Harold Shepley & Associates

Harold Shepley & Associates filed a bankruptcy for a couple in PA. Through incompetency, negligent or just fraud they seized bank account for my wife, my mother and myself. We have no family ties, business associations or mutual assets with the couple filing bankruptcy. So 2,800 miles away, my 82 year old mother’s account was robbed; how does she pay for food, by her medicine, or make her house payment?
I would not hire anyone from this firm, unless it is for nefarious purposes. Then I guess they would probably be a good choice.

February 4, Re: [redacted] (ID [redacted] } To Whom It May Concern: Ms [redacted] had a consultation with one of our counselors and enrolled in our Debt Negotiation Program on December 4, During the consultation, she was told that the first four drafts are a retainer and are nonrefundable When she enrolled, she did a verbal draft authorizationIn the verbal draft authorization, she agrees to make monthly payments of $230, starting January 25, 2015, and she states that she understands the first payments, once drafted, are nonrefundable(We have a recording of thisI will gladly provide this to you via email, if requested.) Since she was enrolled in the Debt Negotiation Program, we were doing workEnclosed, you will find an invoice for the work that we had performed for her and our issue notesOn January 27, 2015, Ms [redacted] called to cancel (after the draft went through)She spoke with two of our employees on January and 28, I, personally, spoke with her on January 28, and explained that we will not be refunding the money because we had done work for her and she was told a couple of times that the first four drafts are a retainer and are nonrefundableI also told her that she did the verbal draft authorization, in which she states she understood that it would be nonrefundableShe was the one that was rude to us; she spoke over usIn fact, she hung up on meIn conclusion, Ms [redacted] could have cancelled at any timeWe had called several times and left messagesShe never answered our calls, called, emailed or sent in a letter, stating that she wanted to cancel (until after the draft went through)Once she told us to cancel on January 28, 2015, we immediately processed it (as is our process)

I tried to hire this bunch of inconsiderate frogs for a chapter 7 Bankruptcy filing. Tried to tell me I had to file under chapter 13 so they could collect a bigger fee. Workers compensation awards and payments ARE exempt and not counted as income. Stay away from these guys.

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below
In the papers provided by the business, it says on 12/15/at 3:pm that they would not be defending me since I had not paid the retainer and they could not get in contact with meThe email they tried to deliver was undelivered but it appears they charged for that as well.
Regards,
*** ***

February 4, 2015 Re: [redacted] (ID [redacted]} To Whom It May Concern: Ms. [redacted] had a consultation with one of our counselors and enrolled in our Debt Negotiation Program on December 4, 2014. During the consultation, she was told that the first four drafts are a retainer and are nonrefundable....

When she enrolled, she did a verbal draft authorization. In the verbal draft authorization, she agrees to make monthly payments of $230, starting January 25, 2015, and she states that she understands the first payments, once drafted, are nonrefundable. (We have a recording of this. I will gladly provide this to you via email, if requested.) Since she was enrolled in the Debt Negotiation Program, we were doing work. Enclosed, you will find an invoice for the work that we had performed for her and our issue notes. On January 27, 2015, Ms. [redacted] called to cancel (after the draft went through). She spoke with two of our employees on January 27 and 28, 2015. I, personally, spoke with her on January 28, 2015 and explained that we will not be refunding the money because we had done work for her and she was told a couple of times that the first four drafts are a retainer and are nonrefundable. I also told her that she did the verbal draft authorization, in which she states she understood that it would be nonrefundable. She was the one that was rude to us; she spoke over us. In fact, she hung up on me. In conclusion, Ms. [redacted] could have cancelled at any time. We had called several times and left messages. She never answered our calls, called, emailed or sent in a letter, stating that she wanted to cancel (until after the draft went through). Once she told us to cancel on January 28, 2015, we immediately processed it (as is our process).

I first had the with debt negotiations and I never seen an attorney it was just the paralegal whom was ver nice but still paying all this money monthly you would have thought I would have seen one of them well then we decided after a year to bankruptcy and again monthly payment and every time they would call and remind me of payment but no attorney just a paralegal and always asking me for mor information which at the time my father was dying I was still working 7 days a week & family I had to care for ... Needless to say after paying all that in full .. They sent me a package with a check for a measly 900.00 and sum and said because I couldn't get the info in a timely manner they could no longer represent me . I should have done something about this and now I fear its to late. Shame on them & have the nerve to say they are Christian based. Unreal, they got thousands from me & didn't what I can see pay anything off!! Oh yea they sent me all the bills back that I thought some would have been paid!!

I was with this co. For 11 months.I paid a total of 2500 and some thru this period.They were to negotiate 2 act.for me one was small 535,other was bigger like 7700.I never heard from them except recording reminding me was going draft my 230 a month payment.30 for fees,200 to negotiate bills.Well I got letter one of my creditors sold my act,the biggest one.I called them and they knew nothing about it.I decided cancel because didn't even know who suppose to pay.Out of 2500 and some I got 1300 back.I knew 30 for 11 months and 100 to cancel both accounts were going be taken.But when I got rundown of account,they took the 800 in first 4 months.They said I signed paper and agreed to this but couldnt look because conveniently every paper signed had be quickly returned.I could see 800 for 3 yrs which was length of program,but for less than year I thought ridiculous.Plus I can't see anything they did.I could understand big debt,but they should have been able to settle the small 530 one.Maybe they help some,but see nothing they did for me except maybe few calls to someone or answered phone.None of these calls were to me or give any updates I guess because weren't any.I was not allowed to talk to creditors either .

Review: I was enrolled in the debt negotiation program and was not made aware of the tax ramifications that would occur when debts were cancelled. I have lost over $3000 in taxes due to this and would not have entered the program if I had been informed of this, which I was not. I want reimbursed!Desired Settlement: Pay me for what I lost in taxes....$3000

Business

Response:

April 6, 2016Re: ID#[redacted]To Whom It May Concern:Ms. [redacted] called our office on February 16, 2015 regarding a 1099c that she received. She was upset because her taxes were already completed. She hung up on us without listening to our recommendations. We called her right back and had to leave a message regarding what steps to take. She called again on March 28, 2016. We explained what to do; that she needed to go to a tax professional and if proven insolvent, she wouldn't have to pay the taxes. We explained that her taxes could be amended. She would not listen to us.Ms. [redacted] came into our program with $24,933.72 worth of debt. Through our program, we saved her $13,115.94. Therefore, she did not lose money; she ended up saving money by using our services.Sincerely, Joyce S[redacted]Office Coordinator

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

Regards,[redacted]

Review: They refuse to give me a refund of $230. I never used their services nor returned any of the paperwork needed to complete the enrollment process. I was told because it was already drafted they can not refund my money. I have talked to them several times. Lisa was very rude and hung the phone up on me. Bob was very helpful but gave me incorrect information.Desired Settlement: I would like to have my 230.00 refunded to me.

Business

Response:

February 4, 2015 Re: [redacted] (ID [redacted]} To Whom It May Concern: Ms. [redacted] had a consultation with one of our counselors and enrolled in our Debt Negotiation Program on December 4, 2014. During the consultation, she was told that the first four drafts are a retainer and are nonrefundable. When she enrolled, she did a verbal draft authorization. In the verbal draft authorization, she agrees to make monthly payments of $230, starting January 25, 2015, and she states that she understands the first payments, once drafted, are nonrefundable. (We have a recording of this. I will gladly provide this to you via email, if requested.) Since she was enrolled in the Debt Negotiation Program, we were doing work. Enclosed, you will find an invoice for the work that we had performed for her and our issue notes. On January 27, 2015, Ms. [redacted] called to cancel (after the draft went through). She spoke with two of our employees on January 27 and 28, 2015. I, personally, spoke with her on January 28, 2015 and explained that we will not be refunding the money because we had done work for her and she was told a couple of times that the first four drafts are a retainer and are nonrefundable. I also told her that she did the verbal draft authorization, in which she states she understood that it would be nonrefundable. She was the one that was rude to us; she spoke over us. In fact, she hung up on me. In conclusion, Ms. [redacted] could have cancelled at any time. We had called several times and left messages. She never answered our calls, called, emailed or sent in a letter, stating that she wanted to cancel (until after the draft went through). Once she told us to cancel on January 28, 2015, we immediately processed it (as is our process).