/Contents [222 0 R 223 0 R 224 0 R] /Parent 11 0 R | Read 21-40 Reviews out of 42. The day of Debt Settlement companies creating their own non-compliant Legal Plan that provides the consumer with nothing more that a template answer to file themselves is thankfully coming to an end. /F1 67 0 R /Contents [150 0 R 151 0 R 152 0 R] Consumer complaints on the Better Business Bureaus website recount similar experiences: Consumers may be unable to access the typical methods for reporting attorney misconduct. /Parent 9 0 R /Rotate 0 /Count 10 << /Annots [] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Customer service is quick, efficient and professional. /Resources 121 0 R >> /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Monarchs Client Retainer Agreement states that [t]he law firm puts in place a customized strategy based on the individual client and their debts[. 62 0 obj << WebFiling a Complaint Complaint Form Please enter the information requested below, and then click Submit. - 1:22-cv-03705) 44 0 obj Your consent to the above terms is not required as a condition of purchasing or receiving our services. This kind of attitude destroys the debt relief space for good people that want to do good things. /Annots [] /Type /Pages /Pages 4 0 R 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:. /Type /Page /Parent 9 0 R No statements on this website are intended to suggest or convey any guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of any legal matter. WebComplaints may also be filed by calling the Fraud and Abuse Hotline at 1-866-801-2549. /Rotate 0 endobj In response to the Citys subpoena, Monarch provided information from a limited number of consumer files. Your experience matters. /Rotate 0 endobj 203 N. LaSalle, #2100, Chicago, IL 60601 BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes. WebMonarch Legal Group is a private law firm and is not affiliated with any governmental agency, quasi-governmental agency, or charitable organization. >> /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] WebView customer complaints of Monarch Legal Group, BBB helps resolve disputes with the services or products a business provides. << Income and expense information dictates consumers capacity for monthly payments. First, consumers who are behind on monthly payments to Defendants are not eligible for any refund. endobj Defendants state that these two promises are good faith estimates. But closer inspection of these estimates show that the estimates are often, if not always, improbable because of the high fees charged for Monarchs and Strategics services. a reliable team behind me makes all the difference. >> xMs0+"N'53=tzAe8H~W28I;.,%$,IO %' ~NTbK /Q*YQ> ~BO> B0~6IfA>rDN+dT0Q.BcywS Ocs^K~1,WlbAVrnSy3lAb@ International Association of Better Business Bureaus. 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. One day I received in the mail, a personal loan offer. << /Rotate 0 /Type /Pages /Contents [110 0 R 111 0 R 112 0 R] We do not guarantee that your debts will be resolved for a specific amount or percentage or within a specific period of time and your results will likely vary. A customer representative then told the consumer that Monarch could not guarantee that a lawyer would be available to represent the consumer at the hearing. This program started in September of 2019 and has consumed a large amount of our finances. /Annots [] WebThe average annual salary of Monarch Grand Vacations is estimated to be approximate $95,818 per year. /Resources 217 0 R 7 0 obj endobj After several payments, the consumer paid $75 to the creditor and $50 in fees. View Site. Do you agree with Monarchlegalgroup's TrustScore? /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Defendants Trick Consumers into Believing that Attorneys Will Negotiate their Debt Settlements, When that Work is Actually Performed by Non-Lawyer Contractors. | Read 21-40 Reviews out of 44 A reasonable consumer likely would decline to contract with Monarch had she known that debt negotiation and customer service would be outsourced to another company in another state that is staffed by non-lawyers. Consumer complaints to the Better Business Bureau show that many consumers do not understand the very limited circumstances in which Monarch will refund fees: a. Hi Miss Anne, Hopefully I have the courage to do what you did to get my refund also. /Contents [190 0 R 191 0 R 192 0 R] /Annots [] Defendants charge a percentage of the consumers total debt as a Service Cost to the non-legal servicesrelated [to the] debt resolution plan. In examples the City has seen, that cost has been as high as 19%. /Rotate 0 /Parent 8 0 R /Parent 11 0 R After the entry of judgment, Defendants negotiated a settlement. endobj endobj 527 AND 342 NOTICE #1: Notice Mandated by 11 U.S.C. /Rotate 0 /Rotate 0 /Type /Page Defendants to change their business practices and would likely result in diminished profit. << WebThe Cohn Law Firm in Baton Rouge has more than 50 years of combined legal experience in bankruptcy, business law and business formation. 15 0 obj >> endobj /Parent 10 0 R Employee and customer online reviews suggest that Strategic works with as many as ten law firms:. Defendants also repeatedly fail to provide litigation defense services to consumers when creditors sue them. /Contents [186 0 R 187 0 R 188 0 R] /Annots [] Then I was told I qualified for a debt consideration program. Briggs v. Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC et al. Timothy Burnette is, on information and belief, the sole member and manager of Burnette Legal Group, LLC d/b/a Monarch Legal Group. >> /Rotate 0 /Parent 11 0 R /Type /Page View complaints, reviews and check out how /Parent 9 0 R /Resources 137 0 R /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Rotate 0 To further reduce the likelihood of providing legal representation, Monarchs retainer agreements place severe restrictions on the provisions of those services. Defendants intend for prospective consumers to rely on falsified positive reviews so that they decide to participate in Defendants program. Defendants know or should know the impact of omitting interest. 57 0 obj /Type /Page /Type /Page Therefore, Monarchs attorneysboth in- house lawyers and those hired on a contract basisare not engaged in the practice of law. >> /Resources 133 0 R Be the first one to write one. endobj /Parent 10 0 R The City of Chicago brings this action to stop Defendants unlawful conduct and to make them accountable for the harms they have brought upon City residents. For example, Monarch reserves the right to refuse to provide legal defense services if the client does not submit all pages of the summons, complaint, exhibits, and pleadings to Monarch, and requires submission within 15 or 7 days, depending on the state. /Contents [98 0 R 99 0 R 100 0 R] This assumption is unrealistic. Monarch Legal and Strategic Financial Solutions jointly run a fraudulent debt resolution program that preys on Chicagoans struggling with debt. /Contents [138 0 R 139 0 R 140 0 R] << /Type /Pages /Rotate 0 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 business. We appreciate any help you can give. The Bureau revoked Monarchs accreditation less than a year after publishing an alert about Monarchs business practices and its failure to respond to a request for investigation: Timothy Burnette holds himself out as the owner of Monarch Legal. 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. endobj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] We are a debt relief endobj In fact, Defendants settled the debt for more than the consumer owed when the consumer contracted with them. /Resources 129 0 R /Type /Page In a review on the professional website Glassdoor, one former employee explained that if you say the real company name [Strategic] most people are confused as to why your [sic] are calling them. Another former employee implored Strategic to [b]e honest about what you are doing. The City reviewed each of the three separate consumer files that Monarch provided to identify a clear pattern. /Type /Page 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. << >> Strategic has engaged in similar arrangements with sham law firms to defraud consumers across the country for years. Read and understand all program materials prior to /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Annots [] /Type /Page 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. The Honest and Unvarnished Truth. Although one section of Monarchs nearly 40-page agreement states that third parties may perform some work related to the program, it later explains that Monarch has a non-exclusive reciprocal referral agreement with independent contractors to provide what it calls non-legal services related to the implementation, management, and maintenance of Clients debt negotiation plan. Monarchs agreement and other promotional materials misrepresent the truth: non-lawyers at Strategic do not merely provide some administrative services, they carry out Monarchs debt resolution service. << /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Annots [] Defendants structure their programs so that it is nearly impossible for some consumers to benefit. /Contents [254 0 R 255 0 R 256 0 R] /Parent 11 0 R I see that with the Debt Validation companies. Specifically, Defendants ignore consumers financial situations and seemingly do not care whether consumers can realistically finish their payment program. /Rotate 0 Acknowledging the harm that debt resolution programs create for consumers with debt and credit issues, governments have increased regulation in this area. Monarch Investment and Management Group Engaged Employer Overview 261 Reviews 105 Jobs 565 Salaries 39 Interviews 77 Benefits 67 Photos 93 Diversity + BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. /Count 10 /Parent 8 0 R According to employee reviews on Glassdoor, Strategic Financial Services asks its employees to post falsified positive reviews to cover up the truthful negative ones: Reviewers on Better Business Bureau and Google also concluded that Defendants positive reviews are inaccurate. 66 0 obj 20 0 obj If they are considering doing business with the company, consumers can use this indicator to forecast the likelihood of having their issues addressed if a problem arises. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Voice your opinion today and hear what 44 customers have already said. When, as is often the case, Defendants fail to refer the case to an outside lawyer, Defendants have refused to provide any representation. /Type /Page At the completion of the program the consumer would have paid between $500 to $800 in fees. /Parent 9 0 R Webinfo@monarch-legal.co.uk; 17 Fitzroy Place, G3 7RW; DX 512208; 0141 366 0003; Dundee Office: info@monarch-legal.co.uk; 87 Commercial Street, DD1 2AB; DX DD152; 01382 472 391; Quick Links. 3 0 obj /Resources 277 0 R Defendants have a surprising range of exclusively 5-star and 1-star reviews, with no scores in the middle of the range. Second, the policy relieves Defendants from refund obligations for any debts that become[] subject to a lawsuit during representation. Many creditors sue Monarch consumers to recover money owed. The consumer signed a settlement agreement requiring significant monthly payments, which the consumer understood would come from his account with Defendants. << The same can happen to you! >> /Resources 173 0 R endobj If consumers withdraw after one year, Defendants collect substantial sums without performing work. I was reassured that in 24 moths I would be able to get out of debt and conserve if not improve my credit score. >> /Type /Pages << Anyone Know for Sure About World Law and Global Client Solutions? /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page 33 0 obj << Don't have an account? >> /Resources 257 0 R Reviews of Defendants on various online platforms like Glassdoor, Google, and Better Business Bureau paint starkly different pictures. /Font << The representatives read from a script about Monarchs program and ask consumers to sign an agreement after the meeting. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Contents [226 0 R 227 0 R 228 0 R] The following is My Monarch legal group/reliant account # 25270. Your experience matters. /Annots [69 0 R 70 0 R] >> Fax (877) 300-6215. Monarch Legal Group is a private law firm and is not affiliated with any governmental agency, quasi-governmental agency, or charitable organization. endobj << Resolution Sought endobj The testimonials provided are selected from independent third-party sites. /Type /Page 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. It was when I filed a complaint with BBB and posted negative reviews that they took action. By the time Defendants began negotiating down the debt, the $910 debt had risen to $1,827.01. /Resources 165 0 R endobj If we can verify it in our system, an email will be sent to you with your password. >> Instead, Defendants require consumers to sign an Account Servicing Agreement with Reliant Account Management, LLC (RAM). get quotes and more. /Annots [] 11 0 obj /Parent 12 0 R << Another consumer wrote: I requested a refund because no work had been done. /Parent 11 0 R Consumers who are struggling with debt care very much about how much money they will be able to save, and Defendants knowingly overestimate those amounts. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] The Citys investigation indicates that neither Monarch nor Strategic employ lawyers to handle Litigation Defense. Instead, Monarch acts as a referral service by attempting to contract with outside lawyers to handle those matters for small flat fees. /Resources << /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Contents [114 0 R 115 0 R 116 0 R] >> /Rotate 0 Defendants have also completely neglected to administer the settlement. /Type /Page /Annots [] Note we do not assume your debts, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. /Type /Page The attorney did not appear in the proceeding and the creditor received a default judgment against the consumer. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] 12 0 obj /Resources 209 0 R /Resources 109 0 R One Google reviewer wrote that all the good reviews [about Strategic] reviewer are FAKE. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Metadata /Rotate 0 Those attorneys do not litigate on behalf of consumers. endobj << /Contents [198 0 R 199 0 R 200 0 R] /Annots [] Phone (877) 450-8853. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My Guide to Getting Out of Debt With Proven Methods and Smart Ideas, Major Changes to All Your Federal Student Loans to Be Eliminated in Bankruptcy, Those That File Bankruptcy Do Better Than Those That Dont, Why Income-Based Student Loan Payments Can Be a Terrible Trap. >> /Contents [170 0 R 171 0 R 172 0 R] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Voice your opinion today and hear what 47 customers have already said. >> Third, consumer debts with balances of less than $1,000 are ineligible for refunds. This company took over $25,000 from me then canceled my account, did not contact me and refuses to give me any information or any access to my online portal. In one example, a consumer paid $320 in Settlement Payment Fees. /Type /Page endobj /Contents [162 0 R 163 0 R 164 0 R] An obligation to make oral and written disclosures to prospective consumers, including a warning that debt settlement services may not be suitable for all consumers and that consumers should inquire about other means of dealing with debt, including, but not limited to, nonprofit credit counseling and bankruptcy. 225 ILCS 429/115(a). /Type /Page /Rotate 0 Its the exact reason Veritas stopped working with them altogether, many of our participating attorneys will not work with them either. Monarch markets the debt resolution program it operates with Strategic as having a generous refund policy. 63 0 obj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] WebThese instructions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice or substitute for the provisions of any statute, rule, or regulation. /Contents [174 0 R 175 0 R 176 0 R] /Type /Page /CropBox [0 0 612 792] The Ultimate Consumer Guide to Checking Out a Debt Relief Company Before You Sign On the Line, These Private Student Loans Can Be Easily Discharged in Bankruptcy, Top 10 Reasons You Should Stop Paying Your Unaffordable Private Student Loan. Request a call back. endobj Angelo, Im seeing a disturbing trend where companies are waiting for clients to get sued and then dropping those accounts and rejecting account refunds. WebHow many stars would you give Monarchlegalgroup? Already have an account? /Annots [] ] In reality, the Citys investigation indicates that Monarch attorneys are only superficially involved to trick consumers into thinking that lawyers are performing debt resolution services when the work is actually performed by non-lawyers at Strategic (if the work is performed at all). /Parent 10 0 R /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] In its client retainer agreement, Monarch explains that bankruptcy is another option but discourages that option by stating that it will be reflected as a permanent record on a Clients credit report for up to 10 years.. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Webmonarch legal group complaints. >> >> PRIVACY POLICYTERMS AND CONDITIONS. endobj Violations of the DSCPA are also violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. 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. /Contents [278 0 R 279 0 R 280 0 R] In fact, at least insofar as the practices at issue here are concerned, Monarch does not provide legal advice or representation. WebMonarch Recovery Management is a collection agency based in Pennsylvania. << We signed a contract that they would legally handle all affairs with our creditors. The Citys investigation indicates that in reality, Monarch employs only the few attorneys needed to complete rote and scripted check-in calls with clients to suggest that an attorney is involved in the consumers program. get quotes and more. /Type /Page Skip to main content Better Business Bureau BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes. Monarchs agreement misleads consumers and contradicts other statements the company makes in prominent promotional materials that consumers rely on. GCS also charges a $10.75 monthly fee for payment processing., Though they immediately begin collecting fees, Defendants inform prospective consumers that it typically takes Monarch 7 to 9 months to reach the first settlement.. As an industry, companies continue to allow their niche to be destroyed by not speaking out about the bad actors. /Type /Page /Annots [] << Individual customers who submitted testimonials to a third-party site were not compensated for their submission. << Defendants failure to respond causes consumers to suffer all the adverse consequences of having a judgment against them, including having their wages garnished. By structuring its debt relief program as an offering from a supposed law firm, however, Monarch purports to avoid the requirements and restrictions of the DSCPA and similar laws. For example, one person complained to the City that a customer service representative hung up on him when he called to ask why his wages were being garnished. Anne that is so good to hear about the refund. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. /Rotate 0 /Contents [246 0 R 247 0 R 248 0 R] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Resources 197 0 R /Length 445 >> But Defendants settled the account for more than the consumer could possibly pay. How Do I Get Out of Debt Quickly? /Parent 11 0 R Monarch Legal is unfortunately, a poorly run business that appears to be criminal in its handling of the client's money. The city`s investigation did not reveal any << 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:. 54 0 obj If you need legal advice, call our expert solicitors or fill in our enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 2 0 obj The following example from a Chicago consumer illustrates Defendants failure to provide legal advice related to a settlement. /Type /Page /Type /Page /Parent 11 0 R Categories Blog For businesses. The Rule prohibits debt relief companies from charging fees before settling or resolving a consumer debt. >> Monarch tells prospective consumers that its client services team (which, in reality, consists of Strategic employees located in another state) will assist [customers] in arranging to speak with an attorney to provide legal advice or respond to legal questions. /Annots [] /Resources 145 0 R Monarchs website states that Timothy Burnette is the attorney responsible for the content of this Site.. I enrolled with 9 accounts in the program. In November 2020, BBB investigated Monarch Legal Groups Overview Reviews About. How to Get Out of Debt. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Its deceiving, unethical and gives the Industry and the legitimate companies a black eye. /Contents [71 0 R 72 0 R 73 0 R 74 0 R 75 0 R 76 0 R 77 0 R 78 0 R 79 0 R 80 0 R] WebMonarch Legal Group Profile and History . 1 0 obj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Resources 81 0 R BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met. 29 YEARS OF OPERATION 2,227 EMPLOYEES 72,097 UNITS 305 COMMUNITIES 20 STATES However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Overview Reviews About. The testimonials reflect individuals experience with our services. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Flats for sale in Edinburgh City; Homes for sale in Edinburgh City; Apartments for Rent in Edinburgh; Despite paying a monthly retainer fee for a lawyer, the consumer responded to the summons and defended himself in court. endobj 42 0 obj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] << << << * ekVCwIqhpjZDhWI`kN9R=46lz+5, Briggs v. Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC et al. /Rotate 0 See BrokerCheck by FINRA, James M Katayanagi, available at https://brokercheck.finra.org/individual/summary/4890437; Complaint, Department of Enforcement v. James M. Katayanagi, (FINRA Office of Hearing Officers, Proceeding No. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] >> /Count 10 The consumer did not hear from Monarch for two weeks. Despite paying significant fees for legal services, consumers are faced with default judgments, wage garnishments, and other negative consequences. We are a debt relief agency. endobj /Type /Page /Type /Page Standard phone and data charges will apply. It sucks that you found yourself in that position. << BBB reports on known marketplace practices. Defendants ultimately settled this debt for $1,096, over 60% of the amount owed at the time the debt was settled. The user dev_teampresumably a Strategic employeenegotiates a settlement and then creates a debt settlement plan in Defendants database. /Parent 8 0 R 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. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. Follow my guide here https://getoutofdebt.org/20126/how-to-try-to-get-a-refund-from-a-debt-relief-company. 14 0 obj /Contents [118 0 R 119 0 R 120 0 R] /Resources 169 0 R In 2010, the Federal Trade Commission issued a final rule amending the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 CFR Part 310, to regulate debt relief companies that use telemarketing to contact potential consumers or receive calls in response to mailers and other advertisements. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page /Parent 10 0 R 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. PAID ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT: << 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. stream Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating, Need to file a complaint? They help people file for relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. CRI measures the company's customer satisfaction abilities through BCAs complaint mediation process. /Resources 189 0 R endobj Based on information and belief, attorneys affiliated with Monarch rubberstamp all settlements, do not supervise the non-lawyer debt negotiators, and do not give reasoned legal advice to consumers about whether to accept a settlement. Defendants do not hold consumer funds in a client trust account. endobj 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.
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