Penn Foster Charged me for a Product I never received
In 2005, my grandmother had asked me to take a pet grooming course with my uncle. I refused at first, but she insisted. I eventually gave in, and sent away for the course.
I had never received any products or communication from Penn Foster since then. I had recently checked my credit report, as I am joining the Army. I noticed a collections account for $903 from a Collections Agency, whose physical address is almost the same as Penn Foster's(same town, both use P.O. boxes).
I had spoken with an agent from the collection Agency, who claimed that I completed 58% of the course for which I had never received, and claimed that the only way to expunge my record would be to simply pay it off. Penn Foster has essentially made me a victim of fraud.
Location: Walnut, Iowa
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I just checked my credit score and I had the same thing happen to me! I am so pissed!!!! It screwed my credit score big time.
They did the same thing to me. Screwed my credit score.
@WM I did receive your email and I emailed you back from my official Penn Foster email account. I have sent your email to Student Services and we are contacting the collections agency USCB. Once we get the information we need I will get in touch right away.
Best Regards,
Erin
I faced the same ordeal like you both. I know I was enrolled into the highschool diploma which the account was sent off to USBC.
Before time, I was told by a PF representative that as long I kept making payments, My account would not go into collections. One day when I was trying to login my student center; I received a message saying I was suppose to call USBC for more information. I called them and explained my situation. They wanted me to pay $275 for the past due amount of the highschool program.
I agreed to make payments and I asked if I could still enroll into a program. One representative said "yes". I enrolled into a Tech program yesterday and talking to a representative, I wasn't allowed to login and what I paid for was on hold. Is it on hold for the HS account in which I am still paying for or the program I signed up.
I think it is a bit misleading for a rep to tell me that I could enroll into a program when one was in collections.
I did write to you, Erin. Hopefully, you can help me
@Jessie A, Once an account has gone 180 days past due it is sent to a collections agency. I have no contact with the collections agency but if you did indeed speak to a rep about your hardship it will be noted on your account. If you would kindly contact me at pennfosterinc@***.com I will contact Student Services about this and try to help you.
@This school is a major fraud I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. Without knowing your name or student ID# I can't comment on your issues but if you would kindly email me at pennfosterinc@***.com I would be happy to assist you. best regards,Erin
*Not UCBH-USBC
I know Penn Foster has their clients check this site daily because of their reputation. I feel like its my turn to say how I truly feel.
I enreolled into the Pharmacy Techinican program as of 1/4/2012. I had paid my $29 downpayment and $48 first month payment to start my course. I was re-routed to a login page thinking "Oh this is perfect, I can start on my course". I went to check in my inbox, nothing wasn't from Penn Foster.
I figured it was backed up, so I waited for an hour to to get my information. Nothing yet. I got concerned and I called Student Services at (888-427-****) and I spoke to Mary. I asked "Mary" why I didn't receive my information to login.
She mentioned to me that I needed a "high school" diploma to enroll into this course. I mentioned I received my GED and I could fax the information to her. Then she said I was "enrolled" in their highschool program. I said "Why would I need a highschool program if I have a GED?" and she had no information on the balance, what was started or finished.
All she had was my student ID, in which I wasn't allowed to login. I tried entering that particuliar number into the login field and it "mentioned" You need to call (570)876-**** for more information. I looked up the number and its through UCBH. This company has a bad rapport of harassing individuals if you do not pay your debt.
I asked "Mary" if I will be getting a "Refund" of my money back to me and she mentioned it was on "hold" I said "Oh, I can not get my own money back now and I can not use a program to enhance my skills" What are they going to do with $77 then? I would like to know why I wasn't "informed" of this other program as well. I smell FRAUD. I would like my money back or I will be reporting to the BBB.
I am taking my money and enrolling into a business school close to my area. At least I know they will enroll me without hesistation.
Thank you Penn Foster. It proves to me that all you care about is Frauding people and taking them for a ride.
People Beware of this school.
If you want to get training, go to a techinical or business school. You will have better luck
Just today I received a phone call from a collection agency. They claimed that I have an outstanding debt of almost $1,500 through Penn Foster.
Funny thing is I spoke to a school rep. about 5 months ago saying that I could not continue my courses due to family hardship & my husband losing his job. They said no problem, they would take care of it, etc.. So now I magically have this fellow "Hal" calling me from USCB (Collection Agency) wanting to work with me on this debt, saying that I am STILL ENROLLED in their classes.
So I called the school, the rep. said that I am in fact still enrolled but my account has been since transferred to said agency so he cannot withdraw me from the courses. So I am supposed to cancel my classes for their university through a collection agency, since the university supposedly can no longer pull up my account. How the *** am I still enrolled in your classes if you can't access my account?
What you're basically telling me is that I am enrolled in Veterinary Technician classes through a Credit Collection Agency now? Interesting..