Complaint Review: Everest Financial

I applied on their site for a debt consolidation loan. I was pre-approved a few days later and spoke on the phone to Emily Connor. Emily explained to me that I'm a high credit risk to lenders, so I could either get a co-signer who made over $60,000, or I put up a deposit which will be returned to me when I make three monthly payments on time. I received a contract stating the same, and I signed and Western Union'ed the money to their "courier" Kelvin Smith.

Needless to say, a few days later, when I received no funds, I was told that my transfer was "on hold" because I had not paid the "international taxes," which were $685 more. Still stupidly giving them the benefit of the doubt, I forwarded that amount via Western Union. Needless to say, Emily told me I should be receiving my loan within 1-3 hours. 1-3 hours came and went, and no loan. When I called back, the "computers were down," and everyone's transfers were affected. Finally, I called back again, and I was told I hadn't paid the "closing costs" of the loan, which were an additional $600 dollars.

I have since requested a refund and put in a complaint to the BBB of Central Canada. If these fees were mentioned during the initial call I would have known it wasn't for me, but they dangle them over your head when it looks like you have a chance to get the loan... They take advantage of people in precarious financial situations, and make them worse. Stay away from Everest Financial!

Kristina
New York, New York
U.S.A.