Federal Debt Relief Program - Has it been helpful to consumers?

Piz-FDRS in itself was not involved. We were connected to their legal department who handled it with us. This is a 3rd party. Appropriate responses were sent to us to send to the creditors and courts. This cost us a bit because everytime we had to file something with the courts we had to pay court fees of over $300. I do believe this was unnecessary had we responded as we were instructed. I do have to say that you need to have good intelligence to get through the paperwork. If you get there READ every word - twice! I believe they would have assigned a lawyer if there was a real need. Court did not go totally well for us - we hesitated because of miscommunication with the legal department - didn't respond to the creditors in timely manner and so on. Looking back - their advice was awesome - we fu*** it up by questioning too much and by not trusting that they knew what they were doing. It was difficult for us because we were unable to talk to anyone from the legal department on the phone. It was stressful because FDRS was not answering our phone calls or e-mails either. They were good during our first six or seven months but not since. When I think about it - I wonder why we didn't quit. I think this organization runs the risk of losing many of its customers because of their lack communication. Ultimately, we have 2 judgements which we are assured will go away. We'll see. We're in it til the end. My advice - do as you're told without asking too many questions. Sorry -probably more than you want to know.

Mike - Do you have a picture of someone crossing their fingers - hoping for the best? Otherwise - the gradboy is fine. I will graduate from FDRS university soon!

Who Knows----Thanks!!! I appreciate the info.I wonder why it was it so difficult to talk to the legal dept.?? I have a feeling I'm going to court. The disputes letters were sent a little over 30 days ago and I'm waiting for some correspondence from the creditors. The creditors are either going to validate the debt or have a judgement against me. Did any of the creditors actually validate your debts--with a signed loan agreement between yourself and them?

Piz - most of the creditors will not admit they got a letter of dispute. Others will will respond - the major ones - and say that your account was opened so long ago that they no longer have signatures on file. More advice - keep everything you get on file by creditor - you will need it later. By the way, FDRS will not give you a copy of the letter but believe me-they've sent a good one. I got a copy from one of the creditors as we were dealing with court stuff. About judgements - creditors will tell you they can put a judgement on you. They will ask the court to do this only if you don't respond to their legal papers in timely manner. If I were to do this again -which I won't - I would stay out of court by doing as the legal department instructs. Check your e-mail everyday. At one point we didn't check for three weeks and consequently missed an important opportunity to stay out of court. FDRS doesn't tell you all this stuff. Good luck ! and don't let the stress get to you. By the way, do you have a tape recorder attached to your phone? Radio Shack has a good one. Glad to help. I wish I had someone above me who could give some insights!

Who Knows-- Thanks again. You have made me feel so much better. I have a tape recorder but not attached to the phone. I will look into that. Sounds like FDRS has done what they claim they will do---except return phone calls, etc. The client care dept. has also instructed me to check my e-mail. Soon this will be over for yourself and family but I hope you feel you made the right decision because you have. FDRS never said it was going to be easy. I hope I can be there for someone else like you have been for me. I cannot thank you enough!! I will let you know when the creditors respond. It's funny, I haven't gotten any phone calls(3 weeks) from the creditors. The waiting game is killing me.

Okay, people. I am getting out! I have sent a letter requesting stop payment, as my bank informed me I had to do this. It is about time to have a payment taken out of my account, we will see how respectable they are, as I have also asked for a full refund of my money. I don't know about the rest of you, but when I have attorneys from my home state calling ready to file a lawsuit against me, I don't really want to face that alone and if they are all they say they are, they would step-up to the plate and answer calls and correspondence's. I am NOT comfortable giving my money to someone that just tells me not to worry and keep track of everything. I believe if they were really sincere, they would handle this in a more proffessional manner. Do as you will, but I smell SCAM and I never thought I would fall into such a mess....

Action- Been there thought about doing that. Thought about doing that again. Good luck to you but remember - nothing that comes easy is really worth anything. I will take the liberty to ask you to look back at your life and answer honestly to yourself. Do you quit things when they become difficult or when you don't get the response you want or need? Has it worked for you? I don't mean to be disrespectful of you. Please accept my apology. I will add that we didn't really begin learning until we had to go to court. We had attorneys from our home state threatening to sue us and actually suing us. They didn't show up at court. Even if they had -the information the legal department gives you will empower you to the point of anger and most importantly, to the point of taking them on without the jitters - assuming you have good intelligence and can get through the reading and research you will have to do. Don't take this personally. I was just surprised at what they expected the average very stressed joe to read and do. What's the worse that could happen if you go to court? Think about it. I do see where you're coming from. I too would like FDRS to treat us with more respect and curtesy. After all - they do say that our peace of mind is important to them. Like I said - been there.

Action--Don't give up!!!Have the attorneys sent you anything in writing? Have you faxed the info to FDRS? Call the client care dept. and they will get you in touch with the legal dept. It's going to be hard but you can do this. You have to believe in what this all stands for. You are scared and I don't blame you but you have to try and fight back! The attorneys are threatening you and it's more amunition for your case. Have the creditors sent you validation letters??? They have to validate the debt--if theey haven't, the legal dept. will instruct how to handle. You can do this.

I have been contacted by attorneys and they have sent validation letters and all that has been sent to FDRS. I am really concerned about this.

Action - How long were you in? If you decide to stay - we can help. It is very important that you stay calm and don't try to be in control of everything. FDRS is doing what they need to do and sometimes it may be nothing. They won't tell you what they're doing and they won't show you what they've sent. They won't hold your hand and they won't try to ease your anxiety/pain. Accept this. This is how they need to do things. They- of course - haven't communicated this to me but - I believe we have to feel the pain. If we don't - we'll do this again. When creditors call - stay calm - you are in control - don't say much but do tell them that the account is under dispute. They will tell you they haven't received this in writing or they will ask you who you sent it to. Tell them it was sent to the original creditor. They will tell you they don't have access to this. Tell them that's too bad. and hang up - nicely - and don't forget to log the call and send it in. Action - I can't begin to tell you how difficult this whole this was for us. It gets easier if you decide to put it on auto pilot and remind yourself that while there's a lot you cannot control - you can control you. Now - Take care of yourself and do something kind for someone else.

Who knows- When you said " If I were to do this again -which I won't" Were you referring to using FDRS, or going to court, getting into debt or??

Hey Nej,

Tried to find your board... no luck. Maybe just too early.

Thanks for setting that up.

Who Knows: Thanks for the advice, I have been w/o work for a year due to a disability and things are not going well, but I know there are others in same, if not worse situation. I just pray for the best.

PB&J - All of the above. I have been credit card free now for 14 months (I sound like I'm an alcoholic )- and I intend to stay that way. This is one good thing about this process. As for FDRS - this process and especially their lack of communication and care has taken life out of me so I'm not sure I would reccomend them to anyone. I have 4 months to go and I'm still not sure about them. As for court - I believe If I had done what they told me to do in timely manner - I would have stayed out of court. We will work hard to finish this job so we'll just have to see what happens. I'll be glad to post the end results. Maybe it will help someone.

Hello,

FDRS does not operate like a reputable business in my opinion. I would stay away from them. Just reading through the posts below sends chills through my spine. All of you, call an attorney.

I consulted my attorneys and they advice to stay completely away. They are investigating their company and so far, it doesn't sound good. People, you might want to pull out before it's to late....They have scammed alot of our hard earned money. Before ever getting involved in a company of any kind, call your State's Attorney....