Family Credit Counseling Corporation unapologetically deceitful, fraudulent, ripoff Lauderdale Lakes Florida
We signed up with Family Credit Counseling Corporation (FCCC) in September 2005 after our debt escalated to over $80,000. Up until then, we had never (in 10+ years) missed a payment, had a late payment, and we even managed to have a decent credit score and report. We were told they would secure a more reasonable interest rate, combine our payments, and basically all they promised every other person on this forum. Well, six months later, they have taken over $10,000 from us, destroyed our credit rating, our credit histories, lied to us, avoided us, and we are now in WORSE shape than when we started. Some cards report that they have never spoken to FCCC, despite being told by FCCC that the bills were being paid. Both my husband and I are intelligent, educated people who asked questions, did research, and tried to avoid trouble. But, they had all the right answers. In addition, we were shuffled to this company from the originial company that we had spoken with in September. STAY AWAY FROM THESE CROOKS! PLEASE contact us if anyone wants to pursue a CLASS ACTION against these awful criminals!
Lisa
Stephens City, Virginia
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Lindsay
Kittery,Maine,
U.S.A.
division of consumer services
#5Consumer Suggestion
Sun, February 12, 2006
Okay, that is very interesting how they are skimming money off the payments. I am so furious. It is great that you sent documents to the AG, as did I. I also found another place that may be of help to us. It is Florida's Division of Consumer Services. They are an advocacy program and may prove to be more helpful than the Ag office. Just type those words into your search engine because the moderators on this forum won't allow links or email addresses. It is too bad because i gave you guys the email address to the guy over at FCCC named Phil garner who is kind of in charge so to speak and it would have been great if he was inundated with angry emails but it was removed from my post. His address starts with pgarner and the rest of the email is family credit help and it is org not com. Can I do that? So file a complaint with division of consumer services and we'll see what becomes of that. Meanwhile i will gather all of my creditor statements and see just how much they have been ripping me off for, although i can tell you now it is 95% of my payments. Some of my creditors have not seen ONE cent of that money. Good Luck. Keep us posted.
Lisa
Stephens City,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Getting a game plan
#5Author of original report
Sat, February 11, 2006
Stacy and Lindsay - over the last couple of days, my husband and I have put together an accounting of what we paid to FCCC and what they actually paid out to our credit cards according to statements. From first glance, it looks like FCCC was skimming off from our payments. There is $149 a month that is not accounted for ON TOP of what isn't getting paid to the cards. In other words, they were pocketing more money than their fees. They told us they were paying one card $90 when in fact, they were paying only $85. Combine that with multiple accounts and they were making quite a nice little subprofit.
Now, here's the thing. What I'm going to do is send my information to the AG in Florida. I want to give the AG (and anyone else who will listen) substantial EVIDENCE of not only THAT we're being ripped off but HOW we are being taken advantage of as well.
I would encourage you and others to let the numbers (statements, bank records, etc) do the talking. Add this info to your written, return-receipt letters to the AG. SHOW them HOW they are scamming.
I have closed my bank account and am in the process of writing a "change in power of attorney" letter for FCCC.
Get this - we called last week demanding that we get the name of one individual who was going to help us resolve this mess and we were told that the person they FINALLY gave us the name of (after much much pressure) was "too busy" to help us!!! That was THE last straw.
The inital letter sent to us said that they couldn't be held liable for their efforts. However, they said nothing about using FRAUD - which IS illegal.
Lindsay
Kittery,Maine,
U.S.A.
violated and almost ashamed for being taken advantage of like this
#5Consumer Comment
Fri, February 10, 2006
lisa and stacy, my husband and i are also being taken for a horrible ride by these people. Keep fighting and DO NOT LET YOURSELVES BE VICTIMS. I am mad as hell about this and it seems as if i am spending a lot of time everyday thinking of what step to take next. If you are like me you may feel violated and almost ashamed for being taken advantage of like this but these people are scammers and you are right about them saying all the right things. We are all intelligent but they prey on people who feel hopeless and are looking for a way out of their financial problems which makes them even more horrible. I also have gotten nowhere with the BBB and i just mailed a letter over to the attorney generals office. You can print out a complaint form on their website and also get the address to send your letter to. If enough of us send a letter it may make a difference.
Nothing of value in his emails but we can at least let him know that we are not going to let these matters rest. enough is enough now don't you think?
Stacy
Newberg,Oregon,
U.S.A.
Would like to join forces
#5Consumer Comment
Fri, February 10, 2006
Hello Lisa,
We to (my husband and I) have gone through the same thing. We filed our report with this web site several weeks ago. We would love to join in a class action suit!!!! This company needs to be stopped!!! And now!! I filed a complaint with the BBB in Florida and got now where. All we want is our money back. We have had to file Bankruptcy due to being "screwed" by this company. We are ruined. And have never ever gotten a response from Family Credit from our calls, emails or letters.
We would love to see this company pay for their lack of efforts to help those who counted on them to follow through with what they promised by contracts we signed with them.
Let me know what we can do to help.