endobj 50 0 obj << Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Date of experience: September 04, 2020 /Count 10 /Type /Page << We are a debt relief agency. But Defendants repeatedly break this promise and leave consumers to defend themselves in court, even though consumers pay hundreds to thousands of dollars in legal fees. 18 0 obj Monarch retainer agreements identify Law Firm Contacts. Those contacts are not employed by Monarch, and instead work for Strategic or a related entity. WebWe are committed to offering top-notch legal services to our clients and the best way for us to do that is to get your honest feedback. Monarch promises in the Performance Standard section of its contract to refund consumers for the share of all Monarch fees & costs for work on [the] individual debt if Monarch (through Strategic) fails to reduce that debt by more than 35% of the amount owed at the time of the agreement. /Type /Page endobj /Type /Page /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Contents [202 0 R 203 0 R 204 0 R] WebExcellent 100% Very good 0% Average 0% Poor 0% Terrible 0% Latest Reviews: Everyone has been extremely nice 5 Everyone has been extremely nice, helpful, explaining everything Second, Defendants predict that they will negotiate settlement agreements at around 40% of the debt consumers owe when they enter the payment plan. endobj Consumers reported not understanding the terms of the program after these short appointments. /Parent 10 0 R Can you help me please? /Parent 11 0 R For good reason: a law degree is not needed to ask creditors to reduce someones debt. Overview Reviews About. >> /Annots [] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 1-877-450-8853, Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value. endobj %PDF-1.5 /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Monarch tells consumers to call a customer service line or email a customer service address, both of which are operated by Strategic Financial Solutions and its related entities in New York. endobj We only had 1 year left on our contract and they canceled. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 10 0 R In one example, a consumer owed $910 on a debt at the time the consumer signed a contract with Defendants. Monarch Legal /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 11 0 R /Resources 105 0 R Defendants deceive vulnerable consumers in the process. It is not a lawyer referral service or prepaid legal services plan. /Rotate 0 << /Annots [] Monarch Legal Group is a law firm. Join the 46 people who've already contributed. Monarchlegalgroup Reviews | Read Customer Service For example, Monarchs homepage advertises that the attorneys at Monarch Legal Group have the skill and experience to fight for your rights, mount a defense and protect your property:. /Parent 10 0 R >> Webaction complaint against Defendants Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC (SFS), its subsidiary LLC d/b/a Monarch Legal Group (Monarch), receive a percentage of monthly charges paid by the client to SFSs billing processor (generally between 3% and 10%), with the lions share going to SFS. endobj We appreciate any help you can give. While Strategic and its subsidiaries process consumers substantial payments, provide ineffective customer service, and may negotiate with creditors, Monarch convinces consumers that a law firm is providing the debt resolution services. Suggested companies. First, Defendants fail to incorporate their Settlement Payment Fees into the good faith estimate of consumer savings. 23 0 obj WebMonarch Legal Group provides a very valuable service for those needing to get out of debt and take their financial situation seriously. Given those significant fees, the consumers potential savings on the amount owed was far less than Monarch advertised and explained. The Office of State Inspector General is located at 602 North Fifth Street, Sixth Floor, Baton << 13 0 obj /Type /Page Request a call back. WebMonarch Legal Group Profile and History . /Annots [] The Rule prohibits debt relief companies from charging fees before settling or resolving a consumer debt. But the consumer informed Monarch of other expenses, including student loans. /Resources 253 0 R Reg. endobj /Rotate 0 /Parent 13 0 R *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Annots [] Consumers reported to the City that they were unable to receive answers from the attorney identified on Monarch paperwork and instead were forced to direct questions to non- lawyers who were not familiar with their situations. Our records indicate the company failed to respond to the one complaint brought to its attention. BBB reports on known marketplace practices. One Google reviewer wrote that all the good reviews [about Strategic] reviewer are FAKE. /Parent 12 0 R How to Get Out of Debt. No statements on this website are intended to suggest or convey any guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of any legal matter. At the completion of the program the consumer would have paid between $500 to $800 in fees. /Parent 12 0 R /Contents [194 0 R 195 0 R 196 0 R] /Parent 8 0 R Source: New Reviews /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 8 0 R I asked several times to make sure I understood correctly the proposal of the program- the calls were recorded, they said yes, in 24 moths you will be out of debt and your credit score would not get affected. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Anne that is so good to hear about the refund. /Resources 241 0 R Note we do not assume your debts, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Defendants Trick Consumers into Believing that Attorneys Will Negotiate their Debt Settlements, When that Work is Actually Performed by Non-Lawyer Contractors. 66 0 obj endobj /Count 52 /Type /Page If you are able to qualify which should not be too difficult I recommend their services most highly. Be the first to review! Already have an account? Contact Us Monarch Legal Group. This is contrary to everything I was told on a monthly basis from them., d. One consumer requested that the company get a [b]etter protocol explaining to clients how they assess fees and refunds.. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] The following example from a Chicago consumer illustrates Defendants failure to provide legal advice related to a settlement. View complaints, reviews and check out how - 1:22-cv-03705) endobj /Rotate 0 Therefore, Monarchs attorneysboth in- house lawyers and those hired on a contract basisare not engaged in the practice of law. /Parent 12 0 R Resolution Sought /Resources 237 0 R /Kids [8 0 R 9 0 R 10 0 R 11 0 R 12 0 R 13 0 R 14 0 R] /Resources 173 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] b. Our complaint services are free and our team of expert mediators will assist in resolving complaints with businesses. BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. /Contents [110 0 R 111 0 R 112 0 R] As an industry, companies continue to allow their niche to be destroyed by not speaking out about the bad actors. >> /Type /Page /Rotate 0 I was reassured that in 24 moths I would be able to get out of debt and conserve if not improve my credit score. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] DO YOUR RESEARCH THIS IS PUBLIC INFORMATION. I didn't know how it works, so I was explained the details and the procedures of it. Despite paying a monthly retainer fee for a lawyer, the consumer responded to the summons and defended himself in court. << Strategic Financial Solutions works with a number of fraudulent debt settlement outfits, including, for example, Carolina Legal Services, a debt settlement law firm that recently closed following an investigation by the North Carolina State Bar and the suspension of the attorney in charge of the law firm. /Resources 117 0 R /Type /Page >> View customer complaints of Monarch Legal Group, BBB helps resolve disputes with the services or products a business provides. As a result, my financial situation is worse than when I enrolled in their program three years ago. /Contents [182 0 R 183 0 R 184 0 R] You also consent to the recording and monitoring of all calls to and from us and you acknowledge and agree to the terms of our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. June 16, 2022. toyota rav4 2013 specs. 46 0 obj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Hi Steve, I am a victim of Monarch until now for 3 years. Consumers have no recourse if the program is taking more time than promised or, after relying on Defendants misleading estimates, consumers find themselves unable to make their payments. Reviews /Rotate 0 /Parent 4 0 R << /Contents [178 0 R 179 0 R 180 0 R] /Contents [138 0 R 139 0 R 140 0 R] BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. Dissatisfied consumers have further limited recourse because Defendants require consumers to sign arbitration agreements and class action waivers. Defendants unrealistic expense estimates demonstrate their complete indifference to the welfare of their consumers. Attorneys using Defendants internal case management system copy and paste the same brief notes logging Attorney Reviews without mentioning any information specific to the client. /Contents [258 0 R 259 0 R 260 0 R] /Resources 221 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page 2013035572001), at 4, available at https://www.finra.org/rules- guidance/oversight-enforcement/finra-disciplinary-actions?search=2013035572001.]. We have since had to represent ourselves and take the lead on making sure they get the information not the other way around. For example, on the Better Business Bureau website, where Monarch has a 1.15/5-star rating, the company has 39 reviews: 1 5-star review, 1 3-star review, and 37 1-star reviews. << >> WebYour experience matters. 2023, International Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., separately incorporated Better Business Bureau organizations in the US, Canada and Mexico and BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, Inc. All rights reserved. >> /Contents [214 0 R 215 0 R 216 0 R] On information and belief, Strategic tells representatives to say they are calling from Monarch, not Strategic, so consumers do not realize that they arent speaking to someone at Monarch. /Rotate 0 /Type /Page /Contents [134 0 R 135 0 R 136 0 R] How to Get Your Money Back From a Debt Relief Company if You Feel Like Youve Been Scammed, What Repaying Your Debt Will Cost You in Retirement Calculator, The Truth About The Success Rates, Failure Rates, and Completion Rates of Credit Counseling, Debt Settlement, Bankruptcy, and Debt Consolidation Loans. The Complaint Resolution Index (CRI) is an indicator on how responsive a company is in addressing and resolving customer complaints brought to their attention by BCA. /Type /Pages Everything you need to know about man who became heir to British throne 71 years ago 1. /Resources 205 0 R On this page, you'll find a comprehensive collection of reviews and complaints from real customers who have used Monarch Media Group's products or services. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Because so much of each payment goes to Defendants fees (particularly at the beginning of the agreement), consumers with multiple accounts to settle continue accruing significant interest and late charges for months, if not years. On information and belief, Monarch and Strategic Financial Solutions primarily or even exclusively steer clients to the debt resolution program for two reasons. /Parent 8 0 R Second, Monarch`s lawyers do not appear to offer legal advice or representation in bankruptcy matters. /Contents [106 0 R 107 0 R 108 0 R] /Type /Page endobj /Resources 189 0 R /Annots [] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] First, consumers who are behind on monthly payments to Defendants are not eligible for any refund. endobj We would appreciate it if you could take a Monarch also requires that payments in the client`s account be up to date. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Defendants failure to respond causes consumers to suffer all the adverse consequences of having a judgment against them, including having their wages garnished. << Please contact a tax professional to discuss potential tax consequences of less than full balance debt resolution. Anyone considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyers credentials and ability and should not rely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. Be the first one to write one. Defendants hide that reality from consumers through Defendants misleading estimated payment schedules. /Length 445 In exchange for the advertised services, Defendants charge significant up-front costs and monthly fees. On information and belief, Defendants find program participants by engaging in telemarketing, and Monarch outsources this telemarketing to Strategic Financial Solutions and related entities. Monarch consumers sign an agreement that says that the company will review the consumers personal hardship and other debt circumstances and formulate a plan to negotiate improved terms. As described further in Section IV below, the Citys investigation indicates that Monarch does not conduct a meaningful financial review. 12 0 obj On information and belief, Defendants intended that result when structuring Monarch as a purported law firm. Consumers who never receive representation cannot identify an attorney that has engaged in misconduct, but Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission receives and adjudicates complaints about individual attorneys, not law firms. business practices. Visit Salary.com to find out Monarch Grand Vacations salary, PAID ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT: Monarch Legal Group is a law firm. /Rotate 0 /Type /Page << >> endobj Fax (877) 300-6215. But the Citys investigation indicates that Strategics customer service team does not make attorneys available for client calls. Nothing in this website is to be construed as an offer for legal services. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] On information and belief, Defendants do not care about consumers successful completion of the plan because their up-front fee structure allows them to make most of their profit during the first year of the payment program. endobj /Rotate 0 Though consumers sign agreements and make payments to Monarch, they rarely, if ever, speak with Monarch employees, let alone Monarch lawyers. >> Update 2 On The Make Money With a Side Hustle Project. Despite the overwhelmingly negative reviews, Defendants quote five positive consumer reviews in an advertising brochure titled: Reducing Your Debt & Restoring Stability to Your Life: A Welcome Guide to a Fresh Start. These comments are quoted to Vanessa R., Richard D., Jack F., Amanda G., and Nick L. On information and belief, these five reviews are fake. 56 0 obj /Metadata 2 0 R /Count 10 Login - Monarch Legal Group /Rotate 0 Monarch markets the debt resolution program it operates with Strategic as having a generous refund policy. Login. Through its third party representatives and in its welcome materials, Defendants tell consumers how to contact the Litigation Department. On information and belief, that department doesnt exist. Reviews c. Most significant to Defendants, complying with Illinois regulation would sharply curtail their abusive fee structure, discussed further in Section II below. /Contents [146 0 R 147 0 R 148 0 R] Participating in debt resolution programs carries significant risks. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] In practice, the refund policy serves only as an advertising tool used to induce consumers into trusting Monarch even though most consumers will not be eligible to get a refund. /Parent 12 0 R /Contents [166 0 R 167 0 R 168 0 R] Charles was born at Buckingham Palace on 14 November 1948 at /Rotate 0 >> The Act prohibits charging any type of fee other than set up or enrollment fee of no more than $50, and a settlement fee in certain circumstances. endobj *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. 33 0 obj We agreed to make payments for representation and assistance. I contracted with Monarch Legal on Feb., 2020 because I was unable to pay all of my credit card debts from a serious drop in my Employee and customer online reviews suggest that Strategic works with as many as ten law firms:. You can learn more about Steve. endobj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 9 0 R endobj /Type /Page /Type /Page /Contents [222 0 R 223 0 R 224 0 R] One day I received in the mail, a personal loan offer. >> Monarch claims on its website that through its debt resolution program, it can often negotiate with creditors to settle for pennies on the dollar. Monarch also tells consumers they will be on [their] way to a future free of burdensome debt:. Copyright 2020 Business Consumer Alliance All Rights Reserved. The same can happen to you! << /Type /Pages You can read the complaint filed in this case. /Type /Page /CropBox [0 0 612 792] For example, Burnette has responded, albeit vaguely, to customer complaints on the BBB website: The Citys investigation indicates that Defendants attract additional customers by posting fake positive reviews in an attempt to obscure the honest negative reviews that the companies receive regularly. Through their unconscionable practices, Defendants have harmed Chicagoans seeking to get out of debt. 52 0 obj /Rotate 0 /ProcSet [/PDF /Text /ImageB /ImageC /ImageI] << << Monarch Legal Group endobj /Parent 9 0 R If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. Your consent to the above terms is not required as a condition of purchasing or receiving our services. 16 0 obj 62 0 obj 9 0 obj /Type /Page /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] The Citys investigation indicates that Defendants do not act in consumers best interest when creating a customized payment program. We each had to appear in court on our own because one of their attorneys could not be present. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. /Rotate 0 In the first 12 months, Defendants collect their service costs and retainer fees. 25 0 obj RESPONSE: Complaint was not answered A consumer that reviewed Monarch on the Better Business Bureaus website noted that he was unable to discuss bankruptcy with a Monarch attorney, contrary to statements in Monarchs agreement and on its website that Monarch provides bankruptcy representation. I feel that I can now reach my goal and make my life better in the near future. START REPORTING THEM TO THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE 1-800-243-0618 AND BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU SO THEY CAN BE SHUT DOWN AGAIN. After an initial phone call, Defendants send paralegals or notaries from third-party companies to prospective consumers homes or those representatives conduct a presentation virtually. << Monarch Legal Group Complaints Biryani Maxx This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. /Contents [118 0 R 119 0 R 120 0 R] /Rotate 0 << /Contents [130 0 R 131 0 R 132 0 R] /Count 10 https://getoutofdebt.org//20126/how-to-try-to-get-refund-from-debt-relief-company. Reviews WebEmail this Business (212) 742-0001 File a Complaint Overview Monarch Law Group offers personal injury, commercial litigation, corporate law, matrimonial/family law and real >> /Contents [198 0 R 199 0 R 200 0 R] endobj 61 0 obj /Resources 161 0 R WebReview your credit report. /Type /Page /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] For businesses Categories Blog. 29 0 obj We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. It sucks that you found yourself in that position. >> /CropBox [0 0 612 792] << xMs0+"N'53=tzAe8H~W28I;.,%$,IO %' ~NTbK /Q*YQ> ~BO> B0~6IfA>rDN+dT0Q.BcywS Ocs^K~1,WlbAVrnSy3lAb@ 39 0 obj Defendants ultimately settled this debt for $1,096, over 60% of the amount owed at the time the debt was settled. Amount in Dispute: $8,600.00 /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] << /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Monarch provides the law-firm faade while Strategic Financial Solutions carries out the debt resolution program. stream BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes. >> << /Type /Page /Resources 149 0 R 8 0 obj The City therefore alleges that at least insofar as the practices at issue here are concerned, neither Defendants nor their employees engage in the practice of law. THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT. WebGoogle Business Reviews Monarch Legal Group Reviews Google Business Reviews 5.0 5 5 out of 5 stars (based on 3 reviews) Excellent 100% Very good 0% Average 0% Poor 0% Terrible 0% Latest Reviews: Professionalism 5 Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value T M Great organization that helps people 5 But because Defendants provide inaccurate estimates and fail to consider consumers financial situations, Defendants know that their representations are inaccurate and impossible for many consumers. Legal services are only offered once a Monarch Legal Group attorney has had an opportunity to review the specific facts of a case and indicates a willingness to take on the representation. endobj /Count 10 Monarch Legal Group is not responsible for the accuracy or correctness of the opinions or comments. 40 0 obj Several days later, user r-fakhouri, likely Ricky Fakhouri, an outside attorney who has contracted with Monarch on a case-by-case basis, approved the plan. The agreement included small monthly payments of $15 to $30 (to be allocated from the consumers monthly payments to Defendants), but each payment accrued a Settlement Payment Fee of $10. Don't have an account? Strategic has engaged in similar arrangements with sham law firms to defraud consumers across the country for years. Customer names may also have been shortened or masked to protect privacy. 43 0 obj << endobj We are seeing this action a lot more lately, Im surprised it was just the City of Chicago and not the CFPB or the FTC. /Parent 10 0 R However, in at least one example the City has seen, Defendants recorded blatantly incorrect information about consumers expenses to justify high monthly payments. Based on examples that the City has seen, the payment schedules include at least three omissions or deceptions. >> /Rotate 0 endobj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Annots [] Outrage by companies that remain silent does not equal action to protect good companies or debt relief help for consumers that need reputable help. 11 0 obj Can I Send a Cease and Desist Letter to a Debt Collector? I have been pleased by the results Monarch has gotten for me so far. The policy, as written, does not provide consumers with adequate relief. << Do you agree with Monarchlegalgroup's TrustScore? /Parent 4 0 R WebMonarch Legal has completely shut me down. endobj >> /Rotate 0 /Kids [55 0 R 56 0 R 57 0 R 58 0 R 59 0 R 60 0 R 61 0 R 62 0 R 63 0 R 64 0 R] Stated results are for illustration purposes only and are not typical of the results you should expect to achieve. /Annots [] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] In fact, Defendants settled the debt for more than the consumer owed when the consumer contracted with them. DISCLOSURES REQUIRED UNDER 11 U.S.C. These firms push consumers to enroll in programs with significant advance fees. Monarch Legal Group | Better Business Bureau Profile
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