Complain about a product or service

Credit Answers

Plano, TX

Pamela of Germantown, MD August 4, 2009

I was in serious credit card debt and heard Credit Answers, LLC commercial on the radio. I admit I didn't do any research on debt settlement companies, but I was desperate to find some relief from creditors calling me day and night. I spoke with a counselor on the phone and he set up my account, explaining that the montly charge was to pay for the initial service for several months and then part of the money was to be put aside in a savings account to use to pay off the creditors once the settlement had been made. They withdrew these monies directly from my checking account, the total coming to almost 4,000 and then they were taking out about 200 a month out and several times taking it out after I asked them not to which caused a shortfall in my account.

They advised me not to answer collection calls and when one account was turned over for collection, I faxed them the collection letter which was threatening legal action. I didn't hear anything for about a month and thought Credit Answers had contacted the collection agency. Then I was served with court papers at my home. I called Credit Answers and was hysterical. The man that took my call said "Well, what did you expect us to do?" I expected them to be my go-between and explain to the collection agency that they would represent me from that point on. They said no, they only got involved when they thought the time was right for a settlement to be negotiated.

Several days before the court date, the collection agency called me eager to make a settlement. I called the Better Business Bureau and filed a complaint. The Texas branch of the BBB apparently contacted them and one of their account managers called and tried to "schmooze" me. I told him I no longer wanted Credit Answers to represent me and I wanted the debt amounts removed from my account, which he did. However, I told him I wanted them to intercede with the first account to be turned over, since I felt it was due to their indifference. I told them I had no choice but to negotiate with the collectors rather than go to court and I made the first installment payment as a "good faith" payment.

I asked them to negotiate the other payments down to a reasonable amount for me. They put one of their "experts" on the case and he did get the monthly payment down but, apparently since it was not the amount and the dates that I had set up with the creditor, my agreement was nullified and I was paying on the original amount. I told the negotiator I wanted the amount that I had paid them for settling the other debts back, since I was doing that myself. He said there are no refunds and it doesn't matter whether they settle the debt or I do. I want to get my money back!

P. of Santa Rosa, CA May 4, 2009

My 75 year old husband accumulated over 50,000 in credit card debt. Health issues caused him to close his business so he could no longer make the payments. He, against my wishes, contracted with Credit Answers to settle his debts. We later found he had suffered at least one mini-stroke and it was clearly evident that his mind was not working correctly. He did not understand the terms of the contract and ended up paying 3000 for their fees over a period of about 6 months. They had not contacted even one of the credit card companies so the debt was increasing and our credit was ruined.

He signed my name to the contract which was clearly evident by the handwriting. I was angered by this but because of it, after he suffered another stroke I was able to cancel the contract. However they refused to return any of the money. I believe this was a scam as well as elder abuse.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |