My Secure Advantage, Inc. - Roseville, California

Tim S.

My Secure Advantage is the company my employee assistance program uses, so I've used them twice. I hesitate to write a negative review about them, since I might be sent to them again in the future, but unfortunately I think anyone considering them should read about my experience.

Once, they gave me some general advice about taxes, and it was fine. I did feel like the point of the call was more to sign me up for a service than just give me the advice I was after. But I could handle it, and they answered my questions.

Unfortunately, I also had a disastrous experience that was a much bigger deal. I asked them to help my elderly father with financial advice regarding debt, budgeting, and more specifically, getting his spending under control (he has dozens of subscriptions and doesn't even know where it all goes). I needed their help because he won't talk to me about money, but he agreed to try talking to a professional.

I had very thorough communication (email and recorded phone call) with a "money coach", telling them all about his debt, income, habits, and our personal dynamic. I told them this made him incredibly uncomfortable and he might not talk to them at all. The coach assured me that was very common, and they were very experienced with that.

They knew exactly how much debt he had, they knew he was deeply uncomfortable talking about money, and they knew he would let a subscription go on forever without ever using it or canceling it. They took complete advantage of the situation. After attending 3 sessions, my dad canceled the next one, and didn't schedule another meeting, and that was the last contact they had. But My Secure Advantage didn't stop billing! They became the very thing they were meant to destroy - another subscription draining his wallet, even without service, with no end in sight.

Eventually I caught on and stopped them from charging more. I gave them a few months to make it right, to correct the extra charges. After being dismissed and ignored by my main contact there, I tried someone else with a more strongly worded email and got a response. Eventually they refunded me a portion of the money, although they still rounded up in their favor, of course.

Worse than that, and what has me writing this review, is that they found no wrongdoing in their actions. I expected them to call it a clerical error and apologize for the mistake. The phone call I had with them to straighten it out was more about getting me to understand that they would still be charging for cancellations. Yes, I get it. That doesn't change the fact that they charged for additional months even after contact had ended, AND WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO CHARGE INDEFINITELY if I hadn't caught on and put a stop to it.

They don't at all find it ironic or egregious that their purpose was to reduce his endless subscriptions, and instead they just became one. In my call with them, it was very much, "Hey, that's how subscriptions work," as if it was a gym membership. Ummm but you were hired to break his subscription habit I don't blame you for failing to get through to him, but if you're going to just keep on charging him forever, I struggle to see how that is anything but predatory. They knew his weaknesses and took complete advantage of him, with the end result being they could milk him dry without doing any work whatsoever. Whether that was an ironic and unfortunate oversight or how they like to do business, I didn't know... until the issue was escalated and I got a chance to see what they thought of the situation. It's how they do business.

Despite the fact that many of their clients are extremely vulnerable, they are a business like any other. Their clients are not people to be helped in exchange for money, but rather people to be milked for money, and if they are helped in the process, so be it. Even if you're their most vulnerable client, they won't think twice about selling you out and bleeding you dry. If you're going to consider them, remember keep your defenses up like you're walking onto a used car lot or a pay day loan company.

Yee T.

I called to set up an appointment with their money coach service and got confirmations through both texts and emails saying their coach would reach out to me at the confirmed time via phone. On the appointment day, 15 minutes passed the scheduled time, never got any calls. So I called back to follow up. The coordinator only said they called me but nobody picked up the phone. I told her my phone showed no records of their calls whatsoever. She offered to reschedule to which I agreed. Except when the rescheduled day comes, which is today, guess what, still no calls. No follow-ups from their end either.

Lauren M.

I used these guys about 10 years ago and back then they were great, truly. They really helped me navigate a tough financial period. However, I had the opportunity to use them again through my employer and really wanted to get on top of some debt and strategize how to tackle it efficiently and effectively. I went into the meeting with MSA, so positive and so excited to finally get on top of things, especially based on my previous experience, and was ready to start tackling my finances with help. Years ago the advisor I had was so positive and 'on my side' but OMG the coach that was assigned to me from the outset was negative.. immediately dismissing me for saying I had a deed-in-lieu (8 years ago!) and insisting it was a foreclosure.. (although very close it really isn't.. but.. okay..) next every single time I went through my debts there was no positivity, no empathy and in fact I got patronized when I brought up that I had just (finally) qualified for a HELOC which gives me a chance to pay off much higher interest debt. All the positivity I had and feeling I would have help just went out the window and I realized this 'Coach' was literally making me feel sick in my stomach. I've been completely on my own dealing with debts and the challenges of living paycheck to paycheck and just when I finally thought someone was going to give me help, I felt kicked in the gut instead.. I ended up terminating the call a bit early as I realized this was meant to be helpful and positive and I didn't need the judgement (and heavy inference that I was clueless financially when they had no idea about -why- I was in this situation) and someone preachy making me feel worse.. So.. yeah very disappointing. I should say I did make a brief complaint and got a callback from someone but was still somewhat in a state of shock from the coaching disappointment so was not really listening to them. Just surprisingly disappointing and I would suggest avoiding if you don't want to feel judged or are looking for someone 'on your side'.

Katy B.

The financial advisors at this company are very knowledgeable. At least the one that I spoke to! He looked over my credit reports, and taught me about great ways to improve my credit score, save the future, and gave me an amazing budget worksheet that showed me exactly what I need to be looking out for each month as well as throughout the year. I will definitely use this service again in the future.

Sarah N.

I was introduced to My Secure Advantage through the employee assistance program at my workplace. I have found it empowering and helpful to be in a safe, confidential environment completely outside my local space. Finances have always been an issue. It hasn't been for lack of trying but for a lack of the right resources. MSA has provided resources and guidance that has helped me organize our family finances so that we no longer live paycheck to paycheck and have paid off three major debts since January.

Smit M.

My employer is providing free access to MSA. Money coach is really helpful on advice on finances. As I'm new to USA, I don't know much about tax withholding. Tammy Davidson guided me on taxes, car loans, 401k and other financial things. They are very helpful and I definitely recommend them.

C P.

Called for financial coaching made available through my employer... was given a two hour time frame for a call back...never received a call back! Unprofessional to say the least...

Sincerely,
Charles

Email A.

Super knowledgeable staff, lots of useful resources and timely support. 5 stars