Frustrated customers of a Smart Solutions Financial Services company say the business abandoned them after charging them hundreds of dollars each to repair their credit or help them buy homes.

One woman said her involvement with Smart Solutionsultimately could cost her more than $20,000 if she is forced out of her house.  Another said that problems with the company could jeopardize the family’s chances of adopting a child by further damaging their credit.  Still another disgruntled customer warned: “They robbed me without a pistol.”

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona suggests caution when dealing with Smart Solutions, which lists an address at 940 Lemay Ferry Rd. in South St. Louis County.  Officers of the company have been identified as Steve Scharf, owner and president; Michael Hathman, vice president, and Terry K. Madden, area manager. BBB was unable to determine whether all of the officials remain with the company.

The company has an “F” grade with the BBB, the lowest grade possible, after generating more than 30 customer complaints, about half of them since March. Consumers claim that representatives of the company took up-front payments – usually ranging from $800 to $1,500 each – to improve their poor credit ratings and assist them in purchasing a home through a lease-to-own program.  Customers said Smart Solutions did little or nothing to help them and then refused to refund their money.

Kim States, BBB President, said the actions of Smart Solutions reported to the BBB have been “nothing (more…)