The ads are compelling. “If you have at least $10,000 of credit card debt, you are eligible to have half of it forgiven!” “Debt-settlement solutions!”
I see these ads nailed to telephone poles, plastered all over the internet and broadcast over radio and television. Even though I know what’s going on, they grab my attention and make me wonder for a second or two if perhaps I’ve missed some new bailout legislation.
In an act of due diligence, I have inquired of a number of these come-ons. It’s not pleasant. Not one of the companies I have contacted will answer any of my questions. They are tight-lipped, insisting that first I must give them my Social Security number, and the details of my supposed debt before they can answer any questions. Of course I will not do that. I just want to ask a few basic questions….