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Oh Lord I am not their puppet-- the lastest on our lastest crisis
I am simply confounded. I called the debt counseling agency and they told me that I needed to contact the attorney myself and try to negotiate an agreement. The debt counseling agency wants an agreement that will go thru them- them paying monthly payments on my behalf. Me—I want to get out from under this debt and out from under this agency that takes a $50 service fee from me each month.So I put myself together, prayed and prayed and prayed some more—crunched some numbers, came up with what I thought was a reasonable proposal and called the attorney’s office. The woman on the phone was nice (but I’m careful- everyone is nice at first!) and I stated that I wanted to negotiate my debt with them as they couldn’t find a solution with my debt counseling agency. She then informed me that she had indeed started negotiations with the debt counseling agency but they hadn’t followed through- they didn’t get back with her with a counter offer proposal like she told them they needed to.
WHAT? – that was my response.
So in other words- when my debt counseling agency told me that the attorney wasn’t willing to negotiate THEY LIED.
Sigh. I about hyperventilated on the phone.
To make a long story a bit less long- the attorney’s office has not yet filed a lawsuit- hasn’t even started and is most definitely willing to work with me. In fact they gave me a settlement dollar amount that with some figuring and reconfiguring we could actually pay—and then be out from under this debt in THREE MONTHS time.
So I dutifully called the debt counseling agency and told them what I had arranged. Through a long and confusing conversation I found that the amount of money they are holding in my account with them (letting accumulate) – well that I negotiated too much of the amount and they couldn’t take all of that out of the account without it closing.
again—WHAT? – that was my response.
I was then given the run-around. I was told I could terminate my contract with them for a fee but that this would negate the negotiations they were working on –on my behalf. HA! What?
They said I couldn’t take so much money (my money) from the account because they needed it in there for their negotiations with the one and only other creditor I have on account with them.
She then said that right that very minute a negotiator was on the phone with the attorney working on a settlement. The settlement dollar amount is $300 more than what they had negotiated with me. When I mentioned that I had gotten a lower amount she again stated that I couldn’t take all that money out of the account and I needed them to do this for me and that I should not forget the other creditor they are negotiating with.
Like I could forget.
She also couldn’t give me any firm numbers because the negotiator was still on the phone with the attorney.
So- it looks like- bottom line—they want me to let them handle this negotiation (which they told me I had to do on my own this morning) which they’ve negotiated for $300 more than I did and which they will put on a payment plan that will take way more than 3 months to pay off. And I will continue to pay them a monthly payment that includes a monthly fee that they make money on. Not to mention the money sitting in my account that I am certain they are using to garner interest or some such thing.
Just this morning they told me their hands were tied and they couldn’t do anything about this matter for me and that I needed to negotiate for myself or be sued.
I do not want to be rash. I am working hard not to be furious.
My bottom line- I continue to be in prayer. I am asking God to show me what to do. Do I stay with this counseling agency and continue to pay them when I know they have lied to me or do I pay the termination fee and get out from under them and do my best to take care of these last two creditors on my own.
It seems simple but there is another concern—I’m worried they aren’t giving me the whole picture- that there are other hidden fees and that they won’t give me my money back. Also--- they have yet to give me all my paperwork for all the debts they’ve settled on my behalf and I’m concerned that in terminating the contract they will withhold it from me. Be it right or wrong—I am still concerned.
Oh Lord I need some clarity.
Please show me what to do, how to do it and what to say.
Thank you Lord for the light you’ve shed on this situation today and for your ever present help in my times of need. See me through Lord. See me through.
Amen.
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{ Last Page } { Page 127 of 1460 } { Next Page }Sounds very fishy to me...
2:55 PM, 2008-May-7 .. Posted by AnonymousDo you have an attorney for you personally? Maybe they have arranged the same payment you have and are taking the $300 for themselves - if they lied to you before - they may lie again.... eeks! I would be hopping mad too - my goodness! Wow - well, I do hope you can settle this out and get away from them. I would file a complaint with the BBB also - and you can let them know. the BBB will work with you and between them to get the matter settled. Often a company will come out and work with you once the BBB is involved - you can contact them and see - I've used them before and it didn't cost a thing and the company who wouldn't talk to me before - suddenly came alive when the BBB was involved and settled the matter quickly. Hopefully something works out!
Untitled Comment
3:39 PM, 2008-May-7 .. Posted by JoanneI have heard such bad things about these agencies... When we were in too much debt, we were able to work directly with our creditors and set up special payments with them. ~Joanne
Untitled Comment
10:02 PM, 2008-May-7 .. Posted by LynneAmy,
Call your state's Attorney General's Office. I don't see how this credit agency can make you adhere to a contract when there is nonperformance on their part. Maybe the Att. Gen. can make them break the contract without the fee. Good luck.
will be praying with you
5:18 PM, 2008-May-13 .. Posted by RachelHello, I've been following your story with the agency, and will pray fervently for the Lord to show you the steps out of this muddy mess. I do think that everyone reading will be much more informed thanks to what you have been so gracious to share. Your steady trust in the Lord is incredibly encouraging.
Prayers for you and your family
9:37 AM, 2008-May-14 .. Posted by VintageGirlI really think you should contact a lawyer ( for your personal protection) They will be very helpful and alot of times you can get a free 1/2 hour consultation. Wishing you the best in the coming months. Blessings, Heather
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