SEATTLE -- It promises to help the growing number of people who have problems with their credit. But now a Texas-based company is being sued by a Seattle firm, accused of doing more harm than good for thousands of consumers.

Today's down economy and credit squeeze has more and more people looking for help in resolving their problems with debt.

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The largest debt-resolution company in the country is called Credit Solutions, but many of its customers claim it has caused them credit problems.

Now a class action lawsuit has been filed in Seattle against the company, Credit Solutions of America, since one of the alleged victims is from here.

She wouldn't go on camera, but plenty of others would, including Misty Adams and Darlene Bradford.

"They promised after three years I'd be completely out of debt," Bradford said.

"They were going to lower my debt by about 50 percent," said Adams. "It sounded like a good deal."

Both had gotten deeply into credit card debt. But they said after going to Credit Solutions for help, they found themselves deeper in the red. And they aren't alone.

More than 1,000 complaints against Credit Solutions have been registered with the Better Business Bureau in the past three years, leading the B.B.B. to warn consumers that there are bad actors in the debt-resolution business.

"If they're asking you for money up front, (that's) a huge red flag. Typically you don't pay someone $500 that can look at your debt and help you get out of it," said Paula Fleming of the B.B.B.

Credit Solutions charges a fee of 15 percent of the debt amount. It promises to negotiate with the lenders so the client can pay less -- up to 60 percent less.

But Darlene Bradford said she paid Credit Solutions $1,000 in fees and got no relief from her debt.

Tyler Weaver is with the Seattle law firm filing a national class-action lawsuit against Credit Solutions, accusing the company of violating consumer protection laws.

"We're looking forward to litigating this," said Weaver. "Credit Solutions doesn't answer phone calls, they don't contact creditors, and at the end of the day they're paying money to Credit Solutions that they could have paid to pay off their debt in the first place."

Misty Adams and Darlene Bradford say while they waited for help from Credit Solutions, they racked up late fees and finance charges.

"Didn't do anything to resolve it," said Bradford.

"Didn't receive any settlement offers whatsoever," said Adams.

A spokeswoman from Credit Solutions tells us that with 70,000 customers, there are bound to be cases of "human error," but that the company makes every effort to remedy any problem, calling customer complaints the company's number one priority."

"Our settlement division has an unrivaled track record."

On its Web site, the company claims a 99.32 percent satisfaction rate with its customers, and says it has eliminated more than 265 million dollars of debt for its clients.

Attorney Tyler Weaver dismisses those claims.

"I have not heard from anybody who has had a positive experience with Credit Solutions," Weaver said.

Weaver said if you find yourself in credit trouble, Credit Solutions doesn't offer any services that you can't do yourself.

Our advice? Call the credit companies yourself and try to work out a payment plan that works for you. Most companies will be very willing to work with you.

And if you need more help, contact Consumer Credit Counseling Services. There are offices everywhere, including here in Seattle.

And their help may be what you need most of all: it's free.