/Resources 189 0 R /Resources 145 0 R Reviews Hi Steve My partner and I have just been canceled from monarch for unclear and deceptive reasons. WebWe are personally invested and highly committed to the success of the project at every phase. endobj /Resources 137 0 R /Count 10 Monarchs Client Retainer Agreement states that [t]he law firm puts in place a customized strategy based on the individual client and their debts[. WebYour experience matters. Strategic has engaged in similar arrangements with sham law firms to defraud consumers across the country for years. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile. 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. 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. We agreed to make payments for representation and assistance. The City of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Strategic Financial Solutions, Burnette Legal Group, Timothy Burnette, and Monarch Legal Group on July 26, 2022. /Kids [25 0 R 26 0 R 27 0 R 28 0 R 29 0 R 30 0 R 31 0 R 32 0 R 33 0 R 34 0 R] << The Rule applies to attorneys as well as non-lawyers, and prohibits businesses from knowingly providing substantial assistance to a company violating the Rule. PRIVACY POLICYTERMS AND CONDITIONS. /Rotate 0 After the first 22 months, over 53% of this consumers payments were earmarked as going to the Service Cost.. Stated results are for illustration purposes only and are not typical of the results you should expect to achieve. /Type /Page /Parent 11 0 R How Do I Get Out of Debt Quickly? /Type /Page Amount Settled: $0.00. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Rotate 0 18 0 obj /F1 67 0 R There are no reviews yet. /Contents [150 0 R 151 0 R 152 0 R] WebNew Reviews Monarch Legal Group Reviews New Reviews 0.0 0 0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews) Excellent 0% Very good 0% Average 0% Poor 0% Terrible 0% Latest Reviews: There are no reviews yet. >> >> Defendants know or should know the impact of omitting interest. The City of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Strategic Financial Solutions, Burnette Legal Group, Timothy Burnette, and Monarch Legal Group on July 26, 2022. 342 (b) (1) and 527 (a) (1) 6 0 obj << Consumers who receive deceptive and inaccurate information from Strategic are unable to report that conduct to any attorney regulatory bodies because the employees are not lawyers. >> At the completion of the program the consumer would have paid between $500 to $800 in fees. I was current with all my creditors and had a respectable credit score. June 16, 2022. toyota rav4 2013 specs. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] The State of Illinois sued Legal Helpers and its principals for similar consumer-protection violations in 2012. In one case, Defendants settled a debt worth $3,943, agreeing to pay between 40-60% of the debt. When Defendants do negotiate a settlement payment plan, those payments typically last for many months, and for each payment Defendants charge the consumer an extra $10 (Settlement Payment Fees). /Contents [186 0 R 187 0 R 188 0 R] /Resources 245 0 R It is not a lawyer referral service or prepaid legal services plan. >> /Rotate 0 Then I was told I qualified for a debt consideration program. Monarch also requires that the clients account payments be current. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 10 0 R >> 47 0 obj We are scared and desperate at this point, See if this sounds like a reasonable and logical approach. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Rotate 0 /Annots [] >> /Annots [] /Annots [] Violations of the DSCPA are also violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Typically, debt firms instruct consumers to stop paying unsecured creditors and begin saving money to settle those accounts. That law requires debt settlement companies to register with the state and restricts practices likely to harm consumers. >> Charles was born at Buckingham Palace on 14 November 1948 at Monarch Legal is unfortunately, a poorly run business that appears to be criminal in its handling of the client's money. Filing a Complaint - Office of State Inspector General The policy, as written, does not provide consumers with adequate relief. /Annots [] /Parent 12 0 R /Contents [142 0 R 143 0 R 144 0 R] /Count 52 /Type /Page The refund policy appears to exclude most aggrieved consumers. /Contents [130 0 R 131 0 R 132 0 R] 8 0 obj a reliable team behind me makes all the difference. The text of the call script for Option 1 Legal and for Monarch are the same, except for the law firm name. /MediaBox [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. /Type /Page monarch Login - Monarch Legal Group But the Citys investigation indicates that Defendants services are not performed by lawyers, and lawyers do not actually supervise the non-attorneys settling debts. /Contents [270 0 R 271 0 R 272 0 R] /Contents [182 0 R 183 0 R 184 0 R] Notify me of follow-up comments by email. /Contents [162 0 R 163 0 R 164 0 R] >> /Parent 12 0 R /Type /Page 1-877-450-8853, Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value. /Contents [110 0 R 111 0 R 112 0 R] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Reviews Everyone has been extremely nice, helpful, explaining everything thank you. In the documents reviewed by the City, Monarch attorneys never rejected a settlement proposed by Strategic employees. See TSR Amended Rule 2010, 75 Fed. /Annots [] All at ZERO COST to you. Monarch Law Group | Better Business Bureau Profile >> /Parent 4 0 R endobj 39 0 obj WebMonarch Recovery Management is a collection agency based in Pennsylvania. endobj /Rotate 0 Everything you need to know about man who became heir to British throne 71 years ago 1. 11 0 obj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] After working with them all these time, in which I have paid the total of $15,216.90 to the company plus $2,800 I paid directly to one of the creditors, endobj I see that with the Debt Validation companies. /Type /Page << 26 0 obj 37 0 obj /Resources 193 0 R /Metadata 2 0 R /Resources 149 0 R /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] WebReview your credit report. BBB reports on known marketplace practices. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] 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. /Resources 97 0 R I enrolled with 9 accounts in the program. In some instances, Defendants require consumers to sign an agreement with Global Client Solutions to manage consumer payments and deposits. For good reason: a law degree is not needed to ask creditors to reduce someones debt. 41 0 obj King Charles: From excessively shy boy to monarch-in /Resources 109 0 R /Length 493 endobj Steve Rhode is the Get Out of Debt Guy and has been helping good people with bad debt problems since 1994. /Contents [234 0 R 235 0 R 236 0 R] /Annots [] 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. /Parent 12 0 R /Resources 209 0 R Despite paying a monthly retainer fee for a lawyer, the consumer responded to the summons and defended himself in court. It also requires debt relief companies to make several disclosures about their services, including how long it will take to get results, how much it will cost, and the negative consequences that could result. For businesses Categories Blog. 53 0 obj /Parent 4 0 R Defendants deceive vulnerable consumers in the process. WebYour experience matters. /Parent 11 0 R /Parent 12 0 R >> Login. /Annots [] /Type /Page Categories Blog For businesses. 23 0 obj Standard phone and data charges will apply. /Resources 121 0 R << c. Another consumer wrote: I called and then they told me after I had paid them a little over $300 a month for 7-9 month period that there was nothing in my account just $100 and that the rest went to their fees, fees for providing no service. They answer my questions promptly and accurately. >> /Count 1 Defendants do not hold consumer funds in a client trust account. 21 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. /Parent 12 0 R Stop The Calls From 877-288-9903 | Agruss Law Firm /Parent 10 0 R /Contents [214 0 R 215 0 R 216 0 R] /AA 5 0 R 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. Defendants also assume the same settlement rate for all consumers without regard to the amount or type of consumers debts (for example, whether the bill has been sent to collections). This assumption is unrealistic. 28 0 obj /Type /Page /Annots [] 0330 127 8888. /Type /Page 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. Defendantsa debt settlement companyknow that debt accrues substantial interest and late fees. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] >> endobj In the examples that the City has seen, and on information and belief in other instances too, Monarch lawyers do not perform debt settlement work. /Font << /Contents [90 0 R 91 0 R 92 0 R] % /Annots [] BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. The representatives read from a script about Monarchs program and ask consumers to sign an agreement after the meeting. Many debt resolution (also called debt settlement or debt negotiation) firms target with significant credit card debt and promise to negotiate with their creditors to settle obligations for less than the consumers owe. /Type /Page The user dev_teampresumably a Strategic employeenegotiates a settlement and then creates a debt settlement plan in Defendants database. In presentations with potential clients, Monarch representatives who in fact do not work for Monarch have explained that Monarch attorneys will provide representation and negotiate with the creditors lawyers. To reduce its fee and finish the last two settlements! 27 0 obj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] | Read 21-40 Reviews out of 42. 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. Defendants contracted with a local attorney, not employed by Monarch, to represent the consumer in a lawsuit by a creditor. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Rotate 0 Acknowledging the harm that debt resolution programs create for consumers with debt and credit issues, governments have increased regulation in this area. endobj You can read the complaint filed in this case. Sign up for free now, Sign up for free to participate on the website. /Rotate 0 Monarch Defendants tell consumers that they will not begin settling debts until consumers have made at least seven to nine months of payments. /Parent 8 0 R In practice, Defendants cannot consistently negotiate such beneficial settlements, and information provided to the City by consumers suggests that many debts are settled for over 60% of the amount owed. To get away with Defendants scam, Monarch structured itself as a law firm in an attempt to evade responsibility under consumer-protection laws and to leave consumers without meaningful redress. Those attorneys do not litigate on behalf of consumers. /Type /Page /CropBox [0 0 612 792] In fact, Defendants settled the debt for more than the consumer owed when the consumer contracted with them. /Parent 10 0 R 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. 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. endobj For example, after 10 months in a program, only 4% of one consumers payments went to settlements. Individual customers who submitted testimonials to a third-party site were not compensated for their submission. /Annots [69 0 R 70 0 R] /Contents [206 0 R 207 0 R 208 0 R] /Type /Page 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. /Annots [] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] endobj Its deceiving, unethical and gives the Industry and the legitimate companies a black eye. Monarch also requires that payments in the client`s account be up to date. /Contents [146 0 R 147 0 R 148 0 R] /Contents [230 0 R 231 0 R 232 0 R] >> We are a debt relief 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. Third, Defendants fail to factor in interest rates and estimated late fees into their payment schedule. endobj Whether youre dealing with threats of foreclosure, wage garnishment, creditor harassment or excessive debt, the experienced team at Monarch Legal Group can help you get your finances back on track. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] stream /Type /Page 225 ILCS 429/125(c). Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment. RESPONSE: Complaint was not answered These firms push consumers to enroll in programs with significant advance fees. endobj /Annots [] /Parent 8 0 R /Type /Pages /Kids [45 0 R 46 0 R 47 0 R 48 0 R 49 0 R 50 0 R 51 0 R 52 0 R 53 0 R 54 0 R] If you are able to qualify which should not be too difficult I recommend their services most highly. /Parent 8 0 R /Annots [] 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. /Parent 10 0 R Second, Monarch`s lawyers do not appear to offer legal advice or representation in bankruptcy matters. What Are Your Spending Habits? >> This information is also relevant to determine whether bankruptcya service Defendants pretend to offeris the right path for the consumer. endobj Despite paying significant fees for legal services, consumers are faced with default judgments, wage garnishments, and other negative consequences. >> Answer your financial questions. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Annots [] We would appreciate it if you could take a /Rotate 0 << 36 0 obj Monarch refers to itself as a debt relief agency and law firm on its website, www.monarchlegalgroup.com. /Rotate 0 Settlement is within acceptable firm parameters. Our reviews are authentic and unbiased, providing you with a complete picture of the company, its products or services, and their customer service. After the entry of judgment, Defendants negotiated a settlement. /Parent 4 0 R endobj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] >> << A prohibition on advising consumers, expressly or by implication, to stop making payments to their creditors and to stop communicating with their creditors. /Annots [] If you are in debt run far far away. As depicted in paragraph 91 above, one BBB reviewer expressed skepticism about Monarchs lone positive review.
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