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Halo debt solutions complaints – Has any one heard about them?

Submitted by dialectsent on Wed, 05/09/2007 - 12:40
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I'm trying to find out if any one has used this debt settlement program or heard anything about them. they have 400 dollars in fees upfront for the first three months and then claim they can settle my debt after that. any insite will help. i'm very skeptical


Is this a govt.funded program? What do you mean the money is in your control 100%?


Submitted by on Wed, 07/29/2009 - 17:08

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This is an urgent message for anyone seeking options from debt settlement companies to filing for bankruptcy. I very strongly suggest you seek financial advice before deciding on a financial course for eliminating your debt. I was a client with Halo Debt Solutions since early fall of 2008 and recently backed out after the program was not working for me. I have a huge amount of debt due to divorce, unexpected expenses and unnecessary expenses so when Halo contacted me in 2008, I had a bunch of questions to them and felt their service fee was rather too high for me, but thought through their convinctions that the program would work for me, I was paying them first before I could even start saving money to wirk with in order to settle my credit accounts. It became increasingly difficult and they asked me if I had any money to work with even at 30 percent and I said no because I was still paying them their service fee. I became nervous when I asked them if any of their clients were issued law suits by their creditors and they said very little went to judgement but 100 percent threatened by lawsuit. I did not believe it so I went to speak to a lawyer and he told me to get out of the program right away, said debt settlement companies are NOT right for everyone. Please review all the options available to you and speak to a financial advisor or a lawyer specializing in bankruptcy. He or she can even tell you if a debt settlement program is something you can work with or not.


Submitted by on Fri, 08/07/2009 - 13:16

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To Doll,
I do not think this debt settlement company is funded by the federal government. They have negotiators who would settle your debt, but to what amount to their guarantee, I do not know. I just recently made an urgent message above for anyone who is trying to figure out how to eliminate their debt. The message the money is in my control 100 percent sounded like I can decide whether to accept the settlement or turn it down and through Halo, they will not pay directly to the creditors, only the client does.


Submitted by on Fri, 08/07/2009 - 13:25

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Good company that really does what they tell you. Remember that no one works for free not even you. The fees are the first funds out because they have negotiators working on your behalf. As for attorneys and filing a BK, the attorney in this case is now your debt negotiator with no real negotiating power. The debt settlement company can better negotiate debt with creditors as they offer cash solutions to creditors, some money in bulk is better than a little money from one. After a BK this is on your credit as failed credit for 7 or 10 years; with a debt settlement company they even negotiate how this reports to the bureaus. As our debts are paid off our credit score goes up regardless of how it was paid. The reason for this is that our available credit is being reduced and accounts closed. Since we were able to pay our minimum monthly payments on our secured credit - Cars, House, Pool we are able to get more favorable credit by not being late. The time it took to rebuild credit was less than 4 years.


Submitted by on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 14:06

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Yes i'm currently using this debt solution company and i'm less than impressed! Their "negociators" in all aspects have done nothing for me... Halo will make you pay upfront a large portion of their fee and not make any payments to your debtors until you have a very large fund of money - so really you could do this yourself.... Get a large sum of money to make your own settlement without paying halo up front - i say stay clear away from
halo debt solutions. Bw


Submitted by on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 15:12

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I know for a fact that Halo's program will work, the only thing is, is that you MUST save the money that you say you will. They call your creditors and negotiate on your debt. It's really hard not to get a little frustrated during the first few months. This is only because you will only be paying their fees, but after you pass the first step and begin to save money it will be worth it. And as long as you save the money on time and keep them updated, you should have no problem getting all your debt settled out. I hope this help someone when considering their program


Submitted by on Wed, 09/30/2009 - 12:55

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trust me credeitor's always want to settle again. Just and FYI the best settlements come at the end of the month. mainly because the creditors are trying to get their commission. Be patient with Halo and save all the money that you can afford.


Submitted by on Wed, 09/30/2009 - 13:01

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymous
I have just started working with Halo. IS there any body out there that was sued or had other problems? Their credit with BBB is D- but all there complaints were resolved. Am i doing the right thing.

I've been with the company for a year and I have 3 civil lawsuits.


Submitted by on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 12:13

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I have been with Halo for 6 months and they have not been able to settle any accounts. I was not getting the feeling the Customer Service Rep was particulary proactive. I requested a different CSR and she is more engaged from the beginning. If you are using this program and the first Customer Service Rep they assign to you does not seem to be willing to get engaged, immediately ask the Debt Speicalist to make a switch -- apparently they do this all the time. I wish I had not waited as long as I did.


Submitted by on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:48

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I signed up with Halo Debt Solutions about a year and a half ago. I too, was very skeptical. I had about $38,000 in credit card debt. I have got 2 of my 9 cards settled. However, one collection co. had 4 of my accounts and gave me all 4 settlement offers at once. This was a one time offer and I only had enough saved in my escrow account to settle one. So, now I just received a writ of garnishment in the mail the other day! I absolutely cannot have my wages garnished! I have paid Halo about $5,500 already. If they wouldn't have taken their cut so soon, I would have had enough money saved to pay all 4 of the accounts from this collection co. I haven't really decided what I think of them. If they can get me out of this wage garnishment ordeal I will be impressed.


Submitted by on Sat, 01/09/2010 - 21:37

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I am thinking of using Halo Debt Solutions to help me out of debt. I have read the comments made but I am still afraid of getting scammed. People who have used the Halo company are saying good things about them. The person I spoke to at Halo said that they had complaints but that they had all been resolved, does this make this company good?


Submitted by on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 10:18

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I would not go with them. I am currently using them. They are not a "scam" but they are less engaged than I was expecting. They respond to one out of every 5 e-mails or messages I leave them. The responses are usually vague. To avoid a lawsuit, I settled the largest creditor on my own. Don't sign up ... try to negotiate with creditors on your own.


Submitted by on Tue, 01/19/2010 - 12:29

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I agreed with hallo debt solution to pay $ 250.00 per month, which is $ 80.00 for them for
fee and $170.00 for creditor.(to do this for three years) but Hallo D.S taking only their fees and keep asking me how much i saved every month.
also they ask me to pay for creditor one time payment instead of monthly payment.
any body who have idea about this, please help
our agrement was to pay for three (3) years as monthly payment but now i was asked to pay one time payment for creditor.


Submitted by on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 00:03

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They want you to take the portion they do not take and keep in a savings account. As this accumulates they try to settle with the creditor and usually a one-time payment. Unfortunately, by the time you save up enough money to pay creditor the account has often gone to an attorney and a lawsuit could result.

I would put away as much money as you can to use for debt settlement.


Submitted by on Mon, 01/25/2010 - 12:08

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Hi I am currently a client of Halo for the past 2 years and regretfully that haven't done sh?t for me! The take the initial administrative fees of approximately $3,000 (not refundable) and 15% of the balance for every account you enroll. This is why they want client to include as many accounts as possible so they can get paid and never really settle accounts until they are in the hands of a third party collection agency. This practice really only works if you have a wad of money to settle these accounts any where from 40%-65%...if you do have a wad of money why not settle directly with your creditors. Halo will not help you or represent you if you get sued they can't even offer legal advice because they don't not have the credentials. I've heard and read from many articles and financial talk shows that the drop out rate is around 90% and most clients ending up filing bankruptcy...just like me! The will not refund any service fees for accounts that were never settled for less than 80% of the current balance which has accrued interests and late fees over they months. So basically I don't believe these companies are any help without available funds to settle accounts asap. Also, if you receive a judgment you're on your own with filing fees and how to answer to a judgment.
At this point, their staff seem to lose interest in helping with accounts in legal status.
I hope this helps...if you have any more questions I'll be glad to answer with first hand experience.


Submitted by on Tue, 03/23/2010 - 20:12

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[QUOTE=;][/QUOTE]
Thinking of using halo debt just wanting to see what others think.the lady said it was $199 one time fee and the company challanges whats on your credit to get it taken off first than it takes 3mnths to take care of the rest.what can anyone else tell me?


Submitted by on Mon, 05/03/2010 - 20:17

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Only use them if you live in the State of Texas -- they are not familiar enough with other state laws. Once a file goes into legal status, they back off. I think they are useful if you live in Texas but if you live in a State where wage garnishment is easy to do e.g., - New York - don't use them. Work with creditor on your own. They are usually more willing to work with you where there is no third-party involvement.

I was with Halo for 10 months and found out the hard wayl.


Submitted by on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 05:44

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My experience has been less than stellar. In the beginning they called me to check how things were going, etc. Got a few settlement offers that were way too high. Then for the longest time I hear nothing. I recieve a summons, fax it to my counselor. She helpfully returned a list of legal self-help links, half of which were dead. I spend every night for a week digging through statutes and laws and formulate a Pro Se defense. Filed papers at the courthouse. Two days before the date, the collection agency called and offered a settlement. Had they not, I would've dinged them with discovery to produce proof of the debt, that they owned the debt, were licensed to be a collection agency, etc. We negotiated just under half. All without Halo's intervention. But they took the credit for it!

Time passes, all quiet, occasional call and email for updates, stuffing money into saving. Half-baked process server shows up at my parents house, fails to understand the phrase "doesn't live here anymore", and drops off the unsigned, undated summons. Attached is the biggest cut and paste joke I've ever seen. Dates in 2014 at a 0% interest rate, etc. Easily thrown out, easily refiled. Halo's actions? Nothing other than "garnishment is just a threat". I was really looking forward to another page full of broken links too...

My action? File CH7. I tried to make things right and some wanted it otherwise, so now they can have...nothing.

Everyone's situation is different, so by all means call an attorney and get a consultation. Most of them will do the first visit for free. Moral issues with bankruptcy? Don't. Banks have no moral qualms about screwing you over, take the time to stop, smell the roses, and screw them over. But it's on my credit for ten years? So what? If you're young, you'll recover. If you're reaffirming a loan and aren't late for 2 years, the impact is fairly minimal. Think of it as a business decision. They do...


Submitted by on Thu, 06/03/2010 - 12:05

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well i have about 10,000 in doctors bills and a hospital bill for 93,000 and ihave no idea how im going to get this off my back im considering ch 7 or ch 13 im going to see a lawer today halo dont want me to file bk but i know why they want a fee but i have a house and cant put that in jeopardy


Submitted by on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 08:26

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DO not use Halo!!! THey are truly a scam! I had to file for bankruptcy after paying them over $5500. I fought with them for a refund. They agreed to pay me back $1500. That was 2 months ago and I still haven't seen the refund check. They avoid my calls and emails. I am just about to my breaking point! I am about to take legal action if they don't get a response on where my check is. Don't use them!!!!


Submitted by on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 20:56

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Has anyone else used them or heard any complaints against them I am In Mo. and Ill contact my AG tomorrow and contact the one on TX also. is there anything lese to do?


Submitted by on Sun, 07/18/2010 - 11:42

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i got good and bad results.since signing on i've been sued twice.on the first time.made a deal with the bums[creditors] for halo [HALO,NOT THE BUMS,HALO] to take a certain amount out of my account and send it to em each month.they took one 1 payment.i thought the payment was being made each month.god knows i put it in.surprise,surprise,nearly got garnishied.halo screwed up.cost me over 900.00 total which was for other bills.late charges,money order fees,bank embarrasment etc,etc.halo refunded 300.00.they figured that was all they were responsible for.after that I sent the payment through registered mail[more fees].second time i got out of it by borrowing from my 401.[god knows it aint worth much anyway.]was able to get enough to settle all but one of the rest.now the good.they did talk the bums down to about half of what i owed,so today i owe a grand total of [possibly 3000.00].started out it was over 25000.00.so,good and bad.good luck.


Submitted by on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 16:45

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[QUOTE=Anonymous;726440]i got good and bad results.since signing on i've been sued twice.on the first time.made a deal with the bums[creditors] for halo [HALO,NOT THE BUMS,HALO] to take a certain amount out of my account and send it to em each month.they took one 1 payment.i thought the payment was being made each month.god knows i put it in.surprise,surprise,nearly got garnishied.halo screwed up.cost me over 900.00 total which was for other bills.late charges,money order fees,bank embarrasment etc,etc.halo refunded 300.00.they figured that was all they were responsible for.after that I sent the payment through registered mail[more fees].second time i got out of it by borrowing from my 401.[god knows it aint worth much anyway.]was able to get enough to settle all but one of the rest.now the good.they did talk the bums down to about half of what i owed,so today i owe a grand total of [possibly 3000.00].started out it was over 25000.00.so,good and bad.good luck.[/QUOTE]


Hi, How long did it take for Halo to send you your refund check? They owe me $1500 and agreed to pay that amount almost 3 months ago. I have not seen a cent of it. I can't get a hold of anyone from Halo. I always get voicemails and they don't return my emails. I am about to take legal action.


Submitted by on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 22:51

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymous
Hi, How long did it take for Halo to send you your refund check? They owe me $1500 and agreed to pay that amount almost 3 months ago. I have not seen a cent of it. I can't get a hold of anyone from Halo. I always get voicemails and they don't return my emails. I am about to take legal action.

didn't send a check.just didn't take thier payment from the account for a couple months.otherwise it's business as usual.[they weren't real sympathetic about the extra money i lost.figured i would end up giving the bums that amount anyway.]overall,,,i wouldn't use em.they weren't real upfront about some stuff,but they did do thier job.eventually.good luck getting your money.


Submitted by on Mon, 08/02/2010 - 16:21

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I just sent them a cancellation letter and am filing a complaint with the state Attorney General Office to try to get my money back. They withheld information from me about how the process worked leading me to believe they were actually negotiating on my behalf. They never contacted any of my creditors until after I sent them a letter saying I wanted to cancel my services and wanted my money back. I was still served a court summons I had to pespond to plus still had to go to court because I was being sued. They provided useless advice and never followed up after the hearing except to say if I could get a settlement on my own that was acceptable, to do it. They actually asked me if I wanted them to negotiate with the agency that was trying to collect from me before the court date. I learned the summons and court appearance would be repeated for each creditior. After 10 months they still hadn't contacted another creditor. The only thing they did with any efficiency was take their cut out of my bank account every moth. They never returned 75% of my phone calls and the monthly check in calls they were supposed to make stopped after a few months. I was bounced from agent to agent. The only offer they even sent came two weeks after the cancellation letter I sent them and the negotiated settlement was double plus $3000 more than the original debt! All in all, had they told me everything up front I wouldn't have bothered with them at all. They withhold important facts, the first of which is that they do nothing until the debt is sent to collections supposedly so they know who to negotiate with. It took 4 months of dozens of daily phone calls (I was advised to not talk to creditors) from creditors when I finally answered the phone to know why, when HALO was negotiating for me and had all my information, I was still being called. HALO hadn't called anybody on my behalf. It was after that HALO told me the thing about the debts needing to go to collections. Months later after getting a summons to court and finding out they hadn't called anyone yet, they dropped another surprise. It turns out that settlement offers are only good for a limited time. Some are just a few days, some are good for a month. If I didn't have the full amount immediately on hand they couldn't ask for a settlement! So what was the savings program actually good for? Nothing! Even after I went to court they provided little advice, didn't return my calls, and sent the "if you reach a settlement..." email. If I reach a settlement? What was I paying them for? Even after the hearing I heard nothing from them- no email, no phone call. I waited two weeks and sent them the cancellation letter. As several lawyers told me and a financial advisor told me- everything that happened would have happened without HALO. All I did was give them money for nothing.


Submitted by on Fri, 10/29/2010 - 16:11

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I signed up with them a few days ago...will be cancelling asap. Found alternatives to using their service. I hope they wont hassle me about cancelling. will they still take my money even though they didnt work on the case yet? thanks in advance...


Submitted by on Sun, 11/21/2010 - 15:10

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Please save your money. I have paid them $ 3,000 and was supposed to be out of debt in 36 months. After 28 months, I finally filed bankruptcy. In that time, they had negotiated only two of eight accounts. Three of the accounts sued me and I had to begin making monthly payments which took 80% of the money I was saving.
One credit card attorney cleaned out my bank account and Halo did NOTHING to help resolve the problem, even though I had proof that the payment was made.
Most of the people are friendly, but VERY unhelpful once they get your money.:confused:


Submitted by on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 16:16

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If I h ave to do it all over again. I probably would not go this route. It cost me $2100. I went on a two year program. The first $2100 went to Halo. They want to get paid first.


Submitted by on Mon, 06/27/2011 - 08:51

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