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Credit Repair Attorneys

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Anonymous
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Credit Repair Attorneys

 
Is it worth hiring one? What exactly do they do?
Message 1 of 8
7 REPLIES 7
Anonymous
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Re: Credit Repair Attorneys

No.  My scores didn't improve until I stopped using them (after 5 months), and took matters into my own hands.  You'll learned everything you need here. 
 
They act on your behalf, and the first thing you'll be faced with is the CRAs and lenders sending you a letter wanting you to verify that they are working on your behalf.  Unlike this forum, where you will give tons of good advice,  the lawyers will not advise you regarding your best approach.  Basically, they give you options without guidance, file disputes for you (that will be challenged by the CRAs and CCs making you do more work) and charge you money.
 
Stick around here and this group will serve you far better.  At least based on my experience.
Message 2 of 8
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Credit Repair Attorneys

It's hard to say if it's worth it - sometimes it is, sometimes it's not.  Be very careful who you hire to help you.  Make sure your are getting your money's worth and not just paying for something you can easily do yourself.
 
I have heard a lot of bad things about both credit repair agencies and credit repair attorneys.  There are a lot of scams out there related to collections, credit, credit repair, etc... .
 
The main benefit you would get from having a good attorney is that he / she will be able to get things done that you cannot.  I practice mostly family law but got into helping with debt issues because when a couple splits there are often credit issues (like when the judgment orders a husband to pay the $20,000 credit card, he files bankruptcy two years later, and the creditor sues the wife).  That evolved into also helping people when junk debt buyers buy old debts and re-age / re-report the debt to credit bureaus to try and collect (or worse - cons the person into reaffirming the debt).  It has just accidentally grown from there.
 
The fact is, most of the stuff you can do on own (i.e., negotiate pay for deletes, negotiate down the debt, etc... .).  But the fact is, the creditor, collection agencies, and even the credit bureaus will deal with an attorney much differently (read: reasonably) than with the debtor.  Why? - I don't know.  Is is right? - No.  But it is the same way with most child support enforcement offices too.  So, do as much as you can on your own and then if the creditors and collection agencies are being rude to you, difficult, etc..., it may be worth seeing if an attorney can help you make more ground.
 
Good luck - I'm sure you'll make the right choice.    
 
 
Message 3 of 8
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Credit Repair Attorneys



DionLawOffice wrote:
It's hard to say if it's worth it - sometimes it is, sometimes it's not.  Be very careful who you hire to help you.  Make sure your are getting your money's worth and not just paying for something you can easily do yourself.
 
I have heard a lot of bad things about both credit repair agencies and credit repair attorneys.  There are a lot of scams out there related to collections, credit, credit repair, etc... .
 
The main benefit you would get from having a good attorney is that he / she will be able to get things done that you cannot.  I practice mostly family law but got into helping with debt issues because when a couple splits there are often credit issues (like when the judgment orders a husband to pay the $20,000 credit card, he files bankruptcy two years later, and the creditor sues the wife).  That evolved into also helping people when junk debt buyers buy old debts and re-age / re-report the debt to credit bureaus to try and collect (or worse - cons the person into reaffirming the debt).  It has just accidentally grown from there.
 
The fact is, most of the stuff you can do on own (i.e., negotiate pay for deletes, negotiate down the debt, etc... .).  But the fact is, the creditor, collection agencies, and even the credit bureaus will deal with an attorney much differently (read: reasonably) than with the debtor.  Why? - I don't know.  Is is right? - No.  But it is the same way with most child support enforcement offices too.  So, do as much as you can on your own and then if the creditors and collection agencies are being rude to you, difficult, etc..., it may be worth seeing if an attorney can help you make more ground.
 
Good luck - I'm sure you'll make the right choice.    
 
 


Good advice.
 
Another thing to consider: if a company or firm charges you a monthly fee, they have very little incentive to get your credit "fixed" quickly.
Message 4 of 8
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Credit Repair Attorneys

Yes - never pay a monthly fee!!!
 
Pay only for specific work you have done and only if it will help you more than you can get done on your own.
Message 5 of 8
Tuscani
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Credit Repair Attorneys

Not recommended
Message 6 of 8
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Credit Repair Attorneys

Although, to play devil's advocate.....using one such firm worked wonders for me. Probably 30+ deletions in a few years. Not that I couldn't have done the same on my own armed with what I know now...
Message 7 of 8
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Credit Repair Attorneys


bettercredit wrote:
 
Is it worth hiring one? What exactly do they do?
There are times when hiring a lawyer is your only recourse. Stumbling into Federal District Court representing yourself is a colossal mistake.
 
Beauty and credit repair attorneys are all in the eye of the beholder. I suppose if an attorney meets the legal definition of a CROA, then they would qualify as a credit repair attorney.
 
However, there are plenty of attorneys who don't fix the CROA definition yet they do what some arguably say is credit repair.
 
First and foremost, BK lawyers. Those who handle personal or business BKs are, in a sense, performing credit repair.
 
Stepping back, let us assume one has been served with a summons and complaint by company XYZ over a debt. Total debt is $52K. I choose to complicate this hypothetical (artistic creativity) with divorce, fraud (on the part of the ex spouse), IRS audits, and the like. The matter is just too painful and prickly to deal with as a layperson, so Debtor Joe meets with an attorney. DJ says, "Here's the situation ... so what are my options? I don't wanna BK this, but I will if I have to. The OC has to make the situation worthwhile for me. If I BK 'em, they'll get a fraction of their money. Mr. Mouthpiece, go get 'em." Attorney begins to engage in a negotiation that ends in $16K settlement and deletion of adverse reporting. Credit repair attorney? Yeah, I guess.
 
Third scenario (this is my last, but there are 1,001 others at least), Joe Working Stiff has a collector on him day and night. Calling at home, letters sent everyday. JWS starts recording phone calls, but the CA doesn't quite cross the line into abuse. Then one day, the CA does. "Look, you owe this money so just pay the $#&@ing money and be done with it." FDCPA violation! Ding, ding, ding. JWS sends an ITS letter. CA calls and says, "While I may have crossed the line, once, that's merely a $1,000 violation. You still owe $12,000." JWS has had it. JWS contacts an attorney. Attorney contacts the CA, sends ITS letter over the profanity, CA relents, JWS settles for $2,500 and a PFD. Credit repair attorney. Kinda.
 


Message Edited by Noah_Bodie on 06-14-2007 05:22 PM
Message 8 of 8
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