Table of Contents
In a situation that is one of the strangest I’ve seen in the debt relief world, two debt relief groups are going nose-to-nose with allegations and denials of raids and malfeasance. I first reported this story here but new information and supporting documentation has been submitted by Frank Linder, Esq. of FBL Associates.
UPDATE: See response from Evan Kagan, Esq. below information from Frank Linder, Esq.
Linder just sent me a statement that says:
Dear Steve,
I wanted to take an opportunity to explain and clarify some of the issues on your website regarding FBL Associates internal investigation and the Broward County Sheriffs Department recent police intervention on October 13, 2010. Enclosed please find a document from the Broward County Sheriffs Department indicating an incident at 555 SW 12th Avenue, Pompano Beach, Florida listing an investigation into allegedly 53 embezzlement fraud allegations. Please see Exhibit 1.
Evan Kagan posted a response on your website [here] indicating that my letter is incorrect and that the Law Offices of Evan Kagan were not raided by the police and that this was in fact a different pre-paid legal service. Therefore, I would like to provide a small sampling of just some of the documentation we have collected to indicate why my letter cites Evan Kagan and the Law Office of Evan Kagan.
These allegations were against multiple different companies and Evan Kagan, Esquire was only one of them. An investigation was initiated by my office with a simple letter to all clients informing them of the issues that were being raised and asking them to complete an investigation survey. Within the first week, we received over 1200 responses that included signed surveys and other communications. See FBL Associates consumer warning to all clients as Exhibit 2.
FBL Associates received signed surveys from customers indicating that they were either told by Evan Kagan, Esquire or some associate utilizing his name, that FBL Associates was closed. Clients informed us that they were promised from Evan Kagan or some other company associated with his name, 100% debt elimination. Please see a sample of some investigation surveys that have been redacted because they involve other questions regarding different open investigations as Exhibit 3.
[I am omitting the rest of the many included surveys. The initial ones above appear to be representative of the larger group supplied to me. You can see the source document at the end of this article for the entire documentation.]
Essentially there were two entities that were being allegedly connected to Evan Kagan, Esquire. First was Consumer Debt Advisors. Please see an email that was sent to a customer regarding a sales solicitation as Exhibit 4.
The other company was Consumer Debt Legal Group that is somehow allegedly connected. Please see email indicating that somehow these two companies allegedly have social security numbers, dates of birth and account information of FBL Associates clients.
What’s even more disturbing in this email was the indication that these companies were calling NoteWorld and pretending to be the customer to close Trust accounts. Please see email as Exhibit 5.
Because FBL Associates receives over 20,000 incoming telephone calls a month from FBL Associate clients, we are getting information verbally on a daily basis. Please see a customer verbal communication note that informed us that allegedly Defense Debt Lawyers pretended to be FBL Associates and charged the client $760 out of her account. See telephone log note as Exhibit 6.
Who Are These Legal Entities
First, I would like to talk about Consumer Debt Legal Group. When you go to their website and navigate to the “Contact Us”, it lists “Principle office; the office of Evan S. Kagan, P.A. 555 SW 12th Avenue, Suite 210A, Pompano Beach, Florida, 33069” with contact email information being info@consumerdebtlegalgroup.com. Please see screen shot of the website as Exhibit 7.
When you go to the State of Florida the electronic article of incorporation dated May 19, 2010 for the Law Office of Evan S. Kagan, P.A. indicate the principle address of 555 SW 12th Avenue, Suite 210A, Pompano Beach, FL 33069. Please see articles of incorporation as Exhibit 8.
In the alternative there is a different website and name “Consumer Debt Defense”. When you go to this website it states “You will be using the services of Evan Kagan. He is the president of the Law Offices of Evan S. Kagan, P.A.” Please see screen shot from the website as Exhibit 9.
When you look at the electronic article of incorporation for the State of Florida for Debt Defense Lawyers, PA dated March 15, 2010 it lists George Ackerman as a registered agent with an address of Boca Raton, Florida. See Exhibit 10.
Reasonable Conclusions
Unfortunately I cannot provide you with the documentation that was presented to the Broward County Sheriffs Office which includes affidavits, internet computer tracking, and other evidence from P&E Solutions. The evidence that I am citing in this letter is just a sample of what I was able to accumulate last minute for clarification purposes. When I informed the legal authorities that Evan Kagan was denying that the police came to his location this was to their surprise and I directed them to view his admission and statements to your website which I’m sure will be helpful. What is known is that the address listed on the Sheriffs Office document substantially matches the address listed by Evan S. Kagan on the above websites and his own articles of incorporation. People can draw their own conclusions and wait for the criminal investigation to evolve.
ESP Cooperation With Investigation
There was an email that was sent out by Safe Trust Financial indicating that they are cooperating with the FBL Associates investigation and any other state or federal authorities. THIS HAS BEEN MISINTERPRETED to mean that ESP is under investigation by federal authorities. First, this makes no sense. ESP is a software, not a company. P&E Solutions is the software company. If ESP was under investigation by federal authorities it would be P&E Solutions who would be under investigation by authorities. FBL Associates contacted P&E Solutions and they have no knowledge of such investigations. P&E Solutions has also reached out to every state attorney general office explaining the software and requesting comment.
The more interesting issue is NoteWorld. Note World is a national money transmitter (basically a national bank). They set up trust accounts which are controlled by the customers. FBL Associates has received information and evidence that allegedly individuals were pretending to be customer with proper identifying information and closing their accounts. Therefore, ESP had to cut off access to NoteWorld and they are actively investigating and taking responsible steps.
Thank you very much for your consideration in this matter.
Very Truly Yours,
Frank B. Linder, Esquire
FBL Associates
Evan Kagan, Esq. Responds
I just saw Frank Lindner’s latest posting and its another misrepresentation of the truth. My law firm has not been located at that office for some time and the website screen shots are for an old website that was replaced with the correct address. FBL is losing clients on its own and does not need help from anyone else including me. If I am the danger to the public then lets do a quick survey on consumer note world accounts today with FBL. They have crafted quite a story why those accounts were frozen as if they are protecting people from my firm. No one at my law office has ever or would ever impersonate a client, nor do anything contrary to a client’s instruction. They and their partner companies are searching for a scapegoat but I suggest to wait and see how this plays out before jumping to conclusions.
Unfortunately, this town can be influenced with money for the short term to get a certain narrative out but the truth will prevail. The truth is that I don’t due debt settlement and that I defend consumers about to be sued or getting sued. If you find me any governmental organization that will put in writing that they do not want attorneys defending consumers in lawsuits against creditors I will gladly change my practice. Frankly, I wouldn’t want to live somewhere that says struggling consumers are not entitled to defense from banks that benefited from large bailouts while average Americans struggle.
FBL provides an email as evidence that my firm directed Note World to close accounts but the firm in that email is Debt Defense Lawyers. Nice try Frank but that is not my firm. Additionally, despite your survey invoking my name I am 100% positive that my firm never outbound telemarketed any individual at any time. I do not employ any salespeople and I do not engage in telemarketing. Also, I have never guaranteed to eliminate 100% of a debt or any result as I know that lawyers can not guarantee any result.
I offer this challenge to any reader, call my firm and ask to speak to a lawyer. You will be transferred to a lawyer because we are a real law firm. Now call FBL and do the same.; you will wait on hold if you are lucky and then reach a salesperson. I have tried myself. FBL even sunk so low as to call my clients today and tell them I was arrested and in jail. I have affidavits to that affect. I have never been arrested in my life and find these tactics deplorable. When consumers have called me about switching to my firm it is because they are dissatisfied with a settlement company or because they are being sued. When they ask about debt settlement companies I do not even say anything negative because I don’t have to. They know what they have with FBL and its predecessor companies. There is only one reason a company changes its name so many times.
Lastly, despite moving my office sometime ago, Sunbiz.org is about 3 weeks behind processing amendments to corporate documents. You can call them yourself and inquire about the backlog. My amendment should be reflected in short time.
It is unfortunate that we have to engage in such a silly public feud because it simply makes us all look bad, but since FBL already has a tarnished reputation they don’t care who they bring down with them.
You are not alone. I'm here to help. There is no need to suffer in silence. We can get through this. Tomorrow can be better than today. Don't give up.
Do you have a question you'd like to ask me for free? Go ahead and click here.
I can always use your help. If you have a tip or information you want to share, you can get it to me confidentially if you click here.
- Lexington Law Credit Repair Gets Hammered in Lawsuit Settlement. If You Sell Credit Repair – Wake Up! - August 28, 2023
- People That Got Scammed by Robocall Debt Relief Company Life Management Services of Orange County to Get Money Back - July 7, 2023
- Consumers Charged Illegal Student Loan Relief Fees to Get Some Scratch Back - July 7, 2023
Interesting Connection to Hess Kennedy Lawyer!
If you Google “Debt Defense Lawyers” you will find George Ackerman’s Website http://www.mydefenselaw.com Then on his website you will see he list’s the attorney’s there listed(http://www.mydefenselaw.com/ab… and the only other Attorney named is someone named Lee Stein. Now Lee Stein was an attorney working at the now infamous Hess Kennedy case and was even supoena’d in that case as found here:
http://www.hesskennedyreceiver…
Now Ackerman and Stein have been running a backend with a multitude of branches supplying them deals. I am sure they have no disregard for the theft of clients taking place as they are just being greedy and counting there backend money. Remember, when Lee Stein and HK bilked the public out of $100 + million dollars he just unilaterally moved onto the next scam.
Where there is smoke, There’s fire.
Interesting Connection to Hess Kennedy Lawyer!
If you Google “Debt Defense Lawyers” you will find George Ackerman’s Website http://www.mydefenselaw.com Then on his website you will see he list’s the attorney’s there listed(http://www.mydefenselaw.com/about_the_attorneys.php) and the only other Attorney named is someone named Lee Stein. Now Lee Stein was an attorney working at the now infamous Hess Kennedy case and was even supoena’d in that case as found here:
http://www.hesskennedyreceiver.com/pdfs/hess_112008.pdf
Now Ackerman and Stein have been running a backend with a multitude of branches supplying them deals. I am sure they have no disregard for the theft of clients taking place as they are just being greedy and counting there backend money. Remember, when Lee Stein and HK bilked the public out of $100 + million dollars he just unilaterally moved onto the next scam.
Where there is smoke, There’s fire.
Lisa do something right and actually help the people that you and your company took money from settle there debts. All this time you spend blogging you can spend by answering the phone at work and helping your customer’s get what they paid for instead of looking ignorant.
Thats great…
LMAO, I really hope you don’t believe that. You can call it whatever you want but they are all the same and all controlled by Anthony Passero, his father Richard Passero, and Frank Passero. If Frank has nothing to do with any of these companies why does he take credit for the so called raid. The search for was done from a false filing from P&E, and it was served to the referral service. Frank Linder has personally taken credit for this.
FACT: it is the attorney’s responsibility to make sure any and all clients obtained are done in compliance to bar standards. Thanks again for a little more info to help us out.
So what you’re admitting to is fee sharing with an attorney, is that correct? You’re stating you FBL and it’s attorney’s made less the affiliate, yea perfectly compliant. These blogs are going to offer some pretty good info to the AG and Bar associations when the time is right.
LAWYER RESCUE! Any branch, client or employee who feels they were taken advantage by FBL/LGF/STF/ESP please forward all complaints and documentation to:
fblponzi@gmail.com
We will be compiling all information given to us. We are here to help you! Please forward this to all clients, employees and branches. All evidence will be compiled and given to the proper agencies. Thank you.
As a reader of these types of articles and beleive me I am neutral in what seems to be a vicious fight between attorneys and a debt settlement companies and their attorneys. In this case I will have to agree with the consumer attorneys in this case. There are several reasons why I state this:
1.Consumer attoneys (and there are many out there) have been solving consumers problems since consumer laws have been in effect by either settling legally their debts, Finding violations of Federal and State Consumer Laws ( and there are many different cases won against corporations, banks, etc just do a google search for consumer attorneys & case studies…) including most offer Debt Collection Defesnse. So all these allegations of a consumer attorney being fraudulent are totally unfounded. I personally found many major and reputable law firms offering the same services. I cannot see how a client can be misled, unless the attorney has guaranteed results ( which I doubt any attorney would do ). With that being said, What really seems to be ensuing is possibly The law firm of Evan S Kagan was actually
A. Suing or attempting to sue the FBL Associates group and other debt settlement companies on behalf of clients.
B. Attempting to recover fee’s paid to these debt settlement companies with legal letters ( Which I am sure that many attorneys are doing now on behalf of their clients). Due to the New Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act and FTC rules. That basically will put these unscrupulous and deceptive Debt Settlement Companies out of business. In fact one of the new FTC rules are that clients can receive a full refund of their fee’s unless their debt is settled.
2. Debt settlement companies for the most part are unlicensed, scrupulous, deceptive companies. That just leave debtors in a worse situation ( after signing up for their services)
leaving many debtors to file bankruptcy after deceiving their clients and telling them not to pay their bills while they rack up more interest, fee’s etc…. Please read more about this on the FTC government site. It seems that in this situation FBL Associates, ESP and all these companies are open to legal suits from attorneys, State Attorney Generals Offices. The FTC and many other regulators for their deporable deceptive trade practices. After visiting the FBL Associates website. It is even more deporable that this company is now offering bankruptcy serivces for clients that where duped by them into debt settlement and now basically reinventing themselves and deceiving clients all over again. ( There are many legal strategies and defenses using Federal and State Consumer Statues that even the largest law firms in the world offer within their legal services.) without filing for bankruptcy. Congress passed bankruptcy laws several years ago, To Discourage people from filing bankruptcy until it is the only option available ( Which only a reputable attorney can determine). It is questionable why attorneys who where listed on the FBL website as affiliate attorneys, are now claiming that they where not affiliates and never did business with them. in fact they should be investigated for false claims, But I am sure they have mastered how to falsify claims.
After all this said and reveiwed the facts of both of these companies and their respective attorneys. I beleive that there have been many misconcieved notions, and misleading information, and claims. On this matter, after visiting both of their websites and reviewing all theor claims and information.
I would have to come to the conclusion, that it seems that the real case here is that these debt settlement companies have nothing to lose ( since again most will be out of business due to the new laws coming into effect).
I beleive it is their last attempt to fight lawsuits and clients leaving their services to attorneys
and seems like they will stoop to about the lowest level of bashing possible)
It also seems that some disgruntled salesperson has stolen some leads from these debt settlement companies and resold them to other companies and attorneys as stated in other articles. I don’t believe that the attorneys really knew threy where stolen databases or lists etc… and perhaps where never told that they where stolen, this happens quite often unfortunately, and is certainly not the first case of this happening. usually involving disgruntled ex employee’s.
However to try to ruin a attorneys reputation in this manner is highly deporable and unconcionable not to mention they should be sued for publishing certain documents, that fall under attorney-client rules.
These companies should also be sued for defamation of character. and many other allegations.
As a reader of these types of articles and beleive me I am neutral in what seems to be a vicious fight between attorneys and a debt settlement companies and their attorneys. In this case I will have to agree with the consumer attorneys in this case. There are several reasons why I state this:
1.Consumer attoneys (and there are many out there) have been solving consumers problems since consumer laws have been in effect by either settling legally their debts, Finding violations of Federal and State Consumer Laws ( and there are many different cases won against corporations, banks, etc just do a google search for consumer attorneys & case studies…) including most offer Debt Collection Defesnse. So all these allegations of a consumer attorney being fraudulent are totally unfounded. I personally found many major and reputable law firms offering the same services. I cannot see how a client can be misled, unless the attorney has guaranteed results ( which I doubt any attorney would do ). With that being said, What really seems to be ensuing is possibly The law firm of Evan S Kagan was actually
A. Suing or attempting to sue the FBL Associates group and other debt settlement companies on behalf of clients.
B. Attempting to recover fee’s paid to these debt settlement companies with legal letters ( Which I am sure that many attorneys are doing now on behalf of their clients). Due to the New Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act and FTC rules. That basically will put these unscrupulous and deceptive Debt Settlement Companies out of business. In fact one of the new FTC rules are that clients can receive a full refund of their fee’s unless their debt is settled.
2. Debt settlement companies for the most part are unlicensed, scrupulous, deceptive companies. That just leave debtors in a worse situation ( after signing up for their services)
leaving many debtors to file bankruptcy after deceiving their clients and telling them not to pay their bills while they rack up more interest, fee’s etc…. Please read more about this on the FTC government site. It seems that in this situation FBL Associates, ESP and all these companies are open to legal suits from attorneys, State Attorney Generals Offices. The FTC and many other regulators for their deporable deceptive trade practices. After visiting the FBL Associates website. It is even more deporable that this company is now offering bankruptcy serivces for clients that where duped by them into debt settlement and now basically reinventing themselves and deceiving clients all over again. ( There are many legal strategies and defenses using Federal and State Consumer Statues that even the largest law firms in the world offer within their legal services.) without filing for bankruptcy. Congress passed bankruptcy laws several years ago, To Discourage people from filing bankruptcy until it is the only option available ( Which only a reputable attorney can determine). It is questionable why attorneys who where listed on the FBL website as affiliate attorneys, are now claiming that they where not affiliates and never did business with them. in fact they should be investigated for false claims, But I am sure they have mastered how to falsify claims.
After all this said and reveiwed the facts of both of these companies and their respective attorneys. I beleive that there have been many misconcieved notions, and misleading information, and claims. On this matter, after visiting both of their websites and reviewing all theor claims and information.
I would have to come to the conclusion, that it seems that the real case here is that these debt settlement companies have nothing to lose ( since again most will be out of business due to the new laws coming into effect).
I beleive it is their last attempt to fight lawsuits and clients leaving their services to attorneys
and seems like they will stoop to about the lowest level of bashing possible)
It also seems that some disgruntled salesperson has stolen some leads from these debt settlement companies and resold them to other companies and attorneys as stated in other articles. I don’t believe that the attorneys really knew threy where stolen databases or lists etc… and perhaps where never told that they where stolen, this happens quite often unfortunately, and is certainly not the first case of this happening. usually involving disgruntled ex employee’s.
However to try to ruin a attorneys reputation in this manner is highly deporable and unconcionable not to mention they should be sued for publishing certain documents, that fall under attorney-client rules.
These companies should also be sued for defamation of character. and many other allegations.
good luck with that.
you do a good enough job for me, j
lisam, stop making yourself look dumb!
Jimmy, thank you for telling everyone the truth, anyone that wants to jump ship call 954-603-5324 and we will get you the service you were originally wanted.
i think their should be a site for complaints and documentation from clients, how about…branchripoff@gmail.com….
I am a current client with Evan Kagan’s office. I was formerly with Lifeguard/Safetrust and had monies in my reserve account and no debts got settled. Within three weeks Evan Kagan’s office had one of my cards disputed and omitted. This is only the start and they told me to expect months before another one, but they did their job and have been in constant contace with me. They have called me more times in one month than FBL and Lifeguard did in 12 months. I can only commend them and can advise clients to do the research of both groups and jump ship as many are. I see clients were solicited and the lawyers at FBL have a problem with that. It was the best thing that could have happend to us clients. Now clients don’t need to be called anymore, clients can read this and do their own research and know to call Evan Kagan’s office for help.
I am a current client with Evan Kagan’s office. I was formerly with Lifeguard/Safetrust and had monies in my reserve account and no debts got settled. Within three weeks Evan Kagan’s office had one of my cards disputed and omitted. This is only the start and they told me to expect months before another one, but they did their job and have been in constant contace with me. They have called me more times in one month than FBL and Lifeguard did in 12 months. I can only commend them and can advise clients to do the research of both groups and jump ship as many are. I see clients were solicited and the lawyers at FBL have a problem with that. It was the best thing that could have happend to us clients. Now clients don’t need to be called anymore, clients can read this and do their own research and know to call Evan Kagan’s office for help.
Jimmy, thank you for telling everyone the truth, anyone that wants to jump ship call 954-603-5324 and we will get you the service you were originally wanted.
good luck with that.
Thats great…
LAWYER RESCUE! Any branch, client or employee who feels they were taken advantage by FBL/LGF/STF/ESP please forward all complaints and documentation to:
fblponzi@gmail.com
We will be compiling all information given to us. We are here to help you! Please forward this to all clients, employees and branches. All evidence will be compiled and given to the proper agencies. Thank you.
LAWYER RESCUE! Any branch, client or employee who feels they were taken advantage by FBL/LGF/STF/ESP please forward all complaints and documentation to:
fblponzi@gmail.com
We will be compiling all information given to us. We are here to help you! Please forward this to all clients, employees and branches. All evidence will be compiled and given to the proper agencies. Thank you.
i think their should be a site for complaints and documentation from clients, how about…branchripoff@gmail.com….
lisam, stop making yourself look dumb!
you do a good enough job for me, j
Lindner did always come to the office hung over, red eyed from all night strip club escapdes. He should have been there to fix all of these issues.
SO IF YOU ARE SOLELY A LEGAL PROVIDER, WHO WAS SETTLING THE DEBT? YOUR BOGUS SOFTWARE? PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE WHEN FBL BOUGHT LGF CLIENTS- YOU WERE SETTLING DEBTS. IT IS NOONES FAULT BUT YOUR OWN IF BRANCHES SOLD DEALS WRONG AND YOU TOOK THEM. IT IN NOONES FAULT THAT YOU PAID THE BRANCHES TOO MUCH BECUASE YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS SENSE. AS A LAW FIRM, YOU SHOULD HAVE THE PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE TO NOT ACCEPT BAD CLIENTS. BOTOTM LINE, IF YOU KNEW HOW TO SETTLE DEBTS, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE SO MANY LAW SUITS.
Concerned, i have a question for you? are you a negotiator for one of these backend firms that only take the 2.5%? You see you can’t just point fault at those that collected 12.5%. If you are a backend you had taken the risk yourself by allowing the frontsales to do the leg work and gather you all your clients to negotiate. Most backend I know are just eager to get frontend folks to bring business to their door. 1 company that earns 12.5% is nothing compare to backend that has 20 companys they service for at 2.5%. well bottomline is this. Majority of backend are so opened to take on anyone to sell for them but they lack proper training. Backend folks are so worried about signing up as many companies that they dont have the time and resource now to monitor each one anymore so of course you will see some turn rouge and start pitching a bad pitch to get a sale. You want facts, ever since the Schumer Bill was introduced, these FBL and ESP folks down in florida has been heavily recruiting other debt settlement companies to use them. Thats a fact. So remember, you are just as guilty as the next guy so dont go trying to make yourself look like the innocent one who sits behind his cubicle all day making phone calls to creditors to find a resolution when really your not.
As I first time reader of your website I find this particular article and commentary very disturbing. There seems to be a lot of people placing opinion rather than fact, former employees with ethical standards, (we all know what that means, you’re a “former employee†because you sucked. No other reason.) supposed branch owners (losers from the mortgage business that help create the financial mess we have today in the US).
This is industry has a short shelf life. The FTC has enforced new regulation that goes into effect in ten days and everyone is grasping for the final dollar on the table rather than address where the clients of this mayhem will end up. As someone who used to work in this industry I know the complexity of servicing clients who have been given false hopes through deplorable sales tactics. Example, elderly people sold into 60 month terms at the age of 82 when they live on a fixed income, telling people they would never be sued by creditor and my favorite, creditors will stop calling you.
What most people don’t realize is there two parts to Debt Settlement. The “sales guys†who make roughly 12.5% and the “back end†that makes 2.5% of the total 15% that is charged to a consumer. So who is really doing the most damage to the consumer, the one doing the work at 2.5% or the one collecting money at 12.5% calling shots from the bleachers, never having to get their hands dirty?
In my opinion, companies like FBL Associates and Evan Kagan need to be in business when the snakes are finally out of the water so they can do the business they have been hired to do, which is help financially distressed clients that have been sold into ridiculous programs. Anyone choosing to cast an opinion to what I’ve said is only supporting their own individual agenda.
Instead of mudslinging, role up your sleeves and get involved for the consumers sake.
Concerned
As I first time reader of your website I find this particular article and commentary very disturbing. There seems to be a lot of people placing opinion rather than fact, former employees with ethical standards, (we all know what that means, you’re a “former employee” because you sucked. No other reason.) supposed branch owners (losers from the mortgage business that help create the financial mess we have today in the US).
This is industry has a short shelf life. The FTC has enforced new regulation that goes into effect in ten days and everyone is grasping for the final dollar on the table rather than address where the clients of this mayhem will end up. As someone who used to work in this industry I know the complexity of servicing clients who have been given false hopes through deplorable sales tactics. Example, elderly people sold into 60 month terms at the age of 82 when they live on a fixed income, telling people they would never be sued by creditor and my favorite, creditors will stop calling you.
What most people don’t realize is there two parts to Debt Settlement. The “sales guys” who make roughly 12.5% and the “back end” that makes 2.5% of the total 15% that is charged to a consumer. So who is really doing the most damage to the consumer, the one doing the work at 2.5% or the one collecting money at 12.5% calling shots from the bleachers, never having to get their hands dirty?
In my opinion, companies like FBL Associates and Evan Kagan need to be in business when the snakes are finally out of the water so they can do the business they have been hired to do, which is help financially distressed clients that have been sold into ridiculous programs. Anyone choosing to cast an opinion to what I’ve said is only supporting their own individual agenda.
Instead of mudslinging, role up your sleeves and get involved for the consumers sake.
Concerned
Concerned, i have a question for you? are you a negotiator for one of these backend firms that only take the 2.5%? You see you can’t just point fault at those that collected 12.5%. If you are a backend you had taken the risk yourself by allowing the frontsales to do the leg work and gather you all your clients to negotiate. Most backend I know are just eager to get frontend folks to bring business to their door. 1 company that earns 12.5% is nothing compare to backend that has 20 companys they service for at 2.5%. well bottomline is this. Majority of backend are so opened to take on anyone to sell for them but they lack proper training. Backend folks are so worried about signing up as many companies that they dont have the time and resource now to monitor each one anymore so of course you will see some turn rouge and start pitching a bad pitch to get a sale. You want facts, ever since the Schumer Bill was introduced, these FBL and ESP folks down in florida has been heavily recruiting other debt settlement companies to use them. Thats a fact. So remember, you are just as guilty as the next guy so dont go trying to make yourself look like the innocent one who sits behind his cubicle all day making phone calls to creditors to find a resolution when really your not.
sounds like what legal helpers is doing too. they boast how they are the biggest bankruptcy lawfirm nationwide but yet now they are taking on debt settlement clients and will represent the client all the way to court.
You played an accounting role with these supposed activities going on and you did nothing until now. really! where are your ethics and morals as someone who works in accounting. basically, you have zero creditabilty.maybe your not their anymore because your just stupid?? or maybe you just sell your soul to the highest payer?
SO, YOU OWNED A BRANCH. WHY DONT YOU TALK ABOUT HOW THE BRANCHES MADE 10-12% OF THE TOTAL FEE? FBL ONLY KEPT 2.5% OF THE FEE FOR LEGAL SUPPORT. LEGAL SUPPORT WHICH IS FACT IS CAN BE SUPPORTED BY PROOF OF ANSWERS AND COURT HEARING THAT WERE ATTENDED. HOW ABOUT PROOF THAT THE BRANCHES SOLD THE PRODUCT POORLY… AS STATED IN WRITING BY THEIR OWN CUSTOMERS? OH, I KNOW THAT WASNT YOU. NEVER IS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE BRANCHES AND FORMER EMPLOYEES ON THIS SITE AND CONTINUE TO BASH BUT LETS REVIEW THE FACTS. FACT: FBL IS THE LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICE TO THE DEBT SETTLEMENT DONE BY WONDERFUL BRANCHES LIKE YOU… FACT: FBL CAN PROVE THE LEGAL SUPPORT THEY DO ON A DAILY BASIS,. FACT: CUSTOMER HAVE SENT IN WRITTEN COMPLAINTS FOR MONTHS ON THE DECEPTIVE SALES PRACTICES THAT WERE USED BY SOME BRANCHES OR AFFILATES. ..,HMMM ARE YOU ONE OF THEM. FACT: THE FTC CHANGED THE LAWS DUE TO ALL THE ABOVE TARGETING TO PUT THE AFFILIATE MODEL OUT OF BUSINESS FOR THE EXACT REASONS MENTIONED. FACT: LETS PULL YOUR BANK STATEMENTS AND SEE HOW MUCH YOU MADE OFF THESE CLIENTS THAT YOU ARE NOW TRYING TO PRETEND TO PROTECT. FACT: FBL HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH VITAL. LINDNER HAS NOT MADE ALL THE MONEY, FACT: THE BRANCHES AND AFFILIATES HAVE,, SO I GUESS GUYS LIKE YOU ARE THE REAL JOKE.
I would advise anyone interested in this topic to subscribe to the GetOutOfDebt.org site feed. There is more news on this coming and you have not heard the end of this situation yet.
Amazing! I owned part of two branches with these crooks and had to move to another company after monies always coming up short. Advice to Kagan’s office-post an email to get the true facts about FBL/LGF/STF/P&E/VTIAL We can not post them here. There are many branches preparing legal action already and this is a perfect class action lawsuit for ALL clients. I am sure they are scrambling to get debt settled now, but it never was done at all. Sever conflict of interest to form a bankruptcy company to put your debt clients in bankruptcy when they enrolled in a bnakruptcy alternative program. Another severe conflict of interest to own a business that sells a product-ESP and make a 2nd product VITAL to put your first one out of business. You can hide behind name changes, but be real. Lindner wanted all the money and is not trying to cover himself and blame this other law office. What a joke that guy is.
Amazing! I owned part of two branches with these crooks and had to move to another company after monies always coming up short. Advice to Kagan’s office-post an email to get the true facts about FBL/LGF/STF/P&E/VTIAL We can not post them here. There are many branches preparing legal action already and this is a perfect class action lawsuit for ALL clients. I am sure they are scrambling to get debt settled now, but it never was done at all. Sever conflict of interest to form a bankruptcy company to put your debt clients in bankruptcy when they enrolled in a bnakruptcy alternative program. Another severe conflict of interest to own a business that sells a product-ESP and make a 2nd product VITAL to put your first one out of business. You can hide behind name changes, but be real. Lindner wanted all the money and is not trying to cover himself and blame this other law office. What a joke that guy is.
I would advise anyone interested in this topic to subscribe to the GetOutOfDebt.org site feed. There is more news on this coming and you have not heard the end of this situation yet.
SO, YOU OWNED A BRANCH. WHY DONT YOU TALK ABOUT HOW THE BRANCHES MADE 10-12% OF THE TOTAL FEE? FBL ONLY KEPT 2.5% OF THE FEE FOR LEGAL SUPPORT. LEGAL SUPPORT WHICH IS FACT IS CAN BE SUPPORTED BY PROOF OF ANSWERS AND COURT HEARING THAT WERE ATTENDED. HOW ABOUT PROOF THAT THE BRANCHES SOLD THE PRODUCT POORLY… AS STATED IN WRITING BY THEIR OWN CUSTOMERS? OH, I KNOW THAT WASNT YOU. NEVER IS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE BRANCHES AND FORMER EMPLOYEES ON THIS SITE AND CONTINUE TO BASH BUT LETS REVIEW THE FACTS. FACT: FBL IS THE LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICE TO THE DEBT SETTLEMENT DONE BY WONDERFUL BRANCHES LIKE YOU… FACT: FBL CAN PROVE THE LEGAL SUPPORT THEY DO ON A DAILY BASIS,. FACT: CUSTOMER HAVE SENT IN WRITTEN COMPLAINTS FOR MONTHS ON THE DECEPTIVE SALES PRACTICES THAT WERE USED BY SOME BRANCHES OR AFFILATES. ..,HMMM ARE YOU ONE OF THEM. FACT: THE FTC CHANGED THE LAWS DUE TO ALL THE ABOVE TARGETING TO PUT THE AFFILIATE MODEL OUT OF BUSINESS FOR THE EXACT REASONS MENTIONED. FACT: LETS PULL YOUR BANK STATEMENTS AND SEE HOW MUCH YOU MADE OFF THESE CLIENTS THAT YOU ARE NOW TRYING TO PRETEND TO PROTECT. FACT: FBL HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH VITAL. LINDNER HAS NOT MADE ALL THE MONEY, FACT: THE BRANCHES AND AFFILIATES HAVE,, SO I GUESS GUYS LIKE YOU ARE THE REAL JOKE.
sounds like what legal helpers is doing too. they boast how they are the biggest bankruptcy lawfirm nationwide but yet now they are taking on debt settlement clients and will represent the client all the way to court.
SO IF YOU ARE SOLELY A LEGAL PROVIDER, WHO WAS SETTLING THE DEBT? YOUR BOGUS SOFTWARE? PRIOR TO THE SOFTWARE WHEN FBL BOUGHT LGF CLIENTS- YOU WERE SETTLING DEBTS. IT IS NOONES FAULT BUT YOUR OWN IF BRANCHES SOLD DEALS WRONG AND YOU TOOK THEM. IT IN NOONES FAULT THAT YOU PAID THE BRANCHES TOO MUCH BECUASE YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS SENSE. AS A LAW FIRM, YOU SHOULD HAVE THE PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE TO NOT ACCEPT BAD CLIENTS. BOTOTM LINE, IF YOU KNEW HOW TO SETTLE DEBTS, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE SO MANY LAW SUITS.
So what you’re admitting to is fee sharing with an attorney, is that correct? You’re stating you FBL and it’s attorney’s made less the affiliate, yea perfectly compliant. These blogs are going to offer some pretty good info to the AG and Bar associations when the time is right.
FACT: it is the attorney’s responsibility to make sure any and all clients obtained are done in compliance to bar standards. Thanks again for a little more info to help us out.
Someone clearly needs to get the facts straight and look very closely at FBL/LGF/STF/P&E I played an accounting role there and watched the companies co-mingle monies between all parties. They are in no way hsape or form seperate entities. If they were, how would they all have the same offices in florida, just moved from one to another. Lindner’s all nighters at the strip club when he came to town with the other owners was a usual thing. Hundreds of clients monies were held in an account where NO monies were disbursed as reserves. Do your background check on these guys, it gets interesting. They are trying to blame Kagan to cover themselves for having a software that does not work, few settlements getting done (when big numbers came in) and never once sending a letter to a client or calling out to them until this. Great business plan. Take money and do nothing.
One more thing, why didn’t they show the questions in the survey???
Most of the consumers were answering questions about the debt settlement companies that signed them up with Life Guard, P&E, FBL, etc… Not alot to do with Evan or any other law firm.
ok..i get it, your a disgruntled ex employee of pne/vital.. ok, so what does that have to do with fbl? fbl has gone above and beyond to show they are not part of the debt setlement companies such as vital/pne/safetrust/lifeguard/please reduce my debt etc..,.frank lindner has nothing to do with the staffing or anything with these companies.
One more thing, why didn’t they show the questions in the survey???
Most of the consumers were answering questions about the debt settlement companies that signed them up with Life Guard, P&E, FBL, etc… Not alot to do with Evan or any other law firm.
Someone clearly needs to get the facts straight and look very closely at FBL/LGF/STF/P&E I played an accounting role there and watched the companies co-mingle monies between all parties. They are in no way hsape or form seperate entities. If they were, how would they all have the same offices in florida, just moved from one to another. Lindner’s all nighters at the strip club when he came to town with the other owners was a usual thing. Hundreds of clients monies were held in an account where NO monies were disbursed as reserves. Do your background check on these guys, it gets interesting. They are trying to blame Kagan to cover themselves for having a software that does not work, few settlements getting done (when big numbers came in) and never once sending a letter to a client or calling out to them until this. Great business plan. Take money and do nothing.
You played an accounting role with these supposed activities going on and you did nothing until now. really! where are your ethics and morals as someone who works in accounting. basically, you have zero creditabilty.maybe your not their anymore because your just stupid?? or maybe you just sell your soul to the highest payer?
Lindner did always come to the office hung over, red eyed from all night strip club escapdes. He should have been there to fix all of these issues.
You are right FBL did not lay anyone off but what about P&E and Vital, they are the ones that opened the investigation to begin with and the search warrant was served on their behalf. The only MAJOR detail that everyone is leaving out is they served and searched a attorney referral service and no one was taken out, no computers were seized, and they were open just a few hours later.
P&E fired most of their staff a few weeks ago and fired the rest this week. Everyone involved is now talking so it’s just a matter of time before Frank Linder, Anthony Passero, Richard Passero, and Effrain are shown for who they really are and what they’ve been doing.
If you are a true not for profit and really looking to help consumers maybe you should contact Evan Kagan and find out what they are really doing. As a not for profit you can simply educate consumers in order for them to make an informed decision.
They need help or they wouldn’t be involved with these scam companies to begin with.
I think that is a great idea but the main problem is most of the debt settlement clients are being sued due to the lack of legal representation. You would have to have attorneys involved as well, to defend or negotiate a legal matter you must be lic to do so.
great idea
I have put this ball in motion,
NCDRP. National Coalition of Debt Relief Providers
Industry Assistance for Consumers in need…
A non For Profit Organization.
If interested feel free to reach out to me.
Michael Reilly, CDS
Emerge America
This is just one of many ticking time bombs out there…the problem…the consumer debt, under the management of many firms that has stripped the service fees early on… with little coming in to support the service aspect of the business, the EXPLOSION occurs. So, many folks are or will be left in a lurch, what do we do about it?
Here’s a thought!
We develop a group/coalition that is comprised of several volunteer settlement firms and in collaboration take these folks on and help them achieve what they set out to achieve. We bring in a powerful PR firm and go national with it. Done right it would be better than putting a cold steak on a black eye.
Who’s in?
Michael Reilly, CDS
Emerge America
This is just one of many ticking time bombs out there…the problem…the consumer debt, under the management of many firms that has stripped the service fees early on… with little coming in to support the service aspect of the business, the EXPLOSION occurs. So, many folks are or will be left in a lurch, what do we do about it?
Here’s a thought!
We develop a group/coalition that is comprised of several volunteer settlement firms and in collaboration take these folks on and help them achieve what they set out to achieve. We bring in a powerful PR firm and go national with it. Done right it would be better than putting a cold steak on a black eye.
Who’s in?
Michael Reilly, CDS
Emerge America
I have put this ball in motion,
NCDRP. National Coalition of Debt Relief Providers
Industry Assistance for Consumers in need…
A non For Profit Organization.
If interested feel free to reach out to me.
Michael Reilly, CDS
Emerge America
great idea
If you are a true not for profit and really looking to help consumers maybe you should contact Evan Kagan and find out what they are really doing. As a not for profit you can simply educate consumers in order for them to make an informed decision.
They need help or they wouldn’t be involved with these scam companies to begin with.
I think that is a great idea but the main problem is most of the debt settlement clients are being sued due to the lack of legal representation. You would have to have attorneys involved as well, to defend or negotiate a legal matter you must be lic to do so.
So my question is what is being done to protect the clients through all this back and forth? It seems as though this should be an important topic for discussion. An email from FBL that went out to all their clients stating that there were signed up under incorrect information is only going to cause wide spread panic among clients. There was no distinction in this letter what organizations were being investigated, thus leaving the question of legitimicy open.
So my question is what is being done to protect the clients through all this back and forth? It seems as though this should be an important topic for discussion. An email from FBL that went out to all their clients stating that there were signed up under incorrect information is only going to cause wide spread panic among clients. There was no distinction in this letter what organizations were being investigated, thus leaving the question of legitimicy open.
fbl laid off no one today or anytime in the last several months you idiot. i guess you cant read. October 27 doesnt affect fbl one way or another. We are here to do legal support for our existing clients and WE dont sell debt settlement. October 27 will help get rid of morons like you. re-read the article above, maybe youll learn something
Why would they allow Kagan to do the right thing, doesn’t that go against everything Anthony Passero, his Father Richard Passero, and Frank Linder have been doing for the past few years.
They laid most of their staff off weeks ago and have been stealing money from all of us affiliates and clients they can. Don’t forget the deal with the Russians Anthony, they haven’t…
Isn’t it funny they are actually proving Evans statement about Linder being another “Lifeguard” offspring and here they speak about Safe Trust, P&E, and FBL… They forgot to say Lifeguard and the owners of this entire scam are Anthony and Richard Passero. They can continue to “sell” it to Effrain or whoever they want (Frank) but everyone knows the truth.
Isn’t it funny they are actually proving Evans statement about Linder being another “Lifeguard” offspring and here they speak about Safe Trust, P&E, and FBL… They forgot to say Lifeguard and the owners of this entire scam are Anthony and Richard Passero. They can continue to “sell” it to Effrain or whoever they want (Frank) but everyone knows the truth.
Mr. Linder, where is the name of Mr. Kagan’s lawfirm with that alleged police report? With all due respect, instead of bashing a respectfull young attorney that is just trying to do the write thing, shouldn’t you be figuring how to compensate all the employees that were laid off this afternoon from FBL Associates? I can understand as a business owner, it was preperation for October 27, 2010.
Mr. Linder, where is the name of Mr. Kagan’s lawfirm with that alleged police report? With all due respect, instead of bashing a respectfull young attorney that is just trying to do the write thing, shouldn’t you be figuring how to compensate all the employees that were laid off this afternoon from FBL Associates? I can understand as a business owner, it was preperation for October 27, 2010.
Why would they allow Kagan to do the right thing, doesn’t that go against everything Anthony Passero, his Father Richard Passero, and Frank Linder have been doing for the past few years.
They laid most of their staff off weeks ago and have been stealing money from all of us affiliates and clients they can. Don’t forget the deal with the Russians Anthony, they haven’t…
fbl laid off no one today or anytime in the last several months you idiot. i guess you cant read. October 27 doesnt affect fbl one way or another. We are here to do legal support for our existing clients and WE dont sell debt settlement. October 27 will help get rid of morons like you. re-read the article above, maybe youll learn something
You are right FBL did not lay anyone off but what about P&E and Vital, they are the ones that opened the investigation to begin with and the search warrant was served on their behalf. The only MAJOR detail that everyone is leaving out is they served and searched a attorney referral service and no one was taken out, no computers were seized, and they were open just a few hours later.
P&E fired most of their staff a few weeks ago and fired the rest this week. Everyone involved is now talking so it’s just a matter of time before Frank Linder, Anthony Passero, Richard Passero, and Effrain are shown for who they really are and what they’ve been doing.
ok..i get it, your a disgruntled ex employee of pne/vital.. ok, so what does that have to do with fbl? fbl has gone above and beyond to show they are not part of the debt setlement companies such as vital/pne/safetrust/lifeguard/please reduce my debt etc..,.frank lindner has nothing to do with the staffing or anything with these companies.
LMAO, I really hope you don’t believe that. You can call it whatever you want but they are all the same and all controlled by Anthony Passero, his father Richard Passero, and Frank Passero. If Frank has nothing to do with any of these companies why does he take credit for the so called raid. The search for was done from a false filing from P&E, and it was served to the referral service. Frank Linder has personally taken credit for this.
Lisa do something right and actually help the people that you and your company took money from settle there debts. All this time you spend blogging you can spend by answering the phone at work and helping your customer’s get what they paid for instead of looking ignorant.