I'd recommend Mezey & Associates as well. I was embarrassed to admit that I couldn't manage my own debts and too proud to declare bankruptcy. I didn't know of any other way out of the maze, until a co-worker suggested I call them.

We were overwhelmed with bills, a hospitalization, a car finally gave in. Then we missed a couple mortgage payments and were afraid we'd lose our home. So we really were at our wits end. I called them and thought I'd see if they could help us. I was really surprised that they could work within our budget. Other companies told me they wanted twice as much monthly. I told them that if I could afford those monthly fees I could pay my credit cards.

We settled two cards so far and just finally able to refinance our house. So, I am real grateful.

Alright employees of this lawyer,answer this question,why does your firm carry a F rating from the BBB?

__________________
Cajunbulldog
Keeping an eye out for consumers.
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm#809
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcrajump.shtm
http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com.../about216.html
Use this letter to protect your rights under the FDCPA
myfairdebt.com & myfaircredit.com-Good source of case law in forums.

I work for a debt settlement Co. and I just ran the numbers for 50K worth of debt for a lady in NY. 50k can be paid in 37 mothns for 850 a month with a debt settlement, or she can opt to get a seconcd on her home (she did not qualify for) and have apayment of $1400 for the same term at 9.5%, or she can file for a BK as a last resort.

The program works for people who understand that they have to complete it. If you can afford the payments don't start the program, its that simple.

User name has been edited to remove commercial or other web site affiliation - LCW

I believe all debt settlement companies get an F rating (it is the industry in general)not necessairlly
the particular company.

I did a lot of research before choosing Mezey and found they had less then 1 in 1,000 client complaints and were given a low rating by the BBB nonetheless. I called the BBB and they said they had seen some debt settlement companies shut down, and therefore rated the industry not the company. Further they grouped law firms with bankruptcy alternatives in the same category as unregulated, unlicensed, unbonded and uninsured companies, even though as lawyers they have to have such and are held to a higher standard.

When asked about the low level of complaints the BBB did say that it was remarkable considering they handle debt distressed clients. And, the companies that were closed down had 1,000's of complaints. Nonetheless, they decided to label all debt relief firms as risky.

Furthermore, I discovered numerous complaints and a ripoff report about the same BBB office, wherein the complaints said the BBB used strong arm tactics to enroll businesses as members, stating as a member they could avail themselves of the BBB's arbitration services and in so doing avoid all complaints. I also found their largest member sponsors were banks, that had no complaints whatsoever! That seemed real suspicious to me.

I took the plunge and have had months of relief. Now I don't bother looking at a BBB report on any business. I just don't trust their rigged reports.

please have an open mind before believing anything you read,pros and con,research for yourself before paying any company to run your finances,if you do your homework,you will see who is telling the truth,first start with fta,good luck

You're all your own worst enemies. Such losers! Most of you can't even spell STUPID. Unfortunately, that's what you snivelers are. Boo-Hoo!

I was with NDC starting Jan of 2006 for 8 credit cards. The first few months were used to pay their fees, and finally I started to pay into the "reserve" their tracking system was horrible and their customer service was always responsive but usually unclear of what was happening. This was a bit disappointing. However in November of 2006 they settled one of my debts of $7000 for $4000. This gave me some reassurance (Though when tax time came i had to pay taxes on the "3000" dollar difference because the credit card company filled a 1099 Misc on me.) Come Feb of 2007 NDC sold my account to Mezey and Associates. My reserve seemed to transfer OK and I was making payments to them now. But after reading this thread I am unsure if I should continue with them or just file for bankrupcy. Like others, I have been getting notices on all my accounts... though the calls have stopped . I called the Customer Support about it and I get relatively friendly people that also seemed lost. They take forever to find my file and when they do they seem pretty lost as I fax them every piece of paperwork I get from them. i doubt they do anything with any of it. I am considering bankrupcy now though the older program I was on remove a debt...

Any suggestions from someone in the same situation?

If you wish to have a Good Settlement company go with SupiorDept Services out of Colorado. I was with Mezey and either one is going to do the same thing for you, but you will spend less with this one. Plus they are part of BBB and Mezey gets a F with the BBB. I do not know about you , but that means a lot! Learn from others misfortune and use a good company!!

I have paid over $8,000 into Mezzy over the past 1.5 years and haven't accomplished much. Their customer sercvice is terrible, very rude..it is crazy. If you get mad enough they give you to this "Manager" named Scott who is either very stupid or actually believes his own bs. Don't be fooled. They don't protect you at all. I have summons' and lawyer's crawling all over me/ I have had a bank levied against me from a law firm. I sent Mezey the summons I receiced 6 months ago and thought they would handle it or let me know what I need to do. They did neither. I woke up one morning and had $1,100 missing from my account. Lawyers can take it right from you account...and if you change it they will find you again!!! Mezey now says they didn't get my email or letter and it is not their job to warn their clients when a collection is commin against us. It is our own jobs to watch for things like that.

So what does Mezey do for us they we can't do for ourself???? That's a good question. I was curious and started calling some of creditors to see what they would settle for...right off the bat a couple of them were ready to settle with me over the phone for 50% or less.

I am going to look over my contract very carefully again and see what I might have against them in regards to a law suit...Let me know if there is anyone else out there in the same situation.

We were simply looking for another page to Mezey and Assoc. when suddlenly we, low and behold, stumbled across this web site and what did we find, a lot of pros and cons. Now...hmm...What were we looking for? I think I'm more confused now than two hours ago. Will the real Mezy and Assoc. please stand up and give us your input or do we have to play hide and seek? Let's evaluate this: 1)Why is it all the positive short comments suddenly stopped once it was commented on the fact that they were short and probably comming from Mezey themselves? 2)My real big concern is, Why is the account information not accessible? 3)Where has "Hatton" gone to? We are really interested in reading more of your blogs. 4) If this is not ligit, is there still anyone considering to put together a class action law suit?

As a concluding thought, even with all the ups and downs of the questionable acts, I am going to go ahead and sleep tonight peacefully with not another thought of this long, I mean very long, confusing forum.

Oh, by the way, Cajunbulldog, we meant to misspell so we wouldn't make anyone feel left out. Please overlook this....

I finally got my refund from my reserve account from mezey it was short(26.00)When I join the mezey group in 8/06/06 I was 36,000.00 in debt. I believed the lies from mezey and was told that I would pay around 22,000.00 with fees included and be out of debt in 36 to 48 months. Like all the other posts theses are not lies but the God's truth. I sent extra payments over the next eight months 8/06 - 3/07 totaling 6000.00,3000.00 and 6000.00 and they also were taking 510.00 out of my checking each month. 8 x 510.00 = 4080.00. totaling 19,080.00. out of the four debts that I turn over to them they settled two. a 9000.00 for 5735.00 and a 8900.00 for 5400.00 and also took out their fees of 5100.00. I then asked why were theses debts settled for higher rates then what they PROMISE me. I still had debts from two other accounts THAT I SETTLED MYSELF totaling 25,500.00 and then relized that theses people were a bunch of liars. So when it was all over with I paid 31,000.00 to settled 36,000.00. I could have just paid the credit cards with the money and left myself 5000.00 in debt. Now I just find out that I will be paying taxes on the rest. Somthing no one never told me that would come out of this debt settlement program. THIS HAS BEEN ONE NIGHTMARE THAT I WANT TO FORGET. I AM OUT OF DEBT AND MOVING ON WITH MY LIFE. MY EXPERIENCE WITH MEZEY AND ASSOCIATES IS TO STAY FAR AWAY. DEAL WITH THE CREDIT CARD COMPANYS YOURSELF OR FIND SOMEONE WITH A HIGH CREDIT RATING. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS......

I have been with them for a little over a year and they have done nothing for me except take $6450.00 of my money and now I have 2 judgements against me, one of which is taking me to court to attach my wages. I will more than likely have a 3rd and I have contacted them and they have not yet replied. They pride themselves on being there to help and that you should contact them right away whenever they call you etc... I have sent 2 e-mails in 3 days and have not gotten a reply. Also, they changed servicing centers so they now handle everything themselkves, but they don't inform you of new e-mail addresses or telephone numbers. To be perfectly honest, I don't even think the "lawyer", Michael S. that I originally spoke with is even there anymore and if he is, he has never contacted me since our initial conversation. I am trying to figure out how to get my money back for breach of contract.

Why would you not check out a company very closely before handing over thousands of dollars?? Especially deep in debt and trying to get free??? I went to the NFCC and researched several places before decising on one...they charge me $25.00 a month for paperwork and that's it. I have not had any issues...or there are recommendations on this site also...far better choices.

You didn't mention that when you negotiated yourself that you would have to come up with the settlement money in 15 days or less! thats what happens when you try to do this yourself.