- Report: #433309
Complaint Review: Penn Foster - Nationwide
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Penn Foster
Internet Nationwide, U.S.A.
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Penn Foster- Complete Liars! liars, deceitful, underhanded, joke of a school, ridiculous, outrageous Internet
I decided to try the Web Design degree through Penn Foster, and put $150 down towards it and made one payment of $50 after that. I took the online reading and math assessment, which was essentially an elementary level quiz that a fourth grader could have easily passed.
After that, I had some personal issues arise and I couldn't afford the commitment of their degree program. I tried to find out if it was possible for me to switch to a certificate program, which would have been shorter and cheaper in the long run. They said I couldn't, so I decided to cancel. I was then informed I would have to pay over $200 just to cancel the courses!
I thought this was ridiculous, considering the "books" they sent me, weren't even books! They were paper pamphlets stapled together! And I even offered to send them back! And I hadn't done ANYTHING but take an online quiz for basic math skills! After speaking to SEVERAL people with Penn Foster regarding this, I was told I could cancel my courses and would owe no further money.
Let's also keep in mind, Penn Foster allegedly requires proof of a high school diploma or GED, something I NEVER supplied to them...
Now, it's been almost a year and a half since then, and randomly, out of the blue, I get a collections notice from them for over $200! Are you kidding me?! This is ridiculous!
I sent them the following email.
"I called and CANCELLED my courses for Webdesign with your school prior to December of 2007. I did NOTHING with the courses except take the online reading and math assessments. That was it. That was all of it. I didn't do anything further. I had wanted to switch to a certificate program but was informed I couldn't so I decided to just cancel the courses and after speaking to a FEW people, they told me I could, as I hadn't done anything with the courses aside from the reading and math assesment and had already paid $150-200 culmitive.
Now, almost a year and a half later, I recieved a collections notice for over $200! I CANCELLED the courses and was told I owed nothing further! This is ridiculous!
Not to mention, your site said it required proof of high school diploma (which I never supplied!) and yet you're still trying to charge me?! I cancelled the course! All i did was take an incredibly elementary math and reading assesment!
I would like this resolved as soon as possible and I am very appalled that your "school" would do such a thing! "
So, we will see what happens. I am awaiting their response, and will be calling both them and the collection agency first thing in the morning.
Samanthavv
Soldotna, Alaska
U.S.A.
After that, I had some personal issues arise and I couldn't afford the commitment of their degree program. I tried to find out if it was possible for me to switch to a certificate program, which would have been shorter and cheaper in the long run. They said I couldn't, so I decided to cancel. I was then informed I would have to pay over $200 just to cancel the courses!
I thought this was ridiculous, considering the "books" they sent me, weren't even books! They were paper pamphlets stapled together! And I even offered to send them back! And I hadn't done ANYTHING but take an online quiz for basic math skills! After speaking to SEVERAL people with Penn Foster regarding this, I was told I could cancel my courses and would owe no further money.
Let's also keep in mind, Penn Foster allegedly requires proof of a high school diploma or GED, something I NEVER supplied to them...
Now, it's been almost a year and a half since then, and randomly, out of the blue, I get a collections notice from them for over $200! Are you kidding me?! This is ridiculous!
I sent them the following email.
"I called and CANCELLED my courses for Webdesign with your school prior to December of 2007. I did NOTHING with the courses except take the online reading and math assessments. That was it. That was all of it. I didn't do anything further. I had wanted to switch to a certificate program but was informed I couldn't so I decided to just cancel the courses and after speaking to a FEW people, they told me I could, as I hadn't done anything with the courses aside from the reading and math assesment and had already paid $150-200 culmitive.
Now, almost a year and a half later, I recieved a collections notice for over $200! I CANCELLED the courses and was told I owed nothing further! This is ridiculous!
Not to mention, your site said it required proof of high school diploma (which I never supplied!) and yet you're still trying to charge me?! I cancelled the course! All i did was take an incredibly elementary math and reading assesment!
I would like this resolved as soon as possible and I am very appalled that your "school" would do such a thing! "
So, we will see what happens. I am awaiting their response, and will be calling both them and the collection agency first thing in the morning.
Samanthavv
Soldotna, Alaska
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Samanthavv
Soldotna,Alaska,
U.S.A.
Contacted Both The School & Credit Collection Agency
#2Author of original report
Fri, March 13, 2009
I contacted both the credit collection agency, as well as the school. I didn't catch the name of the man who spoke with me from the credit collection agency, however, he was incredibly rude. And when I informed him that I was disputing the debt, he was full of comments like "Oh come one. It's $250. Come on." And I explained to him the situation and why I felt I did not owe the money for the inadequate "services" rendered by the "university." He kept insisting, "You'll just have to pay it. There's nothing to dispute." I have drafted up a letter to the collection agency reuesting an explanation of the nature of the debt, an accounting explanation, and a copy of the contract I signed. I contacted the "university" as well, and explained the situation, and they continued to insist, "You signed the contract and you are obligated to pay." However, when I pointed out that I felt there was a breach of contract due to inadequate and substandard materials and "services" provided, which is why I had decided to bow out of the contract, he simply insisted "Well, you signed the contract and this is our policy." I also asked why, if after I spoke to them over a year and had received a verbal commitment to waive the owed amount, I never received any bills or statements. If I had truly owed money, or they had been under the impression I still owed, why did I not receive any bills or statements? The only thing I received was a collection notice dated February 22nd, 2009. I am sending the letter to the collection agency, and in addition to a written explanation, accounting explanation and copies of all contracts, I have requested that they contact any credit agencies they have contacted in regards to this "debt" and inform them I am disputing the debt, as well as contact the "university" to inform them I am disputing the debt. We'll see what happens.
