Northern Leasing Systems Review: Fees, Complaints & Lawsuits
(800) 683-5433 Northern Leasing Systems Lawsuit Update 2022
In June 2020, the New York Attorney General won the 2016 lawsuit filed against Northern Leasing Systems, Inc, voiding thousands of fraudulently-induced credit card equipment leases. The ruling also vacates nearly 30,000 default judgments and bans Northern Leasing from engaging in equipment leasing, effectively dissolving the company. The Attorney General’s victory will also force Northern Leasing and its related entities, Northern Leasing’s chief executive officer, and others who engaged in the fraudulent scheme to provide restitution to small business owners who were fraudulently induced into financing leases for credit card processing equipment from April 1, 2013, through the present. Northern Leasing is ordered to dissolve 60 days after providing relief. Restitution amounts are to be set by the court at a later date. Small business merchants are not required to take action at this time in order to receive restitution.
In February 2021, the Supreme Court denied the Northern respondents’ motions for discovery and a trial or evidentiary hearing and denied the Attorney Respondents’ motion for summary judgment dismissing the petition as against them, effectively upholding the 2020 decision.
Additionally, according to EINPresswire, in November 2020, the OAG brought forward another, separate proceeding after discovering that Northern Leasing’s owners and officers had created two new entities — NLS Equipment Finance and Leasing Expenses Company — to continue defrauding small businesses using the same scheme barred by the court in the prior litigation, as well as to continue collecting on leases rescinded by the June 2020 court order.
The companies found liable by this ruling — also issued by the New York County State Supreme Court — were operated by former Northern Leasing Chief Financial Officer Ariel Schachter and former Northern Leasing officer Sara Krieger and were owned by trusts that benefited the families of Northern Leasing’s owners, Jay Cohen and Leonard Mezei. The court found that these companies had “risen on [Northern Leasing’s] ashes” in an earlier December ruling that granted a temporary restraining order barring them from collecting on any equipment leases. In February 2021, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a decision and order in February 2021 effectively shutting down Northern Leasing Systems’ alleged attempt to continue to enforce illegal leases, including those voided in the 2020 decision. The parties named in this proceeding include Leasing Expenses Company LLC; NLS Equipment Finance LLC; Leonard Mezei; Ariel Schacter; Sara Krieger; Jay Cohen; a Jay Cohen Family Trust; Fieldston Capital LLC; and JS Ventures Holding LLC.
Despite the extensive and public legal action against the company, Northern Leasing Systems appears to be still operating at some level, as per a promotional article from March 18, 2021, celebrating the company’s 30th anniversary penned by founder and president Jay Cohen posted to PRWeb, a promotional website. Additionally, some former customers report to the BBB that they continue to receive bills from Northern Leasing Systems, including for properties that the customers no longer own. According to some comments from customers, Northern Leasing Systems no longer answers communications, though they continue to list a phone number on their website.
In a further example of how major the case against Northern Leasing Systems is, it has become a reference point for fraud in New York law, even being invoked in the 2022 case against former US President Donald Trump.
Northern Leasing Systems Point of Sale
As a former major equipment leaser, Northern Leasing Systems supposedly offers a wide range of point-of-sale and other physical credit card processing equipment. However, it is unclear what equipment exactly they offer or if they still are attempting to after the lawsuits that have barred them from doing so. Their website is still functional but very barebones. If you have had any contact with Northern Leasing Systems since 2020, please let us what occurred in the comment section below
A Leasing Company of Many Names
Northern Leasing Systems, Inc., also known as MBF Leasing LLC, provides credit card processing equipment leasing services to merchants and businesses in the United States. Northern Leasing also does business under the names Lease Finance Group LLC; Golden Eagle Leasing LLC; Lease Source-LSI, LLC; NLS Equipment Finance; and Leasing Expenses Company. Many publicly available complaints about this company mention either Northern Leasing or Lease Finance Group. Launched in 1991, the company primarily leases point-of-sale terminals and other payment devices, enabling customers to accept credit and debit card payments. Northern Leasing lists 333 7th Avenue 3rd floor, New York, NY 10001 as their “Corp.” address, but 132 W 31st St Fl 14, New York, NY is also associated with the company. Jay Cohen is listed as the founder and president of Northern Leasing Systems.
Northern Leasing Systems Review Table of Contents
- Costs & Contract: Northern Leasing Systems offers a four-year lease contract that cannot be canceled.
- Complaints & Service: Northern Leasing Systems complaints number more than 400 on public complaints forums.
- BBB Rating: Northern Leasing Systems has an “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau and has received 59 complaints and 9 reviews across 2 profiles in the past 3 years.
- Sales & Marketing: Northern Leasing Systems exclusively uses third-party independent sales agents to market its products and has received a high number of complaints about its sales practices.
Northern Leasing Systems Customer Reviews
Here's What Their Clients Say
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Online Complaints | 400+ |
| Live Customer Support | Yes |
| Most Common Complaint | Leasing Costs |
High Complaint Total
As of this update, we are able to locate hundreds of Northern Leasing Systems complaints on this website and other consumer protection websites. The overwhelming majority of Northern Leasing Systems reviews describe the company as a scam or ripoff organization. Most people leaving a Northern Leasing Systems complaint report misrepresentation or nondisclosure of contract terms, unavailable or unhelpful customer service representatives, unauthorized debiting of accounts, and trouble canceling service. If you have your own Northern Leasing Systems review of your own to make, please do so in the comment section below.
MBF Scamming LLC
It is worth noting that Northern Leasing’s alternate business name of MBF Leasing at one point inspired an entire online forum titled “MBF Scamming LLC”, which was an active community of merchants who felt they had been ripped off by MBF Leasing. This is not a positive sign for the company’s customer service, as a high number of merchants apparently felt that they were better off talking to each other than they would be talking to the company itself.
Northern Leasing Systems Facebook Complaint Group
Additionally, Northern Leasing Systems inspired the creation of a private Facebook group titled “NORTHERN LEASING SYSTEMS INC Sucks,” which is meant to gather alleged victims of the company for mutual support. This is a further sign that the company’s customer service is lacking.
Northern Leasing Systems Lawsuits
In March 2013, the New York Attorney General reached a multi-million dollar settlement with Northern Leasing and its affiliated companies over a scheme to drain nearly $11 million from the bank accounts of small business owners. The case alleged that Northern Leasing had created a shell company called SKS Associates LLC, through which Northern Leasing misled customers and began withdrawing lease payments from merchants’ bank accounts long after their leases had expired. Although this settlement concludes the Attorney General’s lawsuit and appears to be the end of SKS Associates, Northern Leasing and its related companies are still doing business and have grown into a very large equipment leasing network.
In April 2016, the New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Northern Leasing Systems, Lease Finance Group, and MBF Leasing “for their fraudulent and deceptive practices that trap small business owners across the country.” The lawsuit alleges that Northern Leasing Systems and its subsidiaries knowingly deceived thousands of business owners into buying overpriced equipment and then abused the judicial system by filing suit in New York to collect on overdue lease payments. The lawsuit seeks to vacate default judgments obtained by Northern Leasing against business owners, enjoin the company and its owners from further deceptive practices, obtain restitution for merchants, dissolve Northern Leasing, and force the company to notify all three major credit reporting agencies that the default judgments have been vacated. It was allowed to proceed in December 2017 and was resolved in June 2020 with a victory for the New York Attorney General, providing relief to thousands of small businesses. This marked the second action that the New York Attorney General has taken against Northern Leasing Systems. Merchants who have been harmed by Northern Leasing Systems are instructed to not take any action at this time, as the court is yet to set restitution amounts.
In 2021, the Supreme Court upheld the 2020 decision and the New York Attorney General made a further decision and order shutting down subsidiary companies that Northern Leasing Systems was allegedly using to attempt to continue to enforce their voided leases.
Northern Leasing Systems Customer Service Options
The company offers dedicated support numbers and email addresses on its website. While these are the basic support channels we expect of top-rated merchant accounts for customer service, it is clear that most merchants do not obtain positive resolutions through these channels.
We have located multiple Northern Leasing Systems customer service numbers:
(800) 683-5433 – Toll-Free General Customer Service
(866) 781-0440 – Lessee Customer Service
(866) 781-0440 – Lease Documents
(888) 607-3607 – Collections
(800) 342-7172 – Fax
Northern Leasing Systems also offers dedicated email customer support at the following addresses:
[email protected] – General Contact
cl[email protected] – Lessee Customer Service
[email protected] – Lease Documents
Northern Leasing Systems Online Ratings
Here's How They Rate Online
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Complaints | 59 |
| Resolved Complaints | 2 |
A Large Number of Complaints
Northern Leasing Systems is not an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau and currently maintains a BBB rating of “F” on their main profile and no score on their profile for NLS Equipment Finance, LLC. As of this review, there have been 59 complaints filed against the company in the last 36 months between the two profiles, a considerable decline from the 224 registered at the time of a recent review. This is likely because the company is no longer functioning as opposed to any improvement on their part. Only 2 of these 59 complaints were resolved by the company to the satisfaction of the merchant. The remaining 57 were resolved to the dissatisfaction of the merchant or received no final response.
BBB Warning and Government Action
The BBB profile also makes mention of the New York Attorney General’s lawsuits against Northern Leasing and includes the following notice:
BBB files indicate a pattern of complaints concerning the sales practices, contracts, and customer service of this company. Complainants are telling BBB about the difficulties they encounter when they lease equipment for their small businesses from Northern Leasing Systems. These complainants say that company sales representatives employ high pressure sales tactics to get them to sign a contract with the company. Many complainants allege that Northern Leasing Systems staff misrepresented the equipment to be leased or terms of the lease they sign. Other complainants are reportedly not given all pages of the contract after it is signed. Numerous complaints detail the burdensome nature of the company’s contract for return of the leased equipment. Some complainants that experience problems with the company claim they have a lot of trouble reaching a live person in customer service while a number of other customers reportedly receive repeated harassing collection calls from company representatives.
A more recent notice details the New York Attorney General’s victory against Northern leasing and subsequent government action.
What Merchants Say
Northern Leasing Systems has also received 9 informal reviews to its BBB profile, all of which are negative in tone. The most recent describes trouble canceling services:
The worst! They overcharged us and is impossible to cancel their services with them. I’m going on a year now and still no luck cancelling. STAY AWAY!
Merchant accounts process sensitive financial data making confidentiality an imperative consideration for any company. Merchants whose confidentiality has been breached should pursue all available legal remedies.
A Well-Deserved “F”
In light of the company’s complaint total and resolution ratio, multiple lawsuits, and accusations of illegal activity, we agree with the BBB’s rating of an “F” for the company.
Northern Leasing Systems Fees, Rates & Costs
A Closer Look at The Contract
| Item | Result | >
|---|---|
| Swiped Rate | N/A |
| Keyed-in Rate | N/A |
| Early Termination Fee | Liquidated Damages |
| PCI Compliance Fee | Variable |
| Equipment Lease Terms | 48-60 Month (locked) |
48-60 Month Contract
The standard Northern Leasing Systems contract (available below) is a non-cancellable 48-month agreement, which means that upon signing the lease, merchants are obligated to pay the full cost of the four-year lease whether they use the equipment or not. The full cost of Northern Leasing fees in their contract appears to be several thousand dollars, often up to ten times the cost of purchasing the leased equipment independently. To terminate the contract, merchants can either notify Northern Leasing of their intent to terminate the contract, return the equipment, and pay the remaining balance; or they can purchase the equipment and pay the remaining balance. Either way, they will be on the hook for the remaining monthly payments. It appears to be standard company policy to simply withdraw the amounts owed on delinquent accounts in monthly or lump sums, often without ever notifying the merchant. We instead encourage merchants to check out our list of the providers of the best merchant services.
The Lowest-Rated Contracts in the Industry
The vast majority of Northern Leasing Systems reviews online indicate widespread dissatisfaction with Northern Leasing’s contract terms, and we are inclined to agree with the merchants in this case. The company’s leasing policies are not competitive with the equipment rental terms offered by low-cost merchant account providers or with the flat purchase price of top EMV-compatible terminals. See the standard Northern Leasing Systems Lease Agreement.
Northern Leasing Systems Employee Reviews & Sales Tacitcs
Should You Work For Them?
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Employs Independent Resellers | Yes |
| Advertises Deceptive Rates | No |
| Discloses All Important Terms | No |
A Supplier for Resellers
Northern Leasing does not appear to directly market its services to merchants, preferring instead to act as the designated third-party equipment provider for numerous ISOs across the country. This means that many ISOs include a lease agreement with Northern Leasing in their standard credit card processing contracts, and as a result, many merchants find themselves signed up for a 48-month equipment lease through Northern Leasing without ever having interacted with a Northern Leasing sales representative. This appears to be a major cause of merchant confusion, and it does not compare favorably to our list of best credit card processors.
Widespread Lack of Disclosure
By and large, the sales agents who are reselling Northern Leasing leases do not appear to do a good job of outlining the company’s lease terms. Many Northern Leasing Systems reviews report merchants not understanding their full contractual obligations and feeling deliberately misled by sales reps. It is our philosophy that this pattern ultimately reflects poorly on Northern Leasing Systems. If you feel that you are stuck in an improperly disclosed equipment lease, we recommend seeking a third-party statement audit to renegotiate your terms.
Our Northern Leasing Systems Review Summary
Our Final Thoughts
The Lowest-Rated Company on CPO
Northern Leasing Systems rates as the industry’s worst equipment leasing company according to our criteria. The company often partners with merchant account providers to package its leases with their services, resulting in confusion and frustration among merchants who did not clearly understand what they were agreeing to. Northern Leasing offers a non-cancellable standard lease that is likely to cost merchants well in excess of the price of the equipment itself, and many complainants report difficulty in extracting themselves from the lease once it has been signed. The company can improve its overall rating by working harder to ensure that merchants understand the terms of its contracts, by offering more competitive contracts with more reasonable terms, by improving the response of its customer service team, and by lowering its complaint rate with the BBB and other consumer protection sites. We strongly advise all merchants to carefully examine any Northern Leasing contract they are given. In nearly all cases, they will be better served by working with a top-rated merchant account provider. It should be noted that most credit card terminals can be purchased for under $500. Non-cancellable, long-term leases mean a merchant can pay thousands for that same equipment making them a contract term to avoid.
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How Did Northern Leasing Systems Treat You?235 Responses
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Kaitlin
Just discovered these charges in my husbands accounts.
They are still emptying our bank account!!
We need help- who do we call?
Jennifer Egermier
I still shudder at the thought of how they emptied my bank account. This was 20 yrs ago. They lied to me, harassed me, and withdraw all my money 2x. I just saw were they did a credit report me. 20 years later they are still a nightmare.
Marie
We are a small compagny located in Quebec,Canada. We sign we them 4 years ago and my lease is done since june 2021 and they are still taking payments in my bank account. I tried to call the company many times , leaving voice messages and emails and nobody is calling me back. My banks says there is nothing to do.HELP!
Lisa Powell
We are in the same boat paying on a machine which has the lease up for a year yet northern leasing is still taking money from our account , how can this be happening ?
Mary
I am not even sure how I ended up having this company. I had a credit card machine that was leased prior to the one I have now, which I bought outright. It was programmed by the people who I bought it from. I canceled my other machine which, when I called this company and told them that I was cancelling and wanted to return the machine, was told that the machine I had did not need to be returned because it was outdated. I was told how to clear info and told that I could throw it away. The withdraws from my account stopped for a time and then there they were again. I have tried to call them on the numbers supplied and end up with a life alert recording about how to use the call buttons and in need of help buttons on a life alert device. I am not sure how to get these charges stopped but am going to find out and may file a complaint with the BBB.
Mike h
Most dishonest bunch of People especially paired up with Riverside pavements. I would advise anyone never to do any business with this group. Be careful how the have you sign. Very dishonest practices. Goo on 3 years and still can not get these people to fix their mistake.
Janet Sinclair
This company is awful!!!! We have been with them since 2009. The first machine quit working. We asked for a new one because it was the type of machine we needed for trade shows. We never received one. We then finally gave-up and ordered a POS machine that was wired. It sometimes worked and was hard to use. We have been out of business for three years. They charge us $220 per month. Will not accept phone calls. When they use to accept them, we were told that our one year contract was not up yet, which was five years after we had signed the original one. It was going to cost us the price of a kidney to get out of it. We still have the equipment, setting in a box, collecting dust. Pay $2400 a year and can’t even afford health insurance! I do not know what to do!!
CPO
Janet,
This article should help: How to Cancel a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee.
-Phillip
Susan J Acuna
This company can only be described as an abusive, extortionist company with unreasonable fees and closing conditions. It is the worst business that I have ever dealt with in my life and I can see why a class action suit was filed against them. I feel that there should be more lawsuits against this company. I have been trying to close the account for years and there is always some stipulation that they state is not filled.
phillip truong
I owned a nails salon in los angeles, california.
I send a wrong credit card processing machine VX510 to this company and request to have it send back to me & I willing to pay for the cost of shipping and the rep at this company said that they would unable to send my unit back to me. I would have to purchase this machine back???? It is belong to me, not to Northern Leasing System and basically they are still my machine and now want a rent some money from me to get it back. WTF…..Do not do business with these tugs/ Mafia business like.
Dennis Wong
Hello,
My name is Dennis Wong. I am with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. We are currently doing an investigation on a sales and use tax matter with Northern Leasing Systems Inc. Please contact me at 916-227-6790.
Robert Haux
DO NOT USE THEM! They use deceptive tactics in getting you to sign as an individual and not in behalf of your LLC and then come after you if your business fails. To top that off they will file in the State of New York, New York Civil Court. So you are expected to travel from coast to coast if your business was located on the opposite coast. The State of New York AG has wanted to shut them down. They are playing new games with the change in AG. There has to be a way of doing a class action against this company and put them out of business once and all.
VALENTINA Perrelli
Stay away form this company they lie to you they are scammers. They have third parties that sell for them and lie to you saying there is no cancellation fee and when you call them to cancel they are very rude to you and seem they annoyed to answer any of your questions. They wont even make you speak to a supervisor. Then they hang up the phone on you. This company is so unprofessional
Trust if you see anything with this company run the other way .
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Gloria scott
I opened up an account with a Northern Leasing back in 2003 they are actually still billing me for for $4,639.29 and even ask today when I call to resolve this matter with them the supervisor told me that they are a million-dollar company and that that little money that they’re trying to collect for me they don’t even really need it and she hung up very rude aggressive she didn’t listen she did all the talkin talked over me it was very very bad experience but I will not be paying them one guy besides I never even used the machine the machine was never used so they I’m sure they resole it or rent it and made their money but here we are in 2019 so you do the math
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Mariannne Cianciolo--Bookstore Owner
Salesman lied to get me to sign 4 year lease for $75 a month for a $200 bank machine. Misrepresented Lease and how we would pay for it. Tried to get salesman to cancel lease would not return calls. Finally talked to company that he worked for said salesman lied about lease so he was fired. They said nothing could be done so we shipped machine back and now are being sued.
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Lugenia L Reddish
They are still taking money out of my account and I no longer own the business. They have stolen a lot of money from me. Who can help me with this?
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Jennifer C
It is hard to not think of this company as a scam. Why would anyone lease their equipment for $140 a month for 4 years? My whole “contract” was completed by my merchant sales rep and forged. Then you try to cancel and after following their instructions, it is not enough. According to the agent, sending in the “Letter of Intent” does not mean anything. Then, there is a $150 restocking fee since it is now past the end of the term. How is this company in business legally? Google this company and the Internet is just riddled with such bad reviews. I dumped my merchant provider because of Northern Leasing. Hope merchant providers know NOT to do business with Northern Leasing, as it will affect their reputation. Or perhaps, only the questionable merchant providers condone this type of company. Lessee beware!!!
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Lynn Dawson
These people are unethical and continue to harass years after contract is complete. Be warned that procuring their services and honouring the contract beyond the contract date, cancelling the service and returning the equipment is not enough. They will continue to harass you for made up charges.
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
-Phillip
Javier
WARNING!!!
Please Business owners, stay away from these people, they will send you straight to the bankruptcy they will try to rip you off on every Way and this people are the worst people I have deal with in my entire life They all are very ugly and rude.
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Maryshap
Back in the 1990’s Northern tried to pull their scam on me. I returned the defective units very quickly, within 24hrs. I sent them return receipt requested. The units did NOT work, which in effect CANCELS a lease. No such thing as a non cancellable lease.
Then…I haven’t seen anyone else do this…I went to the bank, cancelled that account, immediately then opened a fresh new account.
Read up on the NY laws. After 6 years they can’t chase you.
Northern WILL call years later, do NOT acknowledge their sham agreement, otherwise you open up the process of collection to start all over. Note all the reviews and cases against them.
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Jennifer Egermier
I got involved with northern leasing as a young college student in 1998. Hey lied to me got me to sign a contract.. stole all the money out of my checking account.. It’s 2021 and last year they sent me a letter saying I owed 17000.00, but would settle for 8000.00 I just happened to noticed they ran a credit report on me last year. My problem is 20 some years later I don’t have my paperwork, machine, even the bank that I use to use is closed. 20 plus years and they still try. BTW never used machine, not once. Carried it with me for years hoping they would take it back. There a nightmare.
Phillip CPO
Hi Jennifer,
Northern Leasing Systems was shut how by the New York Attorney General and State Supreme Court. This this press release for more information and contact them if you are still getting threats.
Phillip CPO
Northern Leasing Systems was shut how by the New York Attorney General and State Supreme Court. This this press release for more information and contact them if you are still getting threats.
Tami
They mislead us in what we was signing also.
We had 2 business and both have been shut down and we tried to cancel our services and contract with them and they refused and they take money out of our personal account which leaves our family struggling to stay afloat.
tina grey
the only way to get rid of these people is to settle
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
-Phillip
Michael Cook
I am still in litigation with Northern Leasing after they changed my lease. Everyone who works in management of this company should be in jail.
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
-Phillip
Pirkko
When I gave up my account with my provider, I was well informed that my account was paid in full and need not to send back the terminal .Now they are sending their lawyer as a representative of their company saying they are taking court action against me .They have never sent to bill or written letter stating they want to settle up with me ,I just get threathening calls from them .
This post will help: How to Report a Bad Credit Card Processor
-Phillip
Matt Giblet
We were scammed by N Leasing as well. We are currently being sued as well, in New York in the amount over 10k. My wife’s credit is destroyed over this.
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
-Phillip
Tamra
This company fraudulenty altered my lease agreement and tried to ruin my credit and still continues to send me billing letters. They should be in jail.
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
-Phillip
Jazzy
Please be aware that this company often hides behind other credit card merchants. It is a third party company and often times you do not know they are even part of what you signed up for. They are sharks, snakes, supposedly the contract you sign is non-cancelable (unconstitutional) and they will rob you blind while you are not looking. All you have to do is google their name and you will read for yourself what this pathetic company does to small business owners whom do not have the means to defend themselves…
This post will help: How to Report a Bad Credit Card Processor
-Phillip
BZ
I had a Northern Leasing agreement in Canada years ago with a small business that I had started and we needed a mobile credit card unit for exhibitions that I was involved in. I found out early on during an exhibition that Northern Leasing claimed I owed them money.. erroneously as well as I had already paid them . They demanded that I send them proof that I had sent them payment… I found this very odd for a company that was supposedly keeping track of all the credit card payments I was receiving…how could they not know that I had already paid them. Anyway by that point I had caught on I was dealing with a bunch of scammers so I stopped accepting credit card payments (which I am sure I lost quite a bit of money for that) and as soon as I had an opportunity emptied out my bank account. I ended up traveling for the entire year and when I came back the bank tried charging me $500.00 or so for NSF payments as Northern Leasing was hitting my account every couple of days trying to take out what ever amount they could come up with. Anyway the bank was very good and when I explained this they did not charge me and let me close the account. In the end Northern Leasing never paid me for the credit card payments I had received (wasn’t much maybe $150.00 or so ) but I also never returned their machine…anyway they just called me now after many years of never hearing form them. Thankfully there is nothing wrong with my credit score… I guess even the people who keep track of Credit card scores realize what a bunch of scammers these guys are. I am just surprised they are still in business
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Susan Masih
I have been dealing with this company for almost a year now trying to cancel my contract which was a 4 year contract signed in 2005. Today I got a letter threatening me again. We are in Canada so I contacted their office in Canada and was told the total opposite of what the New York office told me. So far we have returned 2 machines to them , put stop payment at the bank and I have talked to some of the rudest people in my life. Tomorrow I will have to start to really spend time on this matter as I refuse to pay them 1 more cent. If anyone has any advice it would be appreciated.
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Jason Dayne
All I can say, without wasting more of my time, is to run as fast as you can away from this company. Currently being sued by the attorney general of New York for bad practices against small businesses
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Terryl Graalum
Do NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SIGN ANYTHING WITH NORTHERN LEASING SYSTEMS! They are a FRAUDULENT COMPANY! I got sucked into a 5 year lease for a processing machine, worth about $300, and paid over $5,000. The processing company at that time called Elite Pay Global, who are also crooks, said if I didn’t sign up with NLS for my terminal, they couldn’t give me their lowest rate! I fulfilled my lease terms, sent Northern Leasing my 30 day termination letter by certified mail, and they refused the letter! Now they have the nerve to still call for late payments! They need to be shut down and arrested for white collar crimes!
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Kyna Jackson
The worst leasing company for merchant services and equipment.Do Not Enter into any lies this company attempts to sell you.
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
Maria
Hello, I was with this company for my busienss for 4 years almost 5 when it was in business. When I left my busienss they still expected me to pay a monthly fee, I shipped the machine back they still call harass me, and even sent me a bill which I dont even have a busienss with anymore. Everyone please be careful.
This post will help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
-Phillip
ruslan kolpakov
i reside in Canada. i don’t even remember which company i signed the contract with because it was back in 2004 or 2005 or even earlier. the business i owed does not exist from 2008. but someone continuously every month had been withdrawing certain amount of money from my bank account for about a year. i’ve tried to contact them to settle or stop the payments but the phone was off and the address they provided is not legit. so i just went to the bank and cancelled any further payments for that company. and guess what, after 10 years, somehow they found me even though i’ve changed not only several addresses but also cities.
i got a letter from a company named Lease Finance Group Canada Ulc asking me to pay them certain amount of money for closing my case. when i checked their contact info , it appeared that their phone and address is exactly the same as Northern leasing systems. finally i know now who is causing all that fraud. after online review i found info about their fraudulent activities and lawsuits agains them. now it became all clear. definitely they are not getting any penny from me. any Canada citizens got involved in the same situation? want to find out which legal action in Canada can be done against those idiots.
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
– Phillip
Eryn
The exact same thing just happened to me. What happened with you? Have you followed up?
I am also in Canada
Michael Cook
STAY AWAY FROM THESE GUYS! They target any small business but really concentrate on Veteran Owned and Minority Owned Small business.
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
– Phillip
Mary Olson
I agree with the rip off. What you talk about on the lease is not what what is put into the lease and they even though they have to know that there would be no reason not to return what you have been paying for. In addition as equipment needs updating and if it is not possible you are stuck DO NOT Use this company
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Jana
This company is the biggest rip-off, scam I have ever seen. They signed me up for one year (or so I thought since I told the sales rep that I would only do one year for now since I was new to accepting credit cards for me business). Well, somehow the contract says 48 months. Then I eventually found out they were nickle and diming my bank account and charging me much more than the agreed amount. After 2 years, I had to close my business. I called them and cancelled and sent back the equipment. Unbeknownst to me, they kept taking money out of my account. I called them many times and they claim they never received the equipment. I have the registered mail receipt to prove it. They continued to take money until I had my bank stop payment. Then that is when the hundreds of phone calls and threatening to sue me letters started coming. They would call at 7am and 10pm and all hours in between. I was able to block their calls, but they have several lines and just call on different numbered lines. The horrible people that work there are scum of the earth. I have had some nasty arguments and fights with these scum over the phone. After googling them and finding out how hated they are, I added my name to the class action suit from the NY Attorney General’s Office. And now I just got a summons to appear in court next month in New York for a lawsuit they are filing against me. I live in California and can not and will not go to NY for this lawsuit. I don’t know if that means I will lose if I don’t show up. Hopefully the judge will be informed of this dirty, slimy, crooked company and dismiss the suit against me. I can not afford a lawyer or anything like that. That company exploits and takes advantage of small business owners. They are disgusting!! I hope and pray they are taken down soon.
From The Editor
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Dennis Wong
Hello,
My name is Dennis Wong. I am with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. We are currently doing an investigation on a sales and use tax matter relating to Northern Leasing Systems Inc. Please call me at 916-227-6790. Thank you.
Quang Chung
If the State of New York Attorney General sue them for deceptive business practices and abuse of Judicial process not ONCE but TWICE. You know this company is no good to do business with. Who knows after law sue, this company no longer existed. Justice will prevail.
Hamid Mojtahedi
These company is a big scam and miss presenting them self’s
I only wished would have seen all the other people that been effected by them
Stay away from doing any business with them
We have lost over $18000 in payments
From The Editor
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PHIENG LU
I get the default judgment against me by the New York Court. I am working on the response to get the phone interview with the Judge to vacate my case. I will update as soon as I find the way out of this ripping company.
I hate this company, and promise wont pay for these people a penny.
From The Editor
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JOHN T BRENNAN
Unfortunately some of the judges in the New York Civil Division are as crooked as this company. I had a phone hearing and was just blew off by the judge, giving a judgement to this crooked company, who then took several thousand dollars out of my bank account. Also had my writs denied by another judge. Our only recourse is for the New York Attorney General to sue them and vacate all of the judgements. I haven’t heard anything since Schneiderman resigned, despite asking for information several times. I think the new New York Attorney General dropped the case.
This post will help: How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors
– Phillip
Tracey Stroia
Total scamed me into a lease agreement. The rep just handed me the phone and asked if I was using them fro processing and to say YES. The I was signed up for a crazy expensive 3 year lease program that I coudldn’t get out of. Do not use this company!
From The Editor
This Post Might Help: Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee
Debbie
This company is terrible to deal with and when you need to return your equipment you need to send it to New York. If they are doing business in Canada they should have a Canadian office. In my case Zomeron told me that if I closed my business that I would no longer be responsible for the lease payments. This was false. They also require a personal guarantee even if your business is incorporated.
From The Editor
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Jean
Returned equipment and got a letter saying not all of the equipment was returned, they would start billing monthly until it was. Called and they said the wrong pin-pad was returned. We only had one pin pad, theirs. Told them to return the pin pad. They said it will be $150 for the missing pin-pad. Can buy online for $50. These people are total scammers. Stay away.
Susan Mac
Hi. I had the same problem with them saying I returned the wrong pinpad and they were going to renew the lease on a month to month basis. What did you end up doing?
From The Editor
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Howard
I have been harassed for several years on a lease which I paid off and have reference number and amount paid. I also returned the equipment via UPS with tracking. Three years later they tell me this is not the right equipment and continue to charge. Have balance several thousand dollars. Sounds like they get away with this with many business owners. I will file complaint with NY AG whether it goes anywhere who knows. Im not too concerned about the NY bullying company. I have been in heated exchanges several times with their “legal department”!
From The Editor
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Eric Lee
Cancelled with them, and still charging me every month for 6 months and wont respond or credit anything. say everytime it will be taken care of an nothing. F- company for sure!
Sylvania
Biggest crooks in the game .after paying over 4k dollars for a 800.00 pc. Of equp. At end of lease shook me down for a 450.00 restocking fee.
Michael Cook
Stay away from this company and all their affiliated companies – They target Veteran Owned Companies with lies and scams.
Thanh
Horrible,horrible…do not lease with them. Such a scam. I had to pay $2,400 for them to end my lease . Never do any business with them.
Julie Do
This company is a total scam and they are still running their business every day. Sadly, they continue to steal from the small business owners with their hard earning money. STAY AWAY FROM THEM.
Will Frits
RUN as fast as you can. Read the CONTRACT!!! Don’t sign personal Guaranty! You will pay for the equipment 4-20X the cost of the equipment. They are brutal working with you and will ruin your credit and harass you with letters and phone calls! RUN!!!
Aaron L. Parker
This company will put the screw to you any way that they can. STAY FAR, FAR , AWAY.
Also, if you have a problem, they can’t be reached.
Mack From Canada
Greetings from Canada, yes ! They still doing business in Canada; Who and how can stop them ?
Yes, I signed a contract in March 2012, my small salon closed 4 years ago and they still charging fees and comissions after 6 years, PLEASE STOP NLS Leasing, Government of Canada and USA should help us, PLEASE.
MJ
Go to your bank and have them put a stop payment on all NLS Leasing withdrawals. It’ll cost you a small fee. I also cancelled their service and as soon as I saw the monthly fee come out of my account, I put in a stop payment and it only cost me 20$. I cancelled in October of 2017 and received my refund cheque last month after many, many phone calls and loooooooooong wait times and horrible customer service.
Michelle Skinner
Worst company I have ever dealt with. I haven’t used this machine once and I have had it in a box you years. I was tricked into signing . I specifically said I did not want to lease. I wanted to do month to month. He said “oh ya no problem” I was working at the time and he got me to sign and then he filled in the rest. Well all of the sudden I’m in a lease and have all these extra charges which was bullshit and I never once agreed. The company will not left me out of this lease since it’s my signature but nothing else is in my writing. This company is a scam. So many hidden fees. They want me to buyout my contract over $2000 for a machine I’ve never used but have continued to payment for.
Iris Qin
This is a most horrible company that I ever seen!!! They trick merchants to sign the contract without telling them the terms and fees. They partner with other credit card processing company, their contract is bundled with other company’s contract. That’s why merchants have no idea what they sign, and the sales person intentionally hide the fact. They just want to make their commission money! I am one of the merchant victims. I called Northern Leasing System last week, I asked how to terminate the contract. The call representative replied in a very mean attitude saying that you cannot cancel the lease. You should read the paper before you sign. You have to be responsible for the full term which you still owe us $8000!!!!! That’s insane. I refused to pay, and she threatened me they will sue me and blablabla. After I hang up the phone, I googled this company. I found out a lot of merchants just like me. I also found out Northern Leasing System is sued by New York attorney general. So, I suggest all victim merchants go to this website to file a complain against this company:
I cannot wait to see Northern Leasing System goes down!