Shafted!

[Keith Grady]

hat is the name of your state? Oklahoma

In the latter part of August 2004 mywife and I entered into a contract with NEW LEAF ASSOCIATES of Port Richey FL. I researched them beforehand and found that they had a reputable buisness according to the BBB. To make a long story short,NLA guarantees to completely eliminate one's credit card debt (max of 5 cards) entire process completed by NLA with yourself being removed from the entire process. They also guarantee each client that they will never have to appear in court regarding credit collections on the cards. They also guarantee fews calls from creditors by following their plan. We have followed their program with exactness and yet have received many hundreds of calls from the various creditors. In early Feb. 2005 we were served a summons by a law firm representing one of the cards. We also recieved another letter several days ago from another lawyer representing another credit card firm. Do we have grounds for a lawsuit aginst NLA? What she would we do as far as the creditors and NEW LEAF? We have already filled a report with the BBB of FLA as well as the Attorney General of the same state. Thanks in advance!!! Keith

[Debt Guy]

Keith,

I am sorry. You have learned the hard way that these debt elimination schemes are scams. I preach long and hard on this and other message boards to avoid these debt elimination programs. There is a place in life for bankruptcy, for credit counseling and for debt settlement programs. There is no place for "debt elimination".

I just did a quick search on New Leaf Associates. Other than their web site, here is what I found:

[url]http://www.quatloos.com/Tax-Forums/viewtopic.php?t=1000270[/url]

Can you sue New Leaf? Yes.

Can you win? I don't know. It would depend on what your contract with them says. The ones I have seen are long on creating the image of promises and short on contracting for promises. All the things you think they guaranteed -- I bet they are not in writing. I could not find anything on their website that looks like a promise.

If you do sue, you will need an attorney. That costs money. You've got to weigh the cost against the chance of success.

Again, I am very sorry to see this happen to you.

Would you please email me at [email]debtguy@hotpop.com[/email]. I would like pose some private questions for you.

[phas]

we tried 1-2-3nodebt.com , he got us in all kind of trouble , here is another warning asset protection team that tthere selling is a rip off.got us for thousands

[Debt Guy]

would either of you please email me -- [email]debtguy@hotpop.com[/email]. I have some questions.

There were a couple of characters here just last week -- mamaluna and catsomething -- both expousing the virtues of these schemes.

Wonder why they have not chimed in on this string?

[caliber]

debt guy. Ask me some questions re DE. We need to root out he bad.

[caliber]

...to root out the bad.

[caliber]

Keith,

NLA's website makes it sound like a cakewalk. I assure you banks are retaliating. And as they do you will have to respond with a counter attack. My experience tells me one must become well-versed in procedure and have legal representation willing to take on this animal.

If you have been served, ANSWER within the time frame. The plaintiffs rely on the fear defendant's realize hoping to get default judments based not on the merits of the case, but on the procedural error of not answering. Ask a local attorney if you must include affirmative defenses and a counter claim at the time of your answer. If you can amend your answer, that's buys you a little time. You may want to immediately file for a 30-day extension. Call an attorney today! Answer! And, deny everything!

What amount of unsecured balances are we talking about? If small than you(yes, you) can settle with these b%#*!^)'s. I am wondering what NLA's strategy is. Dispute-settle-arbitration, or something else?

In the end you will have to do the legwork, and learn at the same time. Don't be afraid and read and re-read everything. I you feel you do not owe then fight! I you want out, then settle. Don't concern yourself with the credit report right now.