I first signed up for debt negotiation with DebtCo based in San Diego, CA in 2002. As part of the plan, I opted to do EFT to a "set aside" account with them. I was pleased with the progress of debt negotiation even though it took a few years.
By the time my last account was up for negotiation, DebtCo had become "AcuShield Financial." Unfortunately, that's where the problem began. The last account was recommended for their "Debt Dismissal" program. I talked to someone named Nick Riney in July of 2006 who assured me that it would take no longer than 3-6 months to determine whether the debt dismissal would work for that last account.
In December of 2006, I began calling Nick Riney to get a status of the debt dismissal effort and received no response. After a month, I got worried and began badgering the Customer Service people at AcuShield for answers. I received a MAJOR run-around from them until I used the word "attorney." I then received a call back from Nick Riney who made promises he didn't follow up on.
I finally heard that the debt dismissal had worked and that my set-aside funds would be debited $2500 and the rest of the funds ($3500) would be returned to me in 60 days.
I found out recently that my last debt had NOT been dismissed and have yet to receive any of my set aside funds from AcuShield. It has been two years now since my first discussions with Nick Riney in 2006 and after multiple phone calls and promises, I still have no results and no return of my funds! I am angry and upset that I've been treated this way.
As far as I'm concerned, AcuShield has stolen $5800 from me. At this point, I guess I will need an attorney to get any results.
Let this be a warning to others: They may get some of your debt negotiated but when it's all over, they will steal your set aside funds. Do not allow them to hold your money for negotiation purposes -- there's a new definition of "thief" in the dictionary and it's AcuShield Financial!!
Dawn
La Grange, Kentucky
U.S.A.