ClearOne Advantage review: In my view a deeply flawed and fraudulent business

NOTE I was not in debt unable to pay my cards. I was looking for a consolidation loan to reduce the APR and to pay off my creditors quickly. Signed up with a partner company Symple Lending Dec 25, 6 accounts. In retrospect, sale is a determined planned classic fraudulent bait and switch. Symple documents boldly headed PERSONAL LOAN but contract presented for signature is with ClearOne Advantage Llc & Global Holdings (CO/GH) and called a Debt Resolution Agreement. I was sold by Symple Lending Derek Poirier: in 3-5 months accounts will be settled, monthly payment to CO/GH $790 pm would reduce with each settlement achieved; told I then pay off GH over remaining 54 months of the agreement; repayment is 29% but that is on substantially reduced debts, usually they negotiate 30-40% each debt still giving me substantial savings; told credit score might drop by 50-60 points but it would increase again as accounts are settled; told other credit cards in good standing should not be affected; told I would have a personal rep to talk to all through the program. Contract is very complex, difficult to evaluate, my knowledge now comes from what I have found out over 1st 5 months: ACTUALITY: 30Apr26 5m into contract - Feb 27 one card settled - account handed over APR 14% $10,794; by the time they negotiated a settlement delinquency charges had raised the debt to $12,410, negotiated settlement $9119, and before you think saving is $1684, add $3000 CO/GH fees taken from my ‘account’. I now pay 28% on the $9119 - paying far more than I would if I had paid the account off myself. What's worse, the account is NOT paid off, their agreement with the creditor is paying of $100pm for 12m then $311.97pm until 28 Jan 27. The CO/GH corporate process is to never approach the creditor until the account is in serious delinquency. Quote from call with their QA representative 11 May 26 - "Next two MIGHT be approached to start negotiations June 2026, the last two are not scheduled until January 2027". My credit was 720, it is now 540. Each remaining card has thousands of dollars delinquency charges added. My credit is busted. Of my other credit cards, all in good standing - two have reduced my credit level, one has closed my account, I never before in my life had a credit card that went unpaid.

Called by a Clear One Quality Assurance Specialist Mon 11 May. Sent her a summary transcript of the recorded fraudulent telephone selling including during the process of my queries on the differences in the contract to his assurances. My written Agenda sent: 1. Discuss Mis selling by Derek Poirier, 2. Lack of clear communication on [;am of progress since signing, my sending of numerous emails of concerns unanswered, 3. Lack of clarity in summary 1st account cleared. All discussed plus that I was not able to access account from Mid Dec 25 until end Feb 26. I asked for the company to give me the Personal Debt Consolidation Loan I had asked for and thought I had been sold. She said I might quality for a personal debt consolidation loan from an associated business One Loan Direct (look them up – no BBB rating, hundreds of complaints - one saying loan offer was at APR 200%). QUOTE FROM HER MEETING SUMMARY REPLY LETTER “Unfortunately, I’ve been informed that we have no direct contact at One Loan Direct. You will need to wait 6 months to see if you become eligible. If you do become eligible, someone will reach out to you. You also have the option to remove all of the accounts and contact the creditors directly to explore the possibility of obtaining a settlement on your own. Lastly, you can reach out to loan companies or banks to see if you can secure a consolidation loan". As if anyone will give a consolidation loan to someone with a 540 credit score and 6 delinquent credit cards! I am now in touch with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and I have an appointment with a Consumer Rights Lawyer”.