Supportkids, Inc. Supportkids- A total ripoff!! Austin Texas

I signed a contract with Supportkids in July of 2005. As many are, I was desperate because my local child support office was doing a terrible job at enforcing my court order for support.

In 10 years time, the NCP had become nearly $30,000 in arrears. Raising 3 children without any support from the NCP and numerous trips back and forth to the courthouse because he was constantly in contempt of the order had taken a toll on myself and my kids. I was sick of him getting away with non-payment.

In the very beginning, I gave Supportkids all of the information nescessary to locate the NCP including the address he had relocated to out of state. The only thing delegated to them was to contact him and begin the collection process.

At that time, to be honest, I did not care what tactics they used for collection. I wanted what the courts dictated the NCP should be contributing to the care of our children.

The local child support agency acted as if I was annoying them by contacting their office in reference to my case. A case manager from CSE did take all of the information down that I had supplied to Supportkids and stated that there was not much they could do since he had moved out of state (purposely- thinking it would rule him exempt from payment).

I patiently waited for Supportkids to do their job. They left messages stating that they were in the "locate phase" and that they would keep me posted on my case. Did I not give them location information already?

Several months went by and I was notified that a check had been collected. It went directly to them for the "work" that they believed they had done. I then found out that my local CSE agency had located the NCP and issued garnishment papers. They had collected the money. I knew according to my contract that any money collected outside of Supportkids had to be sent to them.

I also knew at the time the contract was executed that I was bound to Supportkids for 1 year. I did not make a big fuss about it. Knowing the NCP, I figured that it would be a constant battle in locating him and collecting from him. I believed that a half of a loaf was better than none.

Since I have been receiving support payment regularly and my 1 year obligation to Supportkids had expired over 2 years ago, I attempted to terminate my contract with Supportkids. No such luck!!

I swear, they must have a carbon copy letter they send out to all clients that attempt to do the same. The statements that I read in another complaint against Supportkids are the very same ones that they sent to me! They told me that I had no valid reason to terminate my contract with them and they put a lot of time and effort into my case. When and what effort!! I located and walked them right to the NCP!!

What part of the contract states that it can only be terminated at the discretion of Supportkids?! I must have over-looked that part.

I told Supportkids that I wanted to terminate with them because my local CSE agency had been collecting support for over 3 years and they are getting paid monthly at my childrens expense.

They make 1 phone call to the NCP bi-monthly and leave a message for me on the website stating that they had done so. My site reads consistantly "We placed a call to the non-custodial parent and left a message on a voice mail" or "A conversation was held with the non-custodial parent". That's a very dilligent collection practice!! The same messages for over 3 years!!

SUPPORTKIDS-WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU DONE BESIDES COLLECT THE MONEY THAT CSE SENDS TO YOU EVERY MONTH!!! Oh- they did talk to the NCP and try to convince him that he should contact me to come to an agreement on a lump sum payment. I told him no, that means they get a lump sum payment.

This company is a total rip-off and should not be allowed to exist!! They are out to make a dollar by any means- even at the expense of our childrens needs!!

Stay away from them!! Nag the heck out of your local child support office until you get justice. That's their job. No one should have to go to an outside agency to get court ordered child support.

If this sham of a company is ever taken to court for their tactics, best believe I want to be a part of it!!

Kris
columbia, Maryland
U.S.A.