I am reporting a debt counseling service called Future Financial Direct, Inc. (FFD) which has bilked me for $8,945.00 without providing any actual debt counseling or other services. After discussing, in detail, my debt and finances, Sr. Debt Manager Todd Handler told me that given my present situation, he would expect a negotiated rate with the creditors of between 0-17 cents on the dollar.
Their present site (www.ffdnow.com) boasts settlements of 0% from Chase and BankOne and 14% from American Express. He specifically instructed me to pay off any store and gas credit cards with remaining balances of other cards (since I was told they would be the most difficult for FFD to negotiate with), and assured me that each of the cards I put on the program were companies that FFD had an exceptional history of negotiations with.
Mr. Handler explained why, even as a disabled adult in deep financial debt, it was still important to protect my credit, should I wish to move, re-finance my home, or open a new bank account, and that paying off the negotiated settlements by Future Financial Direct (FFD) would protect my credit and help assure that my present financial situation would not be held against me in the future.
After six months of sales calls from Mr. Handler, I had completed the transactions as he directed, and signed the paperwork. At this point, I was instructed to send the FFD template documents to each creditor, sign over a power of attorney to FFD, and to stop paying all of the creditors which Mr. Handler had approved for the program.
I was instructed to forward all letters of demand to the FFD office, not to talk to any creditor, and to ignore all correspondence with creditors, lawyers, arbitrators and arbitration companies. I did exactly as I was instructed. Despite following the instructions and promises on FFD documentation, calls from the creditors continued.
On November 14, I received negotiated settlement letters from Future Financial Direct employees Will Perkins and Cheri Tims, for two of the eight debts to be negotiated, both at levels of approximately 50% of each total. While I had money to cover both settlements, it became very clear that based on these two negotiations, I would not be able to settle even half my debts.
I called and spoke to Mr. Will Perkins, who was very angry that I even questioned his negotiations and explained that since I had told them the money was available, I was committed to pay his negotiated amount (which was diametrically opposed to all promotional materials I received about Future Financial Direct's Putting You In Control, and being able to approve every negotiation before commitment).
Mr. Perkins, Future Financial Direct's Assistant Manage of Client Care, admitted he never once had looked at my file prior to his negotiations, and was completely insensitive to my situation, using threatening tactics with me far worse than the sheet FFD sent me on what to expect from collection agencies.
I then received a phone call from FFD VP of Operations, Mr. Toby Kikiles, who informed me that he had personally taken over responsibility of my account, and that I would no longer be working with Mr. Perkins. He also admitted being unfamiliar with my file, and after a review, stated that had he known of my present situation, he would have instructed me to file bankruptcy and would not have approved my application for enrollment as a client of Future Financial Direct, Inc.
He informed me that Mr. Handler no longer worked for FFD and that neither he nor the company was not responsible for his actions (despite him being Senior Debt Manager of the organization).
Mr. Kirkiles offered to refund my Future Financial payment including my just-drafted November payment, and advised me not to pay any of the negotiated settlements made by Mr. Perkins and Ms. Tims. He stated because of my present and potentially future inability to settle my debts, he would send a letter to each of my creditors indicating that I could not afford such payments due to my dire financial situations and obligations. He also offered to continue my representation on a pro bono basis, to which I agreed.
Yet, on November 18, I received a heated phone call from Mr. Perkins, denying FFD had given any such instructions, and demanding that I immediately pay the negotiated settlement Mr. Kirkiles advised me against. Then, I received a call from the creditor's legal counsel demanding that I pay the amount that Mr. Perkins had negotiated.
On November 21, the creditor called again and stated that despite our conversation on November 15, that FFD was no longer representing me.in a phone call which followed, Mr. Kirkiles assured me that Mr. Perkins call was a mistake, reassured me that FFD was still representing me, and that my refund was being processed, but might take a few weeks.
On December 20, I called after noting that Future Financial Direct, Inc. Had again drawn money from my checking account. Confused, I called up Mr. Kirkiles and he apologized profusely, indicating that it had been noted in my account no further drafts would be made, furthermore he would check into my promised refund.
A few hours later, he called back and indicated that he had spoke to the boss and since I never signed a release Mr. Kirkiles said he emailed on November 14, I would not receive my refund. I explained I never received such an email. Furthermore, he stated if I ever wanted to see the unauthorized December draft of $665 returned, I should immediately sign and return the release (the one I explained I didn't have).
I asked that in the future any important documents are sent through fax, as spam-blockers can sometimes filter inappropriate content. He agreed, but said I had now lost the right to any previously promised refund. When I asked why he had not brought up the absence of a signed release when we spoke in late November, he asked if was calling him a liar, and that he had sent it to me and that was the end of it.
I let Mr. Kirkiles know I had already instructed my bank that the December withdrawal was improper, and forwarded a copy of my November fax to them documenting their confirmation that no further withdrawals would take place. At which point, Mr. Kirkiles said I would never get any of my money back, that I was through with Future Financial Direct, Inc., and if I didn't like I, I should sue them and take them to court. He then instructed me that I was no longer a client, and hung up the phone.
The harassment and abuse by Mr. Perkins and Mr. Kirkiles was by far greater than what FFD had described of any creditor. Mr. Kirkiles did, however, fax me the unsigned, undated release (which bares the fax date of December 20), noting that I would forfeit all but $665 of the $8945.00 for work never performed or complete, guaranteeing me nothing in return, and removing FFD from all liability in the process.
On December 23, I received a thick claim package from a creditor sent on December 20, notifying me of pending court action, indicating that either FFD had never followed through with letters to my creditors as stated.
In hindsight, it is interesting to note that the original solicitation I responded to stated:
Future Financial Direct - Combining years of financial knowledge and legal counsel your advantage lies in the integrity of leadership, strength of resources, and service of our staff members. With these same values we strive to maintain our impeccable record with such organizations as the Better Settlement Bureau. Ffdnow.com
According to the Florida Department of State, the Better Settlement Bureau and Future Financial Direct share the same Directors:
Boyd, ryan b sr.
13109 medford lane
jacksonville fl 32225
Wood, curtis r sr.
241 sandcastle way
neptune beach fl 32266
I have no idea why Mr. Wood and Mr. Boyd would create a bogus organization to belong to showing an impeccable record if it were not to scam consumers in believing that Future Financial Direct, Inc. Was reputable. This solidifies my impression that FFD is not. I would also imagine that Future Financial Direct, Inc.'s employees were equally aware of this sham.
FFD is sold to consumers as one to help the most vulnerable members of society. Yet, they callously berate clients and take their money without providing service (this appears to be a pattern, according to posted consumer Net reports).
I have been scammed out of $8,945.00, have pending court actions against me from creditors I was instructed not to pay, and have no idea what any of those creditors was told, and have no way to find out.
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