Complaint Review: Credit Solutions Of America

I started with this company in December 2006 after seeing a news spot on MSNBC. I was on the verge of getting behind in my credit card payments because of an illness and a number of job layoffs. I realized that if I let things go another month I would start falling behind. What Credit Solutions had to offer seemed right for my situation. I could enroll get rid of my debt in 3 years and tackle a situation before it got out of control. It all seemed just right for what I needed. I also did not mind paying for a serice that I thought they would be providing. It all seemed legit.

After my first three initial payments of nearly $3,000 and not paying my credit cards that were enrolled in the program, as I was told to do, I started to see the company for what it really is.

I started getting calls from my creditors, which they told me to screen and to refer to them. I did and as I was instructed to do and to my knowledge they never responded to any of my creditors. The calls never stopped.

I put money away every month and when I had enough to settle on an account, which I did before it went into collection, they did negotiate a settlement but only after I called numerous times and stayed on the line while they spoke with the creditor on the other end. We came to an agreement of 70% of the debt. Credit Solutions promises 40% - 60 %. They said that the reason it was so high was because I settled before it went to collection and that they would get better deals after the accounts go to collection.

I received a settlement letter from the creditor and okayed the payment on March 20. The account was not paid and when I called to see what is taking so long I can never get the same person twice, despite speaking with supervisors and managers. As of today, April 4 the account has still not been paid. No one seems to know why or what is being done about it.

This is when I started to get suspicious. Whenever I call I get a different person. Even when I have a direct number to someone I can never get through and they never return any of my messages. I have never gotten a return phone call even after being promised that they would call back.

I finally started to do some more research into the company and this is when I found this website. It was eye opening to find out that others have had the same experience. I have only been in the program 4 months. I am hoping I can still salvage my relationship with my creditors and rectify the situation before it gets worse. I know a couple of accounts have gone to collection. I am out thousands of dollars and I owe my creditors a substantial amount more than I did before I joined the program. If any one can offer advice on what to do next, it would be greatly appreciated.

I do intend to file with the BBB and see what happens from there. I also feel that MSNBC should be held responsible in some way. Seeing the news clip on one of there news programs is what led me to them in the first place. Also Credit Solutions uses the clip on their website as a way of promoting their program. It is truly despicable.

Andrew
New York, New York
U.S.A.

STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!