We received this amusing message here at Real Life Debt and thought it was worth sharing:

"Yesterday I spent 2.5 hours on the phone trying to get to the remarkably popular Carter Franke. What can I say? It was a Friday afternoon, I work at home and I have an unlimited long distance plan....

"Surprise, surprise - Carter Franke is a woman. I didn't believe it at first but here's a picture I found when I Googled her name: http://www.hispanicheritageawards.org/pic_view.php?sec=122&pic=251

"I never got to Miss Franke but you will see the soggy saga of my own financial nightmare here: http://www.ryze.com/posttopic.php?topicid=421351&confid=732

"Franke, is a real person but there's not a snowball's chance in hell that she writes these letters. Professional copywriters are hired. Franke has to sign off on what's said in the letter - but I would be shocked if she writes then. I have a friend who lives in Texas and she charges $12,000 to write one sales letter for big companies like Chase, American Express, United Airlines and others.

all the best,

Denise!"

Great stuff, Denise and thanks for writing in. It turns out that our correspondent cricket has already written about Ms. Franke: The Remarkably Popular Carter Franke, but, still, it's amazing how these big faceless financial corporations try to personalize their interaction with us!