Premier Family Services, Fathers Advocate, Fathers Choice, SBLaw, Azouz Training Group, Inc. CHARGES YOUR CREDIT CARD FOR 100's OF DOLLARS UNAUTHORIZED Goleta California
First, I want everyone to know, probably the best way to put fraudulent companies out of business is to report them to the FTC (this goes for ANY company, not just this one). The Better Business Bureau (and this site as well) is only a means of documenting what the company is doing, they have no authority to shut the business down or do anything other than make info available to other consumers. To file with the FTC go to https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov Hopefully if enough people file complaints we can get this biz shut down for good.
This biz has several different DBAs, which is not only a red flag, but makes it difficult to find them through the BBB website. It was only after I googled their phone number that I stumbled upon their info with the BBB. They have the LOWEST possible rating. If you're looking for their BBB report it's at http://www.santabarbara.bbb.org/BBBWEB/Forms/Business/CompanyReportExtensionPage.aspx?CompanyID=92001460&sm=#GovernmentAction
I am going to list all of their info at the end of this report so it will hopefully come up in any search people do for any of their names, phone #s or website addresses.
In short, here's what Father's Choice did to me:
-Lied several times about services I'd receive (including the fact that I'd get access to speak to an attorney, which NEVER happened no matter how many times I asked to)
-Made unauthorized charges for large amounts to my credit card
-Refused any refunds until they realized I (thankfully) hadn't been able to successfully signs their terms and conditions online
-Treated me very poorly in general (Chris Ratliff specifically)
-While on 'hold' one day I heard the girl say to another employee "He's a new client, call him and make the sale"
-I never received ANY real services from them
-According to the BBB they are NOT LICENSED, which means even if you do get what you pay for, the documents may not be accepted in court and there will be nothing you can do about it
I believe that part of their MO is to prolong the process so that they can continue charging your your "membership fee".
Please, whenever you file your own report on any business include the link to let people know they should file with the FTC. We need to spread the word about it since it seems it isn't common knowledge.
Here is the company's info...
Premier Family Services
1179 Patterson Avenue
Goleta, CA 93117
Contact: Brian Azouz
Phone: (800) 964-1664
~DBA: Premier Family Services
~Other DBAs: Premier Family Services
-Fathers Advocate
-Father's Choice
-Azouz Training Group, Inc.
-SBLaw.net
-Premiere Family Services
~Address: 1179 Patterson Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117
~Other Addresses: 1179 Patterson Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117;
-93 Castillian Drive, Goleta, CA 93117
~Primary Phone: (800) 964-1664
~Other Phone Numbers: (800) 964-1664
-(805) 964-0725
-(800) 983-7258
-(800) 972-7014
-(888) 891-8589
-(805) 685-1580
-(805) 685-1606
-(805) 685-1602
~Primary Fax: (805) 685-1651
~Other Fax Numbers: (805) 685-1651
~Primary Contact: Brian Azouz
~Other Contacts: Brian Azouz
-Todd Kendall, Project Manager
-Bevin Leites, manager
-Nathaniel Hanson
-Christopher Ratliff, Case Manager
~Website: http://www.affordablehelp.org/
~Other Websites: http://www.affordablehelp.org/
-http://www.premierfamilyservices.com
-http://www.pmfamily.net
-http://www.fatherschoice.org
-http://www.sblaw.net
Karmasmessenger
Aubrey, Texas
U.S.A.
12 Updates & Rebuttals
Darnell
Memphis,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
My Experience
#13Consumer Comment
Tue, September 23, 2008
I had given this company my credit card info in exchange for child support info.I was told that credit card would be charged starting October 23,2008.I just happened to google search the credentials of this company which had like 6 or seven different names ie..DBA's. Right away I called and had this charge disputed and my card number changed solely because of the several names this company had.Something just wasnt right with them.
Bill
WASHINGTON,Illinois,
U.S.A.
I filed with the FTC also
#13Consumer Comment
Thu, August 28, 2008
I love the response from this company - all the same - email us and we will resolve the issue and contrary to ..... we have helped 5,000 families... What a joke!!!
Byron O.
Rancho Cucamonga,California,
U.S.A.
I also filed with the FTC
#13Consumer Comment
Thu, August 14, 2008
I am motivated and extremely upset with Brian Azouz and ALL his companies. I filed a report and am now seeking to get a class action suit started against Mr. Azouz. We need to put him out of business and in jail!!!
Sarah C
Portland,Oregon,
U.S.A.
I filed with FTC
#13Consumer Comment
Wed, August 13, 2008
I have been burned and given the run- around as well. So, I took your advice and filed; I noticed there was a armed forces option and took that route becauase I am an actve service member. I hope it can help- Any suggestions on what to do next?
Sarah C
Portland,Oregon,
U.S.A.
I filed with FTC
#13Consumer Comment
Wed, August 13, 2008
I have been burned and given the run- around as well. So, I took your advice and filed; I noticed there was a armed forces option and took that route becauase I am an actve service member. I hope it can help- Any suggestions on what to do next?
Byron O.
Rancho Cucamonga,California,
U.S.A.
DBA's are fake
#13Consumer Comment
Wed, August 13, 2008
I have check everyone of the business names listed for Fathers choice (and there are quit a few). Not one of them is a licensed business in California. A company trying so hard to hide is obviously involved in dirty dealings. Stay clear of this company (what ever it may be called)
Customer Service - Father's Choice
Goleta,California,
U.S.A.
Resolution of issue and answers to questions from Karmasmessenger
#13UPDATE Employee
Fri, August 08, 2008
Dear Karmasmessenger,
Please spell out what information you were given so that we can answer your question. Contrary to what this person has written, our case management staff is made up of men and women who are parents who have experienced divorce and the associated difficulties so that our customers are talking to someone who understands. It is part of their job to explain our services in detail at the outset.
Each of our case managers has been familiarized through an in-depth training process with all family law issues and their primary function is to gather relevant information for our legal staff to use in the preparation of documents and coaching of members. Our Case Managers are not Attorneys; they are hired because they care about helping people. They love it when a member sends in a picture of his family that says 'We won, thanks for your help.'
Contrary to what has been stated, all charges made to credit cards are verified with the member with specific dates that the member would like to be charged for our services. If there was a mix up related t the signing of terms and conditions, we are happy to resolve the issue with the member immediately.
We would like to hear from our members directly whenever there is an issue with one of our staff. Please contact us at customerservice@fatherschoice.org with specifics on the interaction. We encourage the writer of this report to do so immediately.
Contrary to the report, we are a licensed business offering document preparation services. Upon completion of the documents and review by the member, the documents are filed with the court. Prior to the court date our members are coached by an attorney for their pro se appearance. All of these details are clearly spelled out several times during the process. We have worked with our members to help them resolve over 5000 custody, visitation and child support cases.
Our members are only charged a membership fee for as long as they need our services. Members may call at any point in the process and cancel their membership. Once the document service has been paid for the documents will be sent to the member, regardless of their membership status.
We will answer each and every customer service issue on an individual basis and encourage members with complaints to contact us directly at (800)964-1664 to resolve any issues.
Finally, we sincerely want parents to succeed in achieving more time with their children. This mission is the bottom line for all of our staff.
Customer Service Department
Fathers Choice
www.fatherschoice.org
800.964.1664
customerservice@fatherschoice.org
Customer Service - Father's Choice
Goleta,California,
U.S.A.
Resolution of issue and answers to questions from Karmasmessenger
#13UPDATE Employee
Fri, August 08, 2008
Dear Karmasmessenger,
Please spell out what information you were given so that we can answer your question. Contrary to what this person has written, our case management staff is made up of men and women who are parents who have experienced divorce and the associated difficulties so that our customers are talking to someone who understands. It is part of their job to explain our services in detail at the outset. Each of our case managers has been familiarized through an in-depth training process with all family law issues and their primary function is to gather relevant information for our legal staff to use in the preparation of documents and coaching of members. Our Case Managers are not Attorneys; they are hired because they care about helping people. They love it when a member sends in a picture of his family that says 'We won, thanks for your help.'
Contrary to what has been stated, all charges made to credit cards are verified with the member with specific dates that the member would like to be charged for our services. If there was a mix up related t the signing of terms and conditions, we are happy to resolve the issue with the member immediately.
We would like to hear from our members directly whenever there is an issue with one of our staff. Please contact us at customerservice@fatherschoice.org with specifics on the interaction. We encourage the writer of this report to do so immediately.
Contrary to the report, we are a licensed business offering document preparation services. Upon completion of the documents and review by the member, the documents are filed with the court. Prior to the court date our members are coached by an attorney for their pro se appearance. All of these details are clearly spelled out several times during the process. We have worked with our members to help them resolve over 5000 custody, visitation and child support cases.
Our members are only charged a membership fee for as long as they need our services. Members may call at any point in the process and cancel their membership. Once the document service has been paid for the documents will be sent to the member, regardless of their membership status.
We will answer each and every customer service issue on an individual basis and encourage members with complaints to contact us directly at (800)964-1664 to resolve any issues.
Finally, we sincerely want parents to succeed in achieving more time with their children. This mission is the bottom line for all of our staff.
Customer Service Department
Fathers Choice
www.fatherschoice.org
800.964.1664
customerservice@fatherschoice.org
Karmasmessenger
Aubrey,Texas,
U.S.A.
File fraud with your credit card company!
#13Author of original report
Wed, August 06, 2008
I also wanted to note, ALWAYS file fraud with your credit card company. In my opinion it's one of the few good things about credit cards, buyer protection. You may have signed the agreement, but it's still worth a try if you have gotten poor, little, or no results from the company.
Karmasmessenger
Aubrey,Texas,
U.S.A.
File fraud with your credit card company!
#13Author of original report
Wed, August 06, 2008
I also wanted to note, ALWAYS file fraud with your credit card company. In my opinion it's one of the few good things about credit cards, buyer protection. You may have signed the agreement, but it's still worth a try if you have gotten poor, little, or no results from the company.
Karmasmessenger
Aubrey,Texas,
U.S.A.
File fraud with your credit card company!
#13Author of original report
Wed, August 06, 2008
I also wanted to note, ALWAYS file fraud with your credit card company. In my opinion it's one of the few good things about credit cards, buyer protection. You may have signed the agreement, but it's still worth a try if you have gotten poor, little, or no results from the company.
Karmasmessenger
Aubrey,Texas,
U.S.A.
File fraud with your credit card company!
#13Author of original report
Wed, August 06, 2008
I also wanted to note, ALWAYS file fraud with your credit card company. In my opinion it's one of the few good things about credit cards, buyer protection. You may have signed the agreement, but it's still worth a try if you have gotten poor, little, or no results from the company.