I recently spoke with a DDS representative, and he sounded somewhat shady. He basically told me he could NOT help me unless I was willing to close my account. When I told him that closing my account would exacerbate my problems, because I would have difficulty paying rent and other bills, he said,
"If you can find another solution, then please let me know, because I don't know of any other one. I understand your concerns but that's the only way. Listen, I have all of my bills connected to my bank account so I understand." I told him my attorney friend suggested a reputable CCCS company and told him the web address, he said,
"Hmm, never heard of them, I have to check them out." I also told him my attorney ADVISED against closing my checking account. He told me that he'd been doing this for years and this was the ONLY way to help get me started and he wasn't w dilling to help me unless I closed my account at this particular bank, which I love.
I told him if he couldn't work around me keeping my account open, then he wasn't worth the $229 he was charging. Oh, and he also chuckled when I asked him what his asking price was. I relayed the strange call to my attorney friend, and she told me not to use the company and that there are in fact CCCS companies that will help you for FREE. The attorney friend of mine said many of these companies are banking off of PDL customers and are making a killing off of this industry. Because they know people get into binds with PDL companies and are desperate. That they're no better than the lenders. She said one of her clients commissioned a company to help her consolidate her loans. She said they gave her similar advise, took their fee, and didn't do anything for her, so the lenders were still on her case. And when they tried to contact the company that was supposed to help her consolidate her loans, the number had changed.
It's better to hire an attorney, or if you have a friend who's an attorney, to write a cease and desist letter to send to the lenders. Essentially that's what these companies are doing, and are charging ridiculous fees to do that same thing.
Find a reputable Consumer credit counseling company to help you. Look them up on the Better Business Bureau or go to a Bankruptcy site (usually found on any superior court website).
I'm in the same situation, and my friend has given me some valuable advise for FREE.
One website she suggested was: Moneymanagement dot org
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