Before signing up with this company in March, I had very good credit. I was just over extended due to the closing of my business. I called Debt Relievers to get information on their company. They explained that they could help lower my interest rates on my credit cards and get me out of debt in 4 years. I checked out the company with the Better Business Bureau and they had a clean record. As you will see, I found out later that they play the games by their rules and they are very one-sided.
I made by first payment to Debt Relievers (referred to as DR) on March 12 in the amount of $1,275.00. It was suggested by my sales rep; Cynthia Mandel, that I make payments every other week in the amount of $641.50. This would give me 2 extra payments per year and I would finish in the program 6 months early.
So on 3/26, a 2nd payment was made by electronic withdraw from our checking account in the amount of $641.50 and every 2 weeks thereafter.
1.3/12 payment to DR $1275.00
2.3/26 payment to DR $641.50
3.4/09 Payment to DR $641.50
4.4/23 Payment to DR $641.50
5.5/07 Payment to DR $641.50
6.5/21 Payment to DR $653.00
Debt Relievers was to make payments to 5 of my creditors totaling $1236.00 per month beginning after the 2nd FULL PAYMENT which was 4/09.
When payments had not reached my creditors by 4/16, I called a talked to customer service and was told that the payments would be made this week.
4/26 Called about payments again. Talked with Alegra in customer service. She was very rude and said that there was a computer problem and that payments would be sent out soon but did not know when.
4/26 Called sales rep Cynthia Mandel, (Ext 310) I asked her when payments would be made. She said they should have been made the week of 4/12 but could not explain why they weren't. She said she would look in to it and call me back. (never did)
As of 6/15/04, a total of $1639.00 was paid to my creditors from Debt Relievers. As of this date a total of $2472.00 should have been paid by Debt Relievers.
The week of 4/12 a total of $1236.00 should have been paid by DR to my accounts.
The week of 5/10 a total of $1236.00 should have been paid by DR to my accounts.
As you can see, payments were not made to my creditors on a timely basis nor were they paid when Debt Relievers said they would be. This created my accounts being delinquent, late fees added and over the credit limit fees added. I started a very aggressive phone contact with Debt Relievers calling everyday. I could not get any help thru their customer service department. I was able to find that the Customer Service Manager's name is Julia at ext 349. Her supervisor is Denise at ext 359. I began calling Julia, Denise and my sales rep Cynthia Mandel on a DAILY BASIS. No one would take my calls so I would leave voice messages never to receive a call back.
On 5/21 another payment was taking from the checking account by Debt Relievers for $653.00. Still getting no responses from DR, I called my bank, Citizens National Bank who put a stop-payment on that payment.
On 5/27 I filed with the Better Business Bureau. At first, they lied to the BBB that I wasn't even a client. I was able to show the BBB the emails and payments that I sent and they pursued the matter further. Debt Relievers then did the "back-stroke" that they were mistaken but still had no explaintion.
On 6/16 I was a able to speak to Rachel in the customer service department and she offered to help me get my account current. Which she did track payments and found that payments were not made on my behalf as I said and they new payments would be resent.
I told her I was not happy with the way Debt Relievers works and would like a refund of ALL the money that was still in my account. She said that all was left was the initial payment of $1,275.00 and since I am going to drop out of the program, they will keep that as their fee.
They already collected fees of $39.00 for each full payment with draw from our checking account, $117.00 total.
Debt Relievers is a deceitful company and get clients that are already in distress and in a hopeless situation and take advantage of their situation. They take their money, make their life a living hell, and then refuse to give refunds for money they take.
Debt Relievers pushes people to the edge, takes their money and gives a huge runa-round. The clients get so exhausted that they do not pursue avenues to report the company or to get their money back. I won't give up. If I need to go to Florida and give a deposition or file in a court of law, I will be happy too. This company needs stopped.
Before filing with this company, I had good credit but was just over-extended. But since getting involved with DR, my accounts have become over 90 days past due. The minimum payments I need to make to them current is way more than I have since I have sent over $3800 to DR. I have also incurred late charges and over the limit fees. Not to mention that the credit card companies have jumped my finance charges that were 9% to 13%, are now well over 25%.
So in a nut shell, Debt Relievers has ruined my credit and has forced me into bankruptcy.
More information!!!
Debt Relievers
4742 NW 2nd Ave Ste B
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(800) 513-9426
www.debtrelievers.com
Extentions: Cynthia Mandel 310 Julia 349, Denise 359
Owner is Dennis McDevitt. Supposedly an attorney in Boca Raton area but does not have any office number listed except for the number at Debt Relievers
Mr McDevitt also owns property at 23123 State Route Rd 7 In Boca Raton. At this address is another consumer credit counseling service under the name:
BMV Debt Management, Inc
(800) 587-1722
I don't know if he owns both business or not but this fact is interesting!
Debt Relievers claim that they are a licensed company. They can not tell me with what agencies. According to the Secretary of State (FL). Florida does not have a license for credit counseling. There is new legislation. You can see the link at:
Http://www.flsenate. Gov/data/session/Senate/bills/billtext/pdf/s2682er. Pdf
Leslie
Columbus, Ohio
U.S.A.
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