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Empire Credit Protection Will Lopez THE MAN BEHIND THIS COMPANY IS A SCAM ARTIST Covina, California
I found this company's ad in a home sales magazine. The company advertised that they could have all negative credit removed from your credit report, and increase your credit score. I contacted the company and spoke to a guy by the name of Will Lopez, who introduced himself as the owner. He agreed to have 4 items removed from my credit report, at a cost of $600.00. He had asked me to deposit the money in his business account, which should have waved a red flag for me, but I went along with it, thinking that his ad and website was credible enough to vouch for the companies ligitimacy. Lopez was extremely nice and helpful as well as very responsive while taking my money. Once he was paid in full, he stopped returning calls and responding to emails. When he did respond, he would become very defensive about his companies ability to perform services. Needless to say, after signing his contract, and supplying him with copies of credit reports, as requested, in the end, no services were ever rendered. I asked for a refund, and he refused until I reported him to the BBB. Then he agreed to a refund, but only ended up sending a partial payment, accompanied by an itemized list of charges, in which was never discussed or agreed on. To make a long story short, I conducted my own investigation with the FTC, to find out that it is illegal for a credit service to collect any up front payments, until services are fully rendered. Also, they should never guarantee that they can have negative items removed, among other things. In conclusion, I took this rude, unprofessional, hot head business man to small claims court, and he has been ordered to refund the entire balance owed. Although I won my case, I'm not sure he'll pay without a fight.
10 Updates & Rebuttals
Jennifer
hacienda height,California,
United States of America
Customer
#11Consumer Comment
Mon, October 08, 2012
I was skeptical when my friend told me what Empire Credit Protection was able to do for her, but i decided to give it a chance. I try these other company that tell you that they can increase your fico to 700 in 30 days and all they do is take there money. Empire Credit told me upfront that this will take some time and Wow, i do not regret that decision as i had a judgment and several collections removed from my credit report. If i have a compliant it would be that it took 8 months to complete however, its done and i am definitely a beliver.
crjohn
Highland,California,
United States of America
I AGREE....SCAM SCAM SCAM
#11Consumer Comment
Fri, October 05, 2012
I know someone who also hired this company and had the same experience. She complained to me that she paid them and they stopped contacting her and still didn't repair her credit. They use the year time frame, on their illegal contract, hoping that after a year you will not go after them for your money. I helped her to research the law under FCA and discovered the same thing....they can not collect payment until services are rendered, as well, they should not promise to remove negative credit, but only to correct inaccuracies. After reading their responses, I think David Soto is a ficticious impersonation of the owner, attempting to represent his company and clear his bad name.
David Soto
Covina,California,
United States of America
Answer the question
#11REBUTTAL Owner of company
Fri, August 31, 2012
I am finally going to answer your question since this is my first time making a statement.
To answer the question regarding the log-in to this page David Soto gave our processor the log-in information and she email blast all of our clients with it. So when you see David's name it does not mean that its him. When you read the rebuttal it states exactly who there are. As the owner we are here to help our clients not to hurt them because nearly 80% of all credit reports contain inaccuracies or erroneous accounts. That's a HUGE problem!
We educate our clients even though any financial advisor would encourage everyone to check their credit report for accuracy, nearly two-thirds of the population ( thats 65% or 148 million people!) has not ordered a credit report in the past year. So is there a demand for education towards credit and finances? Yes. Is it beneficial for everyone to improve their credit scores and remove INACCURACIES? Absolutely.
Since The Fair Credit Reporting Act in 1971, millions of erroneous items have been removed from credit reports all across the United States, with the lack of financial education offered and inexperience with obtaining a credit report, interpreting the score and disputing obsolete items, many are at a disadvantage..That's where we come in to help our clients.
Thank you clients for all of your responds and support it means alot to Empire Credit Protection..
Robert
Buffalo,New York,
USA
Which is it David?
#11Consumer Comment
Fri, August 31, 2012
First you post claiming to be an employee who worked with them for 5 years, left, and started your own "business venture."
Then you post claiming to be a CLIENT of theirs who obtained their phone number from your sister and are applying to be a cop!
Which is it David? LMAO! If you're going to be a shill, at least be a shill who can remember what you posted! LOL!
When you have the time shill, tell us how they comply with the Credit Repair Organizations Act.
David Soto
Covina,California,
United States of America
Empire Credit Protection an ethical Company
#11Consumer Comment
Mon, August 27, 2012
As the owner said you can't please every client, since this compliant i have spoken to 5 different clients that Empire Credit Protection has work with and all (5) clients have been very happy with their services. They (client) understand upfront that this is not a 3 month process, the owner has told them the truth upfront about the time frame and how the process is played out.
2 out of the 5 has purchase there home and the other 3 clients needed their credit fix for a background check for employment. So my overall rating for this company is "Great"!
David Soto
Covina,California,
United States of America
I am a Client with Empire Credit Protection
#11Consumer Comment
Wed, January 18, 2012
Wow! I must respond to: THE MAN BEHIND THIS COMPANY IS A SCAM ARTIST! It sounds to me that this person is upset at him personally and not the company. I'm surprised the company has not went to court to file a false, slanderous and inflammatory statements about him. I am a client with Empire Credit Protection and i got there number from my sister who is very happy with there service. She just bought her first house because Empire Credit Protection help her increase her score, so she gave me Mr. Lopez number I spoke with him and he was very honest with me regarding the process. He told me that this is not a QUICK FIX and it will take at least 6-8 month process. When i started with him my score was 598 and now after 6 1/2 months with the company my score is 702.
I am very happy with the results because now i can apply for the LAPD Police department. Like the ex-employee said, "You can't please everyone" I feel the money that i spend to have my credit score raised 104 points was well worth it. Don't get me wrong I'm sure there are company out there that do not do the work however, my results with Empire Credit Protection has been nothing but wonderful! I will be going to my sisters new house in February to watch the Super Bowl because of what Mr. Lopez and Empire Credit Protection has done. When the ex-employee stated that they change lives my sister is proof of that, buying her first house has changed her life with her and the children.
Robert
Buffalo,New York,
USA
Ooops.
#11Consumer Comment
Wed, January 18, 2012
I mistakenly stated the reference for judgments as CROA- it should read FCRA! It should read as:
From the FCRA, Section 605 (a) (2) : Civil suits, civil judgments, and records of arrest that from date of entry, antedate the report by more than seven years or until the governing statute of limitations has expired, whichever is the longer period.
Sorry about that folks.
Robert
Buffalo,New York,
USA
Author is correct!
#11Consumer Comment
Wed, January 18, 2012
The author is correct! A credit repair organization is NOT ALLOWED to accept ANY payments BEFORE the contracted work is accomplished. This is mandated by the Credit Repair Organizations Act which can be downloaded from the FTC website www.ftc.gov. Additionally, there are mandated DISCLOSURES that are required in WRITING such as the fact that the consumer may attempt to have his/her credit reports corrected by himself/herself.
Perhaps the ex-employee would like to explain how accepting a fee BEFORE the work is accomplished is in compliance with the CROA!
I would like to know where there is a reference to the CROA on their website. I couldn't find one! Why is this?
Some of the information presented on their website (resources page) appears incorrect. Their website states "Judgments:
Remain seven years from the date filed."
This is wrong. Civil judgments remain on credit reports for seven years or until the governing statute of limitations has expired, whichever is LONGER. From the CROA, Section 605 (a) (2) : Civil suits, civil judgments, and records of arrest that from date of entry, antedate the report by more than seven years or until the governing statute of limitations has expired, whichever is the longer period.
This means that a NY State money judgment (SOL is 20 years) would stay on a credit report for 20 years from the date of the court judgment, not seven years. (In California the SOL for a judgment is 10 years.)
Perhaps the ex-employee will explain why an organization that claims to have a thorough understanding of the FCRA has this error on their website.
chdennis
United States of AmericaILLEGAL PRACTICES
#11Author of original report
Wed, January 18, 2012
Again, it was found that Empire Credit Protection, conducted illegal business practices, as they should not have been asking for upfront payments. This info. may be confirmed by verifying with the FTC. The judge in small claims court confirmed. There were never any changes to my credit report, and he had the audacity to yell and scream at me during several phone conversations. PLEASE BE CAREFUL, and conduct your own research with the FTC, before taking a risk with your personal information.
David Soto
Covina,California,
United States of America
Empire Credit Protection
#11UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, January 16, 2012
I have worked with Empire Credit Protection for 5 years and we have help many clients with our services. The clients that we helped are very happy with our services and Mr. Lopez has been a wonderful person to work for.
Mr. Lopez conducts himself with professionalism and works with his clients to help restore not only there credit but also there lifes. Working in this line of work has shown me that even tho you help your clients they are still unhappy. After reading this report i had to respond because you cant please everyone.
If you would like to contact Empire Credit Protection yourself to really understand there service please call them. I left the company in December 2011 to start my own business venture and i owe Empire Credit Protection for there business sence and Professionalism.