Despite paying a monthly retainer fee for a lawyer, the consumer responded to the summons and defended himself in court.
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS EASTERN Its deceiving, unethical and gives the Industry and the legitimate companies a black eye.
/Rotate 0 endobj 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 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 Legal and Strategic Financial Solutions jointly run a fraudulent debt resolution program that preys on Chicagoans struggling with debt. /Annots [] 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. WebReview your credit report. /Rotate 0 /Annots [] 27 0 obj >> This website is an advertisement. endobj << /Count 1 /Annots [] View complaints, reviews and check out how endobj /Annots [] The Rule applies to attorneys as well as non-lawyers, and prohibits businesses from knowingly providing substantial assistance to a company violating the Rule. I see that with the Debt Validation companies. Current and former Strategic employees have noted that Monarchs and Strategics practices confuse consumers. WebMonday-Friday, 9AM - 5:30PM ET. Everything you need to know about man who became heir to British throne 71 years ago 1. /Contents [134 0 R 135 0 R 136 0 R] >> /CropBox [0 0 612 792] I accept the offer and signed a contract on June of 2020 with Monarch legal group. /Length 493 endobj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Resources 113 0 R I had been paying all of my credit cards both person and business. /Annots [] 47 0 obj Based on the foregoing and on information and belief, Monarch attorneys often if not always fail to provide individualized legal advice and therefore are not engaged in the practice of law. /Kids [8 0 R 9 0 R 10 0 R 11 0 R 12 0 R 13 0 R 14 0 R] Monarch refers to itself as a debt relief agency and law firm on its website, www.monarchlegalgroup.com. /Resources 197 0 R You can learn more about Steve. It is not a lawyer referral service or prepaid legal services plan. By an Act of Congress and the President of the United States, Monarch Legal Group, is a federally designated Debt Relief Agency. endobj Consumers reported not understanding the terms of the program after these short appointments. >> The two contacts excerpted below identify James Katayanagi, an employee of Strategic subsidiary Finance Solutions, and Haider Salas, a former employee of Strategic Financial Solutions, as the consumers Law Firm Contact. Neither Katayanagi nor Salas are lawyers: [Before or concurrent with his employment at Finance Solutions, Katayanagi worked as a personal banker. Answer your financial questions. endobj /Annots [] /Resources 241 0 R 25 0 obj << /Rotate 0 /Resources 237 0 R Read More Business Details and See Alerts, International Association of Better Business Bureaus. /Annots [] Monarchs agreement misleads consumers and contradicts other statements the company makes in prominent promotional materials that consumers rely on. /Type /Page /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] << PAID ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT: Do you agree with Monarchlegalgroup's TrustScore? /Contents [126 0 R 127 0 R 128 0 R] endobj Copyright 2020 Business Consumer Alliance All Rights Reserved. Monarch Legal Group is a private law firm and is not affiliated with any governmental agency, quasi-governmental agency, or charitable organization. Steve Rhode is the Get Out of Debt Guy and has been helping good people with bad debt problems since 1994. /Resources 133 0 R << 60 0 obj They help people file for relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Cash Made. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] >> /Contents [138 0 R 139 0 R 140 0 R] Thank you for the feedback. /Contents [198 0 R 199 0 R 200 0 R] Webmonarch legal group complaints. This information is also relevant to determine whether bankruptcya service Defendants pretend to offeris the right path for the consumer. Monarch retainer agreements identify Law Firm Contacts. Those contacts are not employed by Monarch, and instead work for Strategic or a related entity. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] At the completion of the program the consumer would have paid between $500 to $800 in fees. 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. Participating in debt resolution programs carries significant risks. /Annots [] /Resources 85 0 R /Parent 9 0 R get quotes and more. /Parent 9 0 R endstream /Contents [234 0 R 235 0 R 236 0 R] 54 0 obj Join the 47 people who've already contributed. 32 0 obj
Monarch Legal Group | Better Business Bureau Profile Monarchlegalgroup Reviews | Read Customer Service endobj /Parent 10 0 R
City of Chicago Goes After Strategic Financial Solutions Filing a Complaint - Office of State Inspector General endobj Mr. Robert G. Androsiglio, Founding Managing Partner. /Parent 9 0 R Defendants documents reveal that attorneys approve settlements that non- attorney Strategic employees have negotiated without significant review. << 58 0 obj /Type /Page /CropBox [0 0 612 792] If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.
Everyone has been extremely nice, helpful, explaining everything thank you. endobj We have since paid a large sum of money in this program as well as handled three of our largest debts on our own because we were not represented in these accounts. As discussed in paragraph 36 above, customers pay a Retainer Fee (often around $1,000) and a monthly flat Legal Administration Fee (from $55 to $85). Each of the lawyers on this site are either Managers, Members, Partners, Limited Partners or staff attorneys. >> /Resources 205 0 R *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. /Rotate 0 /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] >> We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. Strategic Financial Solutions also operates and/or works jointly with Timberline Financial, LLC, which lists the same office addresses as Strategic Financial Solutions on its website. endobj
Monarch Law Group | Better Business Bureau Profile << Can you help me please? Everything you need to know about man who became heir to British throne 71 years ago 1. WebYour experience matters. Defendants have attempted to avoid these rules by operating under the name Monarch Legal. /Annots [] /Rotate 0 << >> /Resources 157 0 R /Resources 181 0 R 48457-523 (Aug. 10, 2010). >> This program started in September of 2019 and has consumed a large amount of our finances. Update 2 On The Make Money With a Side Hustle Project. 39 0 obj /Type /Page /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] endobj /Rotate 0 Side Hustle Review - Is It Too Late To Make Money With A Helium Miner? << Skip to main content Better Business Bureau >> How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews. 203 N. LaSalle, #2100, Chicago, IL 60601 /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Resources 121 0 R 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. /Parent 4 0 R Though the Defendants program makes many consumers worse off, the companies succeed by collecting substantial fees, refusing to provide contracted-for services, and continually attracting new program participants by deceptive marketing tactics like fake reviews. /Rotate 0 *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. 53 0 obj 8 0 obj /Annots [] >> Can I Send a Cease and Desist Letter to a Debt Collector? /Annots [] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Your consent to the above terms is not required as a condition of purchasing or receiving our services. Categories Blog For businesses. 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 << In one example, a consumer owed $910 on a debt at the time the consumer signed a contract with Defendants. I was current with all my creditors and had a respectable credit score. Second, Defendants predict that they will negotiate settlement agreements at around 40% of the debt consumers owe when they enter the payment plan. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Annots [] Defendants begin collecting these fees immediately and on a monthly or bimonthly basis. Be the first one to write one. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] >> /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Annots [] 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. << /Parent 12 0 R Defendantsa debt settlement companyknow that debt accrues substantial interest and late fees. /Type /Page Defendants have a surprising range of exclusively 5-star and 1-star reviews, with no scores in the middle of the range. Im really happy with the service so far, I have just started this program, and to date I have found it to be extremely worthwhile, the pressure that this program has taken off me has been tenfold and I feel that I am finally headed in the right direction, I know the road ahead will be tough but well worth the effort, having a reliable team behind me makes all the difference. /Contents [82 0 R 83 0 R 84 0 R] /Type /Page /Annots [] Copyright 2022 Monarch Legal Group Reviews. If you are able to qualify which should not be too difficult I recommend their services most highly. endobj /Contents [226 0 R 227 0 R 228 0 R] 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. /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] 1 0 obj /Font << /Type /Page
Monarch Legal /Annots [] >> WebComplaints for Monarch Legal Group. Disclosures Required Under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. We are a debt relief agency. endobj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] endobj /Annots [] 46 0 obj WebMonarch Recovery Management is a collection agency based in Pennsylvania. BBB is here to help. /Rotate 0 After the first 22 months, over 53% of this consumers payments were earmarked as going to the Service Cost.. /Contents [194 0 R 195 0 R 196 0 R] >> Defendants to change their business practices and would likely result in diminished profit. Monarchs website states that Timothy Burnette is the attorney responsible for the content of this Site.. We appreciate any help you can give. PRIVACY POLICYTERMS AND CONDITIONS. /Rotate 0 /Parent 10 0 R 29 YEARS OF OPERATION 2,227 EMPLOYEES 72,097 UNITS 305 COMMUNITIES 20 STATES endobj 7 0 obj << How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews. /Contents [94 0 R 95 0 R 96 0 R] /Parent 4 0 R >> 38 0 obj /Rotate 0 /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] >> 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. /F2 68 0 R On information and belief, Monarch and Strategic Financial Solutions primarily or even exclusively steer clients to the debt resolution program for two reasons. /Kids [65 0 R] All photos are of models and do not depict clients. 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.
How to stop Monarch Recovery Management harassment Defendants ultimately settled this debt for $1,096, over 60% of the amount owed at the time the debt was settled. >> Source: New Reviews Regardless of how many times I have told your representatives over the phone to call Monarch Legal Group at 877-450-8853, they keep calling me and my wife.
Contact Us Monarch Legal Group 49 0 obj 56 0 obj endobj
Legal /Type /Page 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. Defendants do not hold consumer funds in a client trust account. endobj MRM has received many consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collections endobj >> /Rotate 0 << /Type /Page The information on this website is not legal advice, and does not take the place of consulting with a lawyer. 62 0 obj /Type /Page 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. My wife and I enrolled in a program to negotiate our debts with Monarch Legal Group. 527 AND 342 NOTICE #1: Notice Mandated by 11 U.S.C. Based on examples that the City has seen, the payment schedules include at least three omissions or deceptions. None of the many publicly accessible consumer complaints filed against Monarch mention bankruptcy proceedings, even though one consumer inquired about it. /Contents [182 0 R 183 0 R 184 0 R] >> /Type /Pages
King Charles: From excessively shy boy to monarch-in 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. 26 0 obj /Rotate 0 >> endobj
Reviews How to Get Out of Debt. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Meanwhile Defendants collect thousands of dollars, money that consumers could have used to pay down their debts but for Defendants unrealistic promises and reassurances. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Subtype /XML /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 8 0 R /Resources 185 0 R << Defendants did not make any settlement payments from the consumers account. 18 0 obj We signed a contract that they would legally handle all affairs with our creditors. 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. 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. /Type /Pages >> /Contents [150 0 R 151 0 R 152 0 R]
Stop The Calls From 877-288-9903 | Agruss Law Firm /Type /Page 225 ILCS 429/145(2), (3). Defendants knowingly mislead consumers by misrepresenting how much they will save and how quickly their debts will get resolved. /Type /Pages /Type /Page /Resources 209 0 R Monarch Law Group offers personal injury, commercial litigation, corporate law, matrimonial/family law and real estate legal services. 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 /Parent 8 0 R 9 0 obj /Contents [250 0 R 251 0 R 252 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.