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The BBB received 70 CareOne Debt Relief complaints closed over the same 36 months as were made against Curadebt, which had just 24 complaints (Personally, I would have to give some consideration to the company that has 46 fewer complaints).
So why does the BBB drop Curadebt's grade from an A+ to an D- and CareOne continues a grade of A, when THEY received 46 more complaints? Plus, CareOne is in the same "industry", so why aren't all companies in that industry receiving a poor grade, if it's just the BBB's "concern about the industry"?
You can say it's because Curadebt hasn't settled a few of the complaints sufficiently, but they were getting a D- for some reason even before those unsettled complaints appeared. Plus, the BBB site for CareOne says they haven't resolved 4 complaints, but that they made "good faith" attempts to resolve - just not to customer's satisfaction.
...Why?
So, Is Curadebt a Scam? ...Is CareOneCredit.com a Scam?
To me, these conflicting BBB ratings only confuse me more about making a decision about whether these are scams or not. My current inclination is that if the state in which they reside or the FTC hasn't shut them down or filed suit, they must have SOME legitimacy (I would think, anyway).And with CareOne Credit service's current A rating with the BBB (as of 10/4/11), I would be inclined to think that they, in particular, are not a scam (just my personal opinion). You never know, though, any or all of these debt companies may be on the BBB's Shit List to receive poor grades, for all we know - but on what basis?
And unless I hear something more substantial about Curadebt's rating drop, I have to still think they are legitimate, too (again, just my opinion) due to their relatively low complaints level compared to the rest of the industry (remember, it's 70-24 vs CareOne Credit), and Curadebt was at A or A+ from 2000-2009. (but YOU must make up your OWN mind about what companies are legitimate or not, however. - I'm absolutely NO EXPERT).
Here are the Official BBB Reports (below)
Click to see the latest rating AND PAY ATTENTION TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF EACH!
* Click for Official Curadebt BBB Report
* Click for Official CareOne Credit Counseling BBB Report
Curadebt and CareOne Reactions to This Web Page's Report
Curadebt and CareOne Credit Have Both Sent Reactions to This WebPage... Here is what They Had to Say...
The Marketing Manager of Curadebt emailed me in the spring of 2010 (before the BBB's "F" rating, however) after going online and seeing this report.He asked that I include the positive points of information you are about to read, since the BBB is being ambiguous (maybe even unfair?) as to why they are handing out the grade that they did to Curadebt late in 2009 (After receiving grades of "A" or "A+" for over 9 years).
I have no reason to decline this request, so on the basis of fair reporting (this report is NOT out to get anyone, by the way), here is the information he asked to be included:
1) Add the link to The Association of Settlement Companies [TASC] where CuraDebt is an active client with an excellent standing:
http://www.tascsite.org/index.cfm?event=MemberDetails&MemberID=1262
2) Add the link to USOBA (United States Organization for Bankruptcy Alternatives)
http://www.usoba.com/verify?company=Curadebt&url=www.curadebt.com
3) Add testimonials from RatePoint.com so that the visitors are more confident in CuraDebt
http://www.ratepoint.com/profile/17698
4) Mention the Money Back Guarantee: CuraDebt guarantees that the total amount paid back to all creditors, including CuraDebt fees, will be less than the total amount due to the creditors upon entering the program or CuraDebt's services are free.
5)...And to let you know that you can have a free Curadebt consultation for more information.
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...And Here is CareOne's Reaction
(email received on 9/17/10)"Hi Bob,
I am writing you about the above review of CareOne Services, Inc. We really appreciate you taking the time to mention us and look into our company."
"I think the issue you are having in trying to compare the BBB ratings for CuraDebt and CareOne is that it is like trying to compare apples and oranges. CuraDebt is a debt settlement provider. CareOne is a debt relief firm that offers multiple solutions. While we do offer debt settlement as an option for our customers, our BBB rating is based on more than a decade of serving consumers on debt management plans. Additionally, looking at the number of complaints may not tell the entire story. We have helped over 4.5 million people with their debt and have received very few complaints in light of the volume of our customer base. However, we take them very seriously and work to resolve them to the customer’s satisfaction."
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"Again, we thank you for your review. If you have any questions about CareOne and the services we provide I would be happy to get them answered for you."
Nichole Kelly
Director of Social Media
CareOne Services, Inc.
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Want some more outside information on credit card debt elimination and on how to Legally Eliminate or Reduce Credit Card Debt?
CLICK HERE for a good, objective article on what to look for in Commercial Debt Management and for consumers who want to Legally Reduce Credit Card Debt.
* FTC's Guidelines for Fair Debt Collection
DON'T BE a VICTIM!
There are dozens of debt reduction scams, debt settlement scams, debt consolidation scams, debt relief scams, debt collection practices scams ...you name it. They prey on your vulnerable emotional state of desperation. They advertise an offer that looks too good to be true (and usually is) - and all you have to do is pay a hefty fee.
Don't Fall For It!
Don't fall for credit card debt elimination scams that say they will wipe out all of your credit card debt by pulling some legal trick that no one else knows about (or some other too-good-to-be-true trick). Don't you think every "legitimate" debt relief company would be using these methods? The scam companies will take your money with a smile and RUN!
Scam Company Characteristics to Watch Out For:
- No Better Business Bureau (BBB) affiliation to prove reliability and good track record. They may post things like a Dunn and Bradstreet or Chamber of Commerce logo that any company can get. (Note: not all non-BBB members are scam companies, however, it makes you pause and wonder if they are legitimate and among the best debt negotiation or credit card debt elimination companies, doesn't it?)- If you talk to a scam company on the phone, they may promise a certain amount of money that you will save, but the contract will make no mention of a guarantee. ...GET IT IN WRITING!!
- Charge a flat commission on your debt instead of on the amount that they actually save you.
- Suggest you sign up for a credit counseling debt relief program where they consolidate debt and pay your debts in full with high interest (if they pay at all after receiving your fee).
- Suggest that debt consolidation doesn't appear on your credit report - ...it does.
- Get you started with what they say will eliminate or reduce credit card debt --- and you never hear from them again.
- Actually get you deeper in debt because behind the scenes they aren't doing a thing.
Companies that LEGITIMATELY and Legally Eliminate or Reduce Credit Card Debt Just Help You Sleep Better!
Other Things to Look For In Legitimate Credit Card Debt Elimination Programs and also Commercial Debt Management Programs:
- No Flat Fee - MAKE SURE you are only charged a commission on your debt savings. That way, no debt savings means no payment to the debt settlement company.
- A WRITTEN GUARANTEE of what you will save in their credit card debt reduction program (if you are accepted into the program).
...Only the Best Debt Negotiation Companies Offer All of These!
One Drawback of Almost ANY Debt Settlement and Credit Card Debt Elimination Program is that Uncle Sam Will Tax Your Debt Savings...
* One thing you need to know about any debt settlement agreement (and to LEGALLY Eliminate or Reduce Credit Card Debt in the process) is that Uncle Sam (the U.S. Govt) is probably going to want his share of your debt savings by requiring it to be taxable income.
(Note: See Zero Interest Credit Cards for another debt relief option.)
Also, see Zero Percent Credit Cards News, for the latest news on this type of credit card.
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