NC files suit against company accused of scamming Granville couple, others

Cooper says the company, Legal Helpers Debt Resolution, took more than $1.1 million from 412 North Carolinians from 2010 through April 2012 and failed to provide them with help to reduce their debts.

The suit also names the company's principals, Jeffrey Hyslip, Jason Searns, Jeffrey Aleman and Thomas Macey.

"Consumers overwhelmed with debt need real help, not schemers looking to make a quick buck off of them," Cooper said in a statement. "We pushed for a strong law in North Carolina that makes it illegal to collect money upfront for debt relief work, and we’ll keep enforcing the law against violators."

Cooper is asking the court to ban the defendants from offering debt settlement services in the state. The proposed court order seeks to prevent the company from taking payments or entering into contracts with any future customers in North Carolina. Cooper also wants the company to pay refunds to previous customers and civil penalties.

A 2005 state law made it illegal to charge an upfront fee for foreclosure assistance.

The company "gave them six months of stories about, 'Don't worry about your mortgage. We got you covered. We got your back. Don't make your payments, just pay us,'" said Ann Saccoccio of the DuRant Law Firm, who worked to help the Williamses keep their home. "They were able to rob this couple of their home and their trust."

Ten anonymous businessmen heard about the couple's story and committed to pay $40,000 to help save the house from foreclosure.

"There is no fast, easy way out of financial troubles," Cooper said. “Don’t put yourself deeper in a hole by falling for empty promises to settle your debt for pennies on the dollar."