Door-to-Door Credit Repair Company Targets Local Consumers
But the customers who contacted us are not happy. The first call came to our consumer line back in December. Since then, we've learned of other consumers who are concerned about the company's unprofessional behavior after they paid for their services.
Cleaning Up Bad Credit
"She said 90 percent of our credit will be wiped off!" an animated Sheila Carrido said from her living room.
Carrido said a saleswoman came to her Federal Way home and sold her a credit repair package for $850.
"To clear our credit," Carrido explained, "to write off all the derogatory information off our credit report. " Carrido and others said they're positive that's what salespeople promised would happen.
"We've been lied to," said Eric Stolz from his dining room table in Kent. Stolz bought a credit repair package for $500.
When questioned about how much service he got, Stolz said: "Absolutely none. They haven't done, haven't done... absolutely nothing!"
Shantelle Tyler and her fiancé bought a package priced at $930.
"And they didn't even know our debt!" she said in disbelief. "They've never even seen our debt."
A complaint on file with the Washington State Attorney General shows Shay Larsen of Auburn paid more than $1,700.
Credit Solutions Consultants, Inc.
The company is Credit Solutions Consultants.
State records show it opened for business in Sept. 2004 in Kent. Not long after they opened, the company abruptly relocated to Pacific Highway South in Federal Way.
They distribute fliers, use telemarketing, and go door to door to find customers. The company offers help to clean up your credit file, correct mistakes, remove incorrect information, and help you consolidate high-interest credit cards to one lower-interest card.
But my investigation turned up a pattern of complaints -- including unreturned phone calls, broken appointments, disconnected phone numbers, and no service.
State records show no response to complaints filed with the Attorney General. And Better Business Bureau files show no response to their inquiries.
Kevin L. Cooper is the CEO and Chief Operating Officer Credit Solutions Consultants. I went to his Federal Way office to ask about Sheila Carrido's complaint. He agreed to talk, but not on camera.
He put a lot of the blame on technical problems, management changes, customer misunderstandings, being a new business, and a worker he claims has since been let go.
But citing what he called employee misrepresentations to Carrido, Cooper assured me he'd refund her money. That was at the end of April.
Carrido still hasn't seen a dime.
I contacted Kevin Cooper again June 14 and assured me Carrido will get her money by June 22. He also said he would refund others who had similar complaints.
Cooper acknowledges the company takes money before ever looking at a customer's debt situation.
He told me his Kent office closed because he got in over his head in rent.
But Cooper insists he's running a legitimate company.
"It's a great concept and we provide a great service for consumers," he told me by telephone.
Cooper questioned doing a report based on the seven complaints that have come to KOMO 4 News' attention during the company's short time in business.
"No one else has been dissatisfied," he said.
Credit Repair: A Red Flag
Credit repair companies have historically been a big red flag with state and federal regulators because no one can remove debt you legally owe. In addition, if your credit file needs correcting, you can do it yourself for free.
For more information on credit repair and what you should know:
Federal Trade Commission Facts For Consumers
Attorney General's Tips For Dealing With Your Debt