FACT: American Settlement Fund is registered to JG Wentworth SSC Ltd
Download americansettlementfund_whois_record.pdf
FACT: Certified Structured Settlement Consultant is a professional designation offered by the National Structured Settlement Trade Association in conjunction with the University of Notre Dame.
FACT: the Meta tags of American Settlement Fund (a/k/a JG Wentworth) have been deliberately crafted to capture consumers seeking "Certified Structured Settlement Consultant" on various search engines.
Download certifiedconsultant1_jgw_meta_tags_am_settle_fund.pdf
Here is what their web page looks like Download american_settlement_funds_cssc.pdf
FACT: JG Wentworth is not, and (upon information and belief) has never been, a member of the National Structured Settlement Trade Association (NSSTA)
FACT: a structured settlement is clearly defined under the Internal Revenue Code at IRC 5891 (C)(1) as follows
(c) Definitions
For purposes of this section –
(1) Structured settlement
The term "structured settlement" means an arrangement –
(A) which is established by –
(i) suit or agreement for the periodic payment of damages
excludable from the gross income of the recipient under
section 104(a)(2), or
(ii) agreement for the periodic payment of compensation
under any workers’ compensation law excludable from the gross
income of the recipient under section 104(a)(1), and
(B) under which the periodic payments are –
(i) of the character described in subparagraphs (A) and (B)
of section 130(c)(2), and
(ii) payable by a person who is a party to the suit or
agreement or to the workers’ compensation claim or by a
person who has assumed the liability for such periodic
payments under a qualified assignment in accordance with
section 130.
FACT: JG Wentworth through its alter ego, American Settlement Funds makes the claim (for purpose of advertising and solicitation of new business) that
"American Settlement Funds is one of the country’s most experienced firms dedicated to the evaluation, design, negotiation, and sale of structured settlements. Fill out our online form and a certified structured settlement consultant will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your specific needs and get you the results you deserve."
In this statement JG Wentworth (via its alter ego) is claiming to perform activities that imply involvment in the primary placement of structured settlements, which (with respect to annuities) requires an insurance license. Last time I checked the insurance departments of CT, FL or PA I didn’t see one for JG Wentworth.
- Upon information and belief JG Wentworth (or its alter ego) is NOT appointed with ANY structured settlement annuity issuer.
- Upon information and belief JG Wentworth is not placing Treasury Bond structured settlements.
- Upon information and belief there are no Certified Structured Settlement Consultants in the employ of JG Wentworth.
- Once again, THEY used the term "certified structured settlement consultant". The only certification program is through the NSSTA/ Notre Dame relationship stated above.
This author would be interested in identifying and highlighting, for the benefit of trial lawyers nationwide ANY legitimate Certified Structured Settlement Consultant who has a relationship with JG Wentworth.
This author would be interested in hearing from anyone who contacts American Settlement Fund (a/k/a JG Wentworth) and tells this author if they received contact from a Certified Structured Settlement Consultant within 24 hours as is promised. Make sure to ask the question "Are you a Certified Structured Settlement Consultant"? Callers using the "American Settlement Fund" contact number should carefully document the response. Get names and numbers!
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