Quick Answer: Monterey Financial Services complaints often involve aggressive collection tactics and poor customer service, as shown by a customer threatened with 35% collection fees over a $110 past-due amount. The company reportedly uses intimidating language and refuses to work with customers on credit report removal, even when payments failed due to bank processing issues.
Consumer Statement:
Received a phone call today. A girl from Monterey Financial notifying me my account is behind. I ask how, since I have automatic withdrawal from my checking account. She then explains that they withdrew the amount but it was returned due to insufficent funds in July. Then I realize that the Credit Karma notification I received yesterday pertained to this account. I tell her that I had received a notification from Credit Karma stating I missed a payment on one of my accounts and it dropped my score 200 points! So I ask her if I can try to resolve this ASAP ($110 payment) can they please remove the negative remark from my account. She continues to be rude and tells me no. Then she notifies me that I also was missing a payment from May!? I ask HOW. She says it was returned insufficent funds. I told her I would need to discuss the issue with my bank since it shows the payments being withdrawn on my end. She interrupts me demanding I resolve the amount pas t due over the phone or she would report my account to collections PLUS 35% by end of day today. Really? THATS how you address your customer who is $110 past due? THATS how you “help” your customer? Seems more like extortion to the point when I’m offering to try to resolve it quickly but I’m threatened if not handled immediatly. I asked why I hadn’t been notified by mail of this. She says they had called and left messages from a recording, I explain I automatically delete those due to the high amount of sales calls I receive now that I’m rebuilding my credit I have been FLOODED with sales pitch calls regarding loans and such. (I’m assuming due to them selling my information) . I ask again why I hadn’t received a letter if it was way back in May. She says “well we emailed you” . Now keep in mind she had a very aggressive, RUDE, demeanor since I answered the phone. Now I look into my email and sure enough I have emails…In my spam fol der. I ask again why I didn’t receive a letter, she claims they sent them. I said I’d like a copy, she interrupts again. I told her she was very rude and unprofessional and I’d like to speak to her supervisor. I’m at work and I had explained this numerous times. She interrupts AGAIN and tells me to give her a date the amount can be withdrawn from my account. NO. I just explained to you that I want to speak to my bank first. She continues to be rude and I demand to speak to her supervisor. She rudely states she’ll “see if one is available” and then leaves me on hold for 8 minutes to point I had to hang up because as I said I am at work. She didn’t try to diffuse the situation. She tried avoiding me speaking to supervisor. She threatened legal action over $110 that I didn’t refuse to pay I just asked to be able to speak to my bank first, for multiple reasons. I don’t want future issues with my account and to be sure there wasn’t a mistake on their end as we all know it does happen with our reliance on technology.
Consumer Action Taken:
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I offered to speak to my bank. Confirm the amount that showed withdrawn was in fact not withdrawn and then I would pay up the amount owed.
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Date This Problem Happened: August 23, 2017
State You Live in: Michigan
Race/Ethnicity: White
Age Range: 21-35
Total Amount of Fee Paid:
Company Name: Monterey Financial Services
Company Address:
4095 Avenida De La Plata
Oceanside, California 92056
Company Telephone Number:
Website of Company: montereyfinancial.com
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