Son of a bitch..

[M@]

Ok, here's the deal. A while back I was going through a credit consultation company, and they passed it onto an attorney who was supposed to help me. Well, after being with them for about a month or two, and not getting any kind of communication from them or proof of them doing any work or contacting any of my creditors, I talked to some friends. Everyone seemed to all agree that these places would actually only HURT my credit. So I cancelled my account with them.

Well, about a month later (today) after cancelling, I come into work to find a letter on my desk from them. Thinking it's me refund check from the $200+ I had already paid them, I open it and to my surprise and disappointment, I find an invoice for $1,427.75, which they say is due within 14 days. The item on the invoice for the $1,427.75 says "For services rendered." And that's LITERALLY ALL it says. WTFOVER?

I call them right away asking for explanation. I get put on hold for about 5 minutes, then some lady answers after what sounds like intentionally chopping up my last name. Anyways, I ask her what they charges are for. She says "What do you mean what are they for?" I say, "Well, it's pretty vague. All it says is for services rendered. What's that mean?" She says, "Well, it means what it says." I say, "I asked for proof of the services you guys were doing, and letters you sent to my creditors on countless occasions to receive nothing in return. Therefore, that shows me you guys did absolutely nothing but answer my phone calls occasionally." She says sarcastically, "Yeah, that's what we did." I said, "There is no way I am paying this." She replies with, "Well you owe me that money, and if you don't pay it, I will file a lawsuit against you. The money is owed, and it's expected of you to pay it. Have a nice day." And she hangs up on me. I try calling back, and they refuse to talk to me or help me other than saying "You breeched the contract, and those fees are for services done by the attorney." I ask them, "Ok, so can you guys prove these services? I mean, if I owned a business and just billed someone who came to me for service $1400 and couldn't prove what it's for, how valid is that? It's not." I asked to speak with the attorney, they refused claiming she was busy. I asked to have her call me back, she said "OK"..... "Do you need my number?" "Yes, what is it?"..."###-###-####", I said "Thanks", and returned the favor of hanging up on her.

In my contract I signed with them, the only thing it says about fees or termination is, and I quote:

"2. Fees. This retainer shall be taken from payments made by Client for the term of the representation or until fulfilled. Your monthly payment to the Law Firm shall be $125.00 per month. Payment of the initial fee entitles Client to ongoing representation in negotiation with creditors, third party debt collectors, credit reporting agencies, and the like. Credit counseling payments are distributed to creditors on a monthly basis and have a $39.00 monthly maintenance fee included in payment.

6. Termination. Law Firm may withdraw from representing Client if Client fails to make any payments as set forth in the Payment Schedule, if Client misrepresents or fails to disclose any material facts, fails to cooperate, or otherwise breaches Client's duties hereunder. Client has the right to terminate Law Firm services for any reason upon three (3) days written notice. If Client chooses to terminate Law Firm services during the term hereof, Client will be reimbursed all funds held in trust as of the date of such termination within 60 days. All other fees are non-refundable."

For what it's worth, this is through the "Hess Kennedy Company - Attorneys at Law".

I have a meeting setup with a friend's attorney for a consultation on Weds. He's going to look over my contract and see what I can do. Fucking bullshit if you ask me. Anyone have any advice?

[Ferret]

2. Fees. This retainer shall be taken from payments made by Client for the term of the representation or until fulfilled. Your monthly payment to the Law Firm shall be $125.00 per month. Payment of the initial fee entitles Client to ongoing representation in negotiation with creditors, third party debt collectors, credit reporting agencies, and the like. Credit counseling payments are distributed to creditors on a monthly basis and have a $39.00 monthly maintenance fee included in payment.

Holy shit, first of all. That is horrible.

Anyway, you should be just fine if your friend's attorney helps you out. This place was just trying to hose you, and good luck with getting through it :frown:

This is why everyone says stay away from these "credit rebuilding" companies, they're a scam for the most part. It looks like you should be okay if that's all the contract stated.

[M@]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking as well. We'll see.

[Weston-work]

Google found this: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff196023.htm

[Ferret]

Company
Hess Kennedy Comapny
Address:
1210 S. University Dr.
Coral Springs Florida
U.S.A.


HAI raid and beach day in FL ftw?

[Chris_V=|work|=]

whenever my highschool would give me parking tickets i would make the money back by taking pens and pencils from their office, i say you use a similar approach

[M@]

Great find, thanks Weston.

[M@]

Company
Hess Kennedy Comapny
Address:
1210 S. University Dr.
Coral Springs Florida
U.S.A.


HAI raid and beach day in FL ftw?
Word to that. :D

[Varao]

If it makes you feel any better I got screwed in simular fashion by the Honda of Greeley and I have to make another down payment so they dont fuck up my credit. I think its that time of the year to screw everyone out of money Happy Holidays! fuckers

[Conrad]

thats nothing... in charges anyway m@..

My attorney for 1.5 months of work was > 10K

[M@]

Yeah, I hear you Conrad. This just sucks, still.

Anyways, turns out this place has had a complaint for every month consecutively for the same thing with the Florida Attorney General since May '06. I made a complaint as well. I will be contacting the Colorado Attorney General after I talk with the attorney on Weds, and I will be complaining through the BBB as well.

Any other suggestions on who to whine to?

[Conrad]

Yeah, I hear you Conrad. This just sucks, still.

Anyways, turns out this place has had a complaint for every month consecutively for the same thing with the Florida Attorney General since May '06. I made a complaint as well. I will be contacting the Colorado Attorney General after I talk with the attorney on Weds, and I will be complaining through the BBB as well.

Any other suggestions on who to whine to?

dont pay them... and let them take you to court.

[M@]

Word.

[ghettodsm]

wow sorry to hear of your bad luck. I really dont think they can affect your credit if they aren't a real company though? I mean I'm not sure but this sounds like some horrible scam gone wrong, what credibility do they have? M@ good luck man and FL raid sounds great to me. Let me get my boogie board and glock back from my cousin and I'm ready to roll!

[M@]

lol.

Well, I called the creditors, and 3 out of 4 never got any sort of contact or communication from this company. Only one of them did. Hmmm.

[ghettodsm]

they got a contract? i wonder how a illegitimate company such as this was able to make any legal binding contract? I can almost guarantee if this stuff went to court it would be a nice cash settlement coming to M@'s bank account. I claim 2% helping fee heeh.

[M@]

Well, I'm not positive that they're not legit, YET. I'm doing some investigating on it. We'll see what happens... I doubt taking them to court and trying to sue would even be worth it.

[ghettodsm]

true by the time you get to a settlement you would be up to your ass in lawyer bills. Well either way good luck man!

[M@]

Thanks yo. I'll keep you all posted.

[stu]

Why haven't you called Tom Martino yet? Seriously.

www.troubleshooter.com

[Nick_S]

damn, thats too bad my cuz is not the attorney general anymore or I would put in a good word for you. He has helped me in similar situations.

[B20badboy]

whenever my highschool would give me parking tickets i would make the money back by taking pens and pencils from their office, i say you use a similar approach

WTF parking tickets from your school?:spit:

[M@]

Why haven't you called Tom Martino yet? Seriously.

www.troubleshooter.com
That's actually not a half bad idea..

[kio]

Tom's the shit. plus hes always looking for intresting stories.

[Civic-8442-]

yeah ive called tom martino about a Car dealership that ripped me off on a 94 integra i bought and i complete looked through it the next day of purchase, and the rear end looked like someone went crazy with bondo/pices of metal i literally saw staples,nails,screws holding the bottom end up where the spare tire goes i was pissed and got my money back + $1600 too keep my mouth shut :)
....OH.... and by the way this dealer is called the car connection its located on like 15-24th and federal not sure of the address they had a del sol there for a while 2 months ago parked up front it was red! DONT BUY A CAR FROM THERE!

[kio]

btw, even if your problem isnt aired on TV/Radio - he still helps and makes calls for you. Tom's like everybodys big brother.

[M@]

Sweet.. thanks guys.

[kio]

goodluck man. lets pound some beer this weekend - its gona be a long week.

[M@]

I'm down. It's definately already been a long ass week.

[kio]

i feel ya man.

[ghettodsm]

man i would love to go, if i wasnt a broke son of a b i would be there like a bum on a ham sammich! Oh well have fun, it would be cool to meet you guys in real life.

[kio]

lol thats why we make M@ buy it by the pitchers or grab 2$ you call its!

[ghettodsm]

haha i dont even know m@ but ok jke. Yah 2 u call is the shizzzz! Hmmm maybe I can scrounge 20 bucks and get hammed! Where do you guys usually go? I've been going to this absolute hole in the wall place called "thirsty's" on 104th and Irma. Freaking rocks, even if it is Karaoke(sp?)!

[kio]

the tramped since college girls are home!

[ghettodsm]

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTT!!! http://beltespenner.com/oscommerce/images/i%20love%20sluts.jpg

[M@]

haha i dont even know m@ but ok jke. Yah 2 u call is the shizzzz! Hmmm maybe I can scrounge 20 bucks and get hammed! Where do you guys usually go? I've been going to this absolute hole in the wall place called "thirsty's" on 104th and Irma. Freaking rocks, even if it is Karaoke(sp?)!
Heh, I know exactly where that is. Are there ever any cuties there? (Younger than 30 or so) :D

[ghettodsm]

not really M@, i've seen maybe 2 hotties there in like the 4-5 times i've been there. Its just a place to be obnoxious and shoot some pool honestly.

[Civic-8442-]

hey what time do they close there at thirstys

[ghettodsm]

1:30 just like every other bar around hehe. I've been there till about 3am, manager is really cool there.

[rmcdaniels]

If anyone's interested in serious credit report repair, I've been using www.lexingtonlaw.com (http://www.lexingtonlaw.com) after a guy I worked with had a lot of success with them. He had a bunch of negative entries from a divorce, I just want to get some old stuff cleaned up so I can refinance my mortgage at a better rate. They have an online account manager that you can use to track which creditors they are targeting, and communications has been excellent so far. I'm only in month 2, but I've already gotten multiple letters from creditors and credit bureaus about the inquiries that they have initiated. Some of the disputes have been successful, some not, but they are definitely doing something and negative entries are dropping off of my credit report. They are also much cheaper than the place the OP used.

[ghettodsm]

so how does this company work, i mean i have some charge offs on my credit right now. They can drop it off my credit report? I only have about 1500 in debt but half is in collections and charge off crap! I wonder if I could benefit from a company such as this.

[rmcdaniels]

You need to have all your credit caught up first. If anything is still in collections, then it won't do any good to attempt credit repair. Here are a couple of examples of what's been done for me:

They disputed a charge-off of a cell phone bill. It was from a company that I used to work for, they had us get cell phones and then have the bill sent to their accountant for payment. When I left that company I cancelled the service, but the company never paid the termination fee, so they ended up doing a charge-off for $58. When I found out about it, I paid the $58, but they wouldn't remove the charge-off entry. Verizon replied to the investigation of the dispute that the debt was valid and the charge-off stays on my credit report (for now).

They disputed some late payments on a gas card I used to use. The entries may have been legit, I was just lazy about paying on the card. Citibank didn't want to go through the expense of conducting an investigation on a gas card that was already paid off and cancelled, so they removed the entries from my credit bureau reports.

That's pretty much how it works, you win some and you lose some, but the company that I'm using appears to be working for the money that I give them and getting results. There's no gaurantee that negative information will disappear, but some of mine is definitely disappearing and I'm happy with the service for now.

[Street_Kings]

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/croa/croa.htm
(section 406 (b))
Re-read your contract, and see exactly what they stated they were going to do. If they didn't do all of what they said (i.e. contact all 3 major bureaus, etc etc and not contact any of them), according to the FTC your contract is invalid. Also, it says ALL of the fees must be lined out up front in the contract you signed. From what you posted (unless its burred deeper in the contract somewhere) you owe them $250, 375 MAX if you indeed did cancel within 2 months.

[M@]

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/croa/croa.htm
(section 406 (b))
Re-read your contract, and see exactly what they stated they were going to do. If they didn't do all of what they said (i.e. contact all 3 major bureaus, etc etc and not contact any of them), according to the FTC your contract is invalid. Also, it says ALL of the fees must be lined out up front in the contract you signed. From what you posted (unless its burred deeper in the contract somewhere) you owe them $250, 375 MAX if you indeed did cancel within 2 months.

;wor; You rock. Very much appreciated. I will show this to the attorney the is helping me tomorrow when I meet up with him. Thank you very much!