How can I get out of the mess created by Freedom Debt Relief?

Debt Shield is just a 'front-end' organization that sells you (for a commission) on a debt program and then enrolls you with someone else who does the actual program. I would NEVER work with a firm that doesn't both do the consultation and then also handle your case... but you should do what is right for you.

I just recently did a search to research Freedom again. I just want to let you know that so far I have been pleased. you have made this experience a little easier for me. I am glad that you take the time to respond and that you truly seem to care what is happening with my account. Thank you. I would be glad to give statement for others to read to let them now that Freedom does help.

Thanks again!

Denise

I just paid Freedom debt relief $640 a monthe for 4 months. After receiving assurance that American Express would take me to court, I fired Freedom Debt Relief. I lost about $1500 to their "fees". My suggestion:

• bail on Freedom, call them and fire them, you will lose money on fees
  call each creditor and discuss your situation
  assess your situation, see where you stand
  
  Of my 7 creditors, I negotiated a reduced settlement with 3, got 2 back to current, and have planned an "even" settlement with 2.
  If all does seem lost, you might want to do bankruptcy, but discuss with a qualified attorney.

freedom debt relief is a front end operation also that sells a product and hands the accounts over to century negotiations. Century Negotiations is run by a complete loser Dave Leuthhold. He is a thief and a coward. Steer clear of Freedom Debt Relief aka century negotiations.

century negotiations also has 34 bbb complaints

get out i am being sued all i can do is contact the BBB. they let these credit card company just rack up the fee and then clain they have steeled them for half

Freedom Debt company sued for misleading customers
By Michelle Durand

Many customers of Freedom debt relief actually incurred greater debt through late fees and collection lawsuits because the San Mateo-based financial services company purposely misled consumers to get their business, according to San Mateo County prosecutors.

The Consumer and Environmental Unit of the District Attorney’s Office joined with the California Department of Corporation to sue Freedom Debt Relief, LLC, Freedom Financial network, LLC and company owners Andrew Housser and Brad Stroh. The lawsuit filed Oct. 30 in San Mateo County Superior Court claims the defendants engaged in unlawful business practices, including making false or misleading statements to consumers via the Internet and telephone to induce them to buy debt reduction services. The suit also claims the company violated the state financial code by operating without a business license from the Department of Corporation.

The business, located at 1875 S. Grant St. in San Mateo, advertised having approximately $1 billion in debt under management throughout the United States. The company advertised being able to negotiate a 40 percent to 60 percent reduction in debt to unsecured creditors but, according to prosecutors, instead made some customers’ situations worse.

“Instead of their debts being settled or reduced, many of the defendants’ customers suffered increased debt because of late fees imposed by creditors, referral to collection agencies or collection lawsuits. Some customers ended up in bankruptcy,” according to the suit.

Prosecutors want an injunction ordering the company to follow the law, pay restitution and pay civil penalties between $2,500 and $10,000 for each violation.

The company’s goal, according to its Web site, is to eliminate rather than simply lower debt. The plan for those who qualify, the site explains, is a “debt reduction program” which involves “affordable monthly savings obligations” to get consumers out of debt “in as little as 2 to 3 years.”

The founders have been profiled by numerous news organizations and were finalists for the 2006 Ernst & Young Northern California Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Consumers who believe they have been victimized should file a complaint with the District Attorney’s Consumer and Environmental Unit at (650) 363-4651.


Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.

From: The Daily Journal, San Mateo, CA:

Debt company sued for misleading customers
By Michelle Durand

Many customers of Freedom debt relief actually incurred greater debt through late fees and collection lawsuits because the San Mateo-based financial services company purposely misled consumers to get their business, according to San Mateo County prosecutors.

The Consumer and Environmental Unit of the District Attorney’s Office joined with the California Department of Corporation to sue Freedom Debt Relief, LLC, Freedom Financial network, LLC and company owners Andrew Housser and Brad Stroh. The lawsuit filed Oct. 30 in San Mateo County Superior Court claims the defendants engaged in unlawful business practices, including making false or misleading statements to consumers via the Internet and telephone to induce them to buy debt reduction services. The suit also claims the company violated the state financial code by operating without a business license from the Department of Corporation.

The business, located at 1875 S. Grant St. in San Mateo, advertised having approximately $1 billion in debt under management throughout the United States. The company advertised being able to negotiate a 40 percent to 60 percent reduction in debt to unsecured creditors but, according to prosecutors, instead made some customers’ situations worse.

“Instead of their debts being settled or reduced, many of the defendants’ customers suffered increased debt because of late fees imposed by creditors, referral to collection agencies or collection lawsuits. Some customers ended up in bankruptcy,” according to the suit.

Prosecutors want an injunction ordering the company to follow the law, pay restitution and pay civil penalties between $2,500 and $10,000 for each violation.

The company’s goal, according to its Web site, is to eliminate rather than simply lower debt. The plan for those who qualify, the site explains, is a “debt reduction program” which involves “affordable monthly savings obligations” to get consumers out of debt “in as little as 2 to 3 years.”

The founders have been profiled by numerous news organizations and were finalists for the 2006 Ernst & Young Northern California Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Consumers who believe they have been victimized should file a complaint with the District Attorney’s Consumer and Environmental Unit at (650) 363-4651.


Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.

Regarding: JMCBOAT comments about only waiting 4 months and then firing a debt settlement company for not getting an account settled.
Remember that it usually takes 6 months before a creditor is willing to settle. So maybe they should have told you that up front but again maybe you heard what you wanted to hear.
I'm not saying that company is legit or not...what I am saying is it takes 6 months until you usually see any type of settlement offer.

I think it's such a shame that 'companies' can mislead consumers. WE go to THEM for help, and then we are spit on..ya know? Don't 'they' have ANY shame at all?

Hey Brad Stroh, if you want us to contact you either leave a number, answer your emails or check on your customer service department once in awhile. From what I can see you don't work the accounts and let them go until they're handed over to lawyers to collect. Your customer support people can't provide any information and the people above that level do not answer their phones or respond to emails or snail mail. Why don't you explain the nature of the cease and restrain order against you in the State of California? To people reading this site please check on ripoffreport.com. I know they supposedly gave them a good rating but more recent reports on that site suggest they may have gotten snowed like the rest of us.

I started with FDR they took a year of my first payments then let 2 judgements against me raising the payoffs of the 2, 2k each the couple they did settle was for the same amount I owed. so paid them 2400 for services , settled 2 accounts for same as owed , 2 judgements against me and had to get a lawyer to file bankruptcy THEY ARE A RIP OFF. STAY AWAY FROM THEM

A small number of accounts do go to legal status and FDR is fortunate to have an internal team to work and negotiate these accounts. FDR charges fees for it's services, If you have not been serviced properly contact FDR's customer service department.

I work with a collection agency, and despite whatever people tell you we settle all day long. Especially now.

We work a TON with two firms. Freedom debt relief and Credit Solutions are by FAR the largest that we settle with, and lets just say that Credit Solutions is a pain and usually screw things up. Freedom is usually better, and their clients are much better since they usually come through with the money. After that it is a huge drop off in how much settlement business we do, but we also deal with a ton of other firms and some of them have no idea what they are doing.

I think 40% is a good place to start and see if you can get that deal.

FYI, I checked out the Better Business Bureau and the complaints with Freedom Debt Relief have been resolved. I see all you other companies bashing Freedom Debt Relief and it is obvious you are using this website to promote yourselves. I am in the Freedom Debt Relief Program and I have had accounts settled already! I am very VERY happy. Mr. Stroh, I want to thank you personally. It sounds like you have a lot of jealous competition out there. You should all grow up and stop bashing other companies. It would seem that Freedom Debt Relief is the only one on here that DIDN'T bash the competition.

I just graduated. Take that Citibank! debt free at last thanks to FDR.