Meet JoEllen: A Former Teacher and Financial Scam Survivor
JoEllen F. is a retired French, Spanish and English teacher who lives in Colorado, where she cares for her 90-year-old mother. She had been through tough times before: getting out of debt in the 90s and two divorces. Still, she was unprepared when a financial scam during the pandemic put her back into an overwhelming amount of debt.
I knew I had to reach out for help and I got it from Accredited Debt Relief. I had something to compare it to and Accredited Debt Relief is so much better! My gosh. What a difference.
Debt Amount: $22,942
Started: December 2022
Monthly Savings: $223 (37%)*
How a Financial Scam Led to Big Debts
JoEllen’s financial struggles started in the 90s when she went through her first divorce. The stress of that situation led her to her first debt program. Years later, a second divorce in 2018 led to a big financial loss on the sale of their home — money she was counting on to get back on her feet.
I was supposed to get about $80,000 from the sale of the houses and different things like that and he managed to take everything. Then, I joined a dating service. And got romanced to the tune of $20,000 in debt and $30,000 cash.
Things went from bad to worse during the pandemic, when JoEllen joined an online dating service and became the victim of a romance scam which left her feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed by more than $30,000 in debt.
A Conversation That Changed Everything
Having been through it in the 90s, Joellen wasn’t new to debt programs. She knew this kind of help was out there but since programs were very different back then, she wasn’t expecting a high level of support, care and communication.
She admits that her past experience gave her some hesitation — she wasn’t looking forward to sharing her personal struggles with a stranger who she expected to be cold and indifferent.
To her surprise, when she connected with Accredited Debt Relief, she was met with great compassion and warmth. The call gave her the chance to share her story, her struggles and her goals. Instead of judgment, she felt understanding and support.
I’m just so grateful. For all their help and their wisdom, their kindness and how they’ve created this… It’s really special and they’ve been a godsend.
Building Confidence, Finding Peace
For JoEllen, the program hasn’t just changed her finances — it’s changed how she feels about herself. She says the wellness sessions for clients with experts Dr. Erika Rasure and Nate have been just as important as the financial side.
They have just been so wonderful, they help build self-confidence. They help build forgiveness. They help build a place where we can go and commiserate with each other and build each other up.
Instead of dwelling on mistakes from her past, JoEllen is now focused on healing and moving forward. She admits she doesn’t even think much about her balances anymore — it’s the confidence and community that matter most.
I’m not scrambling to pay those outstanding bills every month… I can put at least $100 in the bank every month. I’m not paying that much attention to my debt going down. I’m more emotional than that. So that’s what I pay attention to — how do I feel? And I feel really good and so confident that I’ve done the right thing.
Her Message to Others: “You Are Not Defined by Your Debt”
Looking back, JoEllen admits the divorce, the scam and the debt once made her feel like she had lost control of her life. But through Accredited Debt Relief, she’s learned to separate her self-worth from her financial struggles.
To anyone who feels trapped or ashamed, she shares this encouragement:
You are not defined by your debt. That’s what I’ve learned through these sessions… that we can come out on the other side and feel secure again.
The Power of One Call
For JoEllen, that first step — answering the phone — was the hardest part. But it opened the door to hope, stability and confidence.
If you’re struggling with overwhelming debt, know that help starts with a single call. Talking to an Accredited Debt Relief specialist can give you the same kind of guidance and support that JoEllen found. You don’t have to carry this burden alone.
About This Testimonial
*JoEllen is a real client who was compensated for taking the time to share her experience with us. Clients typically save $480 on their monthly payments.Savings were calculated by subtracting her program payment from her self-reported payments or tradeline minimums on eligible accounts.