Question for Hess Kennedy lawyer/employee

Tiffany,
I'm so glad there are other people like me that have to stick together when fighting with people like Hess Kennedy. I should have listened to my inside voice and not go with them. The person I talked with at HK credit services was real nice and talked me into this settlement program they have. Well low and behold here I am and not getting my refund. I'm so sick of this place taking money from people who are at their lowest in their life. I've almost had a nervous breakdown from all this cause I can't get my money back from them. All I want is my money. Why would they do this? How can they? Is it illegal to do this? I'd like someone from the company to come in here and discuss this. I can't get no returns on my calls, no letters have been sent out to the creditors, or no refund in 30 days like I was told I'd get. I'm so sick and fed up with it. I don't know what else to do. That is money I could use for food for my kids or gas in my car. After losing my job what else could happen to me. I'd like some thing nice to happen to me cause I don't know how to act when something good happens, I'm afraid to be happy. Really don't know how to be now. Nerves are gone. Well hope something good comes out of the mess I've gotten into with this company. God Bless all who have been taken with them. I really don't know how they sleep @ night. Bless all who are in debt mess and need prayer.

I was wronged by Hess Kennedy as well. My probelems with them are far to long to explain but in summary : no Power of Attorney's were sent to my creditors and they have no proof to give me to show they were sent or received by my creditors (this was in our contract, a contract is worthelss to me if both parties do not adhere), I was given false information from their partner company The Alessa Group, which I have in writing. I am seeking a full refund from them for the services that I paid for and were never rendered.

Elora please post contact info on the alessa group. I am keeping a file folder on company name and addresses for hess to provide to our posters.

Who is this? Are you from HK? I would love to speak to you personally if you are. Contact info I have on my acct. with the Allessa Group is as follows:

Number: 800-711-1460 (try ext. 2188)
Fax: 866-384-3330
Address : P.O. Box 41, Syosset NY 11791

Elora,
I am not from Hess.Tiffany at top of this page knows of me. If you do a search on the forum,you will know about me.I am a consumer who is fed up with companies trying to injure and steal people's money. I post here to help people with their decisions and rights regarding debt and credit.

By the way,if I was from hess I would not have asked for that contact info because I would already have it.
Cajunbulldog

Who know's these days. I am fed up as well. I am out $900 bucks. I did recieve a refund for 450.00 though. This was left over after they deducted money from their "service fees". I want my $900 back that I paid to them.

cajun bulldog is one of the best sources of information about credit and debt on this website. He is, in my opinion, one of the most honest people here. I beleive his one and only objective here is to help. We have all been burned by bad collectors and other bad agencies, and it is hard to trust. But, cajun is one of the good guys.

Guest I thank you for pat on back. I am considered a advocate on this board and will do my best to help all of yall. If I don't know the answer,I will find it or send you to the person who knows it.

Can you tell me if by law I have any chances of getting my money back? HK has no proof of any POA's sent to my creditors, and my creditors said they did not recieve any POA's. Since it states in the contract they would do this and I would pay them for that am I entitled to my money back, since they did not adhere to the terms of contract?

That would take filing a breech of contract lawsuit.You may have a chance going the public complaint route. File with the better business bureau,florida attorney general,florida state bar,florida dept of agriculture and consumer protection,and Broward cty Florida consumer protection office. You can get most of this by starting at myflorida.com

Thanks for your advise. I spoke with someone at Hess Kennedy today, they told me I need to send in a written dispute form to them. I am faxing this over now and will see if I get any response from them. It worked the first time with the money in my Escrow acct., I received a check from HK. If they fail to respond I will make this a legal matter. They are in breach of contract so I strongly believe I will have a good case if this does go to court. Not to mention I have email correspondence of lies from the Alessa Group, telling me my acct. WOULD NOT be charged off, when they new perfectly well it would be.

Where can I find out how to file a civil suit? I've never done this before, I'm in NJ they are in FL?

The public complaint route will be cheaper to start.
If it comes down to filing suit,you would have to hire someone in florida to file most probably.

You mean to file a suit for me? I can't do it here on my own? If I need to shed out any more money than a filing fee, Im gonna be Po'd!

That's why I keep saying start with the public complaint route. It doesn't cost anything but time and maybe some postage. These regulatory agencies also can put pressure on them and make them want to settle your account.

Elora - did they give you a dispute form to send, or was it just something you had to compose on your own? I know this isn't much consolation, but you are the only one I know of who has actually received a refund of any kind. I requested a refund of the funds in my settlement acct. on Jan. 8th, 2007. It is now March 8th, and I've received nothing. They won't return emails, won't acknowledge my letters and when I call, they just put me on hold for an eternity, until I finally have to hang up because it's costing me daytime long distance charges.

Also, can you give me the fax number you faxed your dispute to?

Hi Tiffany - the refund I received was from my Escrow acct, this is money they told me is MINE. Did you sign up through HK or T.A.G.? I spoke to someone at T.A.G. I can give you his contact if you need it, he was the one that told me I would recieve a check once the contract was terminated. I am still out $850, this is the money they keep saying I can't get back b-c it is attorney/service fees. However, if you read someone of the posts I put up, my creditors told me that they never received copies of any POA's and H.K. can not provide me with any proof they were sent (cetrtified mail, copies, nothing). They also told me the alleged letters were sent to a different address than I provided. They are in breach of contract, I paid them for service they were contracted to perform and never did. Therfor. I feel I should get my $850 back. Is this the same situtaion you are in? In answer to your question, I did not get a dispute form. I had to compose my own letter, I made it very clear to them if I do not get a check I am making this a legal matter. Here is the contact info, the number I called yesterday I don't have to hold very long...

Phone : 877-556-3328 (toll free, someone picked up right away)

Fax : 954-727-8722 (if you fax call and make sure they received it and right down there name, just for reference)

Hope this helps you!

Elora,
Question for you,do you have a physical address for the Allessa group we were discussing yesterday? I am having hell trying to find info on them under their business name in new york? If you have address or phone #,please post it.

On your complaint about Hess,I had gotten info on Florida small claims on a unrelated matter and with my home state in La. and their venue rules,I would have had to file in florida. Check your small claims rules for where you live,your state may have what is known as a long arm citation allowing you to choose venue in your own court.

Cajunbulldog

I just called them TAG and they said all mail correspondence goes to the PO Box. It is:
P.O. Box 294
Syosset, NY 11791 (please check if the PO Box matches what I gave you yesterday, I think this is the correct one)
Phone : 1-800-711-1460

Full Name:
The Alesa Group

If you need a physical address for TAG, I will call back, They seemed reluctant to give it to me.

On the other topic, where can I found out my states small claims rules? Also, didnt they say they have lawyers representing several states, does this help at all? Tks!

HESS KENNEDY COMPANY
210 NORTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE
SECOND FLOOR
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33071
954.752.1950 TELEPHONE
INFO(at)HESSKENNEDYCOMPANY.COM
HESS KENNEDY COMPANY
60 EAST 42ND STREET
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK 10165
INFO(at)HESSKENNEDYCOMPANY.COM
HESS KENNEDY COMPANY
2440 16TH STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103
INFO(at)HESSKENNEDYCOMPANY.COM

Their contact info from webpage. Your small claims court info can usually be found at your county courthouse or at your attorney generals website.

I am so close to NY...I am looking at the attorney generals website now.

Re: HK, it's unfortunate in my line of work that I am dealing with several members just joining HK and they believe them over me. I tried to tell them to at least google the company so they will see these complaints. I also get the runaround as a creditor; all they say is to fax documentation to them proving the debt is their clients' but not to fax a signed promissory note or statements. This does not make sense to me, what do they want, video footage of them using our credit card? It's a very difficult part of my job witnessing people's credit go down the tubes when you have "real" options that can help.

Now the other thing I thought of is if I due need to sue, who is it TAG or HK? I would assume HK since they were the ones taking out the EFT's and gave me that first refund. They took over TAG I think or everything from TAG goes to HK...

It disturbs me this company is praying on our members as I speak when I have made every effort to educate these members. Unfortunately they are going to find out the hard way and then find we charged of their debt or have filed a judgement. They do not return my calls either and only request written docs to prove our members' debt was actually incurred by them. This is a major stall tactic only to reap our members' hard earned money. I take pride in the fact as a collection supervisor I do more counseling then I do "collecting" and it's these companies that throw a wrench in my plans. I implore people to research all available options before going with the first company that offers so-called help.

Mike,
I am very opinioned person when it comes to collectors but I have to say you give decent advice and don't do the personal attacks most collectors have been known to do on our board.

Elora,
I to was taken from the company HESS KENNEDY. I talked with a credit counselor @ HK Credit services who signed me up with the com. I was taken for 500.00. I can't get it back. They put me on hold, never return my calls, and I'm tired of messing with them. I"ve had to deal with my debt myself. I don't sleep since all this mess has happened. I wish I'd listened to my inside voice and not go with them. They sound so real on the phone. I was taken advantage of like the other people in this forum. I wish you all the luck. How have you dealt with your debt and creditors? I'd like to bury all the debt and start over sometimes. I'd like to be back to normal if you know what I mean. Let me know how you do with the suit or what action you take with them. I've seen in the forum that one lady broke her contract, they sent her a bill for services rendered. It was like $9,000 and some change. I'm afraid I'll get one of those in the mail. Are you? Let us know. Good Luck!!

Mike Credit - do you work for a collection agency or a in collections for a CC company? Your advise is good, to anyone htinking about singing up for any tyoe of debt settlement program do your research and PLEASE call the CC co first, see what they can do for you. You have nothing to lose by doing that. Speaking from experience, it became very clear that everything this company told me they would do could be done on my own.

Lou Lou, Yes I know exactly how you feel. Last year I hit rock bottom, I couldn't sleep all I could think about was my debt. All my money was and is still going to bills, I have barely any money for myself. I do wish it would just go away, but obviously that is not going to happen. I was able to settle one account that did not go to collection, I am working to pay off that settlement and am paying 100/month to a C.A. to pay off another acct. I still have 2 accts in collection summing over $10,000. Which I have no idea how Im going to pay. I've decided to tackle one thing at a time. Pay off the two cards then deal with the accts. in colelction (I am taking a gamble though b-c they can try to sue me fot the money). I do intend to work somehting out but if I do that now I will be back to square one where I won't have the money to pay for all of them each month. I take it one day at a time and try to be thankful for the things I have and have worked hard to get. Ex. I pay 1,000 on rent but I have a roof over my head. I try to justify my expenses and look to the future of a debt free life! ON HK - my situtaion may be a little different from everyone in the fact that the refund I received was money left over after they deducted their "fees" which are about $850. They said I could have the $450 b-c this is technically my money. They may not be giving you your money back b-c the first couple of payments are going to the fees, not collected into an account for them to use to give to creditors. Since there is a signed contract it may be hard to get that money back. However, if you can find them in breach of the contract that you had with them then you are entitled to your money back because the way I see it is you say I owe you service fee's prove to me what service you performed other than set up EFT's. They told me there is no proof of letters sent to creditors b-c they do not keep them nor do they do anything to make sure these so called letters are received. You beleive your creditors are aware you are trying to pay them but in reality they do not know. This is just wrong. When I called them they said I need to send in a dispute letter so I faxed that yesterday. If I don't get any response within 30 days, I will file a small claims suit. As for them sending that woman a bill for $9,000 that is just crazy, I would tell ehr to look at her contract, it should state up fornt exactly how much you are contracted to pay for the fees, Im sure her's does nto say $9,000. Unles she had hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt! Sorry for the long response. Im just willing to give anyone advise or tell them my experiences.

Mike is right, any consumer can use the fdcpa and FCBA without a settlement comaany

I work for a very large credit union and we collect on our own debts. We have our own debt management service in this credit union and we work hand and hand with our members to get them back on track. I know there is a stereotype of collectors but I take a completely different approach and put myself in our members' shoes because I can be on their end someday. I try to change that outlook one person at a time and take advantage of the fact other creditors take a more assertive sometimes harrassing approach which only infuses the customer. I love my position and it makes it worthwhile redirecting someone down a more clear and helpful path that will only benefit them in the future. You always want to do something that makes a difference in someone's life, I never thought collections would give that opportunity but it does. I just wish I could mass mail every one of our members to warn them against companies such as Hess Kennedy.

Elora - I initially called Consumers credit counseling of America, and after a fairly quick phone consultation, they determined that debt settlement was the best route for my situation. They told me I'd be working with Hess Kennedy, and from there, I received a FedExed pack with the contract, got a call from a rep to "Welcome Me To The Program.", and then I never heard another word from them.

The first payment debited from my acct. was for $169, which was the "retainer fee" for Hess Kennedy's services. The $548 I'm out is what was in my escrow/settlement acct. when I stopped their services, so that is my money. As far as I'm concerned, they can have the $169, I'm not going to quibble over that. I just want the $548 back. None of my creditors were contacted from what they told me, but when I finally got through to someone at HK to question this, they very rudely told me I was wrong and the creditors were lying just to scare me into paying them some money. They said they contacted ALL of my creditors when I signed up for their debt settlement services. The girl I spoke to said she could fax me copies of the letters for my file. A few hours later, I received a 2-page fax, that's it. Two letters, which were addressed to 2 payday loan companies that would not comply or respond anyway. The credit card companies were the ones that needed to be contacted!

So, after reading more and more posts and complaints about this company, I decided to close my bank acct. (I hated that bank anyway!) so they couldn't continue to take money out, and sent emails and letters to advise that I was discontinuing their services becasue I did not feel that they were providing the services they agreed to, and requested a refund of the money in my escrow/settlement acct. That was the beginning of January 2007. As of today, I have NEVER received any acknowledgement of my correspondence, and certainly have not received my money.

Mike, I wish there were more creditors/collectors like you posting on here. Thanks for your insight!

Tiffany - you are correct the funds in your Escrow acct. are yours. What number did you call? The number I have for them is 877-556-3328, a receptionist usually picks up. I have not reveived any phone correspondence back after I faxed over my letter. I called to confirm they received it and the receptionist said yes, I am waiting to see if I get anything in the mail. I would try the following : call and tell the recptionist you have a question regarding your acct. so in case they have a plan to put people calling for refunds on hold you should get through to someone. Also, fax over a letter of your request lettign them know you payed your "retainer fees" and you are demanding the money in your Escrow acct. back. Let them know you are prepared to seek legal action to get your money back. I can not beleive this place calls itself a "law-firm"!!!

Thanks, I will try that.....

Elora,
I'm not doing anything else with this company. I'm tired of putting my energy into something that will not come out the way it is supposed to. I'm looking forward to being myself again one day and being the person I used to be. I have two children and they need my energy and not HESS KENNEDY!!! They will make it with out me I'm positive of that. I hate them and what they stand for. It is not right. I don't see how Laura Hess and the rest of the company can sleep at night knowing what they do is wrong. I hope they close one day. (Wishful thinking huh!!!). But anyway I'm hoping no one else goes with this company and will stay away. Look on the BBB and you'll not see they are a member. When I called to see why they are not a memeber they told me it was because the BBB just wanted their money. I find that hard to beleive. Don't you? Good luck to all!!!! God help us all!!

Okay, I finally called and was only on hold for about 5 mins. That's a first! I was told that I actually have more money in the acct. than what I thought. I asked where my refund was, and the girl I spoke to asked if I had received a statement. I told her I hadn't received anything, and she said they've been backed up (since January???) I asked her if the amount she told me was in my escrow acct., was what I was eligible to have refunded, and she said she didn't know, it is whatever is in my contract!

Still not holding my breath!

What every one said on this page is true. I have called numerous of times and NEVER GET A CALL BACK. Every time I call they foward me to my rep and when I ask for someone available they trasfer me to another rep's voice mail. What kind of SH** is that? They only took like 800 dollars from me. I'm calling my bank and having them removed from the automated services. My rep on extension 374 told me they had a website that I could keep track of the payments and add or delete credit cards listed....Complete Bullshit! I can't even find info on the company. No website or nothin....Very BAD SERVICE STAY AWAY!

look up the phone number they scammed alot of poeple

Ok, I had an account with Hess Kennedy. I was told that any refund I would receive would be in accordance with my contract. I didn't understand what that meant entirely, so I got out my contract and read it. Basically I am responsible for all attorney's fees. Which, is not the first payment which is what my referral service explained, but the first payment and a portion of the monthly payment for the remainder of my contract. I paid about 2700 into my account and the attorney's fees were 1850. They sent me my rfund check of 933 last month. I'm not happy I had to pay them so much, but I understand it because I am a logical thinking person. I only cancelled because I lost my job and couldn't afford it at the moment. They had even put me on hold for a month to try to work with me....

I was told that any consumer that was referred to Hess Kennedy by this forum and consumer credit counseling of America would receive a refund because of the credit counselors at CCCOA. I emaild and got a refund that friday

Who told you you would get a refund?

Well let me tell you that you will not get a refund or any other thing from them except trouble and that is the truth. Look at all the trouble this company has caused for all the people in here. They are fat liars!!!!

It appears that most of us have been ripped off by HessKennedy. What we should do now is try to find a way to work together to bring them down. We all have obviously lost a great deal of money with them. We know they dont return calls, they have taken and are taking our money and not paying off any of our bills. What can we as a group of people do to get compensated for out losses from this company?

Don't you have to file some kind of suit against them? I'm assuming it would be a civil suit, but I am not a legal eagle. The first step would probably be someone finding a Florida attorney since the company is operating in Florida, and get a consultation. See if anything can be done, and go from there. Obviously, the more people that get in on it, the more the lawyer is going to be apt to take the case because it will be profitable for them.

Have you heard back anything from them yet?...Understandably your patience is wearing thin...good luck!

HK worked well with me. My questions were answered and my counselor returned calls promptly.

I have had no problems with HK. All of my calls were answered promptly and politely.

Great tip from Tiffany99 - One should learn the difference between debt consolidation and debt settlement.

Can you help me understand the problem with the lawyer referral agent?