Debt or credit management -- Charged upfront or unexpected fees -- Complaint #17873593
Complaint Overview
Complaint ID: 17873593
Company: Five Lakes Law Group Pllc
Product: Debt or credit management
Sub-Product: Debt settlement
Issue: Charged upfront or unexpected fees
State: New Jersey
ZIP Code: 08753
Date Received: 2025-11-30T12:00:00-05:00
Date Sent to Company: 2025-12-09T12:00:00-05:00
Company Response: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: No
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Submitted Via: Web
Consumer Narrative
I enrolled in a debt relief program with Five Lakes Law Group to settle several credit card accounts. I made scheduled deposits to my dedicated XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) account, intending to complete payments on three settlement agreements by XX/XX/XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, Five Lakes Law Group deducted a {$990.00} program fee from my dedicated account without notice or authorization. This deduction was premature, as the corresponding accounts were still under active settlement, and I had not defaulted on any payment obligations. The funds were needed to complete my existing settlements. When I contacted them, they acknowledged taking the {$990.00} as part of a 27 % fee, claiming they collect fees aggressively after the first settlement payment. However, this action violates the FTCs Debt Relief Rule ( 16 CFR 310.8 ), which prohibits collecting advance fees before a debt has been fully settled or paid. My accounts are still active. I requested the {$990.00} be returned to my dedicated accountnot refunded outrightso the settlements could stay on track. Five Lakes refused to process the correction in writing, stating that refunds can only be handled via phone. I have documented emails showing I requested all communication in writing, but they continued to make unsolicited phone calls despite clear written instructions not to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Complaint #17873593 about?
Complaint #17873593 was filed against Five Lakes Law Group Pllc regarding Debt or credit management specifically about Charged upfront or unexpected fees. It was received by the CFPB on 2025-11-30T12:00:00-05:00.
How did Five Lakes Law Group Pllc respond to this complaint?
The company responded with: "Closed with explanation". The response was not timely.
What is the risk level of this complaint?
See the risk assessment section for details on this complaint's risk profile.
How do I file a similar complaint?
You can file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Select the appropriate product category (Debt or credit management) and describe your issue in detail.
Can I see other complaints against Five Lakes Law Group Pllc?
Yes, visit the Five Lakes Law Group Pllc company profile at readthecomplaint.com/company/five-lakes-law-group-pllc to see all complaints, risk scores, and analysis.
Disclaimer
This analysis is AI-generated based on publicly available CFPB complaint data. It does not constitute financial or legal advice.