Independent profile — not affiliated with Aqua Finance
Aqua Finance
Aqua Finance, Inc., based in Wausau, Wisconsin (founded in 1986, per its own site), is a point-of-sale consumer lender that funds, services and collects installment contracts arranged by dealers selling water treatment systems, HVAC equipment, pool & spa products, home improvements and recreational vehicles; it says it has served more than 1.5 million borrowers and regularly files SEC asset-backed securitizer reports on its loan portfolios. In May 2024 the Federal Trade Commission sued Aqua Finance in the Western District of Wisconsin, alleging its dealer network misled consumers about promotional financing terms and failed to disclose UCC fixture filings on financed equipment that, the FTC said, are "not technically liens" but in many instances function like liens and could impede a home sale; Aqua Finance settled without admitting or denying the allegations, agreeing to a $43,605,980 judgment consisting of $20 million in refunds and $23.6 million in forgiven consumer debt, and in February 2025 the FTC mailed refund checks to 29,653 consumers. Complaint and review snapshots reported separately below include 1,015 CFPB complaints since September 2014 (325 in the last 12 months, mostly about debt collection and credit reporting), a BBB profile rated A+ (not accredited) showing 319 complaints in three years and flagging the FTC case as a Government Actions alert, and a small, largely unclaimed Trustpilot profile averaging 2.9 out of 5 from 3 reviews. Several of this site's own historical complaints name a water-treatment dealer (such as Rainsoft or Hague) as the offending business, with Aqua Finance appearing only as the financing company.
Complaints & Reviews on USAComplaints
USAComplaints currently maintains 14 historical complaints about Aqua Finance, published between 2005 and 2011. No approved complaints have been published on this site during the last three years. For a current reputation snapshot, see the independent sources below.
- Dana Harvey Owe more after $0 due!
- I am a victim too!
- Aqua Finance VICTIM TOO
- Echo Water System / Aqua Finance Creative financing by salesman for Echo Water System became learning curve for first time home buyer, EWS has monopoly on water filtration filters. California / California
- Terrible experience
- Terrible experience
- Aqua Finance is unscrupulous
- Changing of contract
- Scam on Finance interest fees, never late, credit score unchanged, raised to exceedinly high rate
- Raised my interest rate with a vague form lette
- Equipment Does Not Work, Never Has, Dealer Won't Do Warranty Work Which Contract States Dealer Liable For Contract Then
- Aqua Finance extortion scam artists
- Ripoff scam crooks harrasment calls
- Lied and made false promises
Independent Sources
Shown for context — not merged with USAComplaints' own numbers.
Contacts & Payment
- Official website: https://www.aquafinance.com/
- Customer support: 800-234-3663 9 complaints mention this number
- Customer Portal (make a payment): https://customer.aquafinance.com/
- Customer Experience / complaint resolution: [email protected]
Locations
| Type | Address |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | One Corporate Drive, Suite 100 Wausau WI 54401 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 950654 (US Bank Lockbox 950654) — payment address St. Louis MO 63195-0654 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 844 Wausau WI 54402-0844 |
Financed water treatment, HVAC, or a boat/RV through Aqua Finance? What to check
Aqua Finance, Inc. is not the water-treatment company, HVAC contractor, or powersports dealer you bought from — it is the finance company that dealer arranged for you to sign an installment contract with. In May 2024 the Federal Trade Commission sued Aqua Finance, alleging its nationwide network of door-to-door dealers deceived consumers about financing terms since at least 2018, and Aqua Finance settled in 2024 without admitting or denying the allegations. If you financed water treatment equipment through Aqua Finance and believe you were misled about your interest rate, payment terms, or a UCC fixture filing on your equipment, you may already be one of the 29,653 consumers the FTC mailed refund checks to in February 2025; the settlement covered specific accounts identified by the FTC, not every Aqua Finance customer automatically.
- The FTC mailed checks to 29,653 identified recipients in February 2025 and told them to cash the checks within 90 days, so that window has passed; the refund administrator, Epiq Systems, can be reached at 888-884-8509 if you received a check or letter. The FTC states it never requires you to pay money or provide account information to get a refund.
- Find your signed contract and check whether Aqua Finance recorded a security interest (sometimes a UCC fixture filing) against the equipment installed in your home — the FTC's settlement required Aqua Finance to terminate such filings for consumers whose debt was forgiven, but not for every customer.
- To make a payment or check your balance, use the Aqua Customer Portal at customer.aquafinance.com (available 24/7) or call 800-234-3663. Aqua Finance's own FAQ says a payoff balance and payoff details are available from the Customer Portal's Management tab.
- If the problem is with the equipment or installation itself — not the financing — contact the dealer that sold and installed it first (Aqua Finance's own FAQ encourages customers to contact the dealer first and then its Customer Support Department if concerns remain); Aqua Finance is generally the payment servicer, not the installer or warranty provider, and several complaints on this site over the years actually concern the dealer (e.g. Rainsoft, Hague) rather than Aqua Finance's own conduct.
- If you dispute a charge, fee, or your payoff amount, Aqua Finance's consumer-complaint contact (per its own New Mexico disclosure) is its VP, Customer Experience, reachable at 800-234-3663 or [email protected].
- Cancelling an in-home sale: Aqua Finance's FAQ says a right-to-cancel period applies to all in-home sales of water treatment, home improvement, HVAC and pool & spa products, and that you cancel "by providing notice to the dealership" — so send the cancellation to the dealer, in writing, within the period stated in your contract, and keep proof of sending.
- Paying off early: its FAQ says "There are no fees or penalties for making additional payments or paying off your account early," and that if your account is current, amounts above the minimum payment are applied to principal. On deferred-interest promotions, interest accrues during the promotional period and is owed if the balance is not paid in full by the promotion end date shown on your statements. No hardship or forbearance program was found on Aqua Finance's current FAQ and contact pages; if you can't pay, call 800-234-3663 and get any arrangement in writing.
- Dealer problems and your loan: the FTC's Holder Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 433) requires covered seller-arranged consumer credit contracts to state that "any holder of this consumer credit contract is subject to all claims and defenses which the debtor could assert against the seller," with recovery limited to amounts paid. Check your contract for that notice; if a dealer misled you or didn't deliver, those claims may also be raised against the holder of the contract. Get legal advice for your own situation.
- Credit-report errors: dispute inaccurate information in writing with the credit bureau and with Aqua Finance, and keep copies; the FTC's 2024 order also imposes credit-reporting obligations on the company.
- Keep records of your contract, payment history, and any calls or letters with Aqua Finance or the dealer.
FTC v. Aqua Finance, Inc.: a $43.6 million settlement over dealer financing practices
The Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint against Aqua Finance, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin on May 1, 2024 (Case No. 3:24-cv-00288), and the parties filed a stipulated order the same day. The FTC's complaint charged that, since at least 2018, Aqua Finance's nationwide network of dealers went door-to-door selling water filtering and softening products and deceived consumers about the financing terms of Aqua Finance's programs — that dealers frequently misled consumers into believing the temporary introductory rate and payment of its "Step-Up Promotion" (5.9% or 6.9% APR for 12 months, then 13.99%) were permanent, and that interest was deferred along with the first payment under its "Deferred Payment Promotion," when interest actually began accruing once the system was installed. The complaint also alleged that Aqua Finance's financing included a UCC fixture filing on the installed equipment that, in the FTC's words, is "not technically" a lien but "in many instances" functions like one, which Aqua Finance's dealers often failed to clearly disclose, and which the FTC said made it difficult or impossible for some consumers to sell their homes. The complaint further alleged that Aqua Finance was aware its dealers were misleading consumers — quoting a 2020 internal email in which Aqua Finance's Vice President of Compliance wrote to the CEO in July 2020 about consumer complaints: "Two systemic issues we see repeatedly; lack of understanding of how interest works/thinks they are being over charged and a dissatisfaction with the product" — and alleged that the company had received thousands of complaints since 2018 without adequately monitoring or sanctioning its dealers.
Under the Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction, Monetary Judgment, and Other Relief, Aqua Finance neither admitted nor denied the FTC's allegations. The order entered a monetary judgment of $43,605,980, consisting of a $20,000,000 payment to the FTC (used to fund consumer refunds) and forgiveness of a minimum of $23,605,980 in "Covered Consumer Debt": Aqua Finance was required to stop collecting on that debt within 10 business days of the order, recall or buy back any such debt referred to outside collectors within 60 business days, ask credit reporting agencies to delete the debt within 30 business days, and terminate any UCC fixture filings on the related equipment within 30 business days. The order also requires Aqua Finance going forward to closely monitor its dealers (tracking complaints, investigating and terminating dealers who repeatedly mislead consumers), make clear disclosures about security interests and fixture filings on financed equipment, and stop misrepresenting its financing terms. The court docket records the case as terminated on July 8, 2024 (Judge James Donald Peterson).
In February 2025, the FTC announced it was sending 29,653 refund checks totaling more than $19.8 million to consumers harmed by the practices described in the complaint, through refund administrator Epiq Systems (888-884-8509); the FTC said recipients should cash their checks within 90 days. The FTC credited the Tennessee Office of the Attorney General, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid for their assistance in the matter; no separate, independent enforcement order by those agencies against Aqua Finance was found.
Company background
Aqua Finance, Inc. is a Wisconsin corporation headquartered at One Corporate Drive, Suite 100, Wausau, Wisconsin, which its own About page says was founded in 1986 (BBB's records list January 15, 1988 as the business-start and incorporation date, and BBB's Wausau file on the company was opened November 14, 1995). Aqua Finance identifies itself under NMLS ID 1082164 and states that it holds California Debt Collection License #11319-99. Aqua Finance files recurring Asset-Backed Securitizer Reports (Form ABS-15G) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (CIK 0001181226) on the consumer installment contracts it securitizes. According to the FTC's 2024 complaint, funds affiliated with Blackstone acquired a majority stake in August 2018 alongside the founders and management, and in November 2021 agreed to sell most of that stake to entities affiliated with Athene Holding Ltd., which later merged with Apollo Global Management; current ownership was not independently confirmed for this page.
Aqua Finance's own website describes its business as financing sold through dealers, contractors and retailers across five categories: water treatment, home improvement, HVAC, pool & spa, and recreation (boats, RVs, and trailers), and states it has served "1.5M+" borrowers. Per its About page, the company's leadership includes Kurt Grossheim (President/CEO, per BBB), Johan Gericke (CFO), Bill Sughrue (COO), Kimberly Field (Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel), and other named executives overseeing home-improvement/water and "Power" (recreation) business lines; BBB separately lists Seth Devine as "AVP Customer Experience and Complaint Resolution."
Historically, many of this site's own complaints about "Aqua Finance" actually concern a water-treatment dealer — such as Rainsoft, Hague Quality Water, or a local installer — that sold the underlying equipment and arranged financing through Aqua Finance; those complaints are linked here as involving Aqua Finance in a financing/creditor role rather than as the primary subject of the complaint.
Complaint record: USAComplaints, CFPB, BBB, and Trustpilot, reported separately
Several sources track complaints and reviews about Aqua Finance, and this page reports each separately rather than blending them into one figure:
- USAComplaints: a number of complaints on this site name "Aqua Finance" going back to 2005, though several of the older ones are actually about a dealer (Rainsoft, Hague Quality Water, and others) that arranged the financing, rather than about Aqua Finance's own conduct; see the linked posts on this page.
- CFPB Consumer Complaint Database (company "Aqua Finance, Inc.", checked September 28, 2026): 1,015 complaints filed September 8, 2014 through September 13, 2026 (325 in the last 12 months). By product: debt collection, 264; credit reporting (combining product-name variants), 313; payday/title/personal/advance loan (combining variants), 297; vehicle loan or lease, 69; consumer loan, 19; credit card (combining variants), 35; mortgage, 12. Top issues: incorrect information on your report, 197; charged fees or interest you didn't expect, 125; attempts to collect debt not owed, 80; improper use of your report, 80; took or threatened to take negative or legal action, 57; problem when making payments, 47. Top states: Texas (203), Florida (182), California (104), Georgia (52), North Carolina (44). Aqua Finance closed 962 of these complaints with an explanation, 26 with non-monetary relief, and 25 with monetary relief; 874 were answered timely and 141 were not. The CFPB does not verify the facts alleged in complaints.
- BBB: Aqua Finance, Inc. (Wausau, WI) is not BBB accredited, carries a BBB Rating of A+, and has been in the BBB's file since November 14, 1995. BBB shows 319 complaints in the last three years (105 closed in the last 12 months) and a customer-review average of 1 out of 5 from 112 reviews, and displays one "Government Actions" alert describing the FTC's case above. The A+ letter grade is BBB's own rating, not a measure of complaint volume. Individual reviews visible on the profile (not independently verified) describe disputes over extra payments not being applied to principal and a payoff/refund dispute after a financed recreational vehicle was declared a total loss.
- Trustpilot: an apparently unclaimed profile showing 2.9 out of 5 from 3 reviews; Trustpilot notes the company has "no history of asking for reviews," so the small sample "may not be representative."
Because each source covers a different population, time window, and methodology, none of these figures is added to or averaged with any other.
Other federal lawsuits naming Aqua Finance
Beyond the FTC's case, a CourtListener search for federal dockets naming Aqua Finance, run September 28, 2026, found a large number of personal bankruptcy cases in which Aqua Finance appears only as a creditor (not a defendant), which are not adversarial litigation and are not detailed here. Among recent civil suits against the company directly (allegations only, not court findings; the complaints were not pulled for this page):
- Goebel v. Aqua Finance, Inc. (W.D. Wis., No. 3:25-cv-00729), filed August 29, 2025 by Kenneth W. and Sharon T. Goebel under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. The plaintiffs filed a notice of settlement on November 25, 2025 and a stipulation of dismissal on January 9, 2026, and the case was closed on January 12, 2026 under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1). Settlement terms are not public on the docket.
- Alejandro v. Aqua Finance, Inc. (M.D. Fla., No. 8:25-cv-00727), filed March 25, 2025 and docketed under the Fair Credit Reporting Act; CourtListener showed no termination date as of this check.
- Williams v. Aqua Finance, Inc. (W.D. Tex., No. 1:26-cv-01180), filed May 5, 2026, docketed as "Real Property: Other"; and Matthews v. Aqua Finance, Inc. (E.D. Va., No. 1:26-cv-03078), filed September 16, 2026. Both were listed on CourtListener with no termination date as of this check.
Is Aqua Finance Legitimate?
Aqua Finance, Inc. is a Wausau, Wisconsin consumer finance company that identifies itself under NMLS ID 1082164 and states that it holds California Debt Collection License #11319-99. It says it was founded in 1986; BBB lists a 1988 business start, gives it an A+ rating (it is not BBB accredited), and shows 319 complaints in the last three years. In 2024 the Federal Trade Commission sued Aqua Finance over its dealers' financing-disclosure practices; the company settled without admitting or denying the FTC's allegations, paying $20 million toward consumer refunds and forgiving $23.6 million in consumer debt, and in 2025 the FTC mailed refund checks to 29,653 affected consumers. This page assigns Aqua Finance no rating, score, or "scam" label of its own; readers can weigh the regulatory and complaint record above for themselves, and can check whether a dealer's financing pitch matches the terms in their own signed contract.
Court & Public Records
| Case | Authority | Dates | Type | Outcome | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Trade Commission v. Aqua Finance, Inc. Docket No. 3:24-cv-00288 | U.S. District Court, W.D. Wis. | Settled | Settled The FTC alleged Aqua Finance's dealer network deceived consumers about water-treatment financing terms since at least 2018, misrepresenting promotional rates and deferred-interest terms and failing to clearly disclose UCC fixture filings on financed equipment that the FTC said function like liens. The FTC filed its complaint and the parties filed a stipulated order on May 1, 2024; the docket records the case as terminated on July 8, 2024. The FTC mailed 29,653 refund checks totaling more than $19.8 million to affected consumers in February 2025. | Source | |
| Goebel, Sharon v. Aqua Finance, Inc. Docket No. 3:25-cv-00729 | U.S. District Court, W.D. Wis. | Dismissed | Dismissed A Telephone Consumer Protection Act case brought by Kenneth W. and Sharon T. Goebel. The plaintiffs filed a notice of settlement on November 25, 2025 and a stipulation of dismissal on January 9, 2026; the case was closed on January 12, 2026 under Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1). Settlement terms are not public on the docket. | Source | |
| Alejandro v. Aqua Finance, Inc. Docket No. 8:25-cv-00727 | U.S. District Court, M.D. Fla. | Filed | Filed — no final outcome recorded A Fair Credit Reporting Act case; CourtListener showed no termination date as of this check. Only docket-level metadata was reviewed for this page; the specific allegations are not detailed here. | Source | |
| Williams v. Aqua Finance, Inc. Docket No. 1:26-cv-01180 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas | Filed | Filed — no final outcome recorded Filed 2026-05-05; listed on CourtListener with no termination date as of this check. Only docket-level metadata was reviewed for this page; the allegations are not detailed here. | Source | |
| Matthews v. Aqua Finance, Inc. Docket No. 1:26-cv-03078 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia | Filed | Filed — no final outcome recorded Filed 2026-09-16; listed on CourtListener with no termination date as of this check. Only docket-level metadata was reviewed for this page; the allegations are not detailed here. | Source |
Related Complaints
Names this company in a role other than the primary subject — not necessarily current or complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aqua Finance legit?
Aqua Finance, Inc. is a Wausau, Wisconsin consumer lender that identifies itself under NMLS ID 1082164 and states that it holds California Debt Collection License #11319-99. In 2024 the Federal Trade Commission sued Aqua Finance over its dealers' financing-disclosure practices; Aqua Finance settled without admitting or denying the allegations, paying $20 million toward refunds and forgiving $23.6 million in consumer debt. This page assigns Aqua Finance no rating or "scam" label of its own — the regulatory and complaint record here is reported so readers can weigh it themselves.
What was the FTC's case against Aqua Finance about?
The FTC's May 2024 complaint (W.D. Wis., No. 3:24-cv-00288) alleged that Aqua Finance's nationwide network of door-to-door dealers deceived consumers about the terms of Aqua Finance's water-treatment financing since at least 2018 — misrepresenting promotional rates and deferred-interest terms, and often failing to disclose UCC fixture filings on the installed equipment that the FTC said function like liens and could make it hard to sell a home. The FTC filed its complaint and the parties filed a stipulated order on May 1, 2024; the docket records the case as terminated on July 8, 2024.
How do I know if I'm one of the consumers the FTC sent a refund check to?
In February 2025 the FTC mailed 29,653 checks totaling more than $19.8 million to consumers it identified as harmed by Aqua Finance's dealer practices; the FTC said those checks should be cashed within 90 days, a window that has now passed. If you had an Aqua Finance water-treatment loan and are unsure whether you were included, you can contact the refund administrator, Epiq Systems, at 888-884-8509, or check the FTC's own refund FAQ page. The FTC states it never requires you to pay money or provide account information to get a refund it sent you.
Why is there a UCC fixture filing (often called a lien) on my water treatment system?
The FTC's complaint alleged that Aqua Finance's financing agreements commonly include a security interest in the equipment being financed, which functions like a lien and, according to the FTC, was often not clearly disclosed to consumers by dealers — in some cases making it difficult for homeowners to sell or refinance. As part of its 2024 settlement, Aqua Finance was required to terminate UCC fixture filings for consumers whose debt was forgiven under the order, but that requirement does not automatically apply to every customer. If you believe a UCC fixture filing is tied to your account, ask Aqua Finance directly (800-234-3663) whether a UCC fixture filing exists and, if so, what is required to have it released once the loan is paid or forgiven.
How do I contact Aqua Finance or make a payment?
Aqua Finance's customer support line is 800-234-3663. Payments can be made 24/7 through the Aqua Customer Portal at customer.aquafinance.com, by phone, or by mail to its payment lockbox (US Bank Lockbox 950654, Aqua Finance, PO Box 950654, St. Louis, MO 63195-0654); its general mailing address is PO Box 844, Wausau, WI 54402-0844. Its consumer-complaint contact, per its own regulatory disclosures, is its VP, Customer Experience, at 800-234-3663 or [email protected].
How do I get a payoff quote or dispute a charge?
Aqua Finance's own FAQ says you can view your current outstanding balance from the main account screen of the Customer Portal (customer.aquafinance.com), and select "See Payoff Details" under the Management tab for payoff information. To dispute a charge or fee, contact Aqua Finance's customer support at 800-234-3663 and ask for a written explanation; if unresolved, its complaint-resolution contact is [email protected].
Is my complaint really about Aqua Finance, or about the dealer who sold me the equipment?
Aqua Finance is typically the financing company, not the seller or installer — a separate water-treatment, HVAC, pool/spa or recreation dealer sold and installed the product. On this site, some historical complaints that mention "Aqua Finance" are actually primarily about a dealer's sales tactics, installation quality, or refusal to honor a warranty (with Aqua Finance named only because it financed the purchase); those are linked here as involving Aqua Finance in a financing role rather than as the main subject. If your issue is with the product or its installation, contact the dealer first; if it's with your bill, interest rate, or payoff amount, that is generally an Aqua Finance issue. Aqua Finance's own FAQ also says that if you cancel an in-home sale during the right-to-cancel period, the notice goes to the dealership.
Where is Aqua Finance located?
Aqua Finance's headquarters, per its own website, is at One Corporate Drive, Suite 100, Wausau, Wisconsin 54401. (The Better Business Bureau's profile lists a slightly different suite number, "Suite 300," at the same street address; this page uses the address published on Aqua Finance's own current site.) Payments by mail go to a separate lockbox address: Aqua Finance, PO Box 950654, St. Louis, MO 63195-0654.
What if my dealer went out of business or won't honor my warranty?
Aqua Finance is generally the loan servicer, not the equipment warrantor, so a warranty dispute is usually a matter for the selling dealer, not Aqua Finance. If the dealer is unresponsive or has closed, contact Aqua Finance about the account, and consider advice on your specific contract from a consumer-protection attorney or legal-aid organization.
Can I pay off an Aqua Finance loan early or cancel the purchase?
Aqua Finance's FAQ says "There are no fees or penalties for making additional payments or paying off your account early," and that if your account is current, payments above the monthly minimum go to principal. On deferred-interest promotions, interest accrues during the promotion and is owed if the balance isn't paid in full by the promotion end date on your statement. For in-home sales of water treatment, home improvement, HVAC and pool & spa products, its FAQ says a right-to-cancel period applies and that you cancel by giving notice to the dealership, so send a written cancellation to the dealer within the period stated in your contract.