I decided to try the Web Design degree through Penn Foster, and put $150 down towards it and made one payment of $50 after that. I took the online reading and math assessment, which was essentially an elementary level quiz that a fourth grader could have easily passed.

After that, I had some personal issues arise and I couldn't afford the commitment of their degree program. I tried to find out if it was possible for me to switch to a certificate program, which would have been shorter and cheaper in the long run. They said I couldn't, so I decided to cancel. I was then informed I would have to pay over $200 just to cancel the courses!

I thought this was ridiculous, considering the 'books' they sent me, weren't even books! They were paper pamphlets stapled together! And I even offered to send them back! And I hadn't done ANYTHING but take an online quiz for basic math skills! After speaking to SEVERAL people with Penn Foster regarding this, I was told I could cancel my courses and would owe no further money.

Let's also keep in mind, Penn Foster allegedly requires proof of a high school diploma or GED, something I NEVER supplied to them...

Now, it's been almost a year and a half since then, and randomly, out of the blue, I get a collections notice from them for over $200! Are you kidding me?! This is ridiculous!

I sent them the following email.

'I called and CANCELED my courses for Webdesign with your school prior to December of 2007. I did NOTHING with the courses except take the online reading and math assessments. That was it. That was all of it. I didn't do anything further. I had wanted to switch to a certificate program but was informed I couldn't so I decided to just cancel the courses and after speaking to a FEW people, they told me I could, as I hadn't done anything with the courses aside from the reading and math assessment and had already paid $150-200 culmitive.

Now, almost a year and a half later, I received a collections notice for over $200! I CANCELED the courses and was told I owed nothing further! This is ridiculous!

Not to mention, your site said it required proof of high school diploma (which I never supplied!) and yet you're still trying to charge me?! I canceled the course! All i did was take an incredibly elementary math and reading assessment!

I would like this resolved as soon as possible and I am very appalled that your 'school' would do such a thing! '

So, we will see what happens. I am awaiting their response, and will be calling both them and the collection agency first thing in the morning.

I made a payment online with the card u.s. bank gave me it contained my routing and savings account number. I made a payment on 01/27/2008. In February I reviewed my savings account and the money was never taken out. The payment was posted on 01/28/2008 the email sent to me stated my payment was posted so i reviewed the card number on my savings account and my bank statement and it did not match. I than called Portland oregon U.S. bank center and they stated they sold that number to someone. this was on a Saturday 02/02/2008 I learned of this. I than dropped in person to U.S. bank Sunday and showed them the card they gave me and the bank statement and asked them what do I have to do to correct this I also took 60.00 out of the savings account. They said the account number was sold meaning my information including my wife who is a foreign citizen was sold.

They told me there is nothing they can do so I got 2 money orders for 29.00 payment tuition and sent them a letter asking Penn Foster how come you posted payments when no money was taken out ? In my exp. with other dishonest companies they like to sell your account # taking money and keeping you in debt collections two for the price of one. By the way my next payment is not due till 02/10/2009. I paid 1 year in advance quiet a little scam acting like you are not getting paid and turn it over to debt collectors at the same time receiving payments!