Question:
Dear Steve,
I have 24K in credit card debt. I signed up for a debt settlement plan through Heartland Legal Group 4 months ago. I am making monthly payments to them, and they agreed that my debt would be settled in 7-9 months.
My question is whether or not I am being scammed. Should I request my money back and get out of the program? I am very nervous, as I am a single mom and do not have a lot of expendable cash. It seemed legit, given that a notary came to my home and everything, but I’m not sure.
Julie
Answer:
Dear Julie,
Questions of a company being a scam or legit are always difficult because those terms can mean different things to different people.
Without doing some research, it appears the first time I heard about Heartland Legal Group was in this post.
That post was about a lawsuit filed that claimed many entities were formed for a specific reason. The complaint said, “The enterprise further defrauds consumers by posing as lawyers and law firms and by enlisting real lawyers and law firms to provide their names for the scheme even though they do not—and generally, cannot—perform legal services themselves in Florida where the consumers reside.”
Researching Heartland Legal Group
According to the Heartland Legal Group website, they are “a law firm.”
The website states the company is located at 41000 Woodward Avenue, Ste. 350, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304. It appears to be a virtual office space.
According to the State of Michigan, the name Heartland Legal Group is an assumed name for Henry Legal Group. This entity’s registered mailing address is 211 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 900B, Chicago, IL 60606.
The resident agent for the company is Sequara Henry. – Source
According to the State Bar of Michigan, Sequara Henry was admitted on June 12, 2003, and is licensed to practice law in Michigan.
If you don’t live in Michigan, you would need to verify who the lawyer is representing you since only a lawyer licensed in your state can give you legal advice.
Interestingly enough, the website of Sequara Henry does not appear to mention settlement. It does say, “We help people file for bankruptcy under the US Bankruptcy Code.” It also says the legal focus is in “Identity Theft, Stop Debt Collectors, Creditor Lawsuits, TCPA. FRCA, FDCPA, Litigation, Criminal Defense, Real Estate & Divorce.”
It does not arrear the Heartland Legal Group terms and conditions page mentions settling consumer debt either.
Puzzling – Henry Legal Group
One little nagging bit of information that does not make complete sense to me is why attorney Sequara Henry has his office at 26677 West 12 Mile Road, Southfield, Michigan 48034. Still, Henry Legal Group AKA Heartland Legal Group says it is located at a different virtual Regus address. The mailing address of the registered office with the State is in Chicago.
I’m not saying that makes the company a scam. But I am saying that it is worth contacting the company and getting a satisfactory answer to explain. Why isn’t Henry Legal Group at the same virtual address for attorney Henry?
Henry Legal Group, LLP, was registered in Michigan on September 18, 2019, and is registered in Southfield, MI.
So Here Are My Concerns
Again, these are not signs of a company not being legitimate or a scam. They are just questions I’d want clear answers to:
- Where is the Henry Legal Group staff physically located?
- Why does the State of Michigan say Henry Legal Group, PLLC is Heartland Legal Group, but the registered office is in Chicago?
- If you do not live in Michigan, who is the licensed attorney in your state that is actually handling your case?
- Why are your debts not settled in the 7-9 months that you were told?
It is healthy to ask your questions to the company you’ve hired to deal with your debt for you. You should feel comfortable and confident that you understand exactly what is going on.
You might also want to ask them why they did not just suggest a Chapter 7 bankruptcy that would eliminate your debt in about 90 days for less than $2,000 in fees. Given your situation, that seems like a solution that was worth exploring since cash is limited.
I would recommend that anyone considering using such a company should read the following free guides.
- The Ultimate Consumer Guide to Checking Out a Debt Relief Company Before You Sign On the Line
- 10 Must Do Steps to Find the Best Counseling or Settlement Company for You
- How to Check Out a Business or Company to Avoid Getting Scammed or Ripped Off
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Thank you Steve . I have begun the process. They are some awful people make you think you will get rid of your debt and then rip you off and not pay over 8000 dollars or more.
I really hope this works. It’s frustrating. Thank you for your tie and website and ways to get my money back..
Please keep me posted here on how it goes.
I just saw this – I’m reporting to the CFPB right now. They took even more money from me!
$17,300 dollars sent in just under 3 years to this company heartland Scammers legal group. We need answers soon. I need this money back. Lord knows I could use it.
I also have been scammed by Heartland Legal Group they got me for $14,000 and then some. I live in Las Cruces and I need my money back I paid them with my retirement savings.
Bruce, read https://getoutofdebt.org//20126/how-to-try-to-get-refund-from-debt-relief-company
I started paying heartland in June of 2020 for my debt consolidation monthly payments 538.39 and I stopped in March of 2021 as none of my payments were being used for debt. every cent I gave them went to legal fees. I’ve had to negotiate with creditors that kept mailing and calling. I would contact heartland customer support as I was told to send all collections info to them and when I was contacted by a creditor I was also told to set up a google phone number and refer my debt collectors to contact that number??? I’m out a little over $4300 and can’t get them to give any of my money back. They did absolutely NOTHING for me.
You might want to read my post at https://getoutofdebt.org/20126/how-to-try-to-get-refund-from-debt-relief-company
Asked question about Heartland Legal Group.
Answered.
We are a law firm in Florida. If you have an issue with Heartland Legal Group, we’d be happy to discuss it with you. We are investigating their business practices.
Steven H. Meyer, P.A., 401 West Fairbanks Avenue, Suite 100, Winter Park, FL 32789 (407) 289-0803
Hello Steven, my nephew apparently has been a victim of scam by this Heartland Legal Group. Is it possible to recover the money given to them? I can´t believe they are legitimate business. Can you tell me more about your investigation and your service?
You should probably read https://getoutofdebt.org//20126/how-to-try-to-get-refund-from-debt-relief-company
Hello Ms. Restrepo,
We’d be happy to speak with you or your nephew privately. Please give us a call any time. Our number is (407) 289-0803.
Hey Steve,
I too am having issues with Heartland. I am going to reach out to a local attorney here in Ohio. I had been with Heartland (Michigan) since 2019. Never represented me as they said they would in the Client Retainer Handbook. Had 2 summons to appear in court from creditors. Sent to Heartland as instructed but never heard back. Now I have 2 garnishment judgements against me at 25% of disposable wages they call it. I now have to go through Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. All because I owe more now to the creditors when I started the “program” in 2019. Have you heard of any updates about a possible class action lawsuit against them? I have all the documentation, emails and research pertaining to Heartland.
A class-action suit never seems to be a quick or complete way for a consumer to get complete redress. I would suggest this logical and orderly process to attempt to resolve your issues and find some satisfaction. https://getoutofdebt.org//20126/how-to-try-to-get-refund-from-debt-relief-company
Are you speaking to clients of Heartland that live in other states?
Get out! We have paid $3600 in the last year and they have only settled partially one debt for $600. All the rest of our money has been taken in FEES. Get out!