Debtmerica Press Releases

Debtmerica Applauds New FTC Rules and Proudly Launches a Performance-Based Debt Settlement Program

The Debtmerica team is eager to participate as an industry leader under the new and consumer aligned debt settlement environment

Los Angeles (Vocus/PRWEB ) September 2, 2010 -- Debtmerica, LLC, a nationwide leader in offering debt settlement services for consumers, today launched its new 100% performance-based debt settlement program which is aligned with the new Federal Trade Commission's regulations. Consumers enrolling in this exciting new program, named "Performance100™", will not pay any fees until settlements are reached with consumer's creditors. Debtmerica intends to pilot this new service through its most experienced and qualified debt settlement consultants and anticipates a complete transition well in advance of the October 27, 2010 deadline as mandated by the Federal Trade Commission. The performance-based program will be available to any client that inquires.

"We feel that these new regulations will get rid of debt settlement firms that are not able to deliver the services they advertise, leaving the honest, legitimate, and financially stable firms to serve the needs of consumers," says Jesse Torres, co-founder and CEO of Debtmerica.

The FTC announced its final rule on July 28, 2010, which will apply to all providers of debt settlement services and mandates enhanced disclosure requirements by the end of September. One other aspect of the regulation prohibits debt settlement providers from accepting fees from a consumer for debt settlement services prior to the actual settlement of enrolled debt balances with the consumer's creditors, which is to take effect in October. Unlike other firms that adamantly opposed the FTC banning advanced fees, Debtmerica has taken a proactive and leading role by making preparations for months to transition its business model to one that simply makes better sense for the industry and consumers.

Debtmerica's additional co-founder and COO, Harry Langenberg, states, "We are very excited about the future of the debt settlement industry since the recent FTC ruling was released. We believe these requirements are going to help clean up an industry that has been running wildly out of control. Our mission has always been to deliver an effective product for consumers in need of debt relief and for the past two years, it has been very difficult to operate in a marketplace that was ridden with unscrupulous and fee-addicted companies. Now debt settlement providers will be held accountable both legally and financially to make their programs successful, and if they cannot, they will be out of business."

Today, Americans owe approximately $2.5 trillion in consumer debt – not including mortgages. The average American with a credit file holds more than $10,000 in credit card debt. Debt settlement is a much needed and effective form of debt relief that allows providers to negotiate directly with creditors on the consumer's behalf to resolve the consumer's unsecured debt balances. Unfortunately, it is has been challenging for consumers to select reputable providers and some companies took advantage of these consumers which left many individuals in a worse position than they were prior to entering the program.

"At Debtmerica, compliance and adherence to the rules is our first order of business. It is our goal to help foster an industry of reputable and compliant providers for those consumers looking for options of debt relief and root out those companies misleading consumers." says Torres.

Debtmerica Relief, headquartered in Orange County, CA, provides assistance to families who are experiencing financial difficulties and hardship. Its focus on negotiated debt settlement provides a very powerful solution with the ultimate goal of helping its clients become debt free and remain so. To date, the Debtmerica Team has enrolled over 10,000 clients into debt resolution programs and helped clients get back on their feet financially.

A Member of The Association for Settlement Companies (TASC), Debtmerica was recognized in 2009 and 2010 as an Accredited Organization in Compliance with TASC Best Practices Standards. Debtmerica was honored in 2009 as one of the "Best Places to Work" in Orange County by the Orange County Business Journal (OCBJ), and was also ranked #3 in the OCBJ's "Fastest-Growing Companies" in Orange County. Additionally, Debtmerica recently made rank on Inc. Magazine's 2010 Inc. 500 list as one of America's fastest growing private companies.

Debtmerica Revisits Inc. 500|5000 List, Ranking in the Top 500

Los Angeles (Vocus/PRWEB) August 27, 2010 --Debtmerica, LLC, a provider of debt resolution programs for consumers, achieves a ranking of #184 on the Inc. 500|5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. Previously ranked #748 in 2009, this is the second year that Debtmerica has been included on the prestigious Inc. Magazine list. The firms are ranked based on their percentage of revenue growth from 2006 through 2009.

"This honor is a big pat on the back to all the staff of Debtmerica that have worked cohesively to support our clients and our mission. We are blessed to have strong management capabilities throughout the firm and a very motivated team. Most importantly, we appreciate our partners and our clients that have chosen to work with Debtmerica in a very competitive marketplace. Without them, we would not have made it on this list," says Harry Langenberg, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Debtmerica.

Comprised of the top 5,000 fastest-growing privately-held companies in the nation, the Inc. 500|5000 list offers an extensive look at America’s entrepreneurs. The average annual revenue growth of Inc. 5000 companies has decreased from 106.3 percent last year to 45.8 percent. With an annual growth rate of 1,549%, Debtmerica has grown considerably faster than the average during this time period.

Inc. Magazine breaks down their list further to show the top 100 fastest-growing companies by region and industry. Debtmerica places high on both lists as the 13th fastest-growing company in the Los Angeles region and the 13th fastest-growing company in the Financial Services sector.

Debtmerica also attributes its major growth and success to its constant emphasis on integrity, compliance and customer service. Striving to remain at the forefront of industry rules and regulations, Debtmerica is an accredited member of TASC - a nonprofit trade association for the debt settlement industry that protects the interests of consumer debtors and lobbies on behalf of its members and the industry as a whole. Debtmerica debt consultants are required to become IAPDA certified shortly after employment, which requires comprehensive training and examination.

Jesse Torres, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Debtmerica, states "Debtmerica is looking forward to remaining an industry leader in the years to come, not only from a growth perspective, but by also setting a good example of utilizing best practices. Our clients, partners and staff are all stakeholders in our growth and compliance, and their interests are our main priority."

About Debtmerica Relief

A Member of The Association for Settlement Companies (TASC), Debtmerica was recognized in 2009 and 2010 as an Accredited Organization in Compliance with TASC Best Practices Standards. Debtmerica was honored in 2009 as one of the “Best Places to Work” in Orange County by the Orange County Business Journal (OCBJ), and was also ranked #3 in the OCBJ's "Fastest-Growing Companies" in Orange County. Additionally, Debtmerica made rank on Inc. Magazine’s 2009 Inc. 5000 list as one of America’s fastest growing private companies.

Debtmerica Helps Foster Teens Learn Real World Personal Finance Strategies

Debtmerica, LLC teamed up with the Orangewood Children’s Foundation to help foster children learn to manage personal finances with an all-day event set in a fictional “Independent City.”

June 17, 2010 -- On Saturday, April 24, Debtmerica, LLC teamed up with the Orangewood Children’s Foundation to help foster children learn to manage their personal finances with an all-day event set in a fictional “Independent City.”

Volunteers helped construct and operate “Independent City,” which simulated some of the day-to-day challenges faced by adults in modern American society. Orangewood’s foster teens were able to learn valuable lessons about paying for housing, child care, groceries, and utilities at various stations in the exhibit, which was held in Irvine, California’s Pretend City Children’s Museum.

In a letter thanking Debtmerica volunteers after the event, Orangewood volunteer services program manager Kristi Piatkowski - who had previously lauded the assistance of Debtmerica volunteers for their assistance at another event last year - said that “the youth learned about money management through their workshops,” and added that “the volunteers were wonderful in making sure that the day was educational and fun!”
Piatkowski also noted that without Debtmerica’s support, both financial and in-kind, the event would not have happened.

Harry Langenberg, one of the Managing Partners of Debtmerica, spoke on behalf of his team, “we are very proud to be part of Orangewood’s mission. Debtmerica is a big proponent of giving back to the Community where it can, and Orangewood’s programs enable our entire staff to get involved and contribute to a wonderful cause.”

The Orangewood Children’s Foundation’s goal is to help eliminate the neglect and abuse of children in Orange County, California. The foundation works to accomplish this on four main fronts: Strengthening families to prevent abuse from occurring in the first place, protecting children from abusive homes from physical and emotional violence, emancipating teens from abusive families, and promoting enhanced public awareness of the challenges faced by children raised in such damaging environments. This last goal has been the area in which important partners like Debtmerica have been able to do the most good for the foundation’s kids.

Debtmerica is a financial services company that provides assistance to families who are experiencing financial difficulties and hardship. Headquartered in Orange County, CA, Debtmerica focuses on negotiated debt settlement, a powerful debt relief option which helps clients get debt free and remain so. By actually reducing debt balances over the course of the program and providing an affordable monthly payment, consumers can experience lasting benefit to their financial well-being. Debtmerica was recently named one of the “Best Places to Work” in Orange County, CA, where it also was awarded for being the third Fastest Growing Company in 2009.

Debtmerica Honored as One of the “Fastest-Growing Private Companies” in Orange County

Thursday, November 05, 2009 09:00 AM

Debtmerica Relief, a debt settlement company, ranked #3 on the OCBJ's List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Orange County, CA.

Los Angeles November 5, 2009 -- Debtmerica, LLC, assisting consumers nationwide with negotiated debt settlement, ranks #3, on the Orange County Business Journal’s (OCBJ) Top 100 list of fastest-growing private companies in Orange County, CA. Honored companies were ranked based on their 2-year percentage of revenue growth through June of 2009.

Debtmerica grew very quickly in a challenging economy with a total 2-year growth of 1,462%. This landed the Company among the top 10 fastest-growing private companies in Orange County, and it was honored at the prestigious OCBJ event which was broadcast on local television. Companies honored were also featured on OCBJ’s special report issue and given an award. Debtmerica credits most of its success to the talented abilities of its staff and its dedication to build strong partnerships.

“At Debtmerica, we are blessed to have such a capable and motivated staff. Our philosophy is that clients come first and everyone is focused on getting our message out and seeing our clients and partners succeed. With satisfied clients and an appreciative staff, the rest of the pieces have come together nicely for the firm,” says Harry Langenberg, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Debtmerica, LLC.

Based in Santa Ana, CA Debtmerica currently has over 70 employees and is continuing to grow. The Company is an accredited member of both TASC and USOBA and requires its debt consultants to go through comprehensive training to become IAPDA certified. All certifications require both the individual and Company to maintain a high level of service, disclosure, and integrity.

In addition to OCBJ’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies award, Debtmerica has also been honored as one of Orange County’s Best Places to Work by OCBJ and has also made it onto the Inc 500|5000 List.

About Debtmerica Relief

Debtmerica Relief, headquartered in Orange County, CA, provides assistance to families who are experiencing financial difficulties and hardship. Its focus on negotiated debt settlement provides a very powerful solution with the ultimate goal of helping its clients get debt free and remain so. By actually reducing debt balances over the course of the program and providing an affordable monthly payment, consumers can experience lasting benefit to their financial well-being.

Debtmerica Honored as One of the “Best Places to Work” in Orange County

Tuesday, October 06, 2009 07:37 PM

Debtmerica Relief, a debt settlement company that provides debt solutions for consumers nationwide, ranked #4 on the Best Places to Work list in the medium-sized category.

Los Angeles (Vocus/PRWEB ) October 6, 2009 -- The Orange County Business Journal released its official list of Orange County’s Best Places to Work on September 28, 2009. The list, comprised of the top 40 companies to work for in the County of Orange, is separated into 3 categories based on the number of employees. Debtmerica Relief, a debt settlement company that provides debt solutions for consumers nationwide, ranked #4 on the Best Places to Work list in the medium-sized category.

Companies that made the top of the list are recognized for their outstanding leadership, communication, and work environment. Most importantly, the list honors employers that cultivate a company culture where employees enjoy coming to work. Participating companies were given a 2 part survey where three-quarters of the company’s score was based on employee feedback given through an anonymous 67-question survey. The remaining quarter was based on a questionnaire given to the employer.

Debtmerica scored highest in the categories Leadership and Planning and Work Environment where 97% of the employees gave them high marks. Debtmerica also received great feedback in the category Corporate Culture and Communications with 95% giving positive responses.

When asked, what the company does to make it a place where people would want to work, an anonymous surveyor responded, “I love my job and who I work for!!! I feel like I am part of a wonderful family…from my team leader all the way up the ladder I am treated with respect and with care. I feel like they genuinely care about all of us here.”

To encourage overall team-building, Debtmerica hosts events such as bowling night and weekly softball games to promote interaction and support between the different departments. This is in addition to the monthly contests that recognize and award debt consultants who show exceptional customer service and have helped out a large number of clients become debt free. Aside from hosted events, Debtmerica also gives back to the community by encouraging employees to participate at organized volunteer events.

“This is one of the most valuable awards we have received. Our employees are our number one assets and to receive such great feedback directly from our own staff is a true honor,” says Harry Langenberg, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Debtmerica, LLC.

About Debtmerica

Debtmerica is a leading debt settlement company that offers assistance to individuals and families who are experiencing financial difficulties and hardship.

We specialize in negotiated debt settlement to assist clients by reducing debt balances while providing an affordable monthly payment.

Our professional and knowledgeable staff has helped thousands of consumers get back on their feet financially.