Not long ago I published a story about how Nationwide Financial Center had charged a consumer $1,295 to join a debt management plan. Read it here.
Just a few minutes ago a reader completed a scam report and shared information on how they were charged $1,495 in a similar ploy.
The reader sent in the following email they had received prior to paying the $1,495.
Hi [Redacted]
I also wanted to provide you with the link to Member Service Provider’s A rating with the BBB.
You will see that MSP has been accredited with the BBB for over 8 years, and has been in business for 18 years.
40,000 clients have successfully completed this program, and I hope that you can benefit from our services as well. 4800 creditors participate in this program, ensuring that you will receive the lowest fixed interest rate possible.
Please take a look at this link, and then give me a call so that we can get you started on your path toward financial freedom today!
http://www.bbb.org/south-east-florida/business-reviews/debt-consolidation-services/member-service-provider-in-fort-lauderdale-fl-4009110
If you would like to research how a Debt Management Program will effect your credit, feel free to go to http://myfico.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/70 to learn more.
Here’s a video from MyFico.com that provides more detail on how Consumer Credit Counseling will not affect your FICO score…
http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/videos/WebVideos.aspx?v=KUBrRYQqVCQ
Paying your cards on time every month, and committing to pay your cards in full actually has the best effect on your credit. This shows the creditors that you have assumed responsibility for your debts. You have options to eliminate your debt, including Debt Settlement (which will destroy your credit because you have to fall behind on all of your payments), Bankruptcy (which I know you don’t want to do), continuing down the path you’ve been on (which clearly isn’t optimal since you called me in the first place), or Debt Management-which will permanently reduce your interest rates, keep you current on your payments, and have you debt free in 3-5 years max while keeping your credit score in tact.
In the end, I’m here to assist you in choosing a program that makes the most sense for you and your financial needs and goals. Please give me a call so that we can work together and achieve your own personal goals for 2011.
Sincerely,
Andrew L Smith
Outreach Specialist
Nationwide Financial Center, LLC
6390 Greenwich Dr #140
San Diego, CA 92122
(800) 901-3550 x137 Toll Free
916-308-6731
(916) 873-1566 Local
(916) 880-5384 Fax
asmith@nationwidefinancialcenter.com
www.nationwidefinancialcenter.com
The reader was subsequently charged $1,495 to a Discover card for a service he believed was required to join the debt management plan. The fee states it is for a “One-Time CEBA Membership Enrollment & Financial Education Fee.”
The reader said:
I was assured that this would not affect my credit and that I would be out of debt in less than 4 years. In addition to the $1495 charged to my Discover card, which I am trying to pay off, they will also be taking $49.95 per month bank draft until the balance is paid off.
The promise to me was that they had pre-negotiated interest rates of 5.99% and 6.99% with each of the two credit cards that i carry a balance on, compared to the 20-30% that the cards are charging. I spoke to Discover and they say this is not legal and they have never heard of them.
I feel like such an idiot for getting talked into this. I just want my Discover card credited back the $1495 and to stop any bank drafts (none have started yet).
What is apparent is that Nationwide Financial Center does not have a relationship with creditors as a credit counseling group, because they are not a non-profit credit counseling group.
It was actually hard to find the actual credit counseling group because the link the sales representative at Nationwide provided went to a company called Member Service Provider. How generic of a name can there be? Thankfully the BBB made a small reference that it was associated with National Budget Planners of South Florida, Inc.
According to the BBB, Member Service Provider lists their address as 6278 N. Federal Hwy., #289, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308. – Source
Interestingly, National Budget Planners says they are located the same address and also 4101 Dublin Blvd., Ste. F142, Dublin, CA 94568 and the company says they can be reached “Our office operations are from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.” – Source
In fact they portray the California address as their primary address.
That address returns a BBB listing in California that gives the company no rating. – Source
The BBB reports the website of Member Service Provider is mspus.org. There is no apparent address for MSP but I did find one on a newsletter they put out and wouldn’t you know it’s the same as reported by NBP.
Member Services, the name they go by on their website, says they are a non-profit organization.
Even though Member Services claims to be a tax exempt 501(c)3 non-profit organization the IRS has no listing for them. – Source
The IRS also lists no current recognized non-profit entity under the name National Budget Planners in their official publication of charities. – Source. So I called the IRS and they are currently recognized as a 501(c)3 and could not disclose to me why they were listed as not recognized as of the last data export in January, 2011 on their website.
The last 990 tax return for National Budget Planners that is public is for 2009. That return lists the website for National Budget Planners of South Florida as mspus.org the website of Member Service Provider. So it appears NBP is in fact the underlying claimed non-profit of that entity.
The 990 return tells us some more about this company. It shows the president claims to only work two hours per week. – Source
They state the revenue that year was $3,043,585.
On their annual return, National Budget Planners says they provide consumer education free of charge.
Which makes you wonder then why a consumer would be charged $1,495 for education by the introductory company if Nationwide Financial Center knew National Budget Planners would provide education for free.
Repeated calls to National Budget Planners at 954-785-8618 only went to voicemail so I was unable to speak to anyone there to clear up the non-profit claims. You would think that a company that claims to have 45 employees (see 990 return) would at least have someone to answer the phone.
I did find that National Budget Planners of South Florida was listed as registered debt adjusters in several states.
The president of National Budget Planners is listed as Bhopinder Singh. – Source. And then there is a second Florida registered company that matches the name they claim of National Budget Planners of South Florida. The people involved with that company are Bhopinder Singh and Porus Engineer. – Source
It turns out the mailing address listed for National Budget Planners of South Florida of 4101 Dublin Blvd., Ste. F142, Dublin, CA 94568 is actually the address for a mail drop at the Postal Annex.
Other information online connected this with National Family Financial Solutions, 866-665-3328, Financial Education Network – Source
My Advice
There is no need to pay to join a non-profit credit counseling program. In fact, fees about about $50 are illegal if charged by the non-profit. In this case it looks like Nationwide Financial Center is charging consumers for help and advice they could have obtained for free by contacting a nonprofit credit counseling group directly.
I would suggest members of the AACC for help and/org Cambridge Credit Counseling who would provide access to a debt management plan for free.
I would not recommend the Nationwide Financial Center program to anyone.
By the way, Nationwide Financial Center, Inc. officers include Amir-Ali Omid. Nationwide Financial Center, Inc. filed as a Articles of Incorporation on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 in the state of California and is currently active. Behdad Rad serves as the registered agent for this organization.
Amir-Ali Omid is also the registered agent of Landmark Financial, Inc. has a location in Irvine, CA. Active officers include Nima Momayez. Landmark Financial, Inc. filed as a Articles of Incorporation on Monday, May 11, 2009 in the state of California and is currently active.
To the reader, I suggest you contact Discover and dispute the charge. I would also contact Nationwide Financial Center immediately and request a refund. To make sure your bank account is not drafted, you should talk to your bank about changing your account number.
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.
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I just had to say thank you so much. I was approached by Consumer Benefits Alliance LLC (who a previous poster asked about). They do not charge an up-front fee but do charge a $50 a month “administrative fee” which they market by saying “Yes, you’re charged this fee, but the savings in interest will be greater than your fee”… They quoted my monthly payment to be $430 and said I would pay off my debt in 4.25 years and my credit score wouldn’t be negatively impacted. Â However, I read this article, and use ReadyforZero.com… and just out of curiosity, I put in the sliding scale that I could pay $430 a month (the same that Consumer Benefits Alliance would be using)… with ReadyforZero, if I could pay the same amount monthly- it said my credit card debt would be paid off in 3 years and 7 months. So obviously, even if Consumer Benefits Alliance is legitimate and could lower my interest rates, it’s not the best option out there, as I’d be paying them 5 months extra of $430, or $2150 more! Thanks for making me do my research!!!!Â
How about “Consumer Benefits Alliance LLC” ?? My dad thinks this is a legit service and I’m trying to find proof it’s not before he signs up for it! Anything would be helpful- thanks!
What state do they claim to be located in?
We are in WI, but their website says CA
A look at the State of California records shows the company is registered to do business in California as of 7-5-2011.
There is no registration for the company in Wisconsin to do business. Depending on the services the company is trying to sell in Wisconsin they may require additional licensing in Wisconsin.
What services and what fee are they trying to sell?
Not sure about the fees because they claim no “enrollment fees” and my Dad thinks these people are great so he didn’t say. debt management
According to the Consumer Benefits Alliance website at http://www.goconsumerbenefits.com/packages.asp?p=savings it appears their debt program is a $49 a month package of discount programs. See attached image.
Something doesn’t sound right here. Either they are promising your father a program they don’t deliver and they charge a fee or your father is mistaken. Either way, it would be helpful if you could get some clarity from your father about what they actually promised to do for him.
They told him it’s going to take 31 years to pay the min monthly payment on his credit card and somehow these people are going to make it happen within 4 years and a lower monthly payment that he’s paying now! HA!
Debt intervention would require a license in Wisconsin and they are not even registered to do business. It sounds like they are trying to sell him a debt settlement program. Run away!
If your father wants to pay off his debt faster and can add extra to what he owes each month they suggest he look at readyforzero.com/good which is a totally free program.
Ok, I have talked him out of it, but do you have any suggestions as for a non-profit place that could actullay help him? We are located in WI. Thanks!
Without knowing more about his specific situation I’m not convinced that he needs a credit counseling program. But if he does, visit https://getoutofdebt.org/4845/credit-counseling-debt-management-information-request
Otherwise if he just wants to dig out of debt expeditiously then some type of managed repayment plan like readyforzero.com/good would be adequate.
I’d strongly suggest before you leap for any solution that you schedule a free appointment with debt coach Damon Day and run through the scenario and let him guide you in the right direction. Click here https://getoutofdebt.org/talk-to-a-getoutofdebt-org-debt-expert-for-free/
The right # to call is 800-582-8839 which is the customer service dept for member service/nbp.
I am so thankful that I DID NOT just give away my account #! It is sick that these people prey on your good intentions of paying off debt. My husband and I have done snowball debt reduction for over 3 yeas and were hit hard this last year by unexpected expenses (medical and home/car reparis). We are not behind on payments but have not been able to pay extra since last May.  When your gut tells you to be skeptical, do it! I’ve done my research and I still gave too much information away, but drew my line at account information over the phone. I asked them twice for fees and qualifications! Got to stop here before I start cursing. Thanks for the information!
I fell for this even though I thought I asked all the right questions. I wish this post woulda been here in May when I signed up. I did not know I could get these services for free, I did some research but was really just freaked out about ruining my credit. I’m about 7 months in now of having paid off a decent amount on my cards, and them taking 50 bucks a month, I hope others take heed. Stupid me!
You can still reverse the charge on your credit card.
You should have never paid for the ccc in the first place.
You can still reverse the charge on your credit card.
You should have never paid for the ccc in the first place.
I fell for this even though I thought I asked all the right questions. I wish this post woulda been here in May when I signed up. I did not know I could get these services for free, I did some research but was really just freaked out about ruining my credit. I’m about 7 months in now of having paid off a decent amount on my cards, and them taking 50 bucks a month, I hope others take heed. Stupid me!
Thanks so much for this site! I received a letter along the same lines as some of the others I have read about. Not knowing anything about any this I gave the letter to my accountant who did some calling for me and told me she thought it would be worth it for me to talk to them. The letter said ” I had been pre-qualified to consolidate because of the responsible way I have handled my current creditor payments”.
Looking for any way to get out from under some of these high interest cards I called today and spoke with a Beth. We went through all of the cards I have and my balances,etc…but I did not give her any account or ss numbers. I just told her I would have to get with my husband before I could make a final decision. I’m suposed to call her back tomorrow.
I did however call back and ask for the name of the company ( it wasn’t on the letter I received). The lady answered the phone said “consumer benifits division” but when I ask for the name of the company she just kept asking for my case#. I hung up and got on line, where I found this site. Long story short, I went about it backwards I guess but thanks anyway. Saved me alot of head ache and heart ache I’m sure
I guess I can count my blessings that I was only charged $249.00  I cancelled my bank account and credit cards and reapply before any more charges was taken out of any of my accounts.. They have called me several times before and I just hang up, but this time they caught me in a weak moment. It will not happen again.
you guys are the scammers. I just looked up Nationwide Financial Center and Member Service Provder and they are both BBB Accredited. They have been lowered all my interest rates on all of my cards and have paid them perfectly for the past 4 months I have no complaints against either.Â
YOU SOUND LIKE YOU WORK FOR THESE SCAMMERS..LOL
Hi Steve. Nationwide Financial Center initially charged $795 to my credit card on 7/13/2011. Â I registered 2 credit cards, both of which they significantly lowered my interest: 1) 29.99% to 15% 2) 22% to 6%. Â They drafted from my bank account on 9/1/2011 and I have just recently received 2 letters from my credit card companies confirming receipt of and approval of NBP’s proposals (9/20/2011). Â I pay a little less than 400 monthly to NBP with a collected debt of the two credit cards being $17,000. My question is: can I trust my payments to be completed in their prediction of 4 1/2 years or should I get out? I’m compelled to believe their legitimate because my credit cards recognize them and have lowered my interest, on the other hand one bullet point of their paperwork clearly says “NBP makes no warrant, promise or guarantee to Clients as to the results that may be obtained for or on behalf of Client in connection with this Agreement”. PLEASE HELP! I think I’m in a little more deep than everyone else!!!!
Thank you for being here…I’m reasonably certain I too was scammed out of $1495.00 for a Debt management program…and a $49.00 monthly fee to be out of debt in 4 1/2 yeras….by a company calling themselves:Â
 National Budget Planners
 4101 Dublin Blvd. Ste. F142
 Dublin, Ca. 94568    Contact number 1-800-582-8839 Buisness hours 7:00 – 6:00 PST
I have called my credit Card company that they charged, and they have conditionally agreed to reverse the charge pending an investigation…I am more than a bit nervous about giving them all
my information…Fortunately my bank stopped the monthly fee..and I don’t believe they have any
other information that can hurt me…I will be filing a complaint with the BBB this afternoon. and contacting my bank directly as well…again I am so glad you all posted your experience so I could
confirm my concerns. I hope you were all able to resolve your issues. thanks
Linda
I as well gave them all of my information because they claimed of course it would be paid off in 4 years and it sounded like it would really help me with being over my head. He then told me that my credit card company would take care of the fee then the next person claimed I must pay for this ($695)Â and it would be added to my credit card. This happened yesterday. I have changed all of my credit card accounts, and bank account as well as have a police report. I also have an alert system on my credit reports. Any other suggestions? It made me feel a little bit bettter to know I was not alone. Thanks so much for sharing! This place needs to be shut down and I do plan on reporting to the BBB.
I was also scammed out of 1500 dollars. Ive reported  Â
this company to the bbb. also the attorney general for deceptive advertising and claiming to be non profit.
Nationwide Financial Center, LLC
Mr. Jesse Pine, Managing ScammerÂ
Phone: (800) 901-3550 Fax: (916) 676-4941 6390 Greenwich Dr #140, San Diego, CA 92122 info@nationwidefinancialcenter.com http://www.nationwidefinancialcenter.com
Also it looks like this company is using a different name don’t be fooled same scam company claiming to be non profit
http://cbdivision.com/
Consumer Benefits Division
1521 CONCORD PIKE DRIVE (US202)Wilmington, Delaware 19803United States
I’ve reported on Consumer Benefits Division on this site as well, click here.
I was minutes away from sending Nationwide Financial Center the first of what was supposed to be many emails providing my info in order to consolidate some of my debt. Then I googled them and here I am….
The person from NFC I spoke to on the phone mentioned that NFC was an “outreach organization” (marketing) for small non-profit credit counseling agencies that are not allowed to search out clients. I wanted more info so he sent me an email that has links to an agency called Consumers Alliance Processing Corporation (http://www.caprocessing.com/).
I do not think either NFC nor CAPC claim to be non-profits on their own websites, and reading this thread confirms my suspicions about these people. Thanks for the info.
BTW, Steve, are Cambridge Credit Counseling and Ready for Zero agencies you would recommend for credit counseling/debt consolidation assistance?
Jimmy,
Cambridge Credit Counseling is a good place to go if you need a debt management plan. And ReadyForZero.com is a great tool to use to dig yourself out of debt without a DMP. It maximizes the repayment plan and give you structure.
Thank you for the information and update. Glad I was able to help.
Jimmy,
I finally got a statement from ACCPros, the trade group that Consumer Alliance belongs to. Russell Graves, the president said, “ACCPros standards would prohibit any member from knowingly working with an agency that engages in these types of activities.”
To date I’ve been trying to get a statement from Consumers Alliance Processing Corporation that they are not working with this company.
This company Nationwide Financial Center scammed me out of 1500 dollars stay away. I have a pending complaint with the bbb AND HAD TO REVERSE THE CHARGES WITH MY CREDIT CARD COMPANY
Â
Address for Nationwide Financial Center, LLC
6390 Greenwich Dr #140
San Diego, CA 92122
 Nationwide Financial Center, LLC(800) 901-3550
Jimmy,
I finally got a statement from Consumers Alliance Processing Corporation regarding your statement.
“CAPC does not knowingly work with or accept referrals from any outside entity that would charge the consumer for entering  into a DMP program.
Â
Consumers Alliance Processing Corporation”
Do you have any response? Can you forward me that email you got to tips@getoutofdebt.org
Sounds like Consumers Alliance Processing Corporation is playing the I didn’t know game. They actively try to recruit debt settlement companies through spam emails. Nationwide financial center   uses the same Primary Contact as did creditrelieftoday. They all seem to be located in San Diego,  Sounds fishy!!
Â
Contact Information
Primary Contact: Mr. Jesse Pine (Director of Operations) has the same contact information as  nationwide financial http://www.bbb.org/northeast-california/business-reviews/sales-and-marketing-of-financial-services/credit-relief-today-in-gold-river-ca-47011416
Business Management
Mr. Jesse Pine, Managing Partner
http://www.bbb.org/san-diego/business-reviews/financial-planning-consultants/nationwide-financial-center-llc-in-san-diego-ca-171999755/
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/8003037920
Do you have a copy of one of those emails you can forward to me at tips@getoutofdebt.org
great info!! I recieved a very professional, legal looking letter, but…had no info as to who the author was..i called the 1-800 # it said national financial center, and i hung up and googled name, and found your article..thank you very much for the time spent researching this obviosly bogus company..and will gladly pass on and share this info with all…with todays free access to so much global info, it is amazing people still get scammed…
Can you post what the letter looks like? So others can be aware of what to look for,
I’m in the same boat. They have all my info and i’m so scared…….did they do anything on your accounts?
okay, I’m freaking out because I just did this all over the phone on monday. i haven’t received the welcome packet, but they said it was going to be 1495 to do. They have all my credit info, bank info, etc. I did clarify over and over that I wasn’t officially agreeing……..so, what can I do to stop this process and then protect myself???? Please help!
okay, I’m freaking out because I just did this all over the phone on monday. i haven’t received the welcome packet, but they said it was going to be 1495 to do. They have all my credit info, bank info, etc. I did clarify over and over that I wasn’t officially agreeing……..so, what can I do to stop this process and then protect myself???? Please help!
call your credit card company and despute the charge.
Put a fraud alert with the credit bureaus. And report to the bbb the deceptive letter you received in the mail in order to get you to call them and give all your personal information. They were recently accredited by the bbb so im sure the bbb would like to be aware of this. You will be helping by preventing anyone in the future from being taken advantage of by these scam artist.
Just watch your cards but I would be surprised if you spotted anything suspicious as a result of the action you took.
If you are still looking for help with a debt management plan then checkout one of the AACC member agencies.
They do have my social security and birth date
They do have my social security and birth date
Put a fraud alert with the credit bureaus. And report to the bbb the deceptive letter you received in the mail in order to get you to call them and give all your personal information. They were recently accredited by the bbb so im sure the bbb would like to be aware of this. You will be helping by preventing anyone in the future from being taken advantage of by these scam artist.  Â
I just want to say thank you so much for posting this. I almost signed up with Nationwide Financial Center they were going to charge one fee of $795 and then take over $500 out of my checking account monthly to get rid of my debt in 4 yrs instead of 13. It sounded so good a cheaper payment, then I decided to google reviews on them and found this. I called them right away and told them no thank you when John Cervantes asked why I told him honestly I heard this is a scam. He proceeded to tell me how they were on the BBB and I said well I am not going to go through with this and I will be watching my credit cards. Should I call my credit card companies and have my accounts changed or will everything be ok since I did not verbally agree or sign anything? I didn’t even fill out an application yet.
I just want to say thank you so much for posting this. I almost signed up with Nationwide Financial Center they were going to charge one fee of $795 and then take over $500 out of my checking account monthly to get rid of my debt in 4 yrs instead of 13. It sounded so good a cheaper payment, then I decided to google reviews on them and found this. I called them right away and told them no thank you when John Cervantes asked why I told him honestly I heard this is a scam. He proceeded to tell me how they were on the BBB and I said well I am not going to go through with this and I will be watching my credit cards. Should I call my credit card companies and have my accounts changed or will everything be ok since I did not verbally agree or sign anything? I didn’t even fill out an application yet.
Just watch your cards but I would be surprised if you spotted anything suspicious as a result of the action you took.
If you are still looking for help with a debt management plan then checkout one of the AACC member agencies.
The letter can be uploaded to me here.
Can you post what the letter looks like so we can let everyone know what to look for. Thanks
I’m so damn proud of you for checking them out. Bravo!
Contact ReadyForZero.com and look at their FREE program to help optimize your payments to get out of debt. Now those folks, you can trust.
Thank you Steve!!!!!!
I was sent a mailer today with no address (RED FLAG) stating I was pre-approved for a consolidation program for up to 16k of debt. I was told that they were a non profit organization and it even said it on the mailer too.So I called to get information. I was told by Micheal J. that I would need to give them some basic information over the phone so
that they could let me know if I qualified for there program. I told
him I thought i was already pre approved. He said he was going to need
to verify my information so I told him which accounts i wanted to
consolidate, my birthday, verified my social. The then got to the question of my bank account # I stepped on the breaks there. I told him I needed to find my check book since I pay everything on line (LIE) meanwhile he said he was going to send me some stuff via email. So I turned on my laptop and waited my meanwhile I Googled them and then i found this article….
I knew it was too good to be true. So when Micheal got back on the phone I stopped him before we could get to my verbal recorded statement and asked what were their terms and condition?, Were their fees? and What if I couldn’t continue on the program what were the consequences? That’s when Micheal’s tone changed over the phone. Micheal then stated that he was a profit organization and that they “work” for a non profit organization. After that he told me that I would be charged $1295.00 to join the debt management plan. The fee was going to be charged to one of my credit cards and that I had up to 120 days satisfaction guaranty. I then asked him for their terms and condition in writing…thats when his tone got nasty and he just straight out asked me “What do you need? What do you want me to send you? What will help you make this decision?” He then emailed me some BS which was everything he had already sold to me over the phone except in pretty little colorful charts and then said, ” I’ll send you the rest in a few min., but basically… we are limited to the people we can help so if you do need time to decide you have 48hrs to get back to us”   I told him, Well I’ll call you back if I do or don’t decide. He then replied, “Well if you don’t you… you don’t need to call back we will just take it that you don’t want to join and hung up!”ÂÂ
Thank god for people like you Steve. I know I’m in a hole, separated, supporting 3 kids and working my ass off to get out of debt but this really would of messed me up more because even though I’m in debt i still have a good Fico Score and that these days is all I have to speak for me. With creditors and with employers.  Thank god I didn’t give them my bank account or verbal consent to anything.
Thank you Steve!!!!!!
I was sent a mailer today with no address (RED FLAG) stating I was pre-approved for a consolidation program for up to 16k of debt. I was told that they were a non profit organization and it even said it on the mailer too.So I called to get information. I was told by Micheal J. that I would need to give them some basic information over the phone so
that they could let me know if I qualified for there program. I told
him I thought i was already pre approved. He said he was going to need
to verify my information so I told him which accounts i wanted to
consolidate, my birthday, verified my social. The then got to the question of my bank account # I stepped on the breaks there. I told him I needed to find my check book since I pay everything on line (LIE) meanwhile he said he was going to send me some stuff via email. So I turned on my laptop and waited my meanwhile I Googled them and then i found this article….
I knew it was too good to be true. So when Micheal got back on the phone I stopped him before we could get to my verbal recorded statement and asked what were their terms and condition?, Were their fees? and What if I couldn’t continue on the program what were the consequences? That’s when Micheal’s tone changed over the phone. Micheal then stated that he was a profit organization and that they “work” for a non profit organization. After that he told me that I would be charged $1295.00 to join the debt management plan. The fee was going to be charged to one of my credit cards and that I had up to 120 days satisfaction guaranty. I then asked him for their terms and condition in writing…thats when his tone got nasty and he just straight out asked me “What do you need? What do you want me to send you? What will help you make this decision?” He then emailed me some BS which was everything he had already sold to me over the phone except in pretty little colorful charts and then said, ” I’ll send you the rest in a few min., but basically… we are limited to the people we can help so if you do need time to decide you have 48hrs to get back to us”   I told him, Well I’ll call you back if I do or don’t decide. He then replied, “Well if you don’t you… you don’t need to call back we will just take it that you don’t want to join and hung up!”Â
Thank god for people like you Steve. I know I’m in a hole, separated, supporting 3 kids and working my ass off to get out of debt but this really would of messed me up more because even though I’m in debt i still have a good Fico Score and that these days is all I have to speak for me. With creditors and with employers.  Thank god I didn’t give them my bank account or verbal consent to anything.  Â
I’m so damn proud of you for checking them out. Bravo!
Contact ReadyForZero.com and look at their FREE program to help optimize your payments to get out of debt. Now those folks, you can trust.
Steve i just did the mspus.org. Help!
How much were you charged?
Can you post what the letter looks like so we can let everyone know what to look for. ThanksÂ
The letter can be uploaded to me here.
Wow….same exact story…I’m so happy I researched this company….my story is almost 100% similar to yours…I remembered the saying “if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is”….that’s what made me google this and lead me to this site. Thanks everyone…
I received a official looking letter in the mail from Washington dc. When I called I was told they were a nonprofit government program setup to assist customers lower their interest rates and had a working relationship with all the creditors.  They asked for my creditors’ information, balances and limits. I realize that was to see what card they could put the fee on. When I asked what the cost would be the rep said 49 a month it wasn’t until they transferred me over to a recorded verification that they told me the fee was 1300 and was already included in the payment and would be placed on the only card that wasn’t maxed. They then transferred me to the credit counseling group out of Dublin ca. Called members service providers. It was all so fast and sounded like such a great program it wasn’t until I started doing more research that I was aware I shouldn’t have been charged 1300 for this service nor were they part of the government.
Send them a certified return requested letter saying you do not want to move forward. Then keep a close on your bank account and card to spot any unauthorized charges.
They want to charge us 49.95 per month to my checking account for educational material and charge one of our Credit Cards (that will be included in the program) 1495.00. They did not tell me which counseling group, we are supposed to call back and talk to them. I sent an email saying I no longer needed their services and to not charge me anything, but they already have all my info.
How much were they charging you for and which credit counseling group were they sending you to?
Hello Steve,
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These people are trying to scam me right now. They have a bunch of our information already, but have not charged us anything. What do I say to them so they dont charge me anything. They did get a recorded statement from us.
@462004101cf49e9897056e02081a0d22:disqus What was the sales pitch they gave you?
I was scammed out of 1300 from this company also. They sold be a kit and didnt lower my rates i had to reverse the charges with my credit card company.
I was scammed out of 1300 from this company also. They sold be a kit and didnt lower my rates i had to reverse the charges with my credit card company.Â
@462004101cf49e9897056e02081a0d22:disqus What was the sales pitch they gave you?
Hello Steve,
Â
These people are trying to scam me right now. They have a bunch of our information already, but have not charged us anything. What do I say to them so they dont charge me anything. They did get a recorded statement from us.
How much were they charging you for and which credit counseling group were they sending you to?
They want to charge us 49.95 per month to my checking account for educational material and charge one of our Credit Cards (that will be included in the program) 1495.00. They did not tell me which counseling group, we are supposed to call back and talk to them. I sent an email saying I no longer needed their services and to not charge me anything, but they already have all my info.
Send them a certified return requested letter saying you do not want to move forward. Then keep a close on your bank account and card to spot any unauthorized charges.
I’m in the same boat. They have all my info and i’m so scared…….did they do anything on your accounts?
I received a official looking letter in the mail from Washington dc. When I called I was told they were a nonprofit government program setup to assist customers lower their interest rates and had a working relationship with all the creditors.  They asked for my creditors’ information, balances and limits. I realize that was to see what card they could put the fee on. When I asked what the cost would be the rep said 49 a month it wasn’t until they transferred me over to a recorded verification that they told me the fee was 1300 and was already included in the payment and would be placed on the only card that wasn’t maxed. They then transferred me to the credit counseling group out of Dublin ca. Called members service providers. It was all so fast and sounded like such a great program it wasn’t until I started doing more research that I was aware I shouldn’t have been charged 1300 for this service nor were they part of the government.   Â