For some reason there has been a resurrection of a previously sent debt settlement flyer. The flyer makes all sorts of promises about magical debt reduction but it certainly appears to be nothing more than a shining example of the type of debt relief marketing material that was made illegal under the FTC telemarketing sales rules.
This particular mailer is labeled 16-CCHP with a phone number of 866-223-9616.
The flyer says it is for “The 2011 Credit Card Assistance Program” and that national benefits are limited by the 2010 Economic Stimulus Package. The funny part is on the bottom of the flyer they even change to fictitious program name to “The Credit Card Assistance Program of 2011.” So which is it?
The fine print says “You have been selected to participate in a Credit Card Assistance Program due to your nomination by 1 or more of your creditors. Acceptance into the program is not guaranteed due to the limited amount of funds. Benefits will be awarded on a first come first serve basis. Program will end when funds are depleted.”
Here is what you need to know about this mailer, It’s All a Lie.
The mailer promises:
- Immediate reduction of payments to 60%
- Eliminate and reduce credit card debt in 12 to 36 months
- Restore your credit rating by avoiding bankruptcy
- No interest charges accrue from enrollment start date
- Make only 1 payment per month
- Avoid costly debt management or credit counseling
- Stop harassing calls from creditors and bill collectors.
Rather than go into those items line-by-line let me sum that up saying it’s most just flat out not true.
I called the number on the flyer and it turns out to be a third-party group. You can listen to my call below.
You can hear the rep say two of the programs they are pushing are “government programs.” He says those pretend government programs are through a nonprofit credit counseling program and one is through a law firm.
You will hear the representative did not want to tell me who the underlying companies were nor was he willing to help guide me to the right solution for me based on the consumers situation.
If you or someone you know gets this flyer, tell them to trash it.
You can see previous examples of this deceptive flyer, here and here.
If you have received this flyer and talked to the representative, please post the names of the companies they wanted to refer you to. You can post information in the comments below.
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I called yesterday and spoke with Scott as I received the exact mailer. He said they are a group of lawyers in San Diego. He gave me his personal direct dial number ( 888-253-3715 Ext. 233) so that I may call him back to review the “contract” on line. I did not feel comfortable being pushed to sign up last night so I set up an appointment for today at 4:00 p.m. After doeing my research, I read your post and decided not to answer the call. Who can we report these people to? They are contacting people who have lost their jobs and have limited income due to being underemployed. I want to report them.
I called yesterday and spoke with Scott as I received the exact mailer. He said they are a group of lawyers in San Diego. He gave me his personal direct dial number ( 888-253-3715 Ext. 233) so that I may call him back to review the “contract” on line. I did not feel comfortable being pushed to sign up last night so I set up an appointment for today at 4:00 p.m. After doeing my research, I read your post and decided not to answer the call. Who can we report these people to? They are contacting people who have lost their jobs and have limited income due to being underemployed. I want to report them. Â
Thanks for this article. I had gotten the same flier in the mail, exactly the same except for the phone # which is 1-888-384-6896. Was thinking of calling but wondering if it was all too good to be true. Thanks again.
Thanks for this article. I had gotten the same flier in the mail, exactly the same except for the phone # which is 1-888-384-6896. Was thinking of calling but wondering if it was all too good to be true. Thanks again.
Well you know that any advertising (pretty much) for a law firm must be done according to State Bar rules- Certainly anything deceptive would be grounds for a hearing on disbarment- Also, every state Bar i’ve seen, demands conspicuous information on the firm be ON THE MAILER.
I suppose the firm mailing this out could claim “stupidity” but they would have to be advertising for multiple law firms- The FACT that it’s ONE (love to know which one… Whacker Dr…) says Bar rules ignored all over it-
Would also love to know who the Non Profit is- Of course the mailer says “Avoid costly Credit Counseling”.
We all know there are NO government programs…. Nothing on the mailer is sincere & either is the salesperson. So, They are selling products of one of 2 companies & they WONT say who the companies are??????? What person in their right mind would trust that?
If I was at the CFPB I would be all over this- EASY EASY EASY one to make an example out of…. And if I was the lawfirm attached to it (These “lawfirms” really need to STOP using sales companies- FEEEEEEEEEEE SPLITTTTTTTTTTING) I would be firing this sales company RIGHT NOW.
Any law firm using sales companies will not be worth a damn. That’s NOT why we went to law school. We went for a bunch of different reasons, but running a telemarketing scam…. Probably can’t find one lawyer who went for that.
Use performance based debt settlement, accredited & licensed non-profit credit counselors or a local bankruptcy attorney. There is no magic government program! Mr. Obama gave our $ right to the banks… We don’t get any of it!
Well you know that any advertising (pretty much) for a law firm must be done according to State Bar rules- Certainly anything deceptive would be grounds for a hearing on disbarment- Also, every state Bar i’ve seen, demands conspicuous information on the firm be ON THE MAILER.
I suppose the firm mailing this out could claim “stupidity” but they would have to be advertising for multiple law firms- The FACT that it’s ONE (love to know which one… Whacker Dr…) says Bar rules ignored all over it-
Would also love to know who the Non Profit is- Of course the mailer says “Avoid costly Credit Counseling”.
We all know there are NO government programs…. Nothing on the mailer is sincere & either is the salesperson. So, They are selling products of one of 2 companies & they WONT say who the companies are??????? What person in their right mind would trust that?
If I was at the CFPB I would be all over this- EASY EASY EASY one to make an example out of…. And if I was the lawfirm attached to it (These “lawfirms” really need to STOP using sales companies- FEEEEEEEEEEE SPLITTTTTTTTTTING) I would be firing this sales company RIGHT NOW.
Any law firm using sales companies will not be worth a damn. That’s NOT why we went to law school. We went for a bunch of different reasons, but running a telemarketing scam…. Probably can’t find one lawyer who went for that.
Use performance based debt settlement, accredited & licensed non-profit credit counselors or a local bankruptcy attorney. There is no magic government program! Mr. Obama gave our $ right to the banks… We don’t get any of it!