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Credit Solutions of America is a privately owned debt settlement company based in Dallas, Texas. It says it has more than 750 employees and has served more than 250,000 customers. Established in 2003 by Doug Van Arsdale, the firm says it is the largest of its kind.〔Credit Solutions website, About Us, March 29, 2010, http://www.creditsolutions.com/about/facts.html〕 Credit Solutions’ management include: Doug Van Arsdale, CEO; Jon Sisson, President; Mona Cayard, CFO; and, Heather Carmichael, Director of Operations.〔Hoovers.com business information on Credit Solutions, March 29, 2010, http://www.hoovers.com/company/Credit_Solutions/rjfrsyi-1-1njea1.html〕〔ABC News, Nightline, Claims of Becoming Debt Free Fall Flat for Consumers, July 24, 2009, http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=7932088&page=1〕 Credit Solutions is the subject of several pending lawsuits nationwide.〔Texas State Attorney General, press release, Texas Attorney General Charges Debt Settlement Company With Unlawful Conduct, March 26, 2009, http://www.oag.state.tx.us/oagNews/release.php?id=2900〕〔Dallas Morning News, May 20, 2009, Texas Attorney General Sues Four Debt Settlement Firms, http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-debtsuit_21bus.State.Edition1.3ab8f33.html〕 ==Background== Debt settlement companies negotiate with creditors to accept reduced payments. Credit Solutions of America says that it has settled more than $900 million of debt since its inception in 2003, and says that the average settlement is 50 cents on the dollar. However, the New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo disagrees, and in his state's lawsuit against the company has said Credit Solutions settles debts for only 1 percent of its customers in that state.〔Dallas Morning News, Debt settlers Attract Customers Scrutiny, May 30, 2009, http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/columnists/pyip/stories/DN-moneytalk_30bus.ART.State.Edition1.40d6f85.html〕〔ABC News Nightline, Claims of Becoming Debt Free Fall Flat for Consumers, July 24, 2009, http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=7932088&page=1〕 The Better Business Bureau reports that Credit Solutions has an “F” rating, the lowest rating given, and that as of June 19, 2010 it has received 1477 complaints against the company in the preceding 36 months. According to the report, :"Complaints are regarding dissatisfaction with the company's service and misrepresentation of the results of the debt negotiation program. Specifically, customers complain that paying the company fee and following the debt negotiation program does not reduce debt, as stated by company representatives. As a result of the program, customers complain, they have an increase in debt, due to late fees or additional interest and negative credit reporting. The company resolves complaints by offering refunds or referring to the Client Services Agreement for explanation. Although the company resolves most of the complaints it has failed to correct the underlying reason for the complaints."〔 Of these 1477 complaints, the company has resolved 1152 complaints, 319 had been "administratively closed," meaning they could not be settled, and 6 were unresolved. Of the 1152 reported as resolved, the customer acknowledged acceptance of 519 resolutions and failed to acknowledge acceptance of 633.〔Better Business Bureau website, June 19, 2010, http://www.bbb.org/dallas/business-reviews/debt-settlement-companies/credit-solutions-in-dallas-tx-90005445〕 Credit Solutions charges a flat 15 percent fee on a client’s total debt. So, if a consumer has $10,000 in total debts, Credit Solutions will collect a $1500 fee upfront. This 15 percent fee is not disclosed on the firm’s website, but has been disclosed by a New York state lawsuit against the company.〔Dallas Morning News, Debt Settlers Attract Customers Scrutiny, May 30, 2009, http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/columnists/pyip/stories/DN-moneytalk_30bus.ART.State.Edition1.40d6f85.html〕 In 2007, the company was recognized by JD Powers and Associates, a marketing information services firm, for excellence in satisfying its call center customers.〔JD Powers press release, JD Powers & Associates Reports, Credit Solutions Recognized for Excellence in Satisfying Call Center Customers, June 11, 2007, http://businesscenter.jdpower.com/news/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2007091〕 Credit Solutions has also been certified as ISO 9000:2008 from BSI, which is a result of ongoing company wide audits by an independent third party to ensure quality management systems.〔BSI America, Certificate/Client Directory Search Results, http://www.bsiamerica.com/en-us/〕 The company has a community service group called "Credit Solutions Cares," through which employees volunteer with Dallas/Fort Worth area nonprofit organizations and help them to raise donations.〔Credit Solutions Cares website, April 2, 2010, http://www.creditsolutionscares.com/about.html〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Credit Solutions of America」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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