In addition to up-front and on-going monthly fees this company's client agreement includes a provision for them to retain as income any settlement amounts less than 55% of the original debt submitted to them for negotiation. This means no one can expect anything less than to pay at least 55% of their original debt, either to the the creditor or to DDS or its avatars.
In my 87-year-old father-in-law's case this resulted in him remitting $12,656.00 to DDS over a 17-month period, out of which they made a total of $4244.55 in disbursements and retained the entire remainder (plus another $719 they claim is still due them!) as their fees and income for handling his bills.
Although there does not appear to be any criminal action taken in this case, it is apparent on the face of it that this for-hire debt "relief" company serves itself much more generously than it does the public it claims to be helping. As a direct result of their failing to notify my father-in-law of certain actions taken against him he has had a judgment for over $10,000 recorded by one of the creditors assigned to DDS and his bank account was seized in an attempt to satisfy that judgment.
Before signing any agreement with this company (or others of their kind) anyone would be well-advised to spend a few dollars to have the agreement (and their bills) reviewed by a competent attorney; the United States Bankruptcy Court will usually provide better assistance and protection to the debtor (s) than these self-serving and greedy predators.
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