Case Information
- Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- Case No.: 9:25-cv-80169
- Filing Date: February 5, 2025
- Plaintiff: Dawyn S. Palmer
- Defendant: Cordoba Legal Group, LLC
- Legal Representation: Sulaiman Law Group, LTD
Allegations at a Glance
Plaintiff Dawyn S. Palmer accuses Cordoba Legal Group, a credit repair and debt settlement firm, of engaging in deceptive business practices. The lawsuit claims that Cordoba misrepresented its services, charged unlawful fees, and ultimately caused financial and emotional harm to the plaintiff instead of providing the promised credit relief.
Key Allegations
- Cordoba misled Palmer by claiming its services would improve her credit score and reduce her debt.
- The company instructed Palmer to stop making payments to creditors, which led to defaults and worsened her financial situation.
- Cordoba failed to perform the promised services while still charging substantial monthly fees.
- Palmer continued to receive collection calls despite Cordoba’s assurances that they would handle creditor communications.
- Cordoba engaged in fraudulent billing practices and attempted to have customers waive legal protections.
Legal Claims
✅ Violations of the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) (15 U.S.C. § 1679)
✅ Violations of the Florida Credit Services Organizations Act (FCSOA) (Fla. Stat. § 817.700)
✅ Violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA) (Fla. Stat. § 501.204)
✅ Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Relief Sought
💰 Actual damages for financial losses caused by Cordoba’s actions
💰 Punitive damages to deter future misconduct
💰 Attorney’s fees and legal costs
⚖️ Injunctive relief to prevent Cordoba from continuing deceptive practices
The Bottom Line
Palmer argues that Cordoba Legal Group misrepresented its debt relief services, ultimately harming rather than helping her financial situation. If successful, this case could have broader implications for credit repair firms operating in Florida and beyond.
Legal Disclaimer
This lawsuit contains allegations that have yet to be proven in court. The case may result in a settlement, dismissal, or judgment.
I literally signed up with Cordoba today. My gut the whole time was telling me not to do this. But I kept moving forward. The real thing that got me was when the rep on the phone told me that the account I had with a bank (which has a title to a vehicle tied to it) was okay to be consolidated and I would get my title in a few months. The loan does not show secured because I refinanced a couple years ago and it showed a personal loan, not a car loan. The representative told me to LIE to the customer service person that would be validating my information when they asked me to verify the bank loan was tied to a title of a vehicle. Yet I still moved forward. I called my bank after everything was done and spoke to my banker and he begged me not to use Cordoba and explained they sold me a bill of goods and my credit would be damaged far worse than the few months Cordoba said it would be. I have now canceled my contract with Cordoba 1-1/2 hours after signing the contract. I read this thread and feel like I dodged a huge bullet. Thank you for posting!!
I have been with Cordoba for almost 8 months and they take their 50% upfront (of the actual debt) fees first, before they start making payments after settlement, which purposely extends the program to the highest length, much longer than what they state. In my case 48 months. Out of the 11 creditors, they settled with the first one after 4 months and it was with 1 of 3 of the medium amounts of debt, $5k, which they took their 50% which wiped out what I had already paid in $2.5k. The next one was settled and the same occurred. Less than $200 went to the creditors but over $3k went to Cordoba. This went on to the 3rd creditor, the same occurred. I contacted them over 18 times via email and they would not respond to one email, although their website states:
“If communicating via email is easier for you, in most cases, that will suffice.” Do the math, if they keep on doing this and tell you, you are in a 48 month program, that is totally FALSE. The numbers don’t add up. You will be your first 24 months just paying fees. On top of their fees, which isn’t disclosed, they take out monthly fees of over $100 to just have an account with them. I also had the same as others that have responded. Credit cards that started at 0% or 2.99% and then went to 24.99% and even two went to 29,99%. When I made a payment of $300, $290 went to interest and $10 went to principal. So it is not ALL the fault of these “debt relief programs”, there is no cap on credit cards. I highly suggest making a deal with the credit card company, which I am doing now, (the ones that are not settled) but still “trapped” with Cordoba since I have already paid them over $3k and now any small amounts of principal will be applied to the creditor and if they do settle with another one before I settle with them, I will be paying that 50% fee before any creditor is being paid, or a very small amount. I have asked to cancel out my contract and leave the three that are settled but they want to cancel out everything which means I will be out the $3.5k that could have been applied to each creditor from the beginning and that is only with 3 out of 11. Do not go with Cordoba. Also, the debt relief company that I first was contacted by, USA Bright, stated that after I made 4-6 payments, it would turn into a personal loan of 8%. This is what canceled me out of the first debt relief with Turnbull and went with Cordoba. Again, don’t go with any debt relief, they all do the same thing but in their own method to take advantage of the people.
How do I join one of the lawsuits?
I have the same issue with this company. I made it perfectly clear on our initial call that there was nothing wrong with my credit and that I had been working on it for 4 years. I hadn’t had a late payment in 4 years and I had told them that I only needed to pay down high balances. They stated that their program would allow me to pay the debt down faster as they could reduce or eliminate interest. They said they would contact the creditors immediately and that my credit would take a hit, but a small hit and only for about 6 months. Well, my credit took a 200 point hit, all of my hard work over 4 years is completely gone. I wanted to buy my first house next year and I could have if the program had worked the way we had discussed over the phone.
I made many phone calls to them as the creditors kept calling. They said they would send the creditors the initial paperwork to negotiate. Well after 4 phone calls over 3-4 months they still hadn’t contacted the three creditors I was concerned about. My credit is completely destroyed and now I’m looking into bankruptcy. My dream is GONE!
Also, I had made it perfectly clear to them that I was not willing to ruin my credit and in fact, I was on the phone with them for many hours throughout the day before even fully signing up, as I was asking questions to further clarify.
I never would have signed with them if this was going to be the outcome.
On our final call I asked them how much I gave them so far, they said it was just under 1500.00. I asked how much of that went to my debts, they said $500! The other $1000, went to fees!
Me too…this is right down to what they said to me initially. Now they are taking $600.00 plus out of my bank account and my credit is totally trashed. Talking to any of those people is like talking to a wall except the wall has a chance of making a more intelligent response. Good luck with your lawsuit. I am watching closely so maybe I can file my own lawsuit.
I am currently dealing with a very similar complaint and will be suing them in following months. They are the worst
I am glad you shared this. I will shortly be having my own case against these people. I will help them if need be. I can attest to the same as stated in their
complaint.
I have just begun with the program and there has been absolutely no deception on Cordobas part. They have been transparent with all the fees and guidelines to the debt repair program. They, (Cordoba), actually showed me the discrepancies and misrepresentations of my previous debt repair program. i would recommend Cordoba to anyone,
I was contacted by Luis Levya in Phoenix, AZ. It seemed to be a legit debt consolidation company. What fees and interest rate were you given? Did they make the payments as promised?
michael roberts, i signed up for the debt relief program and am just starting. I feel like the agents were good in explaining. I also have printed copies of the entire agreement so that i can have time to fine tooth comb the agreement. i guess i will just have to trust and see.
thank you for your comment.
We are having the same issues with this company. Is there anything we can do.