Back in early 1999, I was having money problems. I was only paying the minimum payments and as concerned I would lose the house I had just purchased late the previous year. I found an ad in the newspaper promising help. I was a company called Hartford Credit Publishing Group. I paid my money and was contacted by Goldstar Financial, now know as Gibson Trust.
They promised me the world and didn't even deliver a used tissue. For the first two years, I was still paying full interest to my creditors. Repeated calls only got promises. Could back out as no other agency would help me. Or so I thought. After about 6 months the collection calls started. After two years, I finally had ebnough and going through the directory I found a number Conrad in the legal department. He promised to fix the problems. All that got fixed was the interest issue.
The late pays continued. I started to pay extra on my account and the time from receiving my check to the time Gibson cut checks to my creditors increased. Sometimes Gibson would hold my money for 20 to 30 days. When I called them on that, I was lied to and told that the new company policy was to hold the funds for up to 10 business days because they had, had checks canceled on them.
That is an out and out lie. USPS money orders can not be canceled and can only be refunded after about 60 days of non-payment. Official Bank Checks, after they clear can only be canceled with firm proof of fraud.
Conrad also told me that Gibson trust was not my agent. My agent was a lawyer named Mella and I had to deal with him. I told him that would be difficult since the man was dead. And that the rules of agency did not allow an employee to have his employer as his agent. Conrad slammed the phone in my ear. That seems to be a standard tactic when you cal them on their lies.
Through the Florida Bar Association, I got ahold of Gibson's lawyer, Tim Setterlund. Some issues were cleared up but the lies and slow pays continued.
My contract with them stated I was not allowed to pay my creditors except through Gibson to remain within the contract. But on several occasions I was told by Gibson reps to just pay the late amount myself.
Fortunately, I was down to my last payment before they closed the doors. And I got my creditors paidoff myself.
I would stay away from any company that permits even their receptionist to have voice mail and to use that instead of answering the telephone.
Also, I don't feel too sorry for the employees. They will testify in court any way. They need to do that to cover their butts. They were part of the scam also.
I hope all those involded find themselves in long term sub standard state housing.
Richard
Houston, Texas
0 comments