Ok, now I am scared to sign up with them. I know that I have done business with websites that have had the worst designs on the face of the earth and I consider them to be legitimate. They also post their business licenses and stuff. Can anyone suggest a starting place to investigate the company and its people?
I emailed this outfit and reminded them that their fee schedule violates the Credit Repair Organizations Act (payment up front and monthly fees). They told me that it doesn't. I was under the impression that you don't pay for anything until the service has been completed under the CROA. Am I right? Not trying to start anything here, that was my only email and last email about this. Because if I'm right about that, then Junum (whom I have used in the past) violates that also.
Ozzy, a Hawk Alert is a brand name that (I believe) Equifax calls a fraud alert. pbm has given wise advice regarding Vincent, Wagner and Jones. But I think the most important fact about them is that they are new. They can ultimately turn out to be good, bad, or indifferent. There is no immediate source of rating them that I know of other than massive complaints circulating from their customers or more and more people recommending them. One or the other. MartysGirl, I gave you the benefit of the doubt. I didn't say that you were ignorant even if you behaved so. I did say in this thread that I thought you were probably a nice person and that I had nothing against you, but you clearly were unaware of the way the BBB operates. You have obviously had a problem with that despite your obvious lack of experience with the topic. But I refuse to reduce myself to your level with unnecessary insults. I'll look for you and yours on the Jerry Springer show.
milkmom, I just saw your post. If you are considering spending your (no doubt hard earned) money with VW&J or any other credit repair company, give them a call, ask them whatever questions you want and then judge them with your ultimate weapon: your pocketbook. Decide to give them a try, or decide not to. Pretty simple. Somehow I know you'll make the right choice. By the way, it's interesting to me how after reading, searching, posting, and replying on this particular board for awhile, any of us can become experts on credit repair. Which takes me back to urging all to "do it yourself..."
Every credit repair website I've seen has "borrowed" content. Junum and Lexington were not the first, and VWJ will not be the last credit repair firm. Suffice it to say even with Lexington's "superior" content and website design, I received crappy service and had to make more than one attempt before my money was refunded. I personally found that I was better off doing repair on my own. Admittedly others may have reasons to seek repair firms and may have had pleasant experiences with Lexington and Junum. This is what-hindsight being 20/20-I would have asked: 1. How are your initial payment and subsequent monthly payments in compliance with the law? - CROA requires that no payment be made until serivces have been rendered... 2. Will you provide me a copy of the disputes you send out on my behalf? - Lex would not provide me a copy of the actual letter they sent for me. 3. Will you send out my disputes return receipt and certified mail? 4. Will I be notified in advance of which accounts you intend to dispute? - Lex disputed good accounts 5. On what basis is your money back guarantee determined? - Under Lex's if they got even 1 late pay notation removed, it is an improvement that would be deducted from your refund amt 6. What is your standard turnaround time for resonding to your clients (e.g., 2 days, etc.)? Ultimately, these organizations are a gamble. You have to play the odds and be able to afford to lose.
Hi, Can I please get a copy of that verification letter - I can use all the help I can get right now. Thanks, Sal
Letter sent to original creditor: Re: Acct # ...... Collections Manager: This letter is regarding the account referenced above, which you claim I owe. This is a notice that your claim is disputed. I am requesting validation, made pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Section 809 [15 USC 1692g]. Please note that I am requesting "validation"; that is competent evidence bearing my signature, showing that I have some contractual obligation to pay you. Please also be aware that any negative mark found on my credit reports from your company for a debt that I don't owe is a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act; therefore if you cannot validate the debt, you must request that all credit reporting agencies delete the entry. Pending the outcome of my investigation of any evidence that you submit, you are instructed to take no action that could be detrimental to any of my credit reports. If you do not own this debt, you must remove the derogatory marks from my credit report per the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Please note that any failure on your behalf to comply with the laws of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act will result in legal action. I look forward to your prompt response regarding this matter. Sincerely, Your Name
Great letter kelly...... If you send a letter like that to a CA...do they have 30 days to respond or is it different than disputing CRA's? Thanks
