After listening to a radio ad on KNX 1070 and looking into a website, I joined Briggs and Baker in May of to resolve my credit card debt. At that point, I had no negative credit info on my credit report and no delinquent accounts. I just wanted to reduce my debt that had occurred because of student loans and medical bills. I paid Briggs and Baker over $10,000 to negotiate and settle with my creditors plus I gave them checks as the supposed "settlement" checks to each creditor which they sent out late.
Two years later, the accounts all went to collections, arbitrations, and law offices for judgments. I was forced into bankruptcy. If I had used all the money I've paid to this company and attorney fees I could have paid off most of my credit cards already and continued with my good credit rating. Briggs & Baker, dba DRS (Debt Resolution Specialists) have created financial ruin, hours & days of legal work, stress to my family, and many other related issues. THEY DO NOT PROVIDE PEACE OF MIND AND RELIEF OF YOUR DEBT.
After numerous lawsuits (large and small), a Desist & Refrain order from the Dept. Of Corporations, and government agency investigations; Mr. Todd Baker started an identical business called Debt Resolution Specialists to avoid judgments and legal liabilities.
The Attorney General/Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Briggs & Baker in Feb. 2003 and filed an amendment to add DRS/Debt Resolution Specialists to it just 3 weeks later.
I have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, Dept. Of Corporations, Dept. Of Justice, and all the information and complaints from these agencies mirrors my experience. DRS and B&B are both registered with the secretary of state. They are operated by the same pricipals, have the same address, the same agent for service of process, and are both registered debt negotiators. Briggs & Baker has been able to avoid paying judgments by claiming that this business has no money, but yet continues to operate and advertise for DRS.
I filed a small claim's case in November and won a judgment in January. I still have not been paid. I continue to have to fight and learn new legal options all the time. I am working with the Attorney General's office to prosecute Mr. Todd Baker, who continues to file court extensions, appeals, motions to vacate judgments, refuses to take phone calls, etc. All in his efforts to avoid paying off the very people he took money from. The Department of Justice news alert and lawsuit (#GIC805762) can be viewed at www.caag. State.ca.Us/newsalerts/03-018.htm.
This is only a small sketch of the massive trouble this company (B&B and DRS) has caused me. There are over 75 small claims filed in the Valencia courts, a number of large claims, a class action lawsuit, a lawsuit from B&B's bond company (American Contractors Indemnity Company), and ongoing investigations from the Federal Trade Commission, Dept. Of Justice, Dept. Of Corporations, and the Better Business Bureau.
If there ever was a company to avoid doing business with, this would be it!!! You can do so much better negotiating with creditors on your own. Be wary of any debt negotiation or credit repair company.
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