Complaints

The 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:11/14/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  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.

  March this year (2023) i recieved a phone call from career step. The person i spoke with was meant to only give me information about their program. I took down all notes I needed. However I was signed up for their classes and was given them notice within the 14 day deadline that I could not afford their program. I have paid several payments until the last few months in which I had made contact about why I was no longer paying. They have non stop harassed me in several ways including phone calls emails and physical mail. They will not talk to me like I am human being. I keep being threatened about my financials going into collections agency. I do not by memory have corrent payment information but do have everything on file via monterey financial profile. I need this handled if at all possible. I am not paying them at this time.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/15/2023

  Dear *******,

  Thank you for contacting us regarding your enrollment.
  Our records confirm that you successfully enrolled in our MTE program on March 21, 2023, and willingly signed the EEA agreement, which incorporates the attached return policy. Additionally, you opted for financing your enrollment through Monterey Financial, as indicated in the signed application provided.
  Upon reviewing your request made subsequent to the specified return policy period, we regret to inform you that, per the terms of the agreement in place, we are unable to accommodate a return as it falls outside the allocated 14-day return window.
  Should you require further clarification or have additional inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated customer support team. We are here to assist you.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/15/2023

  
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  This is simply not at all what my concern was about. I along with many other people have the same problem with this company. They are targetting everybody and the financial insitution is trash! They do not offer anybody with no means of paying them any type of resonable payment plan.
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  **** ******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/26/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  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.

  Career step fraudulently used my social security number and signed me up with their online school. Sad to say but I do not have a high school diploma to ever be able to enroll in college online. I never agreed or anything for this. I've been trying to apply to buy a car and they're telling me I have a collection for $7,000 for career step. This is WRONG on so many levels and they're trying to ruine my life with my credit and I don't owe them anything!!!

  Business Response

  Date: 10/17/2023

  Dear *****,

  It does appear as though there was an account created in your name however, CareerStep does not take or store SSN's from any of our customers.  Due to the fact that information is not matching we will go ahead and cancel the account immediately.  If you have any further questions please contact our customer support team @ **************************

   

  Thank you,

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/06/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  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 completed the online portion of a Phlebotomy course with CareerStep. This course started on June 18, 2022. CareerStep has in their Program enrollment Agreement that they have 120 days to find the learner an externship within a 150 mile radius. Also, they have had to give me 2 free extensions on my course because they did not place me and my year for the course was going to expire. I completed the course and waited 155 days to have my case transferred to a manager. The manager my case was transferred to was a lady in the extern department named Jill. During that 155 day wait to be placed I reached out via email and phone several times; Usually at least once a month via email and once or maybe twice via phone (depending on if they would answer the phone call or not). During these attempts I was given the same answer or no answer at all about my placement process. On September 5th when I spoke to Jill, I asked for a refund on my course because she verbally told me on the phone that they went over their allotted time for placement. She told me the only refund they would give me was a $400 refund for the extern portion. They will not even be refunding me, they are paying off the last $650 I owe for the entire $1799.00 course that I was enrolled in. I called back in to the learner support to see if they would help with a full refund (this is the department I was advised to call). I waited for someone to answer the phone for around a half hour or so. When the call was answered they told me there was nothing they could do besides have Jill the manager who was just placed on my case a few hour before reach out again. I have not heard back from her and was told that I could not speak to anyone higher than her and that I would not be able to have a copy of any of the notes anyone has made on my chart with them. This should be grounds for a full refund, not a partial.
  
  I have copies of every email sent and received from CareerStep that I will gladly send in if needed!

  Business Response

  Date: 09/14/2023

  Dear learner,

  Your return has been received and is currently in process. As discussed, you will be provided with a full refund and your account will be closed.  This issue is considered resolved.

  Thank you,

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/16/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  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 paid the initial fee of $100 to try the program and was told that if I didnt want to continue the program they would dissolve my account as I would not have to pay for a program I am not enrolled in. I have contacted the Career Step program on several occasions over the last just as many months for them to correct the issue with ****************** as I should not be paying nearly $4000 for something I am not using or benefiting from. They say over and over they will contact me back on how to refund my initial fee and to resolve the financial issue and I never get a call back even after finding out the program does not have me listed as a paying participant yet they continue to charge me. I had to change my bank as I am not going to pay for a program that I am not enrolled in and now my credit is being affected.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/14/2023

  Dear Learner,

  We do apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you.  We are showing that your program should have been returned and a full refund provided. We have processed this return and you should see the refund within the next couple weeks. We have also cancelled the loan application for ****************** so you should be all set.  If you have any further questions please contact our customer support department.

   

  Thank you,

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/14/2023

   
  Complaint: 20477864
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  As of this time I am still receiving harassing, rude, and volatile phone calls from ******************. 
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/25/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  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 January of 2023 I saw career step and thought it would be a great opportunity. I put a 200 dollar down payment on it. The payments didnt start until April 5th for ******. I was okay with this at first but then I found out I was pregnant and could not longer make the payments. I called them several times saying I was no longer interested in the program and wanted to back out. Thats when it was brought to my attention that I could not stop the payments since it was past the first 14 day period. I was not made aware of this period and thought I would be able to cancel at anytime. I have a baby on the way and am just wanting the payments to stop, I havent done much of anything on the course and dont want to be paying for something Im no longer participating in.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/01/2023

  Dear *******,

  Thank you for reaching out. We do show you enrolled into the program on 1/30/2023. During the enrollment process you agreed to and signed the Electronic Enrollment Agreement (Attached) which clearly states the 14 day return policy. On 4/26/2023 you reached out and asked if we could help regarding lowering your payments and we responded that same day letting you know that we could change your payment agreement from 18 months to a 24 month plan which would reduce your payment amount.  ******** sent you a new application form to fill out and sign to make the change however, it was never signed so it did not take place. If there is anyting further we can help with please reach out to our customer support team.

   

  Thank you,

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/02/2023

   
  Complaint: 20375329
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  I simply just want the payments to stop I have asked this several times. As I have said I am pregnant and going to be a single mother, I need that money to provide for my child. I am not wanting to pay something that I am not taking a part in, I have stopped taking the classes I havent even looked at them since April. It does not seem right or fair to someone to pay for something they arent using. If you would simply make the payments stop that is all I am asking, at this point I dont care about getting my money back. And as I said in my earlier complaint I was not aware of the 14 day period I may have signed it but I was not aware of it. Your spokesperson who called me and I agreed to the program made a general overview of the program and what all came with it. All I am asking is the payments to stop.
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/10/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  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 paid career step $50 on 7/28/2023. I thought it was just a deposit to hold the price that was quoted to me for the program at that time. I was rushed to sign a contract without reading it first, I was given the gist of the contract I was signing so I didnt believe I needed to read it. I was told Im in the 14 day period of a refund. I told them That Im going with another company. And they went quiet. I would like my money back. This is not a real business. I wish I read the bbb comments first. I want everyone know this is a scam STAY AWAY.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/13/2023

  Hello,

  Thank you for reaching out. We did receive your request to cancel on 7/10/2023 and it is within the 14 day return window. This is to confirm, your return will be processed ASAP and your account will be closed.  This is considered resolved.

   

  Thank you,

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/18/2023

   
  Complaint: 20300081
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Kiara H

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/19/2023

  The business is not taking any action on their part to settle this complaint

  Business Response

  Date: 08/01/2023

  Dear learner,

  Thank you for reaching out. We have received your request to cancel and have since provided a refund.  This issue is considered closed.

   

  Thank you,

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/16/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  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.

  When I first signed up for the careerstep in June 2021, I paid in full for the course in medical billing and coding, but was still set up on a payment plan, so I called and explained it, I was told it was taken care of, but instead of being taken care of I was in fact charged for the course again, so now it was showing I owed $7000 to careerstep for the program, in the meantime I was in the middle of getting a home loan so I could buy a home, they called me and said you income to debt ratio is too high for the home loan, how could this be I did not have any debt or so I thought, but the home loan company said you owe $7000 to careerstep and you have already missed. Payment! I was so angry, so I called careerstep again and explained again what was going on, was promised once again that it would be taken care of, but I had to make 3 more phone calls in a two week period for it to be taken care of and in the meantime it cost me 1.3 points of interest on my home loan! All this hassle caused me so much stress that I couldnt even concentrate on the school work! It took almost 3.5 months to get it all squared away and I had paid the whole amount in cash to begin with!!! I had some significant life issues during this year and ended up buying an extra year to complete this schooling, which I am almost done, but just to be on the safe side I purchased 1 more month extension at another $129.00. I went to work on finishing up tonight and my account no longer exists..what the heck? So I have been emailing and calling with no answer as to why my account is now closed!!! I will NOT recommend this company or type of study to anyone, a total waste of almost $5,000 along with the amount of interest they are costing me on my mortgage payment because of their major mistake. Oh I also forgot, I also recieved actual books in the mail of all of the online courses, then was sent a $600 plus bill for that also, it took me several calls to get that straightened out also!

  Business Response

  Date: 07/14/2023

  Hi ********,

  I hope you are doing well. I would love the opportunity to speak with you. I feel like we can come to an agreeable resolution to your experience.  Please respond to my latest email or let me know if there is a day and time that works for you when we can meet via phone call.

  Thank you,
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/15/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  

  I am hoping I can re-open my complaint and put this review on it as the company CareerStep has reached out to me and has helped to resolve the problem.  I am satisfied with the changes and options I was given to resolve the issues that I experienced.  The advocate from CareerSteps was very helpful in making sure I was able to finish the program I had signed up for and was very understanding with the negative things I had experienced and has since helped me to feel that CareerStep does want to help me feel that my time working with them was not wasted.

  
  

  
  Sincerely,
  
  Cheyenne Low

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/16/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  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.

  I paid career step $100 on 2/7/2023. I thought it was just a deposit to hold the price that was quoted to me for the program at that time. I was rushed to sign a contract without reading it first, I was given the gist of the contract I was signing so I didnt believe I needed to read it. I was under the impression I could back out of the contract at any point in time. I was not informed that I had a certain timeframe to call them and cancel my contract with Career Step. I discussed it over with my family and decided against pursuing the program. Now Career Step is sending my account to collections which has affected my credit score negatively for a service I am not using. I am not paying for a program that I am not participating in.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/02/2023

  Thank you for reaching out. This account will be returned and your $100 deposit will be refunded in full.  You will receive an email that details the return.  This is considered closed.

   

  Thank you,

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/05/2023

   
  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,
  
  *******************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/29/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  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.

  Back in April 2021 I paid almost $4000 for an online course for Billing and coding with Career step! I was never told that it expires after a year with it being an online course and you work at your own pace! When I called in to ask about starting up the classes and being able to take the course they told me basically even though its online and I dont have to purchase books or go into a physical school I have to pay $4000 all over again to take the course!! Thats stealing from people when I should be able to still have access to the course! CareerStep is stealing peoples money! I am a single parent of now 3 at the time I purchased the course I was pregnant with my youngest and wasnt able to take the course, but there still shouldnt be an issue with me starting the course and I paid a lot of money for it! I dont have money to just throw away! If they wont let me take the course I should get a refund! When I called the guy was super rude and I kept getting the same person every time I called and his supervisor was conveniently in a meeting and I still havent received a call back! This school is ripping people off! I saved up to take that course and circumstances in life may have delayed me but I should still be able to take the course none the less! And they know when people are excited about something they pay their hard earned money! For them to just rip someone off and not offer anything to compensate them when nothing was used at all? I need someone to know what theyre getting themselves into with this so called online school because they arent a good company if they do this to the people that do business with them!! With this recession happening and COVID happening when I signed up I could use that money! But Im fully warning people DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS SCHOOL!! They will take your money and then tell you they cant refund you or re-enroll you but they will make you pay again for the course or make you pay for an expensive extension!!!

  Business Response

  Date: 04/10/2023

  Dear *****,
  I would like to apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced while trying to access your billing and coding online program with CareerStep. I understand your frustration and would like to work with you to find a solution that is fair and reasonable. I would like to speak with you directly to discuss your concerns and see how I can help. 
  Please contact me at your earliest convenience, and I will do my best to resolve this issue. I am confident that we can find a good solution for both parties and ensure that you are satisfied with the outcome.
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/11/2023

   
  Complaint: 19869852
  
  I am rejecting this response because: You never left a number to contact you and I dont even know who you are because you didnt leave a name of who is responding either! I want a refund, a check can be sent to the address in this complaint and if you dont see it its **************************************************** and I believe I put my phone number also but here it is ************! I dont want to start the course with your school any longer Id like to take my money elsewhere at this point! Whoever you are, you can call me or just send me a check with my money! Thanks 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/21/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  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 paid over 2000 for a course I have never done.
  I tried cancelling my course as a Pharmacy Technician but never got a reply. I was dropped out of the course immediately and have not had access yet Monterrey Financial keeps calling me to pay for a course that I have been locked out of since the. beginning. I tried reaching out to cancel because I was diagnosed with cancer and can't work. Yet I was ignored and now have daily calls from Monterrey Financial. I would like for my loan to be dismissed and to be unenrolled from your program.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/31/2023

  Dear *****, 
  We are sorry to hear about your diagnosis and hope that you are doing well. We understand that you are dissatisfied with your experience with CareerStep and Monterey Financial. However, after reviewing your account, we do not have any record of you reaching out to CareerStep to attempt to cancel your Pharmacy Technician program. 
  As stated in the Electronic Enrollment Agreement (Attached) that you agreed to and signed during the enrollment process, CareerStep does have a 14-day return period. Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot grant a return as it has been some time since your enrollment. 
  Additionally, we would like to remind you that you chose to fund your enrollment through Monterey Financial (Agreement attached) during the enrollment process. Any outstanding debt will need to be settled with them. 
  We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we wish you all the best. 

   

  Thank you,