An attorney from Brooklyn is facing fraud charges for his alleged part in a debt relief scam.
Look’s like the whole thing stems from him allegedly paying himself fees he hadn’t earned yet.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today filed suit against two lawyers and two debt relief companies, alleging they charged thousands of consumers illegal advance fees and left some worse off financially.
Michael Levitis, faces mail and wire fraud charges brought by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office – the first-ever criminal charges stemming from a CFPB referral.
Brooklyn-based Levitis and his company, Mission Settlement Agency allegedly sold debt-relief services to consumers, promising to renegotiate or settle their debts, according to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Click this link to finish reading CFPB Charges Two Lawyers in Debt Relief Scam.
Just like in any other industry there is a right way to do things as well as a wrong way. These two guys chose the wrong way. So make sure to really do your homework if and when you decide to seek out the help of a debt relief agency.
The other attorney charged in this alleged debt relief scam says he has nothing to do with the scams.
It is important to do your due diligence when you are trying to get help with your debt problems. Consumers are desperate and looking for help and it is unfortunate that people are being duped by this and other debt relief scams.
Make sure the debt relief company you are investigating has a strong Better Business Bureau rating. Make sure you check for reviews from other users who have successfully gone through the program you are thinking about.
There are legitimate debt relief companies out there that truly care about helping people and not just about making a buck off of you.