Buyer Beware Follow Up: Credit Solutions Consultants Refunds
We'd received a number of complaints and the owner assured KOMO 4 News that one consumer who called us saying she was misled, would get her money back.
The company, Credit Solutions Consultants, is located in Federal Way.
Sales people go door-to-door selling credit repair packages, promising to clean up your credit report and help you consolidate your high-interest credit cards to one low-interest card.
Sheila Carrido paid more than $800 up front.
"To clear our credit!" Sheila said. "To write off all the derogatory information off our credit report."
Sheila is one of several people I talked to who paid money, then got concerned because of what they described as high pressure, and the lack of response after they paid. Sheila cancelled one payment but wanted the rest of her money: $440.
When I went to the company's Federal Way office on Pacific Highway South, the owner, Kevin Cooper, would only talk to me off-camera.
During that meeting, and in several lengthy telephone conversations, Cooper blamed the complaints on computer and management problems.
He acknowledged selling the packages without ever looking at consumer credit and debt information but insisted his company was providing a valuable service that helped people.
Because of what he called misrepresentations by a saleswoman, he assured me Sheila would get her $440 refund by June 22.
Sheila says Kevin Cooper finally called her on June 25 and gave her half of the money, with a promissory note to pay the balance on July 1.
As of July 1, Sheila said she was still waiting and had been told the remaining refund would be delayed.
Another consumer in my first report, Shantelle Tyler, says Credit Solutions Consultants did finally refund her money. But as of June 30th, Eric Stolz told me he's only been able to get back half of the $500 he paid in February.
In the meantime, more consumers and former employees are coming forward with their complaints about Credit Solutions Consultants.
Two former employees, who want to remain anonymous to protect their current jobs, showed me company documents that support some of the consumer complaints.
They and other former CSC workers who contacted KOMO 4 News say they quit after just a few weeks, because they did not feel right about what they were being asked to do.
Kevin Cooper refutes the complaints and maintains his company provides a valuable service.
Getting Help With Your Debt
If you need help managing your credit and correcting mistakes in your credit file, paying hundreds of dollars up front to a stranger at your door is not the way to do it.
There are non-profit organizations that can help you. One local, established and accredited non-profit agency is called Consumer Credit Northwest (ccnw.org.)
They charge a small initial fee of around $25, then a flexible monthly fee of approximately $15 based on your situation.
For More Information:
For more information about Credit Repair -- www.ftc.gov
Related story -- www.komotv.com