Consumer Law Center

I am not familiar with them personally. Have you Googled them? I get uneasy when mentioning Florida, because there are so many 'bad' companies in Florida. I'm not saying that Consumer Law Center is bad, but you may want to first check with the Better Business Bureau in the town they are based in Florida. DO NOT give them your business if they are not at least a member with good standing, and even then, you want to research further.

That's just it, Anthony. I googled them and checked the BBB, can't find anything at all. I don't know if they are a newer company or a scam or what, but I wanted to find out for sure before I referred her to them. The only thing I have is an address:

791 Park of Commerce Blvd. Ste.600
Boca Raton, FL 33487

Even looking for the address, I cannot find anyone listed in that space...I guess if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, right?!

I would steer clear from them if they are not easy to locate. You want a company that is known by many consumers and monitoring organizations. Have you apllied for a free consultation with this site? They will put you in touch with reputable companies.

I am nearly out of debt :D . I joined a yr or so ago and did it myself. I was just trying to help a friend of mine who is not feeling the nerve to clear up her own debts (most of which are PDL). Thanks for your response, Anthony!

Do you realize that most internet payday loans are illegal, meaning that they are not licensed to operate in any state, and that some state outlaw internet loans or storefront all together?

The consumer law center has ties to Hess Kennedy & Campos law.Just thought you would like to know.Proof posted below.

2007 LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ANNUAL REPORT FILED
apr 30, 2007
DOCUMENT# L060001 15625 Secretary of State
Entity Name: THE CONSUMER LAW CENTER LC
Current Principal Place of Business: New Principal Place of Business:
210 N. UNIVERSITY DRIVE
209
CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33071 US
Current Mailing Address: New Mailing Address:
210 N. UNIVERSITY DRIVE
209
CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33071 US
FEI Number: FEI Number Applied For (X) FEI Number Not Applicable ( ) Certificate of Status Desired
Name and Address of Current Registered Agent: Name and Address of New Registered Agent:
HESS KENNEDY COMPANY ROBBINS, TIM
210 N. UNIVERSITY DRIVE 210 N. UNIVERSITY DRIVE
209 209
CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33071 US CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33071 US
The above named entity submits this statement for the purpose of changing its registered office or registered agent, or both, in the State of Florida.
SIGNATURE: TIM ROBBINS 04/30/2007
Electronic Signature of Registered Agent Date
MANAGING MEMBERS/MANAGERS: ADDITIONS/CHANGES:
Title: MGR ( ) Delete Title: ( ) Change ( ) Addition
Name: LAURA HESS, INC., Name:
Address: 210 NORTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE Address:
City-St-Zip: CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33071 US City-St-Zip:
Title: MGR ( ) Delete Title: ( ) Change ( ) Addition
Name: JEFF CAMPOS, P.A., Name:
Address: 3200 N. UNIVERSITY DRIVE Address:
City-St-Zip: CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33065 US City-St-Zip:
Title: MGR ( ) Delete Title: ( ) Change ( ) Addition
Name: DAVID KLEIMAN, P.A., Name:
Address: 954 WEST GRACE STREET Address:
City-St-Zip: CHICAGO, IL 60613 US City-St-Zip:
Title: MGR ( ) Delete Title: ( ) Change ( ) Addition
Name: DAVID LIPMAN, P.A., Name:
Address: 3200 N. UNIVERSITY DRIVE Address:
City-St-Zip: CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33065 City-St-Zip:
Title: MGR ( ) Delete Title: ( ) Change ( ) Addition
Name: STEIN, LEE Name:
Address: 123 NW 13TH STREET Address:
City-St-Zip: BOCA RATON, FL 33432 City-St-Zip:
Title: MGR ( ) Delete Title: ( ) Change ( ) Addition
Name: MAVRIDES, MOYAL & AS, SOCIATES, LLP Name:
Address: 1622 YORK AVENUE Address:
City-St-Zip: NEW YORK, NY 10028 City-St-Zip:
I hereby certify that the information supplied with this filing does not qualify for the exemption stated in Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. I further certify that the information indicated on this report is true and accurate and that my electronic signature shall have the same legal effect as if made under oath; that lam a managing member or manager of the limited liability company or the receiver or trustee empowered to execute this report as required by Chapter 608, Florida Statutes.
SIGNATURE: EDWARD CHERRY MGR 04/30/2007
Electronic Signature of Signing Managing Member, Manager, or Authorized Representative / Date

That translates into: Don't get involved with them.

Thanks for your wonderful advice. You might have just prevented someone from making a major mistake. It is appreciated that you guys are on top of everything.

ladybug

With so many illegal or unsavory companies popping up everyday, in so many cities, it is actually extremely difficult to stay on top of everything. The best thing that we can do is lay out the laws, educate ourselves about what is legal and what is illegal, and deal with these companies one by one, until the noose is tightened once and for all around the neck of these illegal companies.

Hello,

I'm currently dealing with the "Consumer Law Center" and things are not going well. I will post more soon.

Jai

Dear Friends,

Like I said, I have been dealing with the Consumer Law Center in Florida for about a month now, and right now I believe they may have conned me.

The address I have for them is

3200 N University Drive Suite 210
Coral Springs, FL 33065

I "hired them" to help consolidate my credit card debt. They wanted me to sign forms and authorize an automatic withdrawal from my checking account. I cannot go into more detail because I am very embarrassed that I was so naive to not have seen this coming.

Anyway, they have taken $165 from my account, but I have stopped payment on future ones. I did this because after a month I realized that all of my credit cards were still open and active- after I hired them to investigate and take legal action!! They tld me they would have them closed. In other words, 5 weeks later I have no evidence that they have done anything for me.

Some things I noticed about their website and "official" forms:

1) website has no mention of any single person or lawyer
2) on the website under "settled cases," the page says "page currently under construction" DUHHH!
3) Letterheads are extremely Cheap and Simple
4) contract to employ has a lot of ambiguous language such as "Approximately 48 months"

Other Observations:

1) address is CURRENTLY coral springs, fl- suite 210.....it should be noted that even at a Mailboxes Etc, or other non-us post office box business, you can chose whether you want your address to be "box" or "suite." kinda curious
2) It may be that when you heard abut "Consumer Law Center," what you really heard about was the "NATIONAL Consumer Law Center," which is a legitimate business in Boston, according to my research. This firm may have chosen this name because it closely resembles the national name, which may have an excellent reputation for helping people (honestly i don't know much about them so check for yourself) PRETTY CLEVER OF THEM!!
3) they were extremely aggressive in getting money up front- even before they shared their services. Be very careful!

Anyway they got me for one bank payment before I stopped payment. I don't know if they are truly a scam or not, but the whole thing was just too weird for me and I couldn't sleep because of worry. If anyone would like to set me straight on them I am willing to listen. I don't mean to slam them.

Do your research!!!

Peace,

Jai

Never hire any company without doing a thourough check on them.

Thanks to all for the information. My friend has decided to go with our local CCCS Chapter (non-profit)after all which by what you all have posted, seems like a wise decision.

That is most likely a wise choice. Keep us informed.

We are working with them, and so far we're ok

Hi,
I have been trying to track this company down myself and it has been difficult. This site has given me more information than any where else. Other than their website, they appear to be non- existant. The website is listed under Consumer Law Center of the west. They are supposedly located at 210 N. University Dr. Suite 901 in Coral Springs. They also have an office in Costa Mesa, California but my paperwork says the work out of Florida and governed by Florida laws. Thay also claim they are not a law firm but have many lawyers and paralegals working for them. They also wanted to take $$$ as electronic withdrawal.Also gave the same 48 month time. My radar has gone up big time as I can't even find good things about them. It's just like there not really there.

Have you heard any more about this outfit?

Deb

They have put me in a worst place then I already was. I hate this company. And since I gave them permission to take the money I can't get it back. :evil: Where can I get help? If anyone can help stop this guys please let me know.

Hello folks. I am intimately familiar with companies like Campos Chartered Law Firm, Hess Kennedy, Consumer Law Center, Consumer Law Protections Center and the Attorney Network. Guess what.....they are all the same company! They don't resolve peoples accounts....they take your money and when complaints are actively pursued, they shut down one of their shell companies. That is why they operate under so many different names. If you would like more information, including contact info for these companies and how to get your money back if they have taken you for a ride, post a reply on here with an e-mail address where I can reach you. I will reply with information and advice on how to handle your situation. I have been reading posts on this site for a while and haven't posted one myself as I am usually too busy to do so. One of these days I will prepare a proper list of instructions with complete information for everyone on how to reclaim what is yours from these scam companies. They are able to operate because of the lack of government regulation in the debt settlement field. Do you realize that there are over 1000 of these such companies operating today? Only 8 years ago there were less than 50!! Are they out there for the public good? NO!! They are out there because they are highly profitable enterprises to be in!! There is a great article just published on businessweek.com entitled "Look Out for That Lifeline". It tells a bit about Hess Kennedy/Consumer Law Center/Etc. I tried to post a link, but apparently I am not allowed to, so go to the site and search for the title of the article.

Anyway....its awful late and I need some sleep...More from me later!!

TC

read my topic "im a sleep and no calls" been there with campos the consumer law center. my bk attorney one of top bk attorneys in area first thing he told me was stop paying period. interesting i did not have to explain anything to him he just said stop paying

im currently was with them for about 5 months of payments. after pondering went to the top bk attorney in my area the first thing i told him was the settlement compays name the next thing he told me without any hesitation stop paying and terminate there services. need i say anything more guess im just another person tobe added to the list of got your money. if you dont beleave me ask my attorney hopefully i can give you his website here you can ask him there

I used "The Consumer Law Center" for 6 months.

AKA Laura Hess (google her, you'll see)

The plan they sneak past you is... They don't pay your bills for 6 months to a year, when your debt gets charged off to a 3rd party colletor, they pay them pennies on the dollar for your debt. Consumer law center makes a HUGE profit off your loss. This will stay on YOUR credit report for YEARS! PLEASE check their rep with the B.B.B. and the Florida A.G.

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. I know people want to try to deal with debt and CR's themselves ( like me) because alot of 'settlement companies' ask for HUGH fees. However......( any advice would be good) do you think Creditors 'respond' better with somone who is representing you?

debt settlement Complaints Lead to Search for 'Attorney'
Bud Newman
Daily Business Review
04-16-2008


A man named Edward T. Kennedy is listed as a name partner at the embattled Hess Kennedy law firm in Coral Springs, Fla., but no one with that name is licensed to practice law in Florida.

A Florida Bar complaint filed March 13 against Laura Hess, the Hess in Hess Kennedy, notes Florida lawyers are barred from forming partnerships with nonlawyers in a legal practice. The thrust of the complaint is that the law firm is running a "deceptive debt settlement scheme" that is long on fees and short on assistance.

The law firm and related companies are targets of hundreds of consumer complaints nationally, and the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida gave it a failing grade. No one has estimated the full scope of an alleged debt scheme, but in North Carolina alone, more than 220 residents claimed they paid Hess Kennedy more than $500,000.

State corporate records at various times list addresses for Kennedy in Coral Springs, New York and the Cayman Islands.

New York lawyer Edward T. Kennedy is a taxation attorney and accountant with the Jones Day law firm in Manhattan. Asked Monday if he had any connection to the Coral Springs firm, Kennedy said, "No, not at all." But he said he was asked the same question by the West Virginia attorney general's office about two months ago.

A Chase Bank lawsuit filed in February against the law firm claims Kennedy may be Edward Cherry, who is listed in state corporate records as a business partner in Hess Kennedy and several affiliated companies.

The Bar joined the attorneys general of Florida, North Carolina and West Virginia, Chase Bank and Cherry's former employer in court against Hess Kennedy, its affiliates or its principals. Hess denied Kennedy and Cherry are the same person in a countersuit filed against the bank March 7, saying: "Edward T. Kennedy is a human being who is not Edward Cherry. Edward Kennedy resides in Brussels." No other information about Kennedy was provided.

But the existence or whereabouts of Kennedy may be the least of the problems facing Hess and Cherry. Hess, a Florida Bar member since 2000, is fighting the 10-count, 119-page complaint in her second run-in with the Bar. She was disciplined with a public reprimand in 2005 for drunken driving convictions. Cherry is a defendant in a pending Broward County civil suit claiming he embezzled at least $600,000 from the company he worked for just prior to joining the Hess Kennedy businesses. His attorney said Cherry committed no wrongdoing. Hess could not be reached for comment despite repeated requests via phone, e-mail, a message left in person at her Coral Springs office and through her attorneys. Cherry could not be reached for comment at the law firm or by phone.

The Florida Bar alleges Hess Kennedy's operation is "designed to extract upfront fees from financially strapped clients whether or not any useful services are performed" for them. Clients "rarely obtain debt settlements ... and end up in a far worse financial position" than before.

The Bar also claims:

Hess and her agents are running an illegal advance-fee scam.
She failed to provide clients with competent representation.
She charged excessive fees for her services and shared fees with nonlawyers.
The firm failed to place customer payments into trust or escrow accounts as promised in advertising and agreements or by sales agents as required by Bar regulations.
In her reply Monday to the Bar complaint, Hess denied operating any scheme and rejected allegations that her firm intentionally preyed upon unsophisticated clients to collect large legal fees. She conceded some of her client agreements specified funds would be placed in client escrow accounts for subsequent payment to creditors but acknowledged no such funds were maintained. In an earlier response to the Bar last October, she said funds collected were for legal fees and not to pay clients' creditors.

Hess attorneys Culver Smith of Fox Rothschild in West Palm Beach and Kevin Tynan of Richardson & Tynan in Tamarac filed for dismissal of the complaint. Palm Beach Circuit Judge Jack Cook has been appointed as the referee to hear the trial. No date has been set.

Tynan told the Bar last October that "Hess and her law firm are engaged in some very cutting-edge litigation in a very technical area of the law that is heavily regulated." While there have been some "growing pains" at the firm, he said there should be no charges against Hess because clients who complained had gotten refunds. The Bar complaint noted Hess Kennedy gave almost no refunds until the professional investigation began.

As for Cherry, he was sued in 2003 by his former employer, Internet Billing of Deerfield Beach, which claims he embezzled at least $600,000 days before he abruptly resigned from the firm.

The suit said Cherry was listed as Internet Billing's "in-house counsel" even though he is not licensed to practice law in Florida. The company claims Cherry revived and had total control over an administratively dissolved Florida company called Esquire Escrow and used his position at Internet Billing, known as iBill, to get fellow employees to funnel company funds to Esquire Escrow.

Three days before quitting iBill in February 2003, Cherry made a $500,000 withdrawal from Esquire Escrow. The withdrawal slip filed as an exhibit in the case said the money was transferred "to personal and children's accounts." Cherry also made tens of thousands of dollars in additional cash withdrawals of Esquire Escrow funds from money machines and from banks during 2001 and 2002, court documents showed.

Bank records included in the court file show Cherry withdrew at least $12,200 from Esquire Escrow accounts at ATM machines in May 2002. A company bank card was used for a $763 purchase at a Sunglass Hut the same month and $3,130 in charges at Fort Lauderdale's upscale Voodoo Lounge the next month.

In an Oct. 30, 2003, deposition, Cherry invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refused to answer any questions about what happened to the money moved from iBill to Esquire Escrow.

Boca Raton solo practitioner Charles Wender, who represents Cherry and who was present at the 2003 deposition, said Cherry's "position is that he is totally innocent and these are just wild allegations that they obviously can't prove."

Internet Billing attorney Anthony Carriuolo of Berger Singerman of Fort Lauderdale, who conducted the deposition, said documents show Cherry "was just siphoning off tons of money."

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Sounds like a 'winner'......OH good grief!! Several complaints, huh? Good heavens. It's difficult to pick out someone you trust, I guess.

After breaking my contract with the Consumer Law Center, I called my creditors. 2 of them worked out a 0% 5 year pay off for me. I wish I would have just called my creditors from the start. I almost fell over when they offered me this "payment plan"

You morons still do not know the difference between consolidation and settlement.

I will clue you in:

501(c)(3) = not-for-profit = consolidation

law firm = for profit = settlement

read your contract you nit wit

THEY wont let me post his link but put double u, double u, double u newsobserver.com/news/story/947914.html

>RALEIGH - Two Florida-based businesses that promised clients a way out of debt are accused of driving them further into arrears by pocketing money meant to pay creditors, according to a lawsuit filed this week by the N.C. Attorney General's Office.

CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ MORE

I just stumbled upon this page - now I feel like a fool. It's been 9 months - about $3000 that I have paid to this place; 9 months since I've paid a bill. What can I do now to restore my credit and clear my name?

Teri call the AG of your state and Florida and the BBB to get your money back. Read my posts on here. They have been on TV for fraud and scamming people.

STAY AWAY!! After paying them for 10 months, I was told that they are unable to handle my debt and that they would have to close my account. I have been working for 2 months now at getting a refund and I am no closer. I was just hung up on by one of their managers. They are crooks!

WOW Sean that's a story I did not hear yet from them. Report them to the BBB, AG, and the FTC. Someone else did that and got back a refund. Sorry to hear this one. That's just crazy. They will try anything.

I join the group of fools. I have been paying for about 10 months, have got a million calls, bad credit now and ready to inflict bodily harm. I tried to check this place out before I started. The Boco Ratan Chamber of Commerce told me this company was affilited with them so I though they were on the up and up. Boy was I wrong. Can you e-mail me how to get my money back and any hints how to start getting out of this mess? THANKS

I am in the same position. I paid $7,000 over the last 12 months into a program at The Consumer Law Center that was supposed to settle my credit card debts. The 12 months just ended. I made all the payments. The Consumer Law Center just contacted me and said that they weren't able to settle the debts in the time promised, but they wanted me to enroll in another program paying them $550 per month over the next 15 months while they continued to try to settle the accounts. This firm is SO shady! Not only have I lost the $7,000 without any of the debts getting resolved, but also my credit score has gone from good to absolutely in the gutter over the last 12 months. I should have realized it sooner! I filed complaints with the Illinois (where I live) and Florida (where the company is) Attorney Generals. I also filed a complaint with the BBB. Can you e-mail me how to get my money back and any other hints on how to get out of this mess? Is there by chance a legitimate attorney that would be willing to sue these guys big-time in attempt to shut down their scam.

I just posted the last blog. Justice seeking attorneys and other good people with advice, please email me at...

[email]joshuarichard02@gmail.com[/email]

They have been shut down. Hess Kennedy/The Consumer Law Center is no more. Go to their website and follow the instructions to get your money back.

I to was in a program with consumer law center for 1 year I end up filling for banckrupty when I tried to contact them to get a refund they are giveing me the run around.if any one know more that I can do please let me know.

They are a complete scam!!!!!!! Supposedly they settle your debts for pennies on the dollar while avoiding bad credit and bankruptcy. They have you sign a contract allowing them to put money into an escrow account until they settle. Supposedly they are the middleman b/n you and your creditors. They are currently under a court ordered receivership and under investigation by the State Att General's office in the State of Florida. See Hess Kennedy Receivership. Take it from someone who just lost over $4,000 in the last 6 months to them. I stopped paying them months ago and just found out through the receivership that I'm entitled to exactly $0 worth of refund even though they've never settled any of my accounts or sent me an update and even though the contract is void b/c I couldn't continue if I wanted to due to the investigation!! Who knows, maybe even the receivership is a scam!! Don't Do IT!!!

Anyone seeking refund from CLC, call this # 954-321-3388 ext. 16 and ask for Mike. They are supposedly handling the receivership for Hess/Kennedy. The court has supposedly allowed them to issue refunds as of 8 Sep 08. Call them and see if they tell you what they told me. That I'm entitled to $0 even though they're shut down and they've never settled anything for me!!!

I was a member of the Consumer Law Center. At present they are in "Big Trouble" . The problem is a lot of people have complained that they gat payments every month and take their attorney fees, They Don't Pay Your Creditors. Granted I now have some money saved in their possession but, it was not a savings account I wanted. I wanted my creditors paid. That didn't happen for me and several other people and now the Attorney General has stepped in and taken control of the company while he conduts and investigation and refunds thousands of dollars never used to pay accounts.

I was a member of the Consumer Law Center. At present they are in "Big Trouble" . The problem is a lot of people have complained that they get payments every month and take their attorney fees, They Don't Pay Your Creditors. Granted I now have some money saved in their possession but, it was not a savings account I wanted. I wanted my creditors paid. That didn't happen for me and several other people and now the Attorney General has stepped in and taken control of the company while he conducts and investigation and refunds thousands of dollars never used to pay accounts.

they are out of business and owe their clients millions of dollars(my self included) stay away.
i am looking for a lawyer for a classaction suite any suggestions

i was client and lost 10K over the past yr. i never really had problems when i called them. they did settle one of my accounts but that was only 25% of my total debt. i am following the instructions on 'trying' to get my 10K back which i doubt i'll ever see.
does anyone hav suggestions on contacting a new attorney to handle the rest of my accounts which they did nothing with?

:confused:Rach,
I was a victim of this company. I spent many calls with them and thought that they were legitimate. I even looked them up and learned about them before doing anything. Right now they have taken 2500 dollars from me and last year were shut down by the State of Florida for taking investors money and waiting for the amount to build up and they pay them off through negotiations. It would be better for you to save the money up tell your creditors that you will call them when you have the money to settle and build up a nest and then negotiate .50 cents to the dollar instead of going with this company. If you have invested stop the bank withdrawls today and get away from them. I was told I would be receiving a settlement by the end of this year and now they are saying they paid off my debts and closed my account. I actually paid it off and have proof of it that I gave the lawyers that are suppose to be representing the victims but havent heard a thing for months from them.

Consumer Law Center is currently in Receivership after being in a Law suit for taking Clients money and not paying their Creditors as promised. You do not want to do any business with them. Look for a Company through the Better Business Bureau
before proceeding.You can find information about the case on the internet.

The Consumer Law Center Coral Gables seems to be bad from all accounts. I am looking for anyone with experience with THE CONSUMER LAW GROUP, BOCA RATTON

they took me for 15k, didnt settle any accounts now i am 10 times worse in debt because of all the court cases I thought i was doing the right thing to settle my debt and all i do is basically get robbed. I will never any of the debt even i had the money to do so. never. I will go to jail for life before i ever pay a penny. i have no house car or job, so nobody can take anything..... so fuck them all.