deceptive practices and taking unlawful advance fees. The Court has appointed a Receiver who has suspended the companies operations. We recommend that you immediately contact your student loan servicer about the status of your student loans. A list of approved student loan servicers can be found at the U.S. Department of Education Student Loans Website : https : //studentloans.govXXXX The Receivers office has set up a webpage with additional information about the lawsuit. XXXX XXXX XXXX We will post updates on the website as the case proceeds, and you can also review a list of Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs ). The Receiver receives many emails with questions from consumers. We can not respond to each inquiry separately but will update the FAQS as questions come in. In the meantime, we again stress that you should contact your loan servicer The Companies which have been sued : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ; Arete Financial Group, also doing business as Arete Financial Freedom ; Arete Financial Group LLC ; XXXX XXXX XXXX, also doing business as XXXX ; XXXX XXXX XXXX , also doing business as XXXX XXXX XXXX ; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX , also doing business as XXXX XXXX XXXX ; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX , XXXX , formerly known as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and also doing business as XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX ; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX , XXXX .
03/06/2020	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Attempted to collect wrong amount	NY 11412	Web
Disputed : XXXX/XXXX/XXXX CFPB : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Arete Financial Group LLC Account : XXXX In XX/XX/XXXX I contracted the services of Arete Financial Group, LLC a debt consolidation company to assist me with the consolidation of debts that were causing me great financial hardship due to a decline in my income due to a reduction of hours worked for health reason. The program I committed to enabled the payoff of debts to ( 7 ) creditors, one of which is : XXXX XXXX with an balance of {$15000.00}. I have just completed my accounting for tax purposes and found that I have paid {$600.00} to the creditor via the consolidation program and my balance now due is {$15000.00}. I have continually made my payments on time to this company and paid more than the agreed monthly payment amount and I have never received an update statement requested each month outlining my balance although I have contacted the company over the last ( 6 ) months and have not been able to receive a response to any of my communication. On XX/XX/XXXX I wrote to the creditor and offered my promissory note and payment arrangement which was sovereign certified because it had come to light that the consolidation company is no longer trading and is under investigation for Fraud and Deception by the FTC and it has also come to light that my payments made to the creditor via this company were never applied to my debt which now has negatively impacted the balance owed. My direct offer of installments payments to the creditor made on XX/XX/XXXX for the remaining balance was declined by the creditor of which I am grateful,, my financial accounts highlights that the reporting balance is incorrect and if it were accepted at that time, I would be liable for paying far more that what is actually owed. Please see attached signed Agreement page for debt consolidation program and the date of the agreement.
12/17/2019	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Received bad information about your loan	TX 77450	Web
I have received this email regarding my student loan. I have been paying Arete Financial Group $ XXXX monthly. This is the email : Lawsuit Federal Trade Commission v. American Financial Support Services Inc., et al. ***Do not REPLY to this email. If you have questions, send them to XXXX. You appear to be a customer of one of the student loan debt relief companies identified below. These companies have been sued by the Federal Trade Commission for deceptive practices and taking unlawful advance fees. The Court has appointed a Receiver who has suspended the companies operations. We recommend that you immediately contact your student loan servicer about the status of your student loans. A list of approved student loan servicers can be found at the U.S. Department of Education Student Loans Website : https : //studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/additionalInformation.action. The Receivers office has set up a webpage with additional information about the lawsuit. XXXX XXXX XXXX. We will post updates on the website as the case proceeds, and you can also review a list of Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs ). The Receiver receives many emails with questions from consumers. We can not respond to each inquiry separately, but will update the FAQS as questions come in. In the meantime, we again stress that you should contact your loan servicer The Companies which have been sued : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ; Arete Financial Group, also doing business as Arete Financial Freedom ; Arete Financial Group LLC ; XXXX XXXX XXXX, also doing business as XXXX ; XXXX XXXX XXXX , also doing business as XXXX XXXX XXXX ; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX , also doing business as XXXX XXXX XXXX ; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX , XXXX , formerly known as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and also doing business as XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX ; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX , XXXX .
01/31/2019	No	Payday loan, title loan, or personal loan Installment loan	Problem when making payments	NM 88005	Web
They called me on the phone and they told they were going to consolidate my loan to a single payment. They told me that they would help me stop paying two loans every month. I said OK and then they said they were going to charge me {$5800.00} for both of my loans which is about {$6400.00}. I agreed, after a few months i found out they were not paying, then i called them several times and they don't pick up my call. Later they called me back and said I did not have enough money so i said OK. I continued paying until i got to {$1900.00} and called them and they told me that they had started paying so I was happy and continued paying. Then I received a call from the loan company and they stated they have not received any payments. Then I called them and they stated they were speaking to a particular person. After that call i called my bank and stopped payment due to losing my job. I have been calling them to cancel the whole thing, I was able to talk to them after several calls, they told me they sent me an email stating they had canceled. they also left me a voicemail to call them back. Every time I call their toll free number I get the operator and they transfer me to another company that sells cars and they state it is the wrong number. Since then I have been calling them so they can refund my money and all they refunded me was {$5.00} which I was paying {$250.00} a month from XX/XX/2018 til XX/XX/2018. I then started paying {$280.00} a month then to XXXX. A total of {$2400.00}, out of this balance they only paid {$600.00} to one of the loan company. I have a bad credit no money and I don't know where my {$1800.00} is! I haven't heard from them.
12/19/2019	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Received bad information about your loan	CA 92116	Web
In XXXX of XXXX I received a letter in the mail from a company called Arete Financial Group regarding ways to consolidate student loan debt and avoid paying accrued interest. I signed a contract with them stating that they would consolidate my loans ( at the time were 6 open credit lines through XXXX for student loans ) into one loan which is now only through XXXX. They stated by making payments to Arete, it would pay towards my loan principle and not interest, all the while I've been on deferment. Since XXXX of XXXX I made a total of 9 payments to Arete. The fee to sign up was {$400.00} which I told payments were supposed to be split into three payments. After the initial fee to sign up, payments were to be lowered to $ XXXX/month. I was charged {$190.00} for the first four months before payments were lowered. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received an email from Arete stating there is an active lawsuit between Federal Trade Commission v. American Financial Support Services ( a.k.a Arete Financial ). As of XX/XX/XXXX I was informed by a CSR from XXXX that no payments have been made towards my student loan whatsoever. I was advised by my federal student loan representative to contact the FTC and my personal financial institute to stop any further payments processed by Arete. Attached, I have supporting documents showing the payments that I made to Arete Financial Group along with the initial email from Arete regarding the lawsuit. I have already opened a case through the Federal Trade Commission which I intend to follow up with until this matter is resolved. I am requesting that Arete refund all payments that I've made to them starting since XXXX
05/17/2019	No	Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports Credit repair services	Fraud or scam	FL XXXXX	Web	Older American
I was told by this credit repair consolidation company, Arete Financial Freedom that they would handle all of the debt we named. They were going to contact them as soon as possible. I was also told to contract my debtors and give them an email stating that the company would handle these issues, email, threatening letters and calls. This has not been done since I have had this debt consolidation company.I was also told that I would have to pay them around {$680.00} as of XX/XX/2019 and for 17 more months to start the conversation with the debtors as well as lowing my payments. My credit score has been dramatic declining and because of the error that this Arete Financial Freedom company hasn't been reporting properly. That the company has and threatens calls/emails has also been increasing. This wasn't told to me, I was told when I sent all of my debtor consolidation company name, address, email and phone number this awful situation I am in would not happened. My resolution is that every account that was part of this agreement with this Arete Financial Freedom company those accounts must be back into correct standing, and that the late payment be remove. Due to this error of this credit repair consolidation company, Arete Financial Freedom my credit is been damaged and needs to be corrected.
03/20/2019	Yes	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Received bad information about your loan	FL 33596	Web
My name is XXXX XXXX XXXX.As of XX/XX/XXXX, i hired Arete Financial to assist me in the student loan forgiveness program. I was lead to believe that this company would assist me in making the right financial decisions regarding my XXXX Student loan, which was not in default. I made immediate payments to Arete for $ XXXX/biweekly for 3 months, with continued payments of $ XXXX/monthly direct withdrawal from my banking institution. Arete sent an email stating i was approved for IBR at $ XXXX/monthly. Arete then filed for a forbearance in XXXX of XXXX and again in XXXX while payments was deducted for them at XXXX/monthly. I never authorized the XXXX forbearance, and it was completely not necessary. That forbearance put me in this position with XXXX which is showing on my credit 107 days late. This decreased my score by XXXX points.I asked Arete what was i paying them for? XXXX informed me that no payment was originally due to them XX/XX/XXXX. By Arete not making the right professional decisions, this has left me in default and kept me from closing on my home XX/XX/XXXX. The credit report was updated XX/XX/XXXX. Arete also intercepted any communication from my orginal creditor by giving them a bogus email address I am very upset as a single parent. I feel like i been taking advantage of.
12/03/2019	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Attempted to collect wrong amount	NC 27406	Web
Arete Financial Freedom ( Debt Pay Gateway ) had agreed to pay our credit card debt and take out a monthly payment plan to pay our creditors back. All was good until the debt had all been paid back and the company keeps taking money out of our account. We have fully paid Arete back ALL the money for our debt and a settlement was made on all our accounts and paid FULLY on XX/XX/XXXX. We have made a lot of phone calls to the company, there is never an answer and we have left a message every time we have called. NO ONE calls us back. I have even sent an email message through their online portal requesting the money back, again, no answer. Money was taken out after final payment again on : XX/XX/XXXX for {$670.00} ( monthly payment they owed us back for over payment ) XX/XX/XXXX for {$25000.00} ( which was to pay the debt-amount above should not have been taken and they agreed to give it back to us ) XX/XX/XXXX for {$670.00} - monthly payment that should NOT have been taken out because debt had been fully settled and paid. I have documents showing on their online portal that our account holds a positive balance of {$1200.00}, which is the amount they OWE us. It looks as though their is an FTC Restraining Order on the Company as of XX/XX/XXXX. PLEASE help us get our money back!
06/11/2019	Yes	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Received bad information about your loan	FL 33445	Web	Servicemember
The Company Arete Financial Freedom mislead me over the phone into paying them {$790.00} for a service that it could have been at free cost to me through my service loan department ( XXXX ). I already have a debt paying my student loan to begin with. What make them think that is ok for people to give them money that it doesn't go into my loan debt account. I could have pay this {$790.00} into my own debt and bring the cost down of my principal to bring payments and the cost of the loan lower. They made me pay an amount of {$260.00} once at month for the next three month which started back on XX/XX/2019. They told me over the phone to go over the forms and signed them without giving time to read the contract. If I had the time to read over the contract, I would've never pay them this money. This is a trick that they use to mislead people and student to pay money. If they really want to help with our debt, they could have told me to go thorough my service loan department at free cost. I have also summited a complaint with the FTC Ref # XXXX and, will be calling the state Attorney General as well. I have emails and forms sent to me by the company ARETE Financial Freedom that I can send to you guys whenever they are requested. Their number is XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX.
01/02/2020	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Problem with customer service	WV 25801	Web
I wasn't sure on what to choose on the options given on the following questions. This is my problem. I have been paying a loan debt forgiveness company for almost a year. This company stated that if I paid the amount allotted for 10 years, my debt would be erased. It was a debt forgiveness program. I have had no problems with them until recently. I received an email on XXXX XXXX that my card was declined ( due to a new card, the did not have the new expiration date ) and I have tried to email them back, I've tried calling and I've left voicemails with no replies back. I recently logged on my account with them and it says that the FTC is filing a lawsuit against this company. I am unsure on what to do at this point with my account. I do not want my information in the wrong hands. This company has all my banking information and may social security number. I have been paying this company and the XXXX XXXX XXXX both XXXX dollars each month. I am unsure now if the Arete Financial Freedom Company was helping my loan status or not.
03/05/2020	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Trouble with how payments are being handled	MD 21214	Web	Older American
Arete Financial Freedom, XXXX XXXX Student Loans Specialist, XXXX XXXX exit XXXX, contacted me in XX/XX/2018 concerning my student loans. Ms. XXXX convinced me to let her company help me repay my students loans and the payments would be cheaper than what I was paying. I accepted her services and set-up auto payments with her company for monthly auto payments of {$40.00}. Everything was going along fine so I thought until I start receiving correspondence from XXXX XXXX stating I was behind in my payments? I had no idea what they was referring because my loan was with Arete Financial Freedom. I tried to contact Arete Financial Freedom and received a recording saying the number was on longer working? I would like to find out what happen to this company and where did all my payments go. I still have a student loan for the same amount? Is there anyway I can get my payments back and apply them to my loan?
07/08/2021	No	Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service Debt settlement	Unexpected or other fees	NY 11743	Web	Older American, Servicemember
I SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH ARETE ( DBA ) XXXX TO PAY MY DEBTS .ARETE TOLD MEI WOULD COST ME {$750.00} TO PAY MY CREDITORS LISTED BELOW.BEGINNING XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX AND ON XXXX XXXX WE AGREED T0 INCLUDE. XXXX XXXX XXXX FOR INCREASED PAYMENTS OF $ XXXX MONTHLY BECAUSE ARETE WOULD CALL AND TRY TO GIVE INFORMATION BY PHONE BUT WOULD NOT GIVE ME WRITTEN INFORMATION I CANCELED HE CONTRACT. LATER I DISCOVERED THEY MAY HAVE SETTLED A CASE THAT WAS NOT MINE AND IT WENT TO COURT IN XX/XX/XXXXI DID NOT EVEN KNOW ABOUT THAT CASE.I PAID TOTAL OF 21 MONTHS FOR {$17000.00} ARETE SETTLE XXXX XXXX XXXX FOR {$5400.00} I AM UPLOADING ONLY BEGINNING AD ENDING BANK STATEMENTS BUT ALL 21 MONTHS THAT I PAID.I AM SENIOR CITIZEN PHONE CALLS WAS SO CONVINCEING.MY CREDIT SCORE WENT FROM XXXX TO XXXX.
02/05/2020	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Received bad information about your loan	CA 90022	Web
Third party stated on XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX was at {$22000.00} and they would manage to bring it down to {$8000.00} as long as I payed a {$4000.00} entry fee and agree to pay a monthly fee that is do to change depending on my yearly income for 10 years. I agreed and went on paying for 2 years a monthly service fee of {$39.00}. Coming to the third year of renewal they stopped pulling money out of my student bank account on XX/XX/XXXX I called and they wouldnt answer I decided to check my email to see if they notified me of company change but instead read an email stating Arete financial freedom was being sued. I proceeded to call XXXX XXXX they stated my account was being stopped every year since XXXX and that it was a fraud. They advised me to put a complaint and enter their program of repayment.
12/26/2019	No	Student loan Private student loan	Struggling to repay your loan Problem lowering your monthly payments	PA 184XX	Web
Arete Financial Freedom is being sued by the Federal Trade Commission. I was a client of theirs. They promised to lower my student loan payment after I pay an upfront amount of {$750.00} paid in first three months of contract and then a monthly payment of {$29.00} since XX/XX/XXXX. To today 's date, XX/XX/XXXX I have paid this company {$1500.00}, all of which I thought was going toward my grand total of student loans of when I signed with this company, {$9000.00}. After receiving an email of this company being sued by the FTC, I checked my loan statuses. The total amount of my loans is now {$9600.00} with the interest it has been accruing from the non payments. So, the company put XXXX money toward my loans and I am now penalized.
12/04/2019	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official	AK 999XX	Web
I am currently a customer of Arete Financial, XXXX XXXX, etc. I found out they were sued today when one of the companys I am trying to get resolution with through them called me directly. When I brought up the fact I had power of attorney with Arete they would not tell me any information until I verified info on the phone. I notified them I would call Arete. Emails get returned from Arete and phones are not answered. I know why now. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX )
12/02/2019	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Don't agree with the fees charged	FL 33014	Web
Arete financial freedom made everything seem like butterflies and rainbows ... Until 8 months+ later I received an email saying my payment was declined even though Ive had no change in card information. Called and emailed endlessly with no such hope of getting a reply. Contacted XXXX and they read back some of my information which was completely incorrect along with my FSA email being changed.
12/08/2019	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Received bad information about your loan	AZ 85037	Web
XX/XX/XXXX I received an email from Arete financial stating my student loan consolidation was declined. I called the XXXX billing number to update my information and made six additional calls leaving voicemails and sending emails during this time frame with no response back. I received a message not delivered email from both email addresses I tried
11/15/2019	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official	FL 33137	Web
$ XXXX monthly payments was originally taken by Arete Financial Freedom, then, {$250.00} and an enrollment fee of {$500.00} dollars.
08/13/2020	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Trouble with how payments are being handled		Phone

04/16/2020	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Received bad information about your loan	TX 78242	Referral

03/30/2020	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Trouble with how payments are being handled	VA 23229	Web

03/30/2020	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Trouble with how payments are being handled	VA 23238	Web

03/11/2020	No	Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service Debt settlement	Confusing or missing disclosures	NJ 07026	Postal mail	Older American

03/03/2020	No	Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service Debt settlement	Confusing or misleading advertising or marketing	MI 48519	Phone	Older American

02/12/2020	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	Written notification about debt Didn't receive enough information to verify debt	MI 49735	Phone	Older American, Servicemember

02/12/2020	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Received bad information about your loan	PA 15611	Referral

02/07/2020	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Trouble with how payments are being handled	MN 56401	Phone

01/24/2020	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Received bad information about your loan	CO 80911	Web	Servicemember

01/23/2020	No	Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service Debt settlement	Fraud or scam	CA 94565	Phone

01/16/2020	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Trouble with how payments are being handled	MO 63036	Phone

01/15/2020	No	Debt collection Federal student loan debt	Communication tactics Frequent or repeated calls	FL 33761	Postal mail

01/15/2020	No	Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service Debt settlement	Confusing or missing disclosures	FL 33351	Phone	Servicemember

01/14/2020	No	Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports Credit repair services	Fraud or scam	MD 21623	Postal mail

01/08/2020	No	Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports Credit repair services	Fraud or scam	FL 33312	Phone

01/07/2020	No	Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports Credit repair services	Excessive fees	CA 90033	Phone

01/06/2020	No	Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service Debt settlement	Fraud or scam	MA 02360	Web

01/03/2020	No	Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service Debt settlement	Fraud or scam	MO 63390	Referral

01/02/2020	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Indicated you were committing crime by not paying debt	NC 27962	Web

12/27/2019	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Struggling to repay your loan Problem lowering your monthly payments	FL 33063	Phone

12/26/2019	No	Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service Debt settlement	Fraud or scam	GA 30082	Referral

12/18/2019	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	Attempts to collect debt not owed Debt was paid	VA 22551	Phone	Older American, Servicemember

12/16/2019	No	Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service Debt settlement	Fraud or scam		Phone

12/16/2019	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Trouble with how payments are being handled	MD 21229	Phone

12/13/2019	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Need information about your loan balance or loan terms		Phone	Servicemember

12/13/2019	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Received bad information about your loan	CA 90048	Phone

12/10/2019	No	Debt collection Payday loan debt	False statements or representation Attempted to collect wrong amount	FL 32409	Web

12/09/2019	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Trouble with how payments are being handled		Phone	Older American

12/02/2019	No	Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service Debt settlement	Fraud or scam	TX 75236	Phone

12/02/2019	No	Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports Credit reporting	Incorrect information on your report Account information incorrect	FL 33025	Phone	Older American

12/02/2019	No	Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service Debt settlement	Confusing or misleading advertising or marketing		Phone

11/29/2019	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Problem with customer service	NC 27858	Phone

11/29/2019	No	Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports Credit repair services	Fraud or scam	TX 79928	Web

11/26/2019	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Struggling to repay your loan Problem lowering your monthly payments	OH 43050	Phone

11/22/2019	No	Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service Debt settlement	Fraud or scam	AZ 85554	Phone	Older American

11/08/2019	No	Debt collection Credit card debt	Attempts to collect debt not owed Debt is not yours	NC 27217	Phone

08/22/2019	Yes	Debt collection Credit card debt	False statements or representation Indicated you were committing crime by not paying debt	NC 27288	Phone	Older American

06/04/2019	Yes	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Don't agree with the fees charged	KY 41097	Web

05/18/2019	Yes	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Trouble with how payments are being handled	CA 92374	Web

05/17/2019	Yes	Student loan Private student loan	Dealing with your lender or servicer Trouble with how payments are being handled	CA 92374	Phone

04/02/2019	No	Debt collection Federal student loan debt	False statements or representation Indicated you were committing crime by not paying debt		Phone

11/21/2018	No	Student loan Federal student loan servicing	Dealing with your lender or servicer Don't agree with the fees charged	CA 92117	Web