Quick Answer: Nelson Gamble & Associates appears to be a scam based on a lawsuit filed by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine against Jeremy Nelson and his companies. The lawsuit alleges Nelson took upfront payments from consumers promising debt settlement services but failed to deliver, while operating unregistered businesses in Ohio.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit against Jeremy Nelson of Trabuco Canyon, California, and his two companies for operating debt settlement businesses that took money from consumers to settle their debts but failed to deliver on their promises.
“We will take action to protect Ohioans from unfair business practices regardless of where the business is located,” DeWine said. “This individual operated businesses that promised to help settle consumers’ debts, told them to stop communicating with their creditors, and took upfront payment before providing any services. Ultimately he and his businesses failed to fulfill their promises and violated Ohio law.”
According to the Attorney General’s lawsuit, filed in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Jeremy Nelson is the president of Jackson Hunter Morris & Knight, a Nevada corporation that represents that its principal place of business is in Newport Beach, California. Mr. Nelson was also the president of Nelson Gamble & Associates, which previously was a Colorado corporation and represented that its principal place of business was in Irvine, California. Neither business was registered with the Ohio Secretary of State to do business in the state. [Have I not been telling you for the last year how important this is?]
Every weekday I read the enforcement actions, filings and fine print the outlets skip, and turn them into the one or two moves that actually improve your position — a rate worth moving for, a fee you can refuse, a deadline to beat before it costs you.
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Through his businesses, Mr. Nelson advertised that his businesses could help consumers settle their debts. He advertised online and gave consumers the impression that they were getting professional services associated with legal counsel. Representatives told consumers over the phone that the business would negotiate with consumers’ creditors so that they could settle their debts by paying only a portion of what they owed. According to the Attorney General, consumers paid money for these services but did not have their debts settled.
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The Attorney General’s lawsuit charges Jeremy Nelson and his businesses with violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act and Debt Adjuster Act. Specific counts include failure to deliver, misrepresentation, and charging higher fees than Ohio law allows. Through the lawsuit, the Attorney General seeks injunctive relief, civil penalties, and consumer restitution.
“With the average American carrying thousands of dollars in credit card debt, debt settlement services can seem very appealing,” Attorney General DeWine said. “But far too many of these businesses fail to deliver on their promises and leave consumers in a worse financial situation.”
Consumers should beware of businesses that:
- Charge upfront fees over $75;
- Do not provide copies of contracts;
- Tell consumers not to communicate with their creditors;
- Tell consumers they will get them a settlement that would be more favorable than consumers could obtain on their own.
Apparently Jeremy Nelson gambled with Ohio and lost. I wonder if that’s where the name Nelson Gamble came from?
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Before You Sign Anything: Run any debt relief contract through the free Contract Decoder to spot hidden fees and unfair terms. Check the company’s complaint history with the Scam-O-Meter.
Compare Your Real Options: Most debt relief companies won’t tell you about all your options — especially the ones they can’t profit from. Credit counseling has a 21-27% completion rate. Settlement resolves about 1% of enrolled debts fully. Bankruptcy has a 95% discharge rate — and protects your retirement. Take the Find Your Path quiz for a recommendation based on your actual numbers.
i am trying to figure out if JHMK law firm is reputable. Some say yes some say no. Then the next question is how do you know if any of those giving their 2 cents are reputable? It becomes very confusing. How can you know if ANYone is telling the truth? just curious.
gathering41@yahoo:disqus.com
jim