Each of us lives only now, in this brief instant. The rest has been lived already. So make the most thoughtful choices you can today that will lead to a better future.
Steve's Thought of the Day
Stop drifting and hoping a magic solution will appear. Instead, you can participate in rescuing yourself. Find peace by pursuing facts through trusted advisers and research rather than the blind trust of salespeople trying to sell you something by almost any means necessary.
Steve's Thought of the Day
Make decisions to deal with your debt with logic and facts, not assumptions, and worry about what other people will think. People who judge you will soon be forgotten. Nobody thinks about anyone that much.
Steve's Thought of the Day
The world is nothing but constant change. Your life is only a perception. Choose a way out of debt based on facts, not assumptions. Do what is best for your future because those that judge you will not feed you.
Steve's Thought of the Day
Do you have a greater responsibility to repair your financial past or your financial present and future? Make good choices that allow you to tackle your debt and immediately start building your emergency fund and saving for retirement. Tomorrow will be here before you know it. Lost time is a sin.
Steve's Thought of the Day
There is no sense in wasting a perfectly good financial mistake. Instead, learn from it and do better moving forward. The past is gone. Turn and face the future now.
Steve's Thought of the Day
Those who judge you for past financial mistakes are not your friends. So don't make choices about your future out of fear of what they may think. Instead, make choices based on truth, fact, and what is best for you moving forward from today.
Steve's Thought of the Day
Don't believe everything you think. Challenge your assumptions about getting out of debt. Do what is best for you, not others.
Steve's Thought of the Day
Is it less moral to file bankruptcy or to not take action that leaves you old, broke, hungry, and dependent on others?
Steve's Thought of the Day
If bankruptcy is so bad, why did our Founding Fathers specifically include it in the U.S. Constitution as protection for financial difficulties?
Stop listening to people that say bankruptcy is a last resort. It is neither first nor last. It is a tool like credit counseling, debt settlement, and others. For the best result, you need to use the right tool for the job.
Steve's Thought of the Day
People that tell you to avoid bankruptcy want to sell you something else are repeating something they heard or do not know what they are talking about. Get the facts and then make your own decision. Don't let an unskilled script-reading commissioned salesperson make life decisions for you.
Steve's Thought of the Day
Debt problems are like fingerprints. No two are alike. A one-size-fits-all solution will give you a one-size-fits-all result. You deserve better.
Steve's Thought of the Day
You are not your debt. Your value, self-esteem, and existence should not be defined by the money troubles you may be facing right now. Debt problems are solved with proper action, not guilt, self-hatred, and disgust.
Steve's Thought of the Day
Debt is nothing more than math wrapped in emotion. The math is easy, the emotional part leads us to do impulsive things. Not the right thing.
Steve's Thought of the Day
What type of money personality do you have? It is important to know. Take my online test now and discover how you unconsciously deal with money, credit, and debt.
Steve's Thought of the Day
How much retirement savings are you willing to throw away by dealing with your old debt instead of preparing for your financial future? Find how much you will lose by making the wrong choice. Use my online debt repayment calculator now.
Steve's Thought of the Day
Does it make more sense to ask for life-altering debt advice from an unskilled and untrained commissioned salesperson in a call center or an experienced debt coach like Damon Day that provides a customized solution for money troubles?
Steve's Thought of the Day
Apprisen Financial Advocates – Scam, Complaint, Review, or Praise?
Please share your experience with this debt relief company and provide your review and feedback, in the comments section below.
The goal of this page is to allow people to share information that may be important to help others to make a more informed decision regarding their experience with this debt relief company. Here are some potential questions you might be able to provide feedback about.
How did you feel about the customer service experience you received?
Was the company easy to communicate with before or after you became a client?
Did the company respond to your communications promptly?
What were the fees charged for the services you received?
Did the company give you the terms and conditions for the program you were interested in before you gave them any personal information?
Was the program successful for you and accomplish the goals you had when you entered the program?
Did you have a really good experience you can share?
Did you have a bad experience you want to share?
Is there any other information you’d like people to know that might be considering the services of this company?
It is important to understand when reading comments below that they are the opinions of the individual posters and may not be representative of the overall impression of all consumers that may have or have not used the debt relief services of this company. But everyone does deserve to have an opportunity to express their opinion, even the debt relief company itself, be it good, bad, or indifferent.
Sincerely,
You are not alone. I'm here to help. There is no need to suffer in silence. We can get through this. Tomorrow can be better than today. Don't give up.
Do you have a question you'd like to ask me for free? Go ahead and click here.
30 thoughts on “Apprisen Financial Advocates – Scam, Complaint, Review, or Praise?”
Apprisen has done wonders for my debt. For a mere $20 a month, they have helped me bring down over $38,000 in credit card debt to under $5,000 in a little less than 3 yrs. I love that I can call and move my money to what account I want after one has been paid in full. It’s very exciting to me to get online, view my account, and watch the balances dwindle. I started with 15 different balances, (I know! Crazy in debt) and as of this month I’m down to 4!!! I only wish I had started sooner, instead of trying to keep my head above my debt, I would have saved THOUSANDS in interest! Have no fears of Apprisen, I have not had any problems, they are a legit, extremely helpful program!! AND…I’m almost DONE!!! WooHoo?????
Hi Kim, this is great to hear. I have a question for you. Many of the websites I read that your cc companies can still sue you even if you are going through a program like Aprisen’s. Did you have any issues with that? That terrifies me!
I was surprised when I received the 13 page stuff that I had tried to read and understand, before signing the pages–even my mother had a difficult time reading and understanding it!! I felt I was signing my life away!! I haven’t signed these pages yet–I’m not sure I will.
This is a legit company. I’ve been with them for almost a year. They are always very helpful when you call, or email, them with questions or concerns. And not to mention my phone rings a lot less now from those debt collectors!
Been working with them for several years with no complaints until yesterday when I encountered a terribly rude contact representative. I flat out told her that she was being rude. I did not make a formal complaint and assumed she was having a bad day. Read reviews that reveled that they are horrible to their employees.
I started my debt program with Apprisen 3 1/2 years ago, I almost had my debt paid off when I lost my job. I am now back on track and looking at only a few months left of being debt free. I have never had a problem with the Apprisen staff, always a phone call or email away.
Hello. I live in Kentucky and have completed one year of DMP payments. I have had no trouble contacting Apprisen as anytime. I am able to email or call and they have always been patient with my many questions. I have been sure to contact my debtors and ask about my account status to make sure funds were paid. In fact, one 5/3 customer service rep said that she was very familiar with Aprrisen and had seen many accounts paid off from 5/3 customers who used them. My experience has been very positive and I would reccomend Apprisen to those who need financial guidance. I’ve paid off one credit card this year with a 5,000 balance and plan to pay off two more as well as two hospital bills in the next two years. I do pay a monthly fee BUT Apprisen negotiated with my credit card companies to lower my interest rates (something I could do but don’t want to do) and Apprisen communicates with the hospital credit bureau people. In the past, the hospital credit bureau has been down right nasty to me. For instance, due to my daughter’s weak immune system I was unable to work (she was in isolation). No daycare, no playground, no grocery, no mall–you get the picture. It was a rough year. My husband and I survived on his one paycheck while trying to pay our school loans, rent, car payments, insurance, credit cards, and hospital bills. At one point my hospital bureau system worker asked me how I was able to pay my cell phone and told me, not recommended me, to turn my phone off so that I could pay my bills. She knows my daughter’s health issues. I have to have a phone. After that, Apprisen talks to this woman for me. I am so thankful for this.
I consider myself a perpetual student of debt and credit. I am always learning and seeking a better understanding of relief available to those of us struggling with debts. Can you help me understand how your debt management program with Apprisen is structured in a way that allows for pay off of a 5k account in 12 months? Did you provide extra money to them in order to pay this off quicker? Did you send additional money yourself to the credit card lender?
I live in Kentucky. My local counselor was helpful, seemed well educated and was very easy to contact. I’ve been in the program for about six months now. There were a few minor issues in the beginning r/t getting my debtors to agree to the plan, but Apprisen was always right on top of things and the plan is running smoothly now. I have never had any problem making contact with the company. They have always been very prompt with their responses, even if I had to leave a message. I will have my debt paid off in less than three years. Admittedly, the monthly payments have been very challenging, but in the process I have learned to manage my finances much more realistically. I’ve had to sacrifice many things that were important to me, but have learned to appreciate what really matters. I can’t think of a single negative thing to say about my experience with this company or the people I’ve worked with, both in person and over the phone.
I live in Kentucky. My local counselor was helpful, seemed well educated and was very easy to contact. I’ve been in the program for about six months now. There were a few minor issues in the beginning r/t getting my debtors to agree to the plan, but Apprisen was always right on top of things and the plan is running smoothly now. I have never had any problem making contact with the company. They have always been very prompt with their responses, even if I had to leave a message. I will have my debt paid off in less than three years. Admittedly, the monthly payments have been very challenging, but in the process I have learned to manage my finances much more realistically. I’ve had to sacrifice many things that were important to me, but have learned to appreciate what really matters. I can’t think of a single negative thing to say about my experience with this company or the people I’ve worked with, both in person and over the phone.
Why are they greedy? I met with them Monday for the first time. They wanted me to do a $50 “thing” to help prepare me for bankruptcy. Is this necessary or will legal aid do this for me? They told me they would waive $50 for the counseling certificate due to my low income.
They have very unethical business practices. I used to work for them. Believe me when I say you should not trust them with your money. I have never worked for such money greedy people in my life.
They have very unethical business practices. I used to work for them. Believe me when I say you should not trust them with your money. I have never worked for such money greedy people in my life.
Why are they greedy? I met with them Monday for the first time. They wanted me to do a $50 “thing” to help prepare me for bankruptcy. Is this necessary or will legal aid do this for me? They told me they would waive $50 for the counseling certificate due to my low income.
They are greedy because they charge their customers a fee even when they know that they cannot possibly afford it. When I worked their they fee was on a sliding scale, but some people might not meet the income requirements to have it waived…but in my opinion they still couldn’t afford it. In terms of the bankruptcy counseling the US Trustees actually require that they charge a fee(or at least that is what I was told). But the fee for their monthly DMP is unreasonable in some cases. And make sure you keep track of everything you pay them! If there is a remaining balance left with them after your debt is paid off THEY WILL KEEP IT unless you ask for it back!!!
Hi! What kind of hit does your credit score take when you sign up for these kinds of programs?
It really depends on what the strategy is. If it is to fall further behind, well then you’d take a hit for being delinquent. But if you are already overloaded or delinquent you are already taking a hit.
The US Trustees office does not require that they charge a fee. Â It MUST be waived if the income level of the client is below 150% of the poverty level for the size of the family. Â Greed has definitely become a factor in how this once great organization determines it’s so called….best practices. Â Non-profit….I have my doubts.
I live in Washington State and my counselor has been very receptive and helpful. We are setup to pay $25 for their service and it is until the balances are paid off which is approximately 3 years. And even though an account gets paid off they roll that amount of money into the next accounts payment so help to get it paid off sooner from what was explained to me.
I am just getting started with them and they said the max rate is $35 for setup and $35 per month, total (not per creditor or anything like that) New rates for a new year perhaps but still very reasonable.
+ Lost my job, and now cannot afford the massive DMP payment. I cannot reach either the office in Ohio, nor my local guy that set it up. I’m going to have to place a stop payment on the ACH to prevent overdraft fees.
+ Idiot financial advisor “forgot” to include a couple of my debts in the DMP, so Citibank just didn’t get paid for the last 2 months. I now owe over $100 in late fees and back interest on a $500 balance.
+ Don’t bother calling their offices, because you don’t have the option to hold, but only to leave a message which NO ONE will return.
I’ve had a similar experience with another company but through a project at work I researched Apprisen and have been very pleased with their services. I’ve actually never waited more than 1 day for a return call or email from their office. I would like to recommend my contact person at Apprisen in Ohio who has been very reachable. She even offered her personal cellphone number to our network of over 60,000 women! Her name is Mary Hurlburt and if you call her I’m sure she would be interested in hearing your concerns so she can help. Her number is 513-366-4500 ext. 1398. I hope this isn’t too late to help you. Good luck!
It’s the way they operate. Â DMP pushers, whether it’s in your best interest or not. Â Don’t blame the counselor though, they were only acting on orders from the top or take the risk of losing their jobs. Â The Ohio office you are referring to is Apprisen…..they take over smaller, great customer service offices, downsize them, and then shut them down. Â All clients must then report to Ohio….the central location . I know, I was one of those smaller agencies that they took over and closed. Â Many of my clients have found me through facebook and are absolutely appalled at their deplorable tactics. Â Non-Profit…I have my doubts.
Apprisen has done wonders for my debt. For a mere $20 a month, they have helped me bring down over $38,000 in credit card debt to under $5,000 in a little less than 3 yrs. I love that I can call and move my money to what account I want after one has been paid in full. It’s very exciting to me to get online, view my account, and watch the balances dwindle. I started with 15 different balances, (I know! Crazy in debt) and as of this month I’m down to 4!!! I only wish I had started sooner, instead of trying to keep my head above my debt, I would have saved THOUSANDS in interest! Have no fears of Apprisen, I have not had any problems, they are a legit, extremely helpful program!! AND…I’m almost DONE!!! WooHoo?????
Hi Kim, this is great to hear. I have a question for you. Many of the websites I read that your cc companies can still sue you even if you are going through a program like Aprisen’s. Did you have any issues with that? That terrifies me!
I was surprised when I received the 13 page stuff that I had tried to read and understand, before signing the pages–even my mother had a difficult time reading and understanding it!! I felt I was signing my life away!! I haven’t signed these pages yet–I’m not sure I will.
If you want to check out the company before signing, consider following these guides.
I would recommend that anyone considering using such a company should read the following free guides.
The Ultimate Consumer Guide to Checking Out a Debt Relief Company Before You Sign On the Line
10 Must Do Steps to Find the Best Credit Counseling or Debt Settlement Company for You
How to Check Out a Business or Company to Avoid Getting Scammed or Ripped Off
These articles are all from 2011 and 2012 – do you think that in 2019 they are still relevant?
This is a legit company. I’ve been with them for almost a year. They are always very helpful when you call, or email, them with questions or concerns. And not to mention my phone rings a lot less now from those debt collectors!
Been working with them for several years with no complaints until yesterday when I encountered a terribly rude contact representative. I flat out told her that she was being rude. I did not make a formal complaint and assumed she was having a bad day. Read reviews that reveled that they are horrible to their employees.
I started my debt program with Apprisen 3 1/2 years ago, I almost had my debt paid off when I lost my job. I am now back on track and looking at only a few months left of being debt free. I have never had a problem with the Apprisen staff, always a phone call or email away.
Hello. I live in Kentucky and have completed one year of DMP payments. I have had no trouble contacting Apprisen as anytime. I am able to email or call and they have always been patient with my many questions. I have been sure to contact my debtors and ask about my account status to make sure funds were paid. In fact, one 5/3 customer service rep said that she was very familiar with Aprrisen and had seen many accounts paid off from 5/3 customers who used them. My experience has been very positive and I would reccomend Apprisen to those who need financial guidance. I’ve paid off one credit card this year with a 5,000 balance and plan to pay off two more as well as two hospital bills in the next two years. I do pay a monthly fee BUT Apprisen negotiated with my credit card companies to lower my interest rates (something I could do but don’t want to do) and Apprisen communicates with the hospital credit bureau people. In the past, the hospital credit bureau has been down right nasty to me. For instance, due to my daughter’s weak immune system I was unable to work (she was in isolation). No daycare, no playground, no grocery, no mall–you get the picture. It was a rough year. My husband and I survived on his one paycheck while trying to pay our school loans, rent, car payments, insurance, credit cards, and hospital bills. At one point my hospital bureau system worker asked me how I was able to pay my cell phone and told me, not recommended me, to turn my phone off so that I could pay my bills. She knows my daughter’s health issues. I have to have a phone. After that, Apprisen talks to this woman for me. I am so thankful for this.
Hi Megan,
I consider myself a perpetual student of debt and credit. I am always learning and seeking a better understanding of relief available to those of us struggling with debts.
Can you help me understand how your debt management program with Apprisen is structured in a way that allows for pay off of a 5k account in 12 months? Did you provide extra money to them in order to pay this off quicker? Did you send additional money yourself to the credit card lender?
I live in Kentucky. My local counselor was helpful, seemed well educated and was very easy to contact. I’ve been in the program for about six months now. There were a few minor issues in the beginning r/t getting my debtors to agree to the plan, but Apprisen was always right on top of things and the plan is running smoothly now. I have never had any problem making contact with the company. They have always been very prompt with their responses, even if I had to leave a message. I will have my debt paid off in less than three years. Admittedly, the monthly payments have been very challenging, but in the process I have learned to manage my finances much more realistically. I’ve had to sacrifice many things that were important to me, but have learned to appreciate what really matters. I can’t think of a single negative thing to say about my experience with this company or the people I’ve worked with, both in person and over the phone.
I live in Kentucky. My local counselor was helpful, seemed well educated and was very easy to contact. I’ve been in the program for about six months now. There were a few minor issues in the beginning r/t getting my debtors to agree to the plan, but Apprisen was always right on top of things and the plan is running smoothly now. I have never had any problem making contact with the company. They have always been very prompt with their responses, even if I had to leave a message. I will have my debt paid off in less than three years. Admittedly, the monthly payments have been very challenging, but in the process I have learned to manage my finances much more realistically. I’ve had to sacrifice many things that were important to me, but have learned to appreciate what really matters. I can’t think of a single negative thing to say about my experience with this company or the people I’ve worked with, both in person and over the phone.
Why are they greedy? I met with them Monday for the first time. They wanted me to do a $50 “thing” to help prepare me for bankruptcy. Is this necessary or will legal aid do this for me? They told me they would waive $50 for the counseling certificate due to my low income.
They have very unethical business practices. I used to work for them. Believe me when I say you should not trust them with your money. I have never worked for such money greedy people in my life.
They have very unethical business practices. I used to work for them. Believe me when I say you should not trust them with your money. I have never worked for such money greedy people in my life.
Why are they greedy? I met with them Monday for the first time. They wanted me to do a $50 “thing” to help prepare me for bankruptcy. Is this necessary or will legal aid do this for me? They told me they would waive $50 for the counseling certificate due to my low income.
They are greedy because they charge their customers a fee even when they know that they cannot possibly afford it. When I worked their they fee was on a sliding scale, but some people might not meet the income requirements to have it waived…but in my opinion they still couldn’t afford it. In terms of the bankruptcy counseling the US Trustees actually require that they charge a fee(or at least that is what I was told). But the fee for their monthly DMP is unreasonable in some cases. And make sure you keep track of everything you pay them! If there is a remaining balance left with them after your debt is paid off THEY WILL KEEP IT unless you ask for it back!!!
Some groups do not charge a fee for their bankruptcy counseling. I even wrote about one group that gives it away for free. See https://getoutofdebt.org//34513/pre-bankruptcy-credit-counseling-certificate-need-one-i-found-the-cheapest-class-online-here
Hi! What kind of hit does your credit score take when you sign up for these kinds of programs?
It really depends on what the strategy is. If it is to fall further behind, well then you’d take a hit for being delinquent. But if you are already overloaded or delinquent you are already taking a hit.
The US Trustees office does not require that they charge a fee. Â It MUST be waived if the income level of the client is below 150% of the poverty level for the size of the family. Â Greed has definitely become a factor in how this once great organization determines it’s so called….best practices. Â Non-profit….I have my doubts.
Outstanding company! All employees were polite, unerstanding and patient to my needs.
Outstanding company! All employees were polite, unerstanding and patient to my needs.
How much did they charge for their help and was it monthly or weekly,etc?
I live in Washington State and my counselor has been very receptive and helpful. We are setup to pay $25 for their service and it is until the balances are paid off which is approximately 3 years. And even though an account gets paid off they roll that amount of money into the next accounts payment so help to get it paid off sooner from what was explained to me.
They charge $25 once a month. It is a sliding fee based on income with the max set at $25/mo.
I am just getting started with them and they said the max rate is $35 for setup and $35 per month, total (not per creditor or anything like that) New rates for a new year perhaps but still very reasonable.
+ Lost my job, and now cannot afford the massive DMP payment. I cannot reach either the office in Ohio, nor my local guy that set it up. I’m going to have to place a stop payment on the ACH to prevent overdraft fees.
+ Idiot financial advisor “forgot” to include a couple of my debts in the DMP, so Citibank just didn’t get paid for the last 2 months. I now owe over $100 in late fees and back interest on a $500 balance.
+ Don’t bother calling their offices, because you don’t have the option to hold, but only to leave a message which NO ONE will return.
I’ve had a similar experience with another company but through a project at work I researched Apprisen and have been very pleased with their services. I’ve actually never waited more than 1 day for a return call or email from their office.
I would like to recommend my contact person at Apprisen in Ohio who has been very reachable. She even offered her personal cellphone number to our network of over 60,000 women! Her name is Mary Hurlburt and if you call her I’m sure she would be interested in hearing your concerns so she can help. Her number is 513-366-4500 ext. 1398. I hope this isn’t too late to help you. Good luck!
It’s the way they operate. Â DMP pushers, whether it’s in your best interest or not. Â Don’t blame the counselor though, they were only acting on orders from the top or take the risk of losing their jobs. Â The Ohio office you are referring to is Apprisen…..they take over smaller, great customer service offices, downsize them, and then shut them down. Â All clients must then report to Ohio….the central location . I know, I was one of those smaller agencies that they took over and closed. Â Many of my clients have found me through facebook and are absolutely appalled at their deplorable tactics. Â Non-Profit…I have my doubts.