Restitution available for eligible impacted consumers
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced a settlement agreement with attorney Erik M. Helbing, and his law firm Helbing Law, LLC, and Consumer Law Relief, LLC, which also does business as Helbing Law Group, LLC, regarding their misleading advertising practices and failure to provide debt settlement services.
The business advertised and sold debt settlement services to consumers located in Pennsylvania and other states.
According to the settlement, the Helbing businesses advertised that they could reduce consumers’ debts through negotiation or litigation. Despite these claims, Helbing and his businesses failed to provide these services, even though they accepted unlawful advance payment from consumers. Furthermore, many consumers believed attorneys were working on their debt – but in many instances, their accounts were transferred to non-attorney call center representatives for servicing.
Under the settlement terms, the businesses will pay $25,000 in restitution and an additional $10,000 in penalties and costs. Prior to the settlement, Helbing cooperated with the Commonwealth and issued at least $50,000 in refunds to consumers. Additional consumers who believe they have been harmed by this firm may be eligible for restitution and should file a consumer complaint at www.attorneygeneral.gov by April 23, 2024.
“Impacted consumers were in financial distress and needed a professional they could trust to assist them with debt. Instead, they were scammed by businesses that did not follow through on their promises,” Attorney General Henry said. “If Pennsylvania consumers pay for goods or services and get nothing in return, our office will fight for those victims.”
The settlement further bans Helbing and his businesses from violating the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, the Debt Settlement Services Act, and the Telemarketing Sales Rule.
The settlement was filed in the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas by Senior Deputy Attorney General Amy L. Schulman of the Pittsburgh Regional Office.
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