United Credit Consultants was ordered to stop offering debt settlement services because it did not have the proper license, the Department of Commerce announced Monday.

A cease-and-desist order issued Friday said the Burnsville company "engaged in unregistered debt settlement services."

The company, featured in Sunday's Whistleblower column, says it has trained specialists that can help consumers remove unverifiable and inaccurate information from credit reports. Last month, UCC announced it would help consumers "settle or work out a payment" on debts.

UCC is licensed as a credit service organization but needs a separate license for debt settlement services. UCC owner Joseph McGlynn said late Monday that his company has applied for a Debt Settlement license.

UCC Consent Order - Fully Executed