“Dear Steve,
A debt consolidation company contacted me by phone this week inquiring if I would be interested in reducing my credit card debt. I listened to what they had to say, however, I did not give them my credit card numbers or bank names as I did not know if they were legitimate or not.
They gave me the name of the company and sent me links with the company’s address, phone number, and background information. I cannot find very much information on this company and was wondering if you or any of your readers had dealt with Defense Lawyers, PA?
I do need help with reducing my credit card balances as I feel that I have no chance of ever paying off the balances.
I just need help finding a company that is reputable and works with the big credit card companies. Thank you in advance for your help with this matter.
Is Defense Lawyers, PA a reputable company for debt consolidation?
Gwynne”
Dear Gwynne,
Trying to define what people mean by legitimate or reputable is always a difficult task. It seems that everybody has a different definition of what that means.
What I can do is research the company and post my results below. But I invite you to do the same.
I would recommend that anyone considering using such a company should read the following free guides.
- The Ultimate Consumer Guide to Checking Out a Debt Relief Company Before You Sign On the Line
- 10 Must Do Steps to Find the Best Credit Counseling or Debt Settlement Company for You
- How to Check Out a Business or Company to Avoid Getting Scammed or Ripped Off
The steps I follow to research companies are laid out in those guides.
Defense Lawyers, PA – Background Check
The first article that caught my attention was Is Lee Stein from Hess Kennedy Now Running Defense Lawyers?
It’s also interesting that you and others have described receiving inbound marketing calls trying to sell you debt relief services. When people are contacting you to sell their goods or services they don’t necessarily have your best interest at heart. So being cautious is worth considering.
MyDefenseLaw.com appears to be the website for Defense Lawyers, PA. The ownership is hidden for the domain name. Curious.
As I wrote in 2010, the website MyDebtDefense.com, also leads to MyDefenseLaw.com.
The Better Business Bureau gives the company an A- rating and has 10 complaints listed with 8 related to “problems with the product/service.” – Source
The BBB also lists attorney Lee Stein as the principal. They say the business started in 2006.
According to the State of Florida, Defense Lawyers was not registered to do business until March 15, 2010. The organization was originally named Debt Defense Lawyers, PA. – Source
The company is now called Defense Lawyers, PA and Lee Stein is the CEO.
What is curious is the fact the Defense Lawyers website does not seem to mention Lee Stein, at all. In fact the site does not appear to list any lawyers affiliated with the “firm.” – Source
Defense Lawyers says they are located at:
101 Plaza Real South
Suite 204
Boca Raton, FL 33428
And their telephone number is 888-444-0253.
The Florida Bar reports attorney Lee Stein is eligible to practice law in Florida.
Address: 101 Plaza Real S Ste 204
Boca Raton, Florida 334324856Phone: 888.444.0253
Fax: 888.444.0254
E-Mail: attorney@defendingflorida.com
County: Palm Beach
Circuit: 15
Admitted: 10/09/2006 – Source
Lee Andrew Stein was a defendant in the case (4:08-cv-00109-CDL) against Hess Kennedy Charted, The Consumer Law Center, Laura Hess & Associates, Consumer Credit Counseling of America, Ed Cherry, and Eric Nabydoski. The class action case was later dismissed.
I’m most intrigued by the fact Defense Lawyers, a Florida company that claims to represent people in Civil Defense Litigation, Debt Collection Defense, Consumer Protection, Bankruptcy Law, Contract Law, Family Law, Real Estate Law, Landlord / Tenant Issues, Intellectual Property, and Traffic Tickets is doing marketing by phone to sell debt relief.
It does not appear the company holds a Florida telemarketing license to do so. A search for a telemarketing license did uncover some complaints filed with the state against the company.
I can’t help but continue to get stuck on the marketing. Another reader had previously sent me a message about receiving marketing calls from this firm as well. “I was sent the following in an email after receiving a phone call about becoming a client of their Law firm and having them negotiate a reduced credit card balance for 3 of my credit cards. Is this company ligit? They sent me another email wanting me to digitally sign and initial a contract. I did not do it.” – Source
If I was to take a wild guess, I’d say it sounds like Defense Lawyers is trying to sell some type of debt relief service, probably with an advance fee and these services may be called debt restructuring, debt settlement, debt negotiation or some other form of debt help. interestingly, debt reduction help is NOT one of the forms of debt help they claim to specialize in, outside of bankruptcy.
Please post your responses and follow-up messages to me on this in the comments section below.
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my experience with Defense Lawyers, PA has been horrific thus far. mainly due to the lack of communication and how agitating that has been.
my rep was/is supposedly a woman named “Ferona”, whom I have called numerous times, and have not ONCE been able to speak to, except only by e-mail. she eventually stopped responding to my e-mails, despite by efforts trying to develop a good rapport with my supposed attorney. how professional, right?
judging by her, Ferona’s,tone via e-mail, she comes off as quite cold and absent. pathetic.
everyone else that I have tried to reach by phone has been unavailable, every single time that I’ve called. even if you leave a voicemail, no one calls back. I am now skeptical of this company, though, everything else seemed quite legit, however, doesn’t mean that it is. I MUST admit that I failed to research this company prior to even accepting. going by what I’ve just read and taking a closer look at their website, definitely seems a little suspect. i’d proceed with caution with this one.
Defense lawyers they don’t help they only took your money.
don’t use Defense lawyers, they don’t try and pay your bills, until you hassle them, which can be difficult, I recommend using companies like Care One or Money Management Internal, they will ask work with you on what you have, and try to begin helping you pay off your debt
Thank you for your comments on this. I am trying to find a reputable company to help me with this or I am going to try to contact the credit card companies myself. I have not decided which is better.
I’d suggest you first read How to Get Out of Debt. The Honest and Unvarnished Truth, How Do I Get Out of Debt Quickly? Change Your Mindset, 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.
Defense Lawyers is a legitamate Law Firm. Only state licensed attorneys can elimate or reduce your debt. Care One and Money Management are just 3rd parties that try to settle your debt with minimal results.