Charleston, W.Va. (AP) -- Three debt settlement companies have agreed to stop providing services in West Virginia and to refund more than $374,000 to 141 consumers.

The agreement announced Wednesday by Attorney General Darrell McGraw settles allegations that the companies charged excessive fees and provided debt settlement services in West Virginia without a license.

McGraw said the companies are Consumer Credit Counseling of America Inc. of North Andover, Mass., Debt Relief USA Inc. Of Addison, Texas, and Acushield Financial Services of Las Vegas.

(Copyright 2008 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)