Conan_Credit Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Hi Folks,I'm brand new to this site and in process of trying to clean up my credit.I did some research and found 2 firms that appear to be reputable and make a good pitch; but I have no feedback from "real" people.The 2 firms are:a) National Credit Associates, Inc. - Nashville, TN. Top Credit Services - Mission Viejo, CA.I'd really appreciate it if anyone has any feedback on these 2 firms, who both charge a fairly sizeable fee. But if we get what we pay for then maybe they're worth it - IF they are legitimate!Thank you all for any feedback or advise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willingtocope Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Start out beleiving that ALL debt fixers are scams. Some are outright con artists...they take your money, and run. Some are really collection agencies that work the "catch more flies with honey" side of the street...if ALL of your debts are with creditors that they have contracts with, they will settle for less than the full amount, charge you a fee on the "savings", and you get to pay taxes on the rest. Both types ruin your credit. Using them means you give up protections under the FDCPA and FCRA.Run away.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMGWhatHaveIdone Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Yes, I agree. Anything a "credit repair agency" can do, you can do for yourself, for very little money and a lot of patience. I would stick with these forums and learn as much as you can so that you can help yourself. If anything else, you can always take what you would have paid one of those agencies, and put it in the bank. My take on credit repair agencies is quite simply this: If you are in a financial bind now, and are in debt, then where would you come up with the extra money to pay to have someone else do the work you could very well do your self ? Save the headache from dealing with those places, educate yourself on credit, credit repair and money management and I guarantee, in the end, you will be better off for it. Good luck and Welcome to our little world! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nascar Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 The Tennessee Consumer Protection Act ยง47-18-1001 requires Credit Services Businesses, also known as Credit Repair Companies, to register with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs and to obtain a $100,000 Surety Bond. This bond is for the consumer's protection against fraudulent business practices. These companies are also required to allow consumers five (5) business days to cancel a contract for service.There are only three companies in the State of Tennessee registered under the statute. The company named in the original post IS NOT one of them. On top of that, I would suspect our OP is trying to drum up business for his unregistered credit repair company. Maybe, maybe not. In any case, the upfront fees - call it whatever kind of service you want - violate the CROA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan_Credit Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Sounds like I've got a bit more homework to do.I'm still employed - but due to cutbacks (and cutbacks on my own comp. plan), am very short on time which is why I was hoping to find someone else to help (and was willing to pay).But I'm not willing to give $ away to find out later on that nothing was done.I really appreciate all of your of your insight!Thank you so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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