“Dear Steve,
I have credit card debt and lost my job and then my husband lost his job. He had 2 heart attacks and cannot find a job. I contacted Thomassen Law Group and I thought I understood their process, but I am not sure now. They have been taking app. $600 a month out of my checking and put it into an account, but nothing is being paid and I am getting calls around the clock. They said it will take 3 years and they will start making settlements with my creditors. I am sick that I probably didn’t make the right decision.
What do you think about this company? Have I made a big mistake. I just wanted to pay everything with a more reasonable payment. A combined payment.
Judie”
Dear Judie,
If you were both unemployed and he was recovering from heart attacks I can’t see how a debt settlement approach, as you describe, would be the logical approach.
From your description it sure sounds like a situation where the first solution would be a chapter 7 consumer bankruptcy. This would eliminate your debt in about 90 days and allow you to move forward with less stress and worry. Certainly that’s advantageous for someone that just survived two heart attacks.
Here is the interesting thing about the Thomassen Law Group website that raises a number of red flags for me. While there is a Marilyn Thomassen that is a lawyer in California, she lists her address as 1918 Dover Drive, New Port Beach, CA and her phone number as 877-262-7775. That contact information does not match the address of the Thomassen law Group
According to the State of California there is no company under the name Thomassen Law Group that is registered to do business.
The address listed for the company, 402 W Broadway, Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92101 is a virtual office and there is no way to know if that is the actual physical office address. – Source
The domain ownership is hidden and you can’t identify who actually owns the domain name.
Even the Thomassen Law Group website does not specifically state Marilyn Thomassen is licensed to practice law in California and you’d have to check to see if she is licensed to practice law in your state. – Source
The lawyers page on their website does not specifically state who the lawyers are. – Source
It wasn’t until I went to the BBB report that there was any specific statement that Marilyn R. Thomassen is listed as president and her California Bar license number is 166309. – Source
At the very least, it would be worth it to identify the licensed attorney in your state that is representing you.
I’d suggest you first read How to Get Out of Debt. The Honest and Unvarnished Truth and The Truth About The Success Rates, Failure Rates and Completion Rates of Credit Counseling, Debt Settlement, and Bankruptcy. They will give you a great overview of what we need to deal with to get you moving in the right direction.
Then use the free How to Get Out of Debt Calculator to review your options.
Once you’ve identified a company you want to work with, then follow my step-by-step guide on what you should look for and expect from a good debt relief company.
Please post your responses and follow-up messages to me on this in the comments section below.
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I have been with the program for 30 months and have had none of the problems that I’ve seen described in this letter or the other one I read on this blog. The program has gone as described and the closest thing I’ve had to a problem is that a new account manager called my home number after I asked that I be contacted on my cell phone. My debts have been charged off and my credit score is rising. I have recommended this program to a few people and they have been happy as well. I checked with the BBB and a few other agencies before signing on.
All Judie needs to do is contact her account manager. If a bankruptcy is needed we can certainly go that route. She may also ask for the name of our partner attorney in her State, nothing to hide hear. Keep in mind that we are 100% performance based with no upfront or monthly fees of any kind. Steve, I know we been down this road before, I have even sent you our updated agreement. We make no money unless we are successful. There is really no red flag with us. As far as your question of the conflicting addresses. I mean really? Marilyn lives in Newport Beach and the has multiple office throughout the State. Listen Steve, I know you are trying to do a great service. However, you really have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to Thomassen Law Group. We are fully compliant and actually very successful with our program. I do have a question I would like you to answer if it’s not a problem. What is your financial and legal background that gives you the authority to advise someone on legal and financial matters. I would like the public to know what degrees you have and what law school you graduated from. I am not trying to be condescending in any way at all. I just think that you should demonstrate to your readers how you are better equipped than an attorney to advise on the matter.
Keep up the good work
I don’t believe there is anything in my answer that requires a legal background. It is all public record information.
If you’d like to know more about me see https://getoutofdebt.org//about-steve-rhode/
Is 402 W Broadway, Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92101 the office all the employees work in? That was not clear from my research.
I listed my red flags in the article. They were issues that concerned me. If they don’t concern you then what’s the big deal?
You say you are very successful. I’d be interested in your publishing your actual performance numbers then. please share.