Are Emilio Francisco and Debt Reduction Law Center the same company?

Sounds like everyone is confusing the norcal office with the Socal office. From what I can tell the office is Oakland has problems, and the Socal office in Irvine seems to be legit. I'm doing my homework as well, and the Irvine office seems to be well represented.

[QUOTE=Anonymous;428778]Handle your own debt. It is important to hire an attorney sometimes when you receive a Summons and Complaint. The key to negotiating is to know how much debt u have and how much money u have to payoff your debt. I am a debt collector I will tell your attorney "No" because they will not disclose a full financial statement. If your attorney calls requesting a settlemet I would have no grouds to base it on. I have been in this profession for years. I have seen on many occasions debt settlement companies to allow their clients to have a judgment entered against them. And in some cases the attorneys accept service on behalf of their client, which cause the client to not have any knowledge of the lawsuit. Don't pay anyone to do what you can yourself. If you have a debt with a company that actual file a lawsuit and you have a job, a house or a bank account you may want to consider trying to resolve the debt immediately. Once the process starts you will end up paying more and if they find your assets you will get no settlement. BE WISE.[samebox:236e083b0e="paulmergel"]you wantpeople to handle it themselves because you think you can buffalo someone who doesn't know there rights.nice try though.[/samebox:236e083b0e][/QUOTE]
the debt collectors do nothing but lie. You want the consumer to handle it themselves because they are not as informed on thier rights and you the Debt collector can lie and threaten them.

You the debt collector want people to handle this themselves because you know they are uniformed of their rights and you can lie and threaten them. I could write a 100 page book on the lies and threats toward me.

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So I finally gave debt reduction law center a call earlier today but I was told that I wasn't quite qualified for the program. Honestly, I was a little surprised. The other debt reduction agencies I phoned seemed all too eager, this one actually asked questions first. The person I talked to was unexpectedly helpful too and said I'm still relatively still above water.

I gave their website another look and it seems that this guy Emilio Francisco does run the law firm. So they seem pretty legit from what I've seen/heard, except I can't really sign up with them.

I cant say enough about this firm. They have saved my life!!! I was drowning in over $100K in debt. Their staff held my hand from beginning to end and couldn't be happier. They got settlements at under 40 cents on the dollar across the board. They lowered my payments by almost half AND got me out of debt in 31 months. I recommend them to anyone!!!!

which office have you used? Oakland or Irvine?

Since you are anonymous, it is hard for me to believe you or anyone else on this subject. This board is probably 99% competitors blasting each other away and pumping up their own companies. Would be nice if there was a legitimate way to verify these complaints and information. Just a cesspool, slowly sinking all of us.......
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Hi-I'm in the same boat as everyone else - up to my neck! Just wondering... did you try to negotiate with the creditors? Did they tell you that you could have gotten 50% reduction? If so, was it any of the big boys (ie Chase, Amex, Mastercard?)

I checked out the offices of Emilio Francisco with the BBB and there were only a handful of people who had conflicts but they were all eventually resolved. You have to keep in contact with the office if a creditor is still harrassing you or trying to deal with you instead of with the lawyer, because they can intervene for you. I hope to be out of my bills by this summer.

congratulations on your settlement

Please let me know which law firm did the good job for you.

If you prefer email: [email]webkouza@gmail.com[/email]

I'm reading all of this because they have been in contact with me. I spoke to:
Heidi A. Dickinson
Executive Assistant to David L. Burnell, Senior Debt Analyst; Law Office of Emilio N. Francisco & Associates, P.C.

Heidi A. Dickinson
Executive Assistant to David L. Burnell, Senior Debt Analyst; Law Office of Emilio N. Francisco & Associates, P.C.


Just wanted to know if this was who anyone had worked with and the results?

Was called a B..... cause did not use their services

We have been checking out the debt reduction services. We had 1st consultation seemed like it was a legit service. Had to cancel 2nd appt due to medical emergency in the family. We called to cancel, they wanted to reschedule because we had to get this started asap, he needed our bank acct info to get it all started. Couldn't get package with info, until after the first check!? Next Appt wouldn't work for us for 10 days and he claims that would be too long, we had to do it right away? RED FLAGS HERE????? We both don't won't to proceed without more info on this service. Please reply with any suggestions??

I have been a client of Emilio Francisco and Associates (aka Debt Reduction Law Center or DRLaw Center)

They have been working diligently for me for the past 2 years and have been successful in paying off 3 of my 5 credit card debts. I had over $23,000 in credit card debt when the process began and now have less than $5,000 remaining and there are almost daily negotiations going on on my behalf.

The harassing phone calls from creditors have ceased and if I receive any paper correspondence from a creditor or their attorney I merely forward it on to Emilio Franscico for resolution.

Thus far I have felt that they are definitely doing their part to fulfill my contract with them and I look forward to the day in the not too distant future that all of my credit cards are marked "Paid in Full". It is a long process but well worth it in the end. I would recommend them for anyone struggleing with mounting debts that they know they can not pay off by themselves.

I have been a client of Emilio Francisco and Associates (aka Debt Reduction Law Center or DRLaw Center)

They have been working diligently for me for the past 2 years and have been successful in paying off 3 of my 5 credit card debts. I had over $23,000 in credit card debt when the process began and now have less than $5,000 remaining and there are almost daily negotiations going on on my behalf.

The harassing phone calls from creditors have ceased and if I receive any paper correspondence from a creditor or their attorney I merely forward it on to Emilio Franscico for resolution.

Thus far I have felt that they are definitely doing their part to fulfill my contract with them and I look forward to the day in the not too distant future that all of my credit cards are marked "Paid in Full". It is a long process but well worth it in the end. I would recommend them for anyone struggling with mounting debts that they know they can not pay off by themselves.

I paid them $3000 to modify my loan back in June 2009...as of January of 2010 they had not been able to get my bank to agree to anything and complained to me that most of the time they couldn't even get them on the phone! This firm DOES NOT have the clout they claim to have in their ad/website. They also failed to advise me of my liability should the modification be denied. This, after 6 months of not paying my mortgage (their advice) left me owing almost $4o,000 more than I owed just 6 months before. They eventually stopped taking my calls and left me in a much worsen financial situation than before I hired them. I am looking into suing them. DO NOT DEAL WITH THESE PEOPLE!!!

Why on the earth would anyone consider using a settlement company, mind boggles me. Settlement is a very easy process and from experience most creditors will work with debtor who display willingness to repay the debt.

Your not avoiding being beleaguer by collection agency just because your using debt settlement program.

If your looking for peace of mind and to expunge your stress level than consider settling your debt on your own.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

Do not join them..How i know? I used to worked for them as a client services answering client questions and answers....Do not join them...Getto ass place you would know just call them and see for yourself... And this is my real name and everything....

I am getting NO WHERE with this company the first two they settled were because I had lawsuits against me. I know other Consumers who went to different debt managment companies and they are getting there stuff settled for 50% or less the two that I have settle one was for $14.00 more than I originally owed plus they tac on all their fees and I ended up paying $575.00 more then I owed and it would have been more if I wouldn't have argued with them and got them to take off another fee. I don't know how this comany can even stay in business. I want to leave them and go to another company, but don't know how I am suppose to be done in 10 months and I still owe $18,000.00, so I don't know how that is going to work because by what I pay them a month this is going to take me another 3 years. HELP! What can I do?

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You are basically getting the same old soup . The Thomassen law group is a front for Emilios law firm you are dealing with the same staff same back end support, same directors,
Mr. Kevin jackson and a few different apples that are spoiled do not waste your time they are running an ad for free information but you never recieve it the Sales staff is trained to not get you the Inforamtion becuase their is not any Information booklet .

Guys , Emilio is my friend he is a good men, if youas fro him direct he will help you, he is very good with his employees, and he is very given person. just be nice and talk to the men with respect , he a lots of kids, what Im trying to say is that he is a family men, don't blame bad service on the company, it is the employee!!! so ask for the big boss, and you will see.

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I would like to chime in here. I am a former employee of Thomassen Law group. I left for personal medical reasons and do know that they are not the same as Emilio Francisco or who ever you claim they are. Sounds like a competitor trying to tarnish a good rep. Spotless BBB and spotless Bar record tells you all you need to know. I know other groups have these great conspiracy theories and are always out to hurt a good company but you are way off on this one. Oh, and by the way. Mr. Jackson used to work for several different debt companies over the past 10 years and in the industry is known for his integrity and honesty. Unless you personally know the man I would refrain from speaking ill of him for he is truly an exceptional human being.

Do not deal with this firm. They turn your case over to a bunch of young, unmotivated "legal assistants" who sit on their hands until you call them. If one quits, which seems to happen quite often, your file gets lost or bounced to someone else who is overloaded and the result is it costs you lots of $$$. I've paid an extra $6000. above my scheduled payments only to have it sucked up in a big loss to Citi Bank's lawsuit. I've paid out thousands more then I originally owed---THEY DO NOT SAVE YOU MONEY!!! Deal with the credit card companies on your own...you'll be much further ahead.

They take their fee upfront which means there is no reason for them to perform. BEWARE!! So far, I've been sued, lost in a court hearing (which they never showed up to represent me) and have taken 10's of thousands in losses...these guys are no better than the credit card companies--actually worse; they know your situation and still choose to screw you over and grab your money. Don't do it.

Heidi is good as is most of the "upper management" people...trouble is you don't deal with them as your case progresses. Plus, they have nothing more to do with your case either...it's the "legal assistants" who do most of the front line work and they are unmotivated and not professional...I'm warning you right here, this place has cost me thousands of dollars. They may have an occasional victory, but for me the only time anything gets settled is when it goes to court and it ends up costing me much more.

For all of you who are thinking of hiring this bunch, know that if you get a summons, you'll be flooded with mail from local lawyers wanting to represent you...that will not be a problem. This firm DID NOT represent me and it cost me a lot...they still have one more credit card to settle for me...I wish I could pull out, but I'm in too far now.

If anyone is looking to sue this firm and is serious, please let me know...

Thomassen Law Group and Emilio Francisco are not the same company. You call and it's Thomassen Law. Your debits for payment show Thomassen Law. Your retainer paperwork shows Thomassen Law. It's unfortunate that people (competitors) feel such a need to lie to get business.

Hello...

My husband & I have been with this law firm for over 3 years, and have been very, very pleased so far. And yes, the Debt Reduction Law Center is the same as Emilio Francisco Law Firm. They are located in Oakland, CA.

They negotiate for you to pay your creditors at a reduced amount of what you owe. Most creditors we have put in their program are paid off. We are on the back-end of quite a lot of debt that needed to be handled some way. We were sinking quite fast when we signed the papers with them, and yes, everything is in writing. And you can log onto your account on-line anytime to monitor the amounts in & out.

I wish you all the best in paying off your debt! It can be quite scary facing all that you are held accountable for...

Good Luck!

Susan

Let me ask you something? Did they wait until you paid a fee up front to do this service for you??? If so, that is illegal. Look it up under the Federal Trade Commission if you don't believe me. It is totally illegal to do that for credit cards. They may have paid off your cards, and you THINK that your credit score will be great again shortly after they are done, but GUESS again. Nope, been there done that.

You are absolutely right. Thomassen Law Group (A+ BBB rating) takes the initial info, then turns your file over to Emilio Francisco's group of Debt Reduction Law Ctr. (F Rating with BBB). I found out by accident when I asked for an email address and they gave me one for the Debt Reduction group.. They never returned phone calls, never spoke to my creditors on my behalf. Stay away from both companies.