Getting out of Debt Settlement program

[sunshineMN]

I'm currently in a debt settlement program and want to get out of it and file chapter 13 BK instead.

Anyone have any experience getting out of a debt settlement agreement??
Can I just send them an e-mail to terminate our agreement?
They automatically deduct their fee from my saving acct every month, and I want to be sure that they stop once I've asked them to terminate our contract.

I'm in with Halo Debt Soutions, and not real thrilled with what they've been able to do for me.

I also have two CC that I have agreed to make some payments (also automatic deduction from savings) on, but our attorney has suggest that we stop those payments and put the money instead toward our mortgage or student loan instead.

Could use some feedback please!

[klandsb]

Yes I was involved with one also. In my original stack of papers for them was a "cancellation form". Filled it out and faxed it to them. I had just made a pmt to them about 2 days prior direct withdrawl so when it was cancelled they had enough time to not take it out anymore. I hate debt settlement companies ....They are such a ripoff and taking advantage of people in very serious financial hardship. Anyway, I have posted on here about my experience with them so if you want to read more do a search on that subject . I wish I had the money I paid to them , now I feel like I took that money and flushed it down the toilet....UGHHHHHH... Live & learn .

[jribe]

first thing i would do is go to your bank and close that savings account. Once it's been zero'ed out and completely closed (not pending closed) call the settlement company and tell them you no longer wish to continue with their services, effective immeaditley.

Just make sure that account is closed- and they don't have any other numbers. Otherwise- they will continue to try and pull payments.

I'm currently in a debt settlement program and want to get out of it and file chapter 13 BK instead.

Anyone have any experience getting out of a debt settlement agreement??
Can I just send them an e-mail to terminate our agreement?
They automatically deduct their fee from my saving acct every month, and I want to be sure that they stop once I've asked them to terminate our contract.

I'm in with Halo Debt Soutions, and not real thrilled with what they've been able to do for me.

I also have two CC that I have agreed to make some payments (also automatic deduction from savings) on, but our attorney has suggest that we stop those payments and put the money instead toward our mortgage or student loan instead.

Could use some feedback please!

[sunshineMN]

klandsb,
I did not get any kind of cancellation form from them. I've been looking all over there website and signed agreement on how to terminate, but have found nothing.

At this point, I'm probably going to call my CSR (even though I think she's worthless) and follow up with a written letter to terminate the agreement and discontinue withdrawing fees from my acct. I figure if it's in writing then I have something to go after them with if they do continue to withdraw from my acct.

I'm just wondering if I should contact my bank and advise them that I no longer authorize Halo to access my acct. Would that work???

[GotNoMoney]

+1 on closing the bank account first.

[klandsb]

This is just what I would do if in your shoes. I would write up something stating your name, address & account #. Then proceed to tell them u are cancelling your account with them. I would fax it to your CSR & also I might send a copy of it certified mail w/signature required just to CYA... In my case they did not give me a hard time cancelling , heck they had over 1/2 or there fees already, I just faxed it over & then called to verify that my CSR got it..Then later that day when I went to access my account online I was locked out.
PLEASE TAKE MY WORD OF ADVISE & PRINT & COPY ALL OF YOUR INFORMATION THAT YOU MIGHT WANT LATER FROM YOUR ACCOUNT ONLINE.
Once you cancel you are locked out & have no access to the online information if you choose to do something down the road to try & recover any monies you paid them.
I took copies of my pmts including the mthly fee. Also, when I cancelled I got a check from the bank that was holding my money that was suppose to go towards the settlements. I was only involved for approx 8 mths so I had only accumulated around $850.00 in that account. I received the check faster than expected with no problems.
At that time I didnt change banks but ended up doing so 3 mths later only because I had a overdraft account I wanted to include in my bk so I really needed to change banks. If you have something like that you are going to need to change banks anyway and its really only 1 day of work to change banks. I realize having been thru it that getting new checks and changing where the paychecks get direct deposited too is a real pain in the butt but it makes it less stressful in the end just to change banks.. You can sleep better knowing your money is safe ..