Debt Settlement Companies… Beware !
I have folks come in every week to my office that have paid literally hundreds and thousands of dollars to these outfits, and receive no help on their debt whatsoever. It is truly heartbreaking to see folks lured into the deceptive trap that these companies set.
Their entire business model seems to be to deceive folks that are not knowledgeable about debt into thinking that they will take care of everything. When one of the creditors sues the consumer, then these companies drop them like a hot potato. Sometimes the companies even recommend that they then file bankruptcy. This after they have been paid large sums and done nothing to negotiate the debt.
Before signing up with any company like this, always consult an attorney and review with the attorney any of the document the companies wants you to sign !
Being a largely unregulated industry, there is no doubt that there are many unscrupulous debt settlement companies. Therefore, it is vital to consult a financial planner and attorney to determine that a debt settlement is the proper financial vehicle to help the consumer and to offer protection against predatory companies. If a debt settlement does seems like the appropriate route, a good place place to start in identifying a company is the Association of Debt Settlement Companies.