Law Offices of Robert S. Gitmeid & Associates, PLLC

I attempted to use there service for about a yes 2014 / 2015 I would get the occasional call saying that they had come to a settlement on one of my accounts. But when I needed to lower my monthly payment then it was another story I would be told that I could lower my payments for a "Limited" time I was paying 318.00 a month and taking food out of my own mouth. When I decided that the most I could pay was 159.00 month, this so called client is number one company informed me real fast that at 159.00 a month they couldn't help me and dropped me like a hot potato. In my opinion they don't care about your debt they care about what they will get in the end. FEES FEES FEES. I rather fight my credit battles on my own than allow this or any "debt consolidation service" bleed me dry.

Review: On Nov **, 2012, I contacted this firm to assist me in settling some bills.A list of the accounts was given, and they guaranteed these could be handled. I paid a substantial amount(plus their fee) each month to put towards paying the settlements.However, earlier this year(2014) I learned my social security was being garnished. I found out that one of the accounts was never handled and, being a government linked account(Military Card card), my pay was garnished. I called [redacted] and found out that they couldn't have settled this. I was never informed of this when I signed on with them. I then discovered all the paperwork that Military Star sent to [redacted] was never forwarded to me. No one ever contacted me about any of this until I called in 2014.Another account with [redacted] was approved to be settled. However, I learned today that nothing had been received/done on this. Further, I found that I owed $18,000. Another account I had to handle myself as they had not even addressed it.(Dell)I am selling my house, with a closing of Octboer [redacted]. Because of the [redacted] I am in danger of not being able to close unless I come up with $18,000.I am devastated. My world is about to come crashing down because of [redacted]s's poor handling of these accounts.Word to the wise, do not use this firm!!! I admit I have made financial mistakes in the past, but this situation is on them!!!Desired Settlement: I would like them to honor their word and pay off the Military Star Card and the [redacted] Account. In full.

Business

Response:

To Whom It May Concern,

Thank you for bringing [redacted]’s concerns to our attention. The Law Offices of Robert S. [redacted] & Associates, PLLC is a law firm committed to assisting clients who have unfortunately become overwhelmed with consumer debt. Consumers who are experiencing financial difficulty often come to us because we offer legal counsel and representation in such circumstances. When we received notice of [redacted]’s complaint, we investigated her claims immediately.

[redacted] became a client of ours on November **, 2012. During the course of our representation we were successful in negotiating settlements with two (2) of her unsecured creditors, one of which was for 37% of what she owed. We saved [redacted] over five thousand dollars ($5,000) on this one account alone. Unfortunately, though, [redacted] prematurely terminated our services on March *, 2014 because one of her creditors (Military Star Card) commenced a garnishment against her. Though the garnishment itself was not caused by any action on our part, when our office informed her that garnishment-status accounts are not eligible for settlements, she became even more upset and cancelled immediately. Once she cancelled our services, she took upon herself the burden of resolving her remaining debts on her own – not a light responsibility to be sure.

Six months after her cancellation, [redacted] contacted us to inform us how disappointed she was about our not being able to settle her Military Star Card, as well as another one of her accounts. We explained that the former was no longer eligible due to the garnishment, and that she had terminated our services before we could address the latter. Nevertheless, the Law Offices of Robert S. [redacted] & Assoc., PLLC understands how stressful financial hardship can be and the toll it takes even on the best of us. [redacted] was a good client who, during her enrollment, always cooperated with our staff, responded to our correspondences in a timely manner, and compensated us for the services that we did provide. Therefore, after speaking to her recently and considering the matter further, the Law Offices of Robert S. [redacted] & Assoc., PLLC was pleased to offer her a partial reimbursement. [redacted] expressed her satisfaction and that this will help her in resolving her debts. It was unfortunate to lose her as a client but we wish her the very best of luck in the future.

Respectfully,

The Law Offices of Robert Gitmeid helped me out in one of the toughest situations of my life. I found out that I had a judgement on a lawsuit that I never even knew about and now the creditor who sued me was trying to garnish my paychecks. The worst part about it was I just got a brand new job so I was terrified of getting embarrassed in front of my new employer. The Gitmeid Law firm took on my case, convinced the creditor to not garnish me and even got the amount I owed lowered by almost $3000! At the end of the day, not only did they save me a few thousand dollars but they also saved me my good name. Their attorneys were very nice and listened to me (which I think is rare with attorneys). They also accomplished all of this for me in just a few weeks and I'm really grateful to them for that.

Review: The Gitmeid Law firm was hired by [redacted] to settle a debt for my wife with [redacted] Bank. The debt was settled, but I did not receive written confirmation from [redacted] that the debt was satisfied. My wife contacted [redacted] and was told that they would only provide this information to the attorney that represented her. I have made numerous attempts to contact [redacted], only to be ignored. I have also made several attempts both via email and telephonically to contact Gitmied Law only to be ignored. I MUST have written confirmation from [redacted] that the debt in question is satisfied and according to [redacted], only the attorney that represented my wife can request this.Desired Settlement: I MUST have a letter from [redacted] stating that the debt in question was satisfied. According to [redacted], only the attorney that represented my wife can request this information.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved. The merchant responded to my needs quickly as soon as the complaint was received.

Sincerely,

Review: When we closed our account they told us we would get our money from our holding account. Our closing wasn't processed until days later and all our money went to paying things that shouldn't have been.Desired Settlement: That we get the 851.50 from our holding account that was promised.

Business

Response:

The Law Offices of Robert S. Gitmeid & Associates, PLLC is first and foremost a consumer’s law firm. Our clients are average consumers who have fallen into stressful times and need legal assistance against creditor harassment, representation in bankruptcy, or professional debt negotiation. Our clients rely on us to help them in stressful circumstances and, therefore, we give all of their matters the attention they deserve. When we received notice of [redacted]’s complaint, we addressed it immediately.

[redacted] was a client of ours since February 2014. On July **, 2014 at 9:36AM (EST), [redacted] called our office to inform us that he wished to withdraw from our legal services. We initiated the termination process immediately after receiving [redacted]’s call. At that time, [redacted] had $851.00 in his holding account which he had previously deposited. Later that same day at 4:12PM (EST), [redacted] called in again to request that his refund be made via direct deposit into his bank account. Since we had already notified the financial institution to close his account and to issue his refund, we informed him that it may be too late to request a direct-deposit refund. The financial institution’s protocol is to issue a check unless requested otherwise at the outset. At that time we also provided [redacted] with the financial institution’s phone number so that he can contact them directly as well.

Additionally, [redacted] had an outstanding balance of $394.42 for fees for services already provided to him prior to his cancellation. Generally, when a client has an outstanding balance at the time of cancellation, we inform them that the outstanding balance will be applied to their holding account and a refund will be issued for the difference. Nevertheless, the Law Offices of Robert S. Gitmeid & Associates, PLLC’s philosophy is always that “consumers come first.” So when [redacted] expressed his frustrations about not receiving his funds promptly via direct deposit, we took this into consideration and were glad to waive our outstanding fees. It is actually not uncommon that we grant an accommodation to a client in the form of a fee waiver. We confirmed to him that he will receive his funds back in full and, indeed, we issued a refund check for $851.00 and mailed it to [redacted]’s home address. [redacted] had received and deposited the check on August **, 2014.

Of course we were disappointed to learn that [redacted] made the decision to withdraw from our services. Being a firm that is dedicated to consumers’ rights, the Law Offices of Robert S. Gitmeid & Associates, PLLC makes every effort to address clients’ frustrations, regardless of whether it’s a prospective, current, or former client. [redacted] was a great client who always responded to our communications and requests promptly. Therefore, we made a small exception which, hopefully, helped him in some way beyond our relationship. In conclusion, since [redacted] has already received a full refund, including a fee waiver, we regard this matter as resolved and completed.

Respectfully Yours,

Review: I signed up for Debt Relief on 8/*/12 because my wife had to stop working due to health. We had debt with [redacted] - settled; [redacted] - settled; [redacted] - settled with [redacted] to be next after [redacted] which would receive their last payment on July **,2014. On 1/**/2014, I received a letter from [redacted] stating that the monies I owed was written off by [redacted] - in full - and with the letter was a letter stating that the "Date of Identifiable Event" was 5/**/2013. I sent a copy of the letter to Gitmeid, followed up with several phone calls. (They never received the letter). I faxed it the fifth time and I called - and stayed on the line until they received it - and I was told that the program would end at the end of July because "there were not any more settlements to be made". I followed up yesterday to assure myself that everything was in order only to find out that I owe then for the "SERVICE FEES" for the [redacted] settlement - an additional $2000+.I don't believe that The Law Office of Gitmeid should receive "FEES" for services they did not preform. If they did send [redacted] an original letter, that service needs to be paid for but not for negotiating a settlement to the sum of $2000+ in fees.Thank you in advance for anything you can do for us,[redacted]Desired Settlement: I agree that if they had an expense incurred, they have to be paid but they can't ask for money for services not preformed

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Sincerely,

I contacted Gitmeid and Associates through a debt relief website right after my divorce when I was broke AF and owed a ton on my credit cards. I was a little hesitant because my mom is always like "everyone's a scammer, blah blah," but let me tell you - these people have been nothing but amazing. Every time I talk to someone they're EXTREMELY nice and helpful and really make me feel secure about the whole process. I reached really awesome settlements on all three of my accounts in two years and only paid like 50-60% of what I originally owed. I'm in negotiations for my last account right now and in a month I'll be completely credit card debt free (if only I could do something about those pesky school loans...) They've always been super transparent about the whole process and have diligently sent me statements to keep me updated on everything. I'm so happy to have my life back after all this debt, and I 100% would recommend them to anyone that finds themselves in my situation. DON'T FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY! There's a better way, and it's definitely Robert Gitmeid's people :)

Review: Robert Gitmeid was the firm assigned to my credit counseling issues. I pay them $345 per month to negotiate and resolve my credit card issues. They were supposed to work out a deal with one of my accounts that was at a balance of $3200 when I turned it over. Robert Gitmeid never worked out a deal with this company and made no effort to let me know about it. The balance reached over $4000. Today as a surprise to me my wages are now in garnishment. A lawsuit had been filed against me that I was not aware of because Robert Gitmeid had a Cease & Desist order on this account. The creditor was not allowed to speak with me. Now each of my paychecks has $418.34 taken out. I am paid bi-weekly and all of a sudden I am losing nearly $840 per month until this is paid off. With this kind of garnishment I cannot afford to pay my other bills. I am in jeopardy of potentially losing my car and my home. I could even lose my job if I cannot afford to drive there. This is totally unacceptable.Desired Settlement: This company should be responsible for paying off the debt that I turned over to them. I would still be responsible for paying off the debt but at a much more reasonable rate that they had promised me from the beginning. I went from paying $345/month to get this resolved to now having to pay over $1000/month. This kind of payment increase is not what I signed up for.

Business

Response:

Thank you for bringing [redacted] matter to our attention. The Law Offices of Robert S. Gitmeid & Assoc., PLLC is a law firm providing quality legal representation to clients who are experiencing challenges with their creditors. Our attorneys and legal support team consistently strive to provide our clients with the highest level of professionalism, competency, and compassion. When we learned of [redacted] concerns we investigated the matter immediately. [redacted] has been a client of ours since July *, 2013. [redacted] retained our law firm to communicate with his creditors in an effort to reduce his balances, enable him to pay the lower amounts at a pace he can afford, and thereby improve his financial position overall. Specifically, [redacted] hired us to reduce nine (9) separate account balances with his creditors. Over the course of our representation, we’ve successfully negotiated seven (7) out of those nine (9), saving him over four thousand dollars ($4,000) on his balances. Unfortunately, though, [redacted] is now being garnished on one of the other two accounts – his [redacted] Smart Connect account. There’s no question that this is a very disappointing situation. Simultaneously, though, we’ve carefully investigated this matter and have found the following: A review of the court records shows that his creditor initiated the lawsuit against [redacted] back in February 2015 and then mailed copies of it to him in March and April 2015. [redacted] first notified our office of the impending garnishment via e-mail on September *, 2015. However, the court records also show the address listed in the case record as different from the one we have on file and may be why [redacted] did not know about it until much later, when the garnishment process had already been initiated. Our office had no notice of the lawsuit at all until [redacted] notified us in September. Had our office known about it sooner, we would have had a much greater opportunity to communicate with the creditor and, perhaps at the very least, avoid a garnishment. Indeed, four months passed from the time that the lawsuit was mailed to [redacted] to the time he learned about it. When he notified us, we reached out to the creditor immediately in an effort to stave off the garnishment and resolve the account. Unfortunately, though, we had only one week’s notice, which was also a very small window of time for [redacted] to gather enough funds to afford a payment that would appease the creditor. The Law Offices of Robert S. Gitmeid & Assoc., PLLC truly understands the frustration and concerns which this ordeal has caused [redacted]. He’s been a great client for over two years and continues to be so today. Therefore, we would like to offer [redacted] an accommodation and take on this garnishment matter in Court at no additional cost. Though [redacted] never retained us for litigation services, we’re happy to offer this to him and, hopefully, turn the garnishment into a debt reduction. Simply because we did not cause a problem does not mean we won’t endeavor to solve it. We sincerely hope that [redacted] will accept our offer. If he does, we will do our very best to achieve a result that is satisfactory to him. Sincerely,Robert S. G[redacted], E**. Law Offices of Robert S. Gitmeid & Assoc., PLLC