FTC Targets Credit Scams: i3solutions.net, Score Optimization System SOS, Merle Eugene Schwalen III

FTC Targets Credit Scams: i3solutions.net, Score Optimization System SOS, Merle Eugene Schwalen III

Real Estate Investor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2009 · 1 post · 0 votes

Hi, All,

Just a quick post, in hopes that even one person might be warned away from what I experienced.

I just went thru a lot of lost cash and pain dealing with a fraudulent Credit Repair Agency (per FTC).

The reason I'm posting this is just to hopefully help someone else by warning them away from these companies.

Let's just say i wish someone had warned me about just ONE of the 36 companies described in this pdf file from the Federal Trade Commission....

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2008/10/081023sweeplist.pdf

Vern

Here is an example I found posted on the web, described in this FTC document...

I3SOLUTIONS.NET, GENE SCHWALEN: Cease & Desist issued to i3Solutions.net, Merle Eugene Schwalen III, by NC Attorney General.

Item 1. N Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper issues Cease and desistletter to i3 Solutions (McKinney, Texas) on March 6, 2008.

Item 2. Federal Trade Commission 'Operation Clean Sweep' crackdown on credit repair companies.

Item 3. NC Attorney General demanded following companies stop chargingconsumers upfront fees for credit repair in violation of state Law: I3Solutions, Inc., McKinney; Texas, et al.

Item 4. http://www.ftc.gov/os/2008/10/081023sweeplist.pdf

Item 5. Noelle Talley, NC Public Information Officer 919-716-6484.

:roll:

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J ScottPro Member
Moderator
Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
15y
Originally posted by Christy Cole:
S&S Private Capital, Inc. and S.O.S. is not in any way affiliated with I3 Solutions.
....
1. Claim: I3 Solutions Targeted by the FTC.

Fact: I3 Solutions was never targeted by the FTC – Federal Trade Commission.
....
2. Claim: I3 Solutions was issued a Cease and Desist order by the FTC.

Fact: I3 Solutions was never issued any Cease and Desist order by the FTC.

For reference, if you had stopped after your first statement of, "S&S Private Capital, Inc. and S.O.S. is not in any way affiliated with I3 Solutions," I probably wouldn't have dug any further.

But, then you felt the need to defend I3 Solutions against the allegations, which made me wonder...

Long story short, according to his linked in profit, Gene Schwalen is both CEO of I3 Solutions, Inc and S&S Private Capital, Inc, which in my book is much more than just an affiliation:

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/gene-schwalen/5/29b/863

In fact, it would seem I3 Solutions and S&S Private Capital are run by the same person, which would likely make them one and the same, though I guess technically the guy could be so good that he's maintaining two CEO jobs simultaneously...

Oh, and you not felt the need to revive a thread that is nearly 2 years old, I'm guessing nobody would have ever read this again...saving you some embarrassment :roll:

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Consumer Credit Expert · San Diego, CA · Member since 2009 · 29 posts · 1 vote
    17y

    That stinks, sorry you had to find out the hard way....

    If you need basic repair I'll tell you how to do it yourself....

    Feel free to PM me.

    Frank

  • Joshua D.Pro Member
    BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    17y

    Why not share with all of us, Frank? We've got an article directory here on the site if you'd like to submit one or several that might be helpful.

  • Real Estate Agent · Tampa, FL · Member since 2009 · 456 posts · 123 votes
    17y

    if you're lazy, skyblue credit repair took care of me. they are very helpful, easily reachable by phone, money-back guarantee, and reasonably priced.

    (I'm in no way affiliated with them I just used the service)

  • Select a State · Member since 2011 · 1 post · 0 votes
    15y

    As a representative of S&S Private Capital, Inc., the management team would like to respond to this thread as the developer and owner of S.O.S. – Score Optimization SystemsTM.

    The reason for our response is it appears this thread ties S.O.S. – Score Optimization Systems and I3 Solutions together as one in the same when in fact they are not.

    S&S Private Capital is the developer and owner of all patents and trademarks to the “S.O.S. - Score Optimization Systems†and its technology referred to in this thread. S&S Private Capital, Inc. and S.O.S. is not in any way affiliated with I3 Solutions.

    Let it also be known S.O.S. - Score Optimization Systems is not a company. It is a system (technology) that was developed and branded as a product to assist consumers in analyzing their personal credit file in order to determine the most effective and efficient way to optimize their credit rating and obtain their financial goals. The S.O.S. system analyzes a consumer’s credit report and determines a plan of action for the consumer to meet any credit score and loan requirements necessary allowing them to qualify for the financial solutions they desire. For a very short period of time, S&S Private Capital, Inc. provided I3 Solutions with limited marketing rights to the S.O.S. system as a result of subcontracting a percentage of their dispute affidavit processing to S&S Private Capital.

    Due to our S.O.S. - Score Optimization Systems being linked to I3 Solutions inadvertently via this thread, I would also like to address any and all claims noted in this thread including the statement I3 Solutions was targeted by the FTC, which we have also researched. If you will refer to the PDF document for which you have supplied a link, I would like to help clear up a few things you may have misunderstood in this document:

    1. Claim: I3 Solutions Targeted by the FTC.

    Fact: I3 Solutions was never targeted by the FTC – Federal Trade Commission.

    Explanation: The FTC did in fact initiate a program known as “Operation Clean Sweepâ€. However, it was against companies that were not properly licensed or bonded according to state and federal laws. I3 Solutions was never listed in this operation at any time as they were licensed and bonded.

    2. Claim: I3 Solutions was issued a Cease and Desist order by the FTC.

    Fact: I3 Solutions was never issued any Cease and Desist order by the FTC.

    Explanation: Under the column heading â€Responsible Partyâ€, you will see that I3 Solutions was issued a cease and desist “letter†on March 6, 2008, by the North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, NOT the FTC. Additionally, under the column heading “Statusâ€, please note, the cell is blank. A letter was sent initially and no other action was taken. The North Carolina Attorney General sent this letter due to not having the licensing and bonding information on file, for which I3 solutions subsequently provided, which is why no legal action was taken at all. The PDF document from the link you provided clearly identifies any legal action taken against the companies who were in violation.

    3. Claim: “Credit Repair†Companies are not allowed to charge up front fees.

    Fact: True! However, Credit Services Organizations are allowed to charge upfront fees if licensed properly according to federal and state laws.

    Explanation: Each state has their own laws and statutes in regards to Credit Services Organizations just like each state all have their own laws and statutes in regards to banking, mortgage lending, clean air acts, etc. Each company is required to comply with all federal and state laws according to how they are licensed.

    We would like to note S&S Private Capital and its S.O.S. – Score Optimization Systems is committed to excellence and meets all state and federal regulations. Our success is measured not by our own actions, but by the results our clients receive in obtaining all their financial goals.

    S&S Private Capital would be more than happy to assist you in any way or answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us at any time.

    S & S Private Capital, Inc.
    [EMAIL REMOVED]
    [LINK REMOVED]

  • J ScottPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Christy Cole:
    S&S Private Capital, Inc. and S.O.S. is not in any way affiliated with I3 Solutions.
    ....
    1. Claim: I3 Solutions Targeted by the FTC.

    Fact: I3 Solutions was never targeted by the FTC – Federal Trade Commission.
    ....
    2. Claim: I3 Solutions was issued a Cease and Desist order by the FTC.

    Fact: I3 Solutions was never issued any Cease and Desist order by the FTC.

    For reference, if you had stopped after your first statement of, "S&S Private Capital, Inc. and S.O.S. is not in any way affiliated with I3 Solutions," I probably wouldn't have dug any further.

    But, then you felt the need to defend I3 Solutions against the allegations, which made me wonder...

    Long story short, according to his linked in profit, Gene Schwalen is both CEO of I3 Solutions, Inc and S&S Private Capital, Inc, which in my book is much more than just an affiliation:

    http://www.linkedin.com/pub/gene-schwalen/5/29b/863

    In fact, it would seem I3 Solutions and S&S Private Capital are run by the same person, which would likely make them one and the same, though I guess technically the guy could be so good that he's maintaining two CEO jobs simultaneously...

    Oh, and you not felt the need to revive a thread that is nearly 2 years old, I'm guessing nobody would have ever read this again...saving you some embarrassment :roll:

  • Altus, OK · Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 690 votes
    15y

    Man what is up with these newbs bumping up old threads today. Weren't we discussing this the other day sheesh :roll:

  • Investor · Kalamazoo, MI · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 495 votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Mr_Investor:
    Man what is up with these newbs bumping up old threads today. Weren't we discussing this the other day sheesh :roll:

    It is happening lot. What the heck is going on? Who cares abut this old stuff?

  • Flipper/Rehabber · cincinnati, OH · Member since 2009 · 211 posts · 59 votes
    15y

    Kind of glad this was renewed.. I was SCAMED by i3 solutions a couple years ago. Who should I contact about that Christy?

  • Flipper/Rehabber · cincinnati, OH · Member since 2009 · 211 posts · 59 votes
    15y

    I was also scammed by my spelling teachers..

  • Consumer Credit Expert · San Diego, CA · Member since 2009 · 29 posts · 1 vote
    10y

    Woops, haven't logged in for years!  I don't mind sharing how credit works.  I get upset with your typical credit repair company that just sends in dispute letters.  It's not a bad option for $75/mo but it's just not enough to get somebody in a position of getting a loan approval.

  • Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y

    The best way is to go to www.creditboards.com , which has some great discussion forums. But it will take time and effort to learn and apply all the things.

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