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. Date of experience: September 04, 2020 /Contents [134 0 R 135 0 R 136 0 R] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] I was very nervous about making this move but I was reassured and put at ease with the way I was treated. /Resources 209 0 R endobj endobj The majority pay is between $84,341 to $108,233 per year. 8 0 obj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] endobj The consumer did not hear from Monarch for two weeks. << /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 29 YEARS OF OPERATION 2,227 EMPLOYEES 72,097 UNITS 305 COMMUNITIES 20 STATES /Contents [166 0 R 167 0 R 168 0 R] << As an industry, companies continue to allow their niche to be destroyed by not speaking out about the bad actors. >> endobj As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. /ProcSet [/PDF /Text /ImageB /ImageC /ImageI] Pretty much every Debt Settlement regulatory attorney has warned against doing business this way but they never listen. /Parent 8 0 R I was current with all my creditors and had a respectable credit score. That law requires debt settlement companies to register with the state and restricts practices likely to harm consumers. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Type /Page 66 0 obj /Parent 9 0 R /Contents [130 0 R 131 0 R 132 0 R] /Type /Page Copyright 2020 Business Consumer Alliance All Rights Reserved. | Read 21-40 Reviews out of 42. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] If you are able to qualify which should not be too difficult I recommend their services most highly. /Annots [] Defendants purport to collect consumers income and expense information to determine their monthly payments. /Contents [218 0 R 219 0 R 220 0 R] /Contents [182 0 R 183 0 R 184 0 R] Login to participate on the website. Monarch markets the debt resolution program it operates with Strategic as having a generous refund policy. Monarchs Client Retainer Agreement states that [t]he law firm puts in place a customized strategy based on the individual client and their debts[. Request a call back. This information is also relevant to determine whether bankruptcya service Defendants pretend to offeris the right path for the consumer. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 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. /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] /Annots [] A prohibition on advising consumers, expressly or by implication, to stop making payments to their creditors and to stop communicating with their creditors. In response to the Citys subpoena, Monarch provided information from a limited number of consumer files. endobj DO YOUR RESEARCH THIS IS PUBLIC INFORMATION. /Count 10 Type in the email address you registered with. In the first 12 months, Defendants collect their service costs and retainer fees. Significantly, consumers pay legal fees even if Monarch refuses to provide those services. endobj Defendants make these representations in order to secure consumers participation in their debt resolution program. /Annots [] << 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. /Resources 169 0 R >> >> Debt Settlement Industry - Sued in RICO Complaint, Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Defendants Debt Resolution Program and Oppressive Fee Structure, Defendants Debt Resolution Program is Designed to Mislead and Exploit Consumers, Defendants Create Payment Plans without Regard for Consumers Financial Status, Leading Consumers to Fail in Defendants Program, Monarch Lures Consumers into Defendants Debt Resolution Program with a Deceptive Refund Policy. /Count 10 BTW, I was able to get $14k refunded by following the steps detailed on your blog, so thank you for that blog post! /Contents [146 0 R 147 0 R 148 0 R] /CropBox [0 0 612 792] Suggested companies. /Parent 12 0 R /Count 10 endobj The representatives read from a script about Monarchs program and ask consumers to sign an agreement after the meeting. /Parent 13 0 R One consumer wrote: I would like at least a refund of 995.00 since I didnt receive legal representation. Defendants refund policy provides no such right to be refunded legal fees. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] WebMonarch Grand Vacations average salary Updated on March 28, 2023 $95,818 View Hourly Rate Per Year Individually reported data submitted by users of our website 25% $84,341 75% $108,233 $95,818 50% (Median) Highest Paying Job At Monarch Grand Vacations Document Manager - $116,392 See Other Titles Most Popular Job At Monarch Grand /Parent 10 0 R endobj /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Amount Settled: $0.00. 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. 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. /Type /Page /Contents [162 0 R 163 0 R 164 0 R] /Contents [198 0 R 199 0 R 200 0 R] I feel that I can now reach my goal and make my life better in the near future. All at ZERO COST to you. /Parent 9 0 R Source: New Reviews /Contents [118 0 R 119 0 R 120 0 R] >> endobj - 1:22-cv-03705. >> BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. << In November 2020, BBB investigated Monarch Legal Groups endobj ] As described in Section VI below, Monarch repeatedly fails to provide those services. endobj endobj << << endobj /CropBox [0 0 612 792] 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. << /Length 445 /Parent 8 0 R /Rotate 0 >> On all seven occasions concerning settlements for three separate consumers, Ricky Fakhouri approved a settlement and wrote the same vague phrase: Approved: Reviewed original amt, current amt, settlement amt. 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. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 11 0 R Defendants deceive vulnerable consumers in the process. >> /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] endobj The Citys investigation indicates that Defendants do not act in consumers best interest when creating a customized payment program. Our records indicate the company failed to respond to the one complaint brought to its attention. The complaint filed by the City of Chicago contains the following statements. International Association of Better Business Bureaus. /Type /Page WebMonarch Legal has completely shut me down. /Annots [] 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. Contact Us Monarch Legal Group. Monarch Legal is unfortunately, a poorly run business that appears to be criminal in its handling of the client's money. Defendants know that they charge these fees and that consumers cannot complete their program without paying them, and yet Defendants omit estimated fees when representing to consumers how much money they will save. >> /Resources 273 0 R When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints. Write reviews, ask and respond to questions,
/Resources 97 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:. First, Defendants fail to incorporate their Settlement Payment Fees into the good faith estimate of consumer savings. They help people file for relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The testimonials provided are selected from independent third-party sites. /Subtype /XML /Resources 117 0 R /Rotate 0 << << In a previous phone call, a representative said Monarch would resolve the lawsuit to avoid garnishment. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] What Are Your Spending Habits? /Contents [114 0 R 115 0 R 116 0 R] /Type /Page Well guide you through the process. /Parent 4 0 R 17 0 obj >> /Type /Page In fact, Defendants settled the debt for more than the consumer owed when the consumer contracted with them. Monarch refers to itself as a debt relief agency and law firm on its website, www.monarchlegalgroup.com. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. 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. It has reduced my stress level a 100%.With fresh start, I have learned to be more responsible with my finances. /Parent 12 0 R In total, those settlement fees cannot exceed 15% of the savings the debt settlement provider negotiated for the consumer. /Type /Page /Type /Page /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Please contact a tax professional to discuss potential tax consequences of less than full balance debt resolution. If we can verify it in our system, an email will be sent to you with your password. Follow my guide here https://getoutofdebt.org/20126/how-to-try-to-get-a-refund-from-a-debt-relief-company. 1-877-450-8853, Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value. << >> Individual customers who submitted testimonials to a third-party site were not compensated for their submission. /Type /Page * ekVCwIqhpjZDhWI`kN9R=46lz+5, Briggs v. Strategic Financial Solutions, LLC et al. >> /Annots [] a reliable team behind me makes all the difference. /Rotate 0 Lessons Learned. /Annots [] /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] Outrage by companies that remain silent does not equal action to protect good companies or debt relief help for consumers that need reputable help. 2 0 obj /Parent 4 0 R I followed the steps that Steve outlined in the blog post he linked below and I was able to get a refund of $14,000 from Monarch. /Annots [] /Contents [230 0 R 231 0 R 232 0 R] 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. An attorney responsible for the content of this Site is Timothy Burnette licensed in Illinois with offices at 211 W. Wacker Dr. #321, Chicago, IL 60606. 29 0 obj Second, Defendants predict that they will negotiate settlement agreements at around 40% of the debt consumers owe when they enter the payment plan. /Annots [] Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. According to the script that outside paralegals or notaries read at these short meetings, a Monarch attorney reviews the consumers file after the meeting and calls the consumer within a few days of the meeting. Everyone has been extremely nice, helpful, explaining everything thank you. /CropBox [0 0 612 792] << /CropBox [0 0 612 792] endobj /Parent 10 0 R Atty Approved.. /Resources 261 0 R /Contents [86 0 R 87 0 R 88 0 R] >> Defendants include in the total used to calculate their Service Costs not only the enrolled debt at the time that the consumer signs an agreement but also the additional debts and fees that accrue after the consumer heeds Defendants instruction to stop making payments to creditors. /Rotate 0 /Parent 8 0 R 30 0 obj 3 0 obj Contact Us. /Resources 197 0 R endobj /Type /Page Reg. /F1 67 0 R >> endobj Anyone considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyers credentials and ability and should not rely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. /Parent 10 0 R Violations of the DSCPA are also violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. /Annots [] The State of Illinois sued Legal Helpers and its principals for similar consumer-protection violations in 2012. 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). << /Annots [] Defendants did not make any settlement payments from the consumers account. PRIVACY POLICYTERMS AND CONDITIONS. How BBB Processes Complaints and Reviews. /Contents [194 0 R 195 0 R 196 0 R] /AA 5 0 R 0330 127 8888. 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. /Type /Page On information and belief, Defendants estimates for other Chicago consumers contained similar inaccuracies. /Annots [] It sucks that you found yourself in that position. /Parent 9 0 R The user dev_teampresumably a Strategic employeenegotiates a settlement and then creates a debt settlement plan in Defendants database. 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.. But when a consumer stops making payments to creditors, he or she is likely to face adverse effects, including (1) a sharp decrease in their credit score; (2) calls from collections agencies; (3) a rise in debt due to late fees and additional interest; and (4) lawsuits by creditors, who often seek to garnish wages and enforce judgments by other means. The completed form will be automatically submitted to the State Inspector /Rotate 0 But the Citys investigation indicates that Defendants services are not performed by lawyers, and lawyers do not actually supervise the non-attorneys settling debts. 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. /Rotate 0 /Type /Page WebMonarch Legal Group provides a very valuable service for those needing to get out of debt and take their financial situation seriously. /Count 10 21 0 obj Company resolves 0% of complaints brought to its attention from Business Consumer Alliance. The Citys investigation indicates that even when Defendants agents negotiate settlements with creditors on consumers behalf, they do not act in consumers best interest. The Citys investigation indicates that Defendants do not employ defense attorneys and often tell consumers to defend themselves. 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. 18 0 obj Mr. Robert G. Androsiglio, Founding Managing Partner. /Rotate 0 Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment. /Contents [222 0 R 223 0 R 224 0 R] See 815 ILCS 505/2JJJ. 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. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 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. >> I was told that I would only receive $200 left in my savings after they had withdrawn over $3500 in fees from my account. In fact, Monarch will only refund fees if Monarch is unable to settle a debt for less than 35% of the amount owed. See TSR Amended Rule 2010, 75 Fed. /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] /Annots [] Our complaint services are free and our team of expert mediators will assist in resolving complaints with businesses. 527 AND 342 NOTICE #1: Notice Mandated by 11 U.S.C. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] 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. Everything you need to know about man who became heir to British throne 71 years ago 1. We are a debt relief agency. Our reviews are authentic and unbiased, providing you with a complete picture of the company, its products or services, and their customer service. /Rotate 0 39 0 obj /Resources 245 0 R /Resources 237 0 R Side Hustle Review - Is It Too Late To Make Money With A Helium Miner? /Annots [] The Citys investigation found no bankruptcy case filings by Monarch. Stated results are for illustration purposes only and are not typical of the results you should expect to achieve. BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. << After the entry of judgment, Defendants negotiated a settlement. Moreover, the outside attorneys that Monarch contracts with repeatedly fail to appear in court and rubberstamp negotiated settlements even when a consumer could not possibly comply with the terms. Further evidencing Monarchs lack of responsiveness to customer concerns, the Better Business Bureau suspended Monarchs accreditation in 2021 for, among other things, failing to provide adequate responses to customer complaints. << 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. stream
>> 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. /Parent 12 0 R /Parent 11 0 R The same can happen to you! By an Act of Congress and the President of the United States, Monarch Legal Group, is a federally designated Debt Relief Agency. Don't have an account? /Parent 9 0 R /Contents [186 0 R 187 0 R 188 0 R] 43 0 obj 33 0 obj /Resources 125 0 R /Rotate 0 /Rotate 0 But the Citys investigation indicates that Strategics customer service team does not make attorneys available for client calls. The City of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Strategic Financial Solutions, Burnette Legal Group, Timothy Burnette, and Monarch Legal Group on July 26, 2022. 52 0 obj BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. After accounting for Defendants various fees, consumers end up paying only a small amount into their reserves for settlement of their debts. /Resources 133 0 R /Parent 10 0 R endobj 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. WebThe average annual salary of Monarch Grand Vacations is estimated to be approximate $95,818 per year. Two hours later I was informed that I was denied due to my debt to income ratio. This fee structure makes it difficult for consumers to save funds for potential settlements, increasing the amount of time that the consumer pays fees to Monarch and decreasing the likelihood that the consumer will be able to afford any settlements. << In examples the City has seen, Defendants collected the entire Service Cost less than halfway into consumers payment schedules. /Annots [] % /CropBox [0 0 612 792] DISCLOSURES REQUIRED UNDER 11 U.S.C. Choose the serviceBankruptcyFDCPAFCRAConsumer LitigationOther. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. /Rotate 0 /Rotate 0 /Contents [98 0 R 99 0 R 100 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. Web203 N La Salle St Ste 2100 Chicago, IL 60601-1226 Visit Website (312) 273-5020 Customer Complaints 105 complaints closed in last 3 years 40 complaints closed in last 12 months In some instances, the testimonials may be shortened and/or include correction to grammatical or typographical errors. /MediaBox [0 0 612 792] /Parent 9 0 R endobj RESPONSE: Complaint was not answered
/Resources 81 0 R Monarch retainer agreements identify Law Firm Contacts. Those contacts are not employed by Monarch, and instead work for Strategic or a related entity.
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