Award-winning debt settlement company earns accredited status from two trusted industry organizations, demonstrating once again its trusted reputation to clients and offering hope to indebted consumers.

Columbia, MD-- (SBWIRE) -- 06/29/2010 -- Executives at Debt Shield, a Maryland-based debt settlement company, announced today that Debt Shield is officially an accredited member of TASC and USOBA.

Debt Shield has been a longstanding member of the United States Organization for Bankruptcy Alternatives (USOBA) and a member of The Association of Settlement Companies (TASC) and now the company has joined an elite group of accredited members.

"Accreditation sets Debt Shield even further apart from our competition by highlighting what we have always known- that Debt Shield is one of the most responsible and reputable debt settlement companies in the country," said Debt Shield Founder and CEO Phil Fewster.

Accreditation involves an internal audit process certifying that Debt Shield's business procedures adhere to the industry's best practices as defined by TASC and USOBA. Debt Shield was determined by an independent company to be compliant with both TASC and USOBA standards and codes. These standards include the promise to avoid deceptive marketing practices, service only qualified clients, maintain formal and continual employee training, advocate on the behalf of clients, and uphold the highest levels of integrity at all times. For complete standards and codes, see here http://www.tascsite.org/images/EditorImages/file/TASC_Standards.pdf and here http://www.usoba.org/images/stories/USOBA_Code_of_Ethics_09.pdf.

"I am proud of every member of the Debt Shield team, each of whom plays an integral role in helping our clients," explained Fewster. "From our debt consultants to our client coaches and our support staff and especially the clients themselves who have faced enormous challenges before they even pick up the phone and ask for help."

Debt Shield will undergo an annual review process to ensure the company continues to exemplify the industry's best practices.

TASC is a nonprofit organization that brings together professional, legislators and consumers to promote good, industry-wide, debt settlement practices. Learn more at http://www.tascsite.org/. USOBA supports regulation of the debt settlement industry as well as strong consumer protections. Learn more about the organization on their website, http://usoba.com/.

About Debt Shield, Inc.
Debt Shield, Inc., is an award-winning debt settlement company helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable settlements in consideration of the consumers' legitimate financial hardships. As an alternative to bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at http://www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Award-winning debt settlement company donates money to help earthquake torn Haiti.

Columbia, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/31/2010 -- Employees at Debt Shield, a Maryland-based debt settlement company, are donating money to the American Red Cross to aid efforts in Haiti.

"Due to the overwhelming response by staff members to help relief efforts in Haiti, we are proud to give our latest charitable donation to the Red Cross," said Michelle Scott, Debt Shield's Benefits and Payroll Manager. As the nation's premier emergency response organization, the Red Cross helps victims of natural disasters, like the 1.3 million Haitians left homeless after the January 12th earthquake.

The Red Cross is the latest organization to benefit from Debt Shield's Denim Dollar Fund. The Denim Dollar Fund is an employee-driven fund which gains money every Friday when employees elect to wear jeans for the price of one dollar. When enough money accrues, employees select a meaningful and worthwhile charity.

"Our employees understand that it's especially important to keep up charitable donations to disaster victims like those in Haiti because people will continue to suffer even as media attention subsides," said Scott. "This is especially true for the thousands of Haitians who currently live in tents in areas that will soon be flooded by the upcoming rainy season."

Just 16 days after the January 12th earthquake, the Red Cross had spent or committed $67 million in an effort that involved "more emergency response teams that any other single-country disaster in global Red Cross history." That number has risen to $106.4 million.

For up-to-date information on the American Red Cross efforts in Haiti, visit http://newsroom.redcross.org/category/haiti-earthquake-Jan-2010/. For more information about Debt Shield's Denim Fund, visit their website at http://www.debtshield.com/debtshieldhome/communityinvolvement.html.

About Debt Shield, Inc.
Debt Shield, Inc., is an award-winning debt settlement company helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable settlements in consideration of the consumers' legitimate financial hardships. As an alternative to bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at http://www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Award-winning debt settlement company outlines new credit card rules for consumers and alerts consumers to potential strategies in which creditors may recoup profit losses.

Columbia, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/02/2010 -- Executives at Debt Shield, a Maryland-based debt settlement company, are alerting consumers to new credit card provisions that went into effect last week.

The final provisions of the Credit CARD Act, which went into effect February 22, are aimed at protecting consumers; however creditors are poised to recoup financial losses in ways that could still negatively affect credit card holders.

"Major protections for consumers, especially regarding interest rates, will negatively affect creditors, which is why many will attempt alternative ways to make up their profit losses," explained Debt Shield CEO Phil Fewster. "Consumers are protected in some important ways, but they still need to stay alert."

Some creditors have already raised interest and created additional fees in preparation of profit-cutting provisions. Going forward, creditors could instate inactivity fees, annual fees or charge consumers for receiving paper bills.

"Now more than ever, it is crucial that consumers carefully read all notices and statements they get from their creditors," explained Fewster.

Under the law, creditors can no longer raise interest rates without warning, unless the rate hike falls under one of three exceptions. Creditors can raise rates if 1) the consumer is more than 60 days late with their payment, 2) the promotional rate has expired, or 3) the consumer has a variable rate card (as opposed to a fixed rate card). Aside from these exceptions, creditors cannot raise rates during the first year, raise rates on existing balances, and they must reinstate a lower rate if a late payment is followed up by 6 months of on-time payments. Moreover, borrowers are now allowed to decline interest rate hikes, close the account and pay off the balance at the current rate.

The law also provides protections for consumers under 21 who cannot be issued a card without proof of income or an adult cosigner. Credit card companies are also required to disclose how long it will take and how much it will cost to pay off the balance paying only the minimum payments. The law also prohibits shifting monthly due dates as well as issuing over-the-limit fees (unless the consumer agrees to allow transactions that push them over their limit).

"These provisions ensure greater transparency and limit some unfair creditor practices, but consumers shouldn't let down their guards," said Fewster. "The law does not cap interest rates or prohibit adding new fees."

Fewster encourages consumers to learn about the new law and understand their own credit card agreements, but most importantly he urges consumers to limit credit card purchases to emergency situations.

"Consumers tend to get into trouble when they are forced to rely on credit for everyday purchases like groceries and gas," said Fewster. "While this law is a step in the right direction, consumers are far better off when they are able to avoid using credit cards in the first place."

For more information about the Credit CARD Act, visit the Center for Responsible Lending at http://www.responsiblelending.org/credit-cards/policy-legislation/congress/Highlights-of-the-New-Credit-Card-Rules-What-They-Do-and-Don-t-Do.html.

About Debt Shield, Inc.
Debt Shield, Inc., is an award-winning debt settlement company helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable settlements in consideration of the consumers' legitimate financial hardships. As an alternative to bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at http://www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Award-winning debt settlement company reminds unemployed consumers about the importance of free annual credit reports.

Columbia, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/29/2010 -- Executives at Debt Shield, a Maryland-based debt settlement company, are reminding consumers to get their free annual credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com.

In additional to banks and lenders, some employers check applicants' credit reports before offering jobs. With the current unemployment rate at 10% this is still another reason for consumers to make sure their own reports are accurate and up-to-date.

Consumers are guaranteed free access to their credit reports once every year and are able to challenge inaccurate information through the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

"Once you access your credit report, you can check for errors as well as evidence of identity theft, which could otherwise affect your credit scores and cost you time, stress and money," explained Debt Shield CEO Phil Fewster.

Credit reports show consumers the information their creditors recount about their credit activity over the last seven to ten years. Annually checking a credit file can help consumers detect mistakes and outdated information that could cost thousands of dollars if uncorrected.

"Information on your credit report is how creditors determine how much interest to charge and whether or not to grant you a loan," said Fewster. "But because credit reports can also be accessed potential employers, you could damage your job prospects if errors or fraudulent behavior remains undetected."

Moreover, 43% of companies ran credit checks on potential hires, according to a 2006 poll from the Society for Human Resource Management. That figure is up from 36 % in 2004 and 25% in 1998. While some consumers groups do not think it's fair for employers run credit checks on applicants, currently only two states (Hawaii and Washington) prohibit them.

"Many unemployed consumers have learned the hard way that the current job market continues to struggle," said Fewster. "Being turned away from a job due a mistake on their credit file is about the last thing today's jobseekers need."

While there are multiple websites through which consumers can access their credit reports, the Federal Trade Commission states that AnnualCreditReport.com is "the only authorized online source for you to get a free credit report under federal law." There are three separate credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) all of which may have slightly different information. Consumers can obtain free annual credit reports from all three credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Consumers may be offered credit monitoring services and other related products for a price, but there is no obligation to make any purchase. It does cost money for consumers to access their credit scores, the three-digit number determined by the information in each credit report.

For more information on annual credit checks including frequently asked questions about checking your credit report, visit the FTC website at http://www.ftc.gov/freereports.

About Debt Shield, Inc.
Debt Shield, Inc., is an award-winning debt settlement company helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable settlements in consideration of the consumers' legitimate financial hardships. As an alternative to bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at http://www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Award-winning debt settlement company alerts consumers to new survey revealing how more and more collection agencies are accepting reduced debt settlements.

Columbia, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/22/2009 -- Executives at Debt Shield, a Maryland-based debt settlement company, are alerting their clients and consumers everywhere about a recent survey demonstrating the growing success of debt settlement.

About half of all collections agencies surveyed (54 percent) responded that "more settlement-in-full offers" were being extended to debtors, according to the recent Credit & Debt Collection Industry Confidence Survey. The survey also found that 44.1 percent of debt buyers were also accepting more settlement offers.

According to Debt Shield CEO Phil Fewster, these results show that more and more collectors realize debt settlement is a smart business decision.

"Due to our country's huge economic downslide, an increasing number of collectors have become much more open to exploring alternative solutions to recapture delinquent monies," said Fewster.

But it isn't internal red tape that can make the collection process slow and arduous.

"Unfortunately, the recent surge in the number of debt settlement companies to meet this growing demand by consumers for our assistance was filled by many of the same persons who helped bring down the mortgage industry," said Fewster. "Naturally this has a lot of creditors nervous."

Fewster explained that some new and disreputable debt settlement companies have tried to take advantage of current circumstances by enrolling consumers who could legitimately pay their bills.

"Fortunately, companies such as Debt Shield, who have been in the industry well before the boom hit, forged a great reputation and working relationship with many of these collectors," said Fewster. "Because they know we only enroll consumers who truly cannot afford to keep up with their minimum monthly payments and likewise cannot afford a credit counseling program, the collectors can forego much of the time-consuming, high-cost research and collection tactics they would otherwise need to invest."

Because Debt Shield can improve the profit margins and reputations of creditors, creditors in turn are more likely to offer concessions when debt settlement clients need them most.

"In essence, we are slowly converting our business from one that engages in a confrontational negotiation with our client's creditors to one in which we can sit side-by-side with collectors to work towards a common goal, which is to return to them as much money as the consumer can legitimately afford," said Fewster.

The survey also found that more than 85 percent of collection agencies are eager to try new collection strategies in light of declining recoveries.

To see the full survey, visit: http://www.insidearm.com/go/confidence-survey/fall09.

About Debt Shield:
Debt Shield, Inc., is an award-winning debt settlement company helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable settlements in consideration of the consumers' legitimate financial hardships. As an alternative to bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at http://www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Award-winning debt settlement company alerts creditors to Great Depression level charge-off rates and explains how debt settlement can help banks as well as debtors.

Columbia, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/12/2009 -- Executives at Debt Shield, a Maryland-based debt settlement company, are reminding banks that debt settlement can help cushion their losses as charge-off rates rise.

Charge-off rates, or the rates at which banks write off unpaid consumer debts, rose to 2.9 percent, a level not reached during the Great Depression, according to Moody's Investors Service. Debt Shield CEO Phil Fewster explained that debt settlement benefits banks because the process helps them collect a portion of consumers' outstanding debt, instead of losing entire accounts to bankruptcy.

"Debt settlement is a process which benefits both consumers and banks because it helps struggling consumers meet their financial obligations while making sure banks can collect as much as possible," explained Fewster.

Third-party collection agencies can recover only 29 percent for creditors on debts older than a year(1). Debt purchasers typically offer between 1 and 9 cents on the dollar for charged-off accounts(2). Fewster encourages creditors to compare these figures to the 30- 50 percent debt settlement agencies typically recover.

"Debt settlement companies can actually offer a greater return to creditors, as these figures demonstrate," said Fewster. "Furthermore, two-thirds of consumers fall off of Chapter 13 repayment plans, so creditors cannot count on recovering funds from bankruptcy filers either(3)."

The debt settlement industry returned $2.2 billion of consumer debt to creditors in 2008 alone, according to The Association of Settlement Companies. In addition, more than $500 million in settlement funds was available to credit card companies as of September 2009.

Bank charge-offs are expected to continue rising, even though some experts believe the current recession is ending, because charge-offs are a "lagging indicator," according to economist Dan North. Many of these charge-offs are on loans that were approved before banks began tightening lending standards. However, experts also predict the unemployment rate will continue to rise, yet another indication the economic recovery may be a slow process.

"These indicators underscore the need for debt settlement," explained Fewster. "It is an especially valuable option now because it can help boost the economy and speed up the economic recovery."

Fewster refers to the study "Debt Settlement: Fulfilling the Need for An Economic Middle Ground," which found that debt settlement can contribute to the overall economic recovery by correcting financial imbalances and improving access to credit. The study, published by Dr. Bernard Weinstein of Southern Methodist University and Dr. Terry Clower of University of North Texas, also found that "[c]reditors who work with debt settlement companies find that their liquidation rates improve while their overall expenses to work accounts decline."

(1) "What Percentage of Money Owed Is Typically Recovered by a Collection Agency?" AllBusiness.com.

(2) "'Zombie' Debt is Hard to Kill," Liz Pulliam Weston. MSNMoney.com.

(3) "Debtor Discharge and Creditor Repayment in Chapter 13," Scott F. Norberg, p.1, 2006.

About Debt Shield:
Debt Shield, Inc., is an award-winning debt settlement company helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable settlements in consideration of the consumers' legitimate financial hardships. As an alternative to bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at http://www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Award-winning debt settlement company alerts consumers to a new report that calculates consumer benefits to different debt relief approaches.

Columbia, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/10/2009 -- Executives at Debt Shield, a Maryland-based debt settlement company, are alerting consumers to a new report published by Southern Methodist University that finds debt settlement programs "create the greatest consumer welfare of any [debt relief] approach," specifically when compared to consumer credit counseling.

According to the report's author, Richard Briesch, PhD and Associate Professor of Southern Methodist University's Cox School of Business, the aim of the study was to understand different approaches to debt relief and analyze consumer benefits for each approach.

The report, "Economic Factors and the Debt Management Industry," also found that debt settlement "has an increasingly higher value to consumers with higher account balances and higher total debt," which echoes sentiments Debt Shield CEO Phil Fewster has been explaining for years.

"Debt settlement serves a niche of people with overwhelming credit card debt," said Fewster. "It fills a debt relief void between credit counseling, which many consumers cannot afford, and bankruptcy."

Fewster explained that credit counseling is a legitimate way out of debt for some people, but that debt settlement is specifically designed to help people with overwhelming debt as a result of a hardship such as unemployment, medical problems or divorce. This is especially important given that the long-term unemployment rate in May 2009 was triple the number at the start of the recession, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The report, which also analyzed the current economic climate, states that "many consumers are barely able to pay their debts and are one emergency away from financial hardship."

The report also encourages sufficient industry regulation for the debt settlement industry, a suggestion Debt Shield embraces. As a member of TASC (The Association of Settlement Companies) and USOBA (United States Organization for Bankruptcy Alternatives) Debt Shield is committed to promoting good industry practices and uniform legislation.

"Even prior to Debt Shield joining TASC and USOBA, I independently met with legislators and other industry executives to discuss the need for regulation of the debt settlement industry," said Fewster. "We have seen some fly-by-night companies that not only harm debt settlement's reputation but, more importantly, could affect already vulnerable consumers."

The goal, according to Fewster, should be to enact fair legislation to standardize the debt settlement model without restricting the business so much that ethical and hardworking companies such as Debt Shield are prevented from staying in business due to creditor, credit counseling, and other competitive interests lobbying to restrict this highly-demanded debt resolution option.

"Many people do not realize that the credit counseling industry is largely controlled by creditors and most Americans who enter into a debt management program through credit counseling do not complete it,"* explained Fewster. "In actuality, debt settlement is the only model that works exclusively for its clients, and debt settlement firms don't get kicked back monies from the creditors like credit counselors do. It's a shame that some creditors and credit counselors would rather spread negative propaganda to deflect their issues and guard their territory rather than coming together to work towards the common goal of helping our country dig out of this deep recession, one American at a time if need be."

Prior to Briesch's report, some of the benefits of debt settlement were also discussed in a multi-year study by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.

To read the report in full, visit http://www.consumercreditchoice.org/.


* The statistic is derived from the report, "Credit Counseling in Crisis," published by Consumer Federation of America, in conjunction with NCLC, April 2003, page 23: "Most agencies do not release information on their retention rates, although a 1999 NFCC memo cited by Consumer Reports found that just 21% of their clients completed DMPs while about the same percentage left to self-administer debt payments. NFCC now reports completion rates of about 26% with about 20% leaving for self-administration."


About Debt Shield:

Debt Shield, Inc., is an award-winning debt settlement company helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable settlements in consideration of the consumers' legitimate financial hardships. As an alternative to bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Award-winning debt settlement company makes charitable donation to environmental and wildlife conservation group.

Columbia, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/11/2009 -- Employees at Debt Shield, a Maryland-based debt settlement company, are celebrating their most recent charitable donation to Ducks Unlimited, the world's leading wetlands and waterfowl conservation organization.

Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores and manages North American wetlands and other waterfowl habitats. The group has conserved over 12.6 million acres in the United States, Canada and Mexico as of January 1, 2009.

The charity is the latest of dozens of charitable organizations to benefit from Debt Shield's Denim Fund. The Denim Fund is an employee-driven fund which gains money every Friday when employees elect to wear jeans for the price of one dollar. When enough money accrues, a charity, submitted by employees, is selected at random.

Ducks Unlimited is an effective and established charity in part because 88 percent of the donations they receive go directly toward waterfowl and wetlands conservation. Ducks Unlimited was organized by a small group of sportsmen in 1937 after the Dust Bowl reduced the water-fowl population to record low levels. Members of the group include conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts.

For more information about Debt Shield's Denim Fund, visit their website at http://www.debtshield.com/debtshieldhome/communityinvolvement.html. To learn more about Ducks Unlimited, please visit their website at http://www.ducks.org/.

About Debt Shield:
Debt Shield, Inc., is an award-winning debt settlement company helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable settlements in consideration of the consumers' legitimate financial hardships. As an alternative to bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at http://www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Award-winning debt settlement company protects consumer interests and promotes good practices as the newest member of TASC (The Association of Settlement Companies).

Columbia, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/06/2009 -- Executives at Debt Shield, a Maryland-based debt settlement company, announced today they have joined The Association of Settlement Companies (TASC), a debt settlement industry trade organization.

TASC is comprised of consumer-centric debt settlement companies that strive to collectively protect the interests of consumers by promoting good industry practices and uniform legislation.

"One of the many reasons we are proud to join TASC is because Debt Shield already shares their main objectives," said Debt Shield CEO Phil Fewster. "Debt Shield's existing practices, such as our consultative underwriting, customized programs for each client and our Customer Service Guarantee, demonstrate our commitment to providing our clients the most valuable and honest assistance possible."

TASC members are required to adhere to the organization's bylaws, which encourage the highest standards of service and were developed in consultation with state legislators as well as debt settlement companies.

"TASC has been lobbying for fair and reasonable regulation of the debt settlement industry for years now, and I am glad TASC is championing this important cause," Fewster explains. "Communicating with legislators is important because there is an increasing need for regulation as the debt settlement industry grows."

"The surge in settlement companies is in direct response to pressing consumer demand for our services. Without debt settlement providers, many American families are faced with going through some of the worst times of their lives alone. They have been drowning in debt for years due to high interest rates, late fees and trivial assistance from their creditors. Many cannot afford credit counseling programs, which require a monthly payment similar to what the creditor requires, but they still want to pay back what they can without having to face the long-term stigma some believe is associated with bankruptcy. Unfortunately, some fly-by-night companies have sprung up to take advantage of struggling credit card holders."

Fewster said that by working with consumers, creditors and legislators, as well as connecting with a reputable organization like TASC, a highly-regarded debt settlement company like Debt Shield can stand apart from others and demonstrate its good standing to consumers. This is especially important since the current economic downturn has left many families turning to professionals for debt help.

"The important thing is to get the right laws in place to weed out the bad actors while being careful not to eliminate this important debt relief option, which is needed now more than ever," Fewster said.

Consumers interested in debt settlement can visit the TASC website to read about recommended fee and program guidelines and learn how TASC secretly shops member companies to ensure they are complying with TASC requirements.

For more information, visit http://www.tascsite.org.

About Debt Shield:
Debt Shield, Inc., is an award-winning debt settlement company helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable settlements in consideration of the consumers' legitimate financial hardships. As an alternative to bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at http://www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Maryland debt settlement company leads social responsibility efforts through five years of charitable contributions.

Columbia, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/30/2009 -- Employees at Debt Shield, an award-winning debt settlement company based in Maryland, are celebrating five years of giving back to the community through their employee-driven charitable fund.

Five years ago, Debt Shield CEO Phil Fewster organized the "Denim Fund" as a fun way for employees to contribute to their favorite charities. Every Friday, Debt Shield employees are asked to donate to the fund in exchange for the privilege of wearing jeans to work that day. When the fund accumulates a significant amount, the fund managers select a charity from a pool of employee suggestions and send the donation to the selected charity.

"Employees appreciate that they get to choose which charities are included in the program," said Debt Shield Talent Development Director Jill Strider. "Employees feel strongly about the charities they select and oftentimes have a personal connection to the receiving organization."

Through the Denim Fund, employees support diverse organizations such as The Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Tibet Foundation, United Way and the American Red Cross. Local organizations that benefit from the Denim Fund include Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity, Hospice of Howard County, Metro Kids, Grassroots and The Parent Place of Maryland.

"Debt Shield has given back to the community through different charitable programs, such as participating in charity golf tournaments, a coat drive and our ongoing involvement with the Big Brother Big Sister Program," said Debt Shield Payroll and Benefits Administrator Michelle Scott. "The Denim Fund is exciting for us because it's completely employee-driven, from the donations to the charity selection."

For more information about Debt Shield's community involvement, visit http://www.debtshield.com/debtshieldhome/communityinvolvement.html.

About Debt Shield:
Debt Shield, Inc., is an award-winning debt settlement company helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable settlements in consideration of the consumers' legitimate financial hardships. As an alternative to bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at http://www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Employees at an award-winning debt settlement company make charitable donation to inner-city youth group.

Columbia, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/24/2009 -- Employees at Debt Shield, a Maryland-based debt settlement company, recently presented their latest charitable donation to Metro Kidz, a group for inner-city youths ranging from ages 4 to 18.

Debt Shield Graphic Designer Aaron Basch submitted Metro Kidz for the company's charitable giving program, the Denim Fund, which encourages employees to donate money in exchange for the privilege of wearing jeans to work on Fridays. Basch has been involved with the group for nearly two years as a volunteer at Charm City Church in South West Baltimore where the organization is located.

Basch moved to Baltimore because he was fascinated by city life, but quickly saw great need when he looked deeper at the city itself. Basch found himself near one of the most troubled areas in the city and home to many neglected children. It was the children and their needs that compelled him to get involved with Metro Kidz.

"Though some of these kids have a mother, or even a father, some truly are orphans in the sense that their parents are absent and apathetic," explained Basch. "Most of these children will grow into the parents who neglected them and the cycle will continue, unless we do something now to stop the cycle."

When he was introduced to Metro Kidz, Basch knew it was an opportunity to provide real help to kids in need, kids who are growing up just 20 miles away from Debt Shield's corporate headquarters. Talent Development Director Jill Strider, who oversees the company's charitable giving program, sees Metro Kidz as a vital part of these children's future and the future of Baltimore.

"Neglected children need help developing into adults who are responsible and productive," said Strider. "We are excited that Aaron submitted Metro Kidz because we are now part of the effort to lift up children who may otherwise get left behind."

To learn more information about Metro Kidz, visit their website at http://metrokidzbaltimore.org/.

About Debt Shield:
Debt Shield, Inc., is an award-winning debt settlement company helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable settlements in consideration of the consumers' legitimate financial hardships. As an alternative to bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at http://www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Clients looking for accurate debt settlement projections now have a place to go: debtshield.com.

Columbia, MD -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/07/2007 -- Debt Shield, a Maryland-based debt settlement company, this week implemented custom-developed software that significantly improves settlement projections debt consultants quote to new clients.

Debt Shield now bases settlement projections on real, in-house data from previous settlements and the individual track records of different creditors.

"We can specifically tailor projected settlements not only to individual clients, but to each one of our clients' enrolled accounts," said Debt Shield President John Gourdin. "Our clients get more realistic projections and will be more satisfied with the program when it meets or exceeds their expectations."

Before committing to a debt settlement company, Gourdin urges debtors to ask if the company quotes generic settlement projections or if they offer variable settlement projections based on each client's individual creditors.

"Our projection varies from creditor to creditor and is based on our settlement history with each creditor," explained Gourdin. "We work with these creditors on a daily basis and we have a good idea how much each creditor is settling for at the present time."

Gourdin said Debt Shield is proud to be able to provide clients with fact-based settlement projections, something not every debt relief company is able to do.

"Some companies can only offer clients a general settlement range if they do not have the software to provide individualized settlement projections," said Gourdin. "We stand behind our settlement rate projections because they are realistic, attainable and a great deal for qualified debt settlement clients."

About Debt Shield:
Debt Shield, Inc., is a debt settlement company dedicated to helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable and discounted lump sum settlements in consideration of legitimate financial hardships. By helping consumers avoid bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at http://www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Complaints against debt collectors are on the rise, thanks to the lack of industry standards, poor record keeping and other troubles within the account receivables management industry. One debt settlement executive is calling for improvements to protect consumers.

Columbia, MD -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/06/2007 -- Debt Shield President John Gourdin is alerting consumers to the record number of complaints filed against the debt collection industry and said that many of these complaints are caused by the debt collection industry's poor record keeping and lack of industry standards.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 69,000 complaints against debt collectors, more than any other industry in 2006. Gourdin says debt purchasers often fail to verify the information they purchase, such as the amount and validity of a debt, before they attempt to collect the debt and this lack of due diligence leads, inevitably, to complaints. He said the immense volume of accounts within a debt portfolio purchase is also a contributing factor.

"Debt buyers purchase past-due accounts in bulk, and without any systems setup to verify information for each of the thousands of accounts in each portfolio, we can expect to continue to see record numbers of complaints against debt collectors each year," said Gourdin. "These systems should exist in every link in the debt-purchasing chain, from the original creditor who established the account to the broker who packages and sells the portfolios to the debt purchaser who buys and attempts to collect on each past-due account."

FTC officials recently issued a statement urging debt collection agencies to deal with consumer complaints. On July 27, Peggy Twohig, associate director of the FTC's Division of Financial Services, encouraged agencies to create complaint departments and designate personnel to address complaints. She reminded the collection industry that the government chooses companies to target for enforcement based, in part, on the number of complaints consumers file against them.

"Self regulation and sound business practices would benefit the collection industry as well as consumers," said Gourdin. "Standardizing these business practices across the industry would also be a tremendous help to reduce such incidents as successfully disputed accounts being resold, causing the consumer to dispute the debt all over again."

Gourdin urges consumers immediately report harassing or abusive debt collection tactics to the FTC.

About Debt Shield:
Debt Shield, Inc., is a debt settlement company dedicated to helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable and discounted lump sum settlements in consideration of legitimate financial hardships. By helping consumers avoid bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at http://www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Maryland-based debt settlement company executive sees record foreclosures as a sign of continued consumer debt and calls for consumer awareness and industry reform.

Columbia, MD -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/25/2007 -- Debt Shield President John Gourdin is warning consumers and legislators that the record level of foreclosures reported by Realty Trac Filings for the first half of 2007 is a clear sign that personal debt is crippling American consumers.

Nearly 1 million foreclosure notices were filed between January and June of this year. Filings in June were up 87 percent compared to June 2006. Risky, subprime mortgages are to blame for the majority of foreclosures.

"These results prove the personal financial situations of millions of Americans will continue to deteriorate without consumer awareness and increased mortgage industry regulation," said Gourdin. "Regulators are making some moves to improve the situation, but progress is slow and a little too late for many homeowners."

Federal banking regulators issued a Statement on Subprime Mortgage Lending June 29 that outlines industry standards for ensuring borrowers only obtain loans they can repay. On July 16, mortgage financers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced plans to implement tougher standards and programs to address subprime mortgages. House Financial Services Committee member Rep. Spencer Bachus introduced a bill July 12 aimed at increasing transparency in the mortgage industry and protect consumers from predatory loans. Non-profit consumer credit counseling agency Money Management International announced July 18 that a recent $1 million grant will go toward homeowners in danger of foreclosing.

Gourdin says that tougher bankruptcy laws and unfamiliarity with debt relief options only add to the financial stress of struggling Americans.

"The new bankruptcy law is discouraging many homeowners from seeking debt relief, and this hurts their ability to keep up with mortgage payments," said Gourdin. "People need to be made aware of their options when faced with financial hardships so they don't lose everything they've worked so hard to gain."

Gourdin says that debt settlement is a viable option for many homeowners struggling with debt and other bills. He stresses that anyone looking for professional debt settlement services needs to thoroughly research prospective debt settlement companies to make sure they are legitimate, respond to customer concerns and maintain high ethical standards. Several online resources, such as the Better Business Bureau website, can help consumers investigate different debt settlement companies.

About Debt Shield:
Debt Shield, Inc., is a debt settlement company dedicated to helping consumers resolve their unsecured debt through mutually agreeable and discounted lump sum settlements in consideration of legitimate financial hardships. By helping consumers avoid bankruptcy, Debt Shield provides a service for both debtors and creditors. For more information about Debt Shield, call 1-888-397-7546 or visit the website at www.debtshield.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm