Complaint Review: Briggs And Baker Aka DRS: - Debt Resolution Specialists

Innovative Systems Technology, Inc., dba Briggs and Baker, has successfully avoided paying out over $125,000 in court awarded judgments by switching their name to DRS: Debt Resolution Specialists, operating the same type of business, out of the same address, with the same employees.

Todd Baker, owner and CEO of this company, advertises on the radio and cable tv that he can "substantially reduce your debt by 40%-60%." Since Jan. 2002, over 250 complaints have been filed with the Better Business Bureau (please see BBB online company reports on Briggs and Baker and DRS), and over 75 small claims suits have been filed and won at the Valencia Courthouse. Mr. Baker refuses to pay off any of these judgments, claiming that "Briggs & Baker has no money and is going out of business." In the meantime, expensive radio ads for DRS are aired on the Howard Stern Show and televised on cable tv. In Dec. 2002, in an effort to evade the numerous lawsuits, judgments, debts, and government actions, Mr. Baker filed for a new corporation under the name DRS: Debt Resolution Specialists. As evidenced by the Sec. of State Corp. filings, Briggs & Baker and DRS are IDENTICAL companies, operated by the same principles, directors, and agents. Obviously, Mr. Baker transferred whatever funds were lef from B&B to this new 'alter-ego' company.

Briggs & Baker was a Registered CA Credit Service Organization that offered "debt elimination and complete credit repair" as stated in their company packet. By being a CSO, they were bound under the CA CSO Act of 1984, CA Civil Code 1789.10. Because of their numerous violations of this Act, they were excluded from re-registering in 2002. Throughout 2001 and 2002, Briggs and Baker/DRS charged a fee of as much as 35% of a clients' total debt to pro-rate a "one-time payment" as a settlement offer to the clients' creditors. This amount was "pre-negotiated" with the creditor for as little as 11%. Many creditors were never paid, credit reports were ruined, and several B&B clients have since filed bankruptcy.

In September 2002, the CA Dept. of Corporations filed a "Desist & Refrain" Order against B&B and their principle operators: Todd Baker, Darrin Baker, Jack Briggs, and Darren Lee Albrecht. Apparently they had been pro-rating without a license. In actuallity, they had not pro-rated anything; much of the clients' payments that were expected to pay off credit card debts were actually being held in a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter account which Mr. Baker used to play the stock market with. Much of this money has been lost.

At this same time, B&B's former bond company, American Contractor's Indemnity Company (ACIC) filed a lawsuit (case # MC014276) against Todd Baker and B&B for the overwhelming number of claims made against the bond. Currently there are over $175,000 in pending claims, which far exceed the bond amount.

In February 2003, the Dept. of Justice filed a formal complaint against IST, Briggs and Baker, Todd Baker, Jack Briggs, Darrin Baker, Darren Lee Albrecht, Luis Espino, Carlos Gordillo, Ernesto Melo, and several other current and former employees for General Fraud (case #GIC805762). DRS: Debt Resolution Specialists was added to the lawsuit 3 weeks later as an alias company. The Dept. of Justice is seeking $500,000 against each defendant individually, as well as thousands in restitution. The lawsuit can be viewed at www.caag.state.ca.us/newsalerts/2003/03-018.htm . This is the Dept. of Justice/Attorney General's press release. Click on "lawsuit" (underlined) to view the complaint.

In 1999 I paid B&B over $4,000 to pay off my manageable credit card debt and clean up my credit reports in an effort to qualify for a home loan. NONE of this money ever went to pay any of my creditors (as promised and guaranteed by B&B) and, 4 years later, I am being sued by my creditors for over the debt amount due to overlimit fees, late fees, etc. because of B&B's negligence. I have been through one Arbitration already. My credit reports were ruined, but I managed to correct them myself. Many other victims have filed bankruptcy. I personally know of over 50 people who have paid B&B anywhere from $3,000 to over $20,000 in fees just to get some debt relief, only to have their money spent on "operating costs and payroll" for B&B/DRS. There are 2 Class Action lawsuits on file in Los Angeles(cases #PCO31877 and #BC276822), and 5 other civil cases pending that exceed $75,000.

Meanwhile, Todd Baker and his employees continue to operate "business as usual" at the DRS/B&B office, advertising DRS on radio and tv while the lawsuits and judgments against B&B pile up. Mr. Baker views himself as "a victim", trying to correct the problems created by former employees and unhappy clients. Many of these "disgruntled employees and clients" are now working with the Attorney General's office to prosecute Mr. Baker, who continues to file court extensions, appeals, Motions to Vacate judgments, refuses to take phone calls, etc., all in his efforts to hide from paying off the very people he took money from.

All Debt Negotiation-Credit Repair companies are unnecessary; you can negotiatite your own debts very easily and correct your own credit reports online. Please be very wary when considering any debt negotiation company, especially Briggs & Baker and DRS: Debt Resolution Specialists.

Elizabeth
Valencia, California
U.S.A.