Complaints
This profile includes complaints for World Financial Group's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 222 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 47 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:09/27/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I was lured into paying $125 service and submit a background check on 8/14/2022. Additionally, I was later told that I will need to pay again for training to become an agent and the fee is another $29.95. I was NOT told upfront until after payment that this was an MLM. I am not interested in an MLM. I paid for the background check on Sunday. Yesterday evening I found out this was an MLM after paying $125. On top of a refund, I am requesting all of my data be removed from your systems at once.
Business Response
Date: 09/29/2022
Thank you for contacting WFGIA. We have contacted you via email address provided to further address the concern.
Sincerely
WFGIAInitial Complaint
Date:09/17/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
In September 2022 when I began the onboarding process, I then realized the position was actually with World Financial Group as an Associate which was not mentioned to me before it was time to sign documents. I was told I had to pay $125 for a background check and another $32.35 for study materials to get licensed. Upon further research, I no longer wish to be involved with the company and would like a full refund. I also want all of my personally identifiable information (name, social security number, address, phone number, birth date, credit card information and email removed from WFG's systems.Business Response
Date: 09/20/2022
Thank you for contacting WFGIA. We have contacted you via email address provided to further address the concern.
Sincerely
WFGIAInitial Complaint
Date:09/17/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I need a refund on the "background check" my payment information was filled by a third party and I never consented to it. I was rushed into the background check before I can fully consent to paying the money. Refund me or I will escalate. This is a scam.Business Response
Date: 09/20/2022
World Financial Group Insurance Agency offers a business opportunity to those interested in becoming insurance licensed agent. Insurance agencies and providers are obligated to ascertain by investigation the good character, business reputation and qualification for their appointed or affiliated producers. Conducting a basic background screening is a must process for all associates to ensure the trustworthy professionals work with the public and the general interest in consumer protections. When becoming insurance licensed, most states even process a fingerprint scan due to the nature of what is expected in financial professionals.
The third party vendor WFGIA conducts background investigation through meets the requirements of federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). An authorization was given by you when your signature on the agreement was collected. The third-party background screening firm received your authorization and then conducted the background screening as requested. Your authorized signature serves legal purpose in the authorization process, regardless the signature was collected remotely or in-person. If you believed you never provided the signature on the agreement, please reach back to us immediately.
Sincerely
WFGIAInitial Complaint
Date:09/15/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I feel like I was mislead by this company and like others was invited to be an associate with WFG. Without any further explanation The agent clicked through the contact while I was on the video conference and submitted a application form on my behalf to wfg. I didnt even get a chance to read any of the fine print since I was told it was just the standard contract language. You can check the ip address of the location, the contract was not even completed by me or submitted by me at all. I was lured into paying $125 service and submit a background check on 8/14/2022. Additionally, I was later told that I will need to pay again for training to become an agent and the fee is another $29.95, transaction posted on 8/18/2022, for Excel testing solutions, a pre licensing test course that. I did some research and found that wfg is a mlm and this was not disclosed to me upfront. The agent kept denying that its not mlm and when I came across all these bbb reviews of so many people sharing similar experiences like me and to also find out that the wfg website literally advertises that they are MLM, I definitely do not feel I should be charged and would like to reverse my payment of this amount and request that ALL my personal information such as social security, email address, home address, and anything tied into that be erased from wfg systems and database. I ask that wfg provide a confirmation to validate that the data is deleted and my associate agreement contract terminated so i can keep official record of legal actions needs to be taken. I tried to email to terminate and ask a refund for these but there is no way email or way to contact them. This was my only choice which is to reply on bbb.Business Response
Date: 09/15/2022
Hello *****,
You will be contacted via email address provided for more information so we can better address the concern.
Sincerely
WFGIA
Customer Answer
Date: 09/20/2022
I have been contacted the *** and attached their response and my clarification email. Unfortunately, they have not responded to my clarification email to wipe all data related to my personal identifiable information from the *** database. I am seeking clarification and confirmation that a refund will be provided in ***** days and proof/evidence that my data is purged from *** system.
Thank you,
*****
Business Response
Date: 09/21/2022
Hello BBB,
Please kindly close the complaint as WFGIA has provided the proper solution to solve the particular complaint. Any further communication will not be responded.
Thank you
WFGIA
Initial Complaint
Date:09/11/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
09/11 charge to account for $165 to join after later learning that the company is a multi-level marketing company that would require me to get licenses after 2 weeks of entering and sell to 3 other people. I did not want to join this company to sell. It was later that I did research and understood the nature of the company that I then realized what the associates who were recruiting me were telling me lies I want my membership with WFG terminated and the $125 refunded as well as my Social Security number removed from the system. My agent code is 89WJN.Business Response
Date: 09/12/2022
Since founding in ****, World Financial Group Insurance Agency (WFGIA), a Transamerica company, has protected millions of individuals and families through financial education and planning.
WFGIA offers a business opportunity to those interested in becoming insurance licensed agent, and provide their clients with access to financial products and services from reputable insurance providers. It is one of the most important responsibilities to be legally and properly authorized to sell insurance products; however, WFGIA does not have such requirement like licensing after 2 weeks of joining or sell to 3 people like you mentioned.
We are sorry that this opportunity did not work for you. You will be contacted via email address provided.
Sincerely
WFGIAInitial Complaint
Date:09/06/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I started working for WFG on July 27th. I was contacted by an old friend I knew in high school that I hadn't heard from in awhile. I attended a BPM (Business Presentation Meeting) per his request and then was put in contact with his mentor the next day. When I stated I wanted to join the business, I was told I would have to pay for a background check and application fee. I was also advised to start as a client for WFG and purchased a life insurance plan with little detail of what the plan would entail other than $250,000 for the life of the policy and $23 to $26 a month. I was charged $30 initially by Transamerica (see pics) The person who contacted me offered to pay for both of those. I was not aware at the time that it was for him to get a promotion within the company. After I joined WFG, I was told to get started on my licensing ASAP. I took my licensing test a few weeks later and didn't pass, then was strongly convinced by multiple parties to retake the test before a big 4 hour presentation on a Saturday. Both charges were $52 a piece totaling to $104. (see pics) After I got my license, which is required to get paid, there has been a long waiting period to get officially appointed with no contact from my mentor or anyone else involved in the company. I was then told in the group chat to access WFG resources and be appointed I would have to get fingerprinted and register at the ***** Fingerprinting costed $49.25 and NIPR registration $65.60. Both amounts totaling $114.85. I was emailed by the Insurance office that an additional $48 charge could occur when going in for the appointment. This is for a background check, which I was told was what the $100 was for.I do not want to continue paying monthly for life insurance of have any further affiliation with the company. The total I have paid is $248.85 as well as $150 I would owe to my friend and $48 at the fingerprinting appointment. I added every detail to be fully transparent.Business Response
Date: 09/08/2022
Hello ********,
We have contacted you via email address you provided to inquire more information so we can better help you with the concern. Thank you.
Sincerely
WFGIA
Initial Complaint
Date:08/31/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I applied to work for a small financial business as a financial consultant. On August 17, 2022 when I began the onboarding process, I then realized the position was actually with World Financial Group as an Associate which was not mentioned to me before it was time to sign documents. I was told I had to pay $125 for a background check and another $32.35 for study materials to get licensed. Upon further research, I no longer wish to be involved with the company and would like a full refund. I also want all of my personally identifiable information (name, social security number, address, phone number, birth date, credit card information and email removed from WFG's systems.Business Response
Date: 09/01/2022
Thank you for contacting WFGIA. We have contacted you via email address provided to further address the concern.
Sincerely
WFGIAInitial Complaint
Date:08/26/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I was approached by a WFG recruiter and on Sunday August 21, 2022, I was invited to become an Associate with World Financial Group. Against my better judgment, I was lured to pay $125 for a background check. Upon further research, I no longer wish to be involved with the company and would like a refund. I also want all my personally identifiable information, social security number, address, phone number, date of birth, and email removed from WFG's systems. Thank you.Business Response
Date: 08/26/2022
Thank you for contacting WFGIA. We have contacted you via email address provided to further address the concern.
Sincerely
WFGIAInitial Complaint
Date:08/24/2022
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Hello,My *** agent code is 88QIA, and the transaction occurred on 7/6/2022. This all started with me being a "reference" for my cousin during his *** "training," and ended up with me being pressured into paying $125 for something that I don't even want to do. The "recruiter/trainer," ***************************, was also wholly dishonest during the recruiting process. One of the first questions I asked, and continued to ask, was if this business was an MLM model. He repeatedly insisted that this was not MLM, only for me to find out after signing up that it most certainly is MLM. I think it may have come down to him not understanding the difference between a Pyramid Scheme and an MLM, but that just raises the question of why this person would be providing financial advice to people. Since I paid for the background check under false pretenses and pressure, I am requesting a full refund of the $125 that I paid. I also want all of my information expunged from the *** systems/databases.Thank you.Business Response
Date: 08/26/2022
We are sorry that this opportunity did not work for you. Since founding in ****, World Financial Group Insurance Agency (WFGIA), a Transamerica company, has protected millions of individuals and families through financial education and planning.
WFGIA also offers a business opportunity to those interested in becoming insurance licensed agent. Our ******+ independent agents across ************* provide their clients with access to financial products and services from reputable insurance providers, as well as assist with education and retirement planning to help clients build better futures.
You will be contacted via email address provided. We wish you well in your future endeavors.
Sincerely
WFGIAInitial Complaint
Date:08/10/2022
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
WFG Code: 89FVC, My agent code The date the transaction occurred on 8/9/22. The amount paid was $125.00 to World Financial Group. I was referred by a friend to a recruiter from World Financial Group. I came with the intention of selling a financial product and being profitable in this so-call self-business. It turns out that the business practices MLM. In order for me to be profitable in the long run, I have to become a recruiter and sell their products at the same time. This poises a problem for due to trust and credibility as a hounding recruiter. This was never disclose during the interview. The fee paid for $125 is apparently a background check fee and turns out its called, Associate Agreement fee, as it locks 6 months tenure to the company. This part was not disclosed properly and use the background check as a way to lure anybody including myself in. When I arrived to their website and follow instructions to submit a background check fee of $125 via email, the automatic response stated did not appear that the email is intended on handling complaint issue. I will attached pictures as this is a scam to keep the money and not deal with issues on refund. I came into this with a blank state and within 24 hours of writing this, I am now rescinding from the organization and expunged all my personal information such as my email, social security number and deletion of my account from WFG permanently. WFG needs to delete my account permanently to avoid hidden charges on my account that is attached to my social security number. The whole time nothing was transparent about the business, leaving me under the impression that the company does not state too much information until you sign up and find out type of scenario. It was definitely a bait and switch tactic.Business Response
Date: 08/11/2022
We are sorry that this opportunity did not work for you. Since founding in ****, World Financial Group Insurance Agency (WFGIA), a Transamerica company, has protected millions of individuals and families through financial education and planning.
WFGIA also offers a business opportunity to those interested in becoming insurance licensed agent. People interested in this business model must know it takes a commitment to build the business, some out-of-pocket expenses including cost of pre-licensing education courses, exam fees, state licensing fees, renewal fees and E&O insurance.
Our ******+ independent agents across ************* provide their clients with access to financial products and services from reputable insurance providers, as well as assist with education and retirement planning to help clients build better futures.
You will be contacted via email address provided. We wish you well in your future endeavors.
Sincerely
WFGIACustomer Answer
Date: 08/11/2022
Just to clarify,
My entire info will be removed from the system such as my social security number and other personal info pertaining to me?
Business Response
Date: 08/15/2022
Hello BBB,
The desired solution from complainant has been properly provided. Please kindly close the case as no further communication will be made regarding the same complaint. Thank you.
Sincerely
WFGIA
Customer Answer
Date: 08/17/2022
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
*****************************
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