700credit.org Run far away from using any of this company's programs! Denton Texas

 I was first introduced to this company earlier this year, 2014.  At that time, the company offered a "free" (emphasis on the quotes) grant funded credit repair program.  All you had to do was show you had a retirement plan that guaranteed a rate of return, or if you did not have one sign up for one they would recommend.  Once you had the retirement aspect in order, they would assist with your credit for no additional cost.  I spent some time talking with this organization, and after some time I felt comfortable giving it a try.  I signed myself up and they enrolled me for an IUL (Indexed Universal Life) policy.  After I enrolled myself, they began offering many other services that I felt my family could take advantage of as well. One in particular was a Business Start Up & Financing line of credit.  Along the same lines, if you were looking to get a line of credit for your business, or start a new business, the company would assist you with your credit or putting together a business plan for a new business.  I referred my wife and mother to this plan, as my mother currently owns her own business and was in need of funding, and my wife and I have been wanting to start a business of our own.  My wife and I paid the $495 to enroll, and my mother paid for hers separately.

My mother was the first to hear back from the company.  Her credit was in very good standing, and her business has been profitable for many years now, so she moved right to the funding option.  She was provided contact information to start that process.  When she contacted this company (a 3rd party, not 700credit.org) she was told there would be additional fees on top of the $495 already paid.  This company didn't realize that 700credit.org was charging a fee to refer people to them, and was upset that this was the case.  She called me and explained this situation to me. 

I had been enrolled in my part of the program for about a month at that time, and still had not heard from anyone at 700credit.org to begin working on my credit.  I sent multiple emails and tried calling, but no one returned my call or replied to my emails for weeks.  My wife had also sent emails, she was waiting for someone to start working on her credit or her funding option.  She was not receiving any replies either.  At this time, my wife and I realized we had made a mistake trusting this organization. 

I called the company that had set up my IUL and stopped that policy.  My wife sent an email requesting a refund of the money we had paid minus the bonus I received for referring her to sign up, for a total of $360.  That got a reply!  We received a response asking us to schedule a time to talk on the phone.  We declined this offer, and stated simply we wished to part ways and receive the $360 back to us.  The company then told us we had to send them the $135 back first before they would do anything.  I was not comfortable sending this company any more money, and stated as such.  No replies again.

At that time, I filed a report with the BBB of the State of TX.  I reviewed the reasons for our complaint, and the BBB upheld our complaint.  The company, until that time, had proudly displayed on their website "A+ Rated by the BBB."  Instead of addressing our complaint and providing us a refund, which would have resolved the complaint and kept their A+ rating, they simply removed that statement from their website and continued to ignore us.  We tried one more time to resolve the issue amicably, before seeking other redress as recommended by the BBB.  The company replied and told us that we were not due a refund, but refused to provide us any reason or documentation either stating this fact, or showing us where we agreed to these terms. 

We're back to them not replying to us again.  I have filed a complaint with the Attorney General for the State of Texas, and will continue seeking redress through whatever means I can.  All I can say is STAY AWAY FROM THIS ORGANIZATION! For a non-profit organization that is supposedly "...committed to creating financially healthier families through free education and resources." (quote from their website), they sure seem profit focused to me.  My family and I are LESS financially healthy for having dealt with them.