I have filed complaints with the FTC and California Attorney State General's office. The following is the complaint filed with the AG's office
Hello, my name is Lois M..... I'm not an member of US Armed Forces or have a foreign address or shareholder etc.
I contacted Stop IRS Debt by finding their ad on the internet on 10/13/14. I explained my tax issue which primarily is gross receipts tax, penalty and interest of about $21,000 to the state of NM. I owe the IRS about $900. Stop IRS assured me that they could work out a reduction in the GR tax and set up a payment plan.
The person I spoke to, Bill D...., really worked on my fears by stating numerous times that it was fortunate that I contacted them when I did since "tax agents could be at my doorstep as soon as the next day if I didn't give them POA" he stated that the flat fee in total would be $4600. I didn't see and sign the contract until after I paid, because at the time I was caring/staying with my parents ages 94, 96 and I couldn't get to my office until later that day. Bill was pressuring me to get it done that day. I feel really stupid now that I didn't research further because I know now these predatory tactics are being used all over.
Less than one week later I received notice from Bill saying that I had "severe compliance issues" he said that my case was more complicated and that they would need more money in order to give me the protection I would need. He started off by saying that a case like mine, if handled by a tax attorney would cost about $17,000 but they would give me a deal by charging me only $7000 more. After being put on hold several times supposedly "working with his manager" he got it down to $5000. I had more fear and anxiety because if I didn't pay, he made it seem as if I'd lose what I already paid. I started feeling like I was dealing with a used car salesman. Later I thought I should have just made that payment to the State.
Total amount they got from me was $9600. I paid the $5000 by maxing out two credit cards and some from a secured line of credit. I have a statement from my bank that shows they took the money out of my checking account instead of the account I authorized. Had I not caught that I would have had multiple bounced checks. After I had time to check the facts I found that the state of NM will not under any circumstances reduce GR tax liability as Bill promised could be done.
After I received a seizure notice from the state around the 1st of December I contacted Stop IRS and said they were not doing the job they promised and I wanted my money back. I was contacted by Jacob Miller the Vice President of the company who repeatedly said they could help and that the NM Tax agent was lying to me, that the state was deceiving me and just trying to scare me. I stated that I wanted a refund which he refused at that time. He said that they had put in hours and hours of work on my case.
After multiple email and phone calls he offered me $2300 out of my $9600 and I would have to sign a release. I refused and I was able to reverse $3230 that had been put on my credit cards. I will lose that if I can't prove fraud. I have filed a complaint with FTC and now your office.
I don't think they deserve a penny but I would be willing to let them keep $1000 and accept a refund of the balance. If they are able to chargeback on my credit cards the total of $3230 then I would expect that to be returned. Bottom line I would expect a total of $8600 to be returned.
I hope that this practice can be stopped and other consumers can avoid this deceitful predatory company.
StopIRSDebt.com Reviews
I have filed complaints with the FTC and California Attorney State General's office. The following is the complaint filed with the AG's office
Hello, my name is Lois M..... I'm not an member of US Armed Forces or have a foreign address or shareholder etc.
I contacted Stop IRS Debt by finding their ad on the internet on 10/13/14. I explained my tax issue which primarily is gross receipts tax, penalty and interest of about $21,000 to the state of NM. I owe the IRS about $900. Stop IRS assured me that they could work out a reduction in the GR tax and set up a payment plan.
The person I spoke to, Bill D...., really worked on my fears by stating numerous times that it was fortunate that I contacted them when I did since "tax agents could be at my doorstep as soon as the next day if I didn't give them POA" he stated that the flat fee in total would be $4600. I didn't see and sign the contract until after I paid, because at the time I was caring/staying with my parents ages 94, 96 and I couldn't get to my office until later that day. Bill was pressuring me to get it done that day. I feel really stupid now that I didn't research further because I know now these predatory tactics are being used all over.
Less than one week later I received notice from Bill saying that I had "severe compliance issues" he said that my case was more complicated and that they would need more money in order to give me the protection I would need. He started off by saying that a case like mine, if handled by a tax attorney would cost about $17,000 but they would give me a deal by charging me only $7000 more. After being put on hold several times supposedly "working with his manager" he got it down to $5000. I had more fear and anxiety because if I didn't pay, he made it seem as if I'd lose what I already paid. I started feeling like I was dealing with a used car salesman. Later I thought I should have just made that payment to the State.
Total amount they got from me was $9600. I paid the $5000 by maxing out two credit cards and some from a secured line of credit. I have a statement from my bank that shows they took the money out of my checking account instead of the account I authorized. Had I not caught that I would have had multiple bounced checks. After I had time to check the facts I found that the state of NM will not under any circumstances reduce GR tax liability as Bill promised could be done.
After I received a seizure notice from the state around the 1st of December I contacted Stop IRS and said they were not doing the job they promised and I wanted my money back. I was contacted by Jacob Miller the Vice President of the company who repeatedly said they could help and that the NM Tax agent was lying to me, that the state was deceiving me and just trying to scare me. I stated that I wanted a refund which he refused at that time. He said that they had put in hours and hours of work on my case.
After multiple email and phone calls he offered me $2300 out of my $9600 and I would have to sign a release. I refused and I was able to reverse $3230 that had been put on my credit cards. I will lose that if I can't prove fraud. I have filed a complaint with FTC and now your office.
I don't think they deserve a penny but I would be willing to let them keep $1000 and accept a refund of the balance. If they are able to chargeback on my credit cards the total of $3230 then I would expect that to be returned. Bottom line I would expect a total of $8600 to be returned.
I hope that this practice can be stopped and other consumers can avoid this deceitful predatory company.
Thank you for your help.