Complaint Review: Consumer Tax Relief - Paul Brown - Howell New Jersey

I forgot to enter the fact that after an investigation by the Merchant Account, my fees were credited back to me. If all was true with this complaint, how could this be so? Usually, the Merchant takes the side of the consumer. Paul

We first came by the complainant by enrolling her into a tax resolution program with Clear Choice Tax Solutions (CCTS) on 08/17/2011. At that time we were an affiliate in the capacity of an enrollment center only. We left Clear Choice at the beginning of the year out of complete frustration in that of 120 enrolled clients enrolled from June 2011 Jan 2012, about 10 were in a resolution. Multiple clients were starting to call us weekly re: CCTS asking what is the progress of my case?, why havent I heard from them?, ect. We had had enough.
 
We formed our own tax resolution organization and began to service clients in-house. We sent a letter to the enrolled clients explaining our frustration and letting them know we stood behind them and that they had a choice. We offered them a way out, would credit them any monies spent and stated our fee, which was deeply discounted, to resolve their case. We felt truly bad for these people. Miss B**** responded to our letter/offer with much enthusiasm and enrolled with us on 03/28/2012. Keep in mind this is now 7 months and 11 days later after first enrolling with CCTS and still in Phase I - Investigation with them meaning nothing was getting done! She stated her concern, disapproval and anxiety with CCTS. She enrolled with no hesitation and did so immediately after speaking with us.
 
I June, Ms. B**** filed a chargeback and complain notice with her creditor. In her complaint was as follows: Merchant (us) stated ourselves as being licensed and we dont have the credentials to perform our tax resolution service. We deceived and tricked her into service. It asked, did you cancel, she responded YES. On what date 05/02/12. Date of most recent contact 06/04/12. Was the cardholder given a cancelation policy YES. What was the policy customer provided no details. Her contact info cardholder did not release contact info. CCTS also included a 3 page doc addressing federal and state issues regarding our legitimacy. Bank of America (her merchant/creditor) initially ruled: The processor advised it was a legitimate transaction and that there was nothing to be done. Our merchant account removed the funds from our checking acct and placed them on hold pending our response and further review. 6 weeks went by.
 
 Now to be clear:

1). Sheila B**** NEVER called my case manager or myself, not only to cancel, but to discuss any doubts, complaints or issues she had about us, not even to state dont bill me further. In our response, we challenged her to produce a phone bill showing any call made to us for any day from April to June. If she could, we offered a 100% return of her fee. She could not as she lied.

2). We never stated we were attorneys. There is no license requirement in New Jersey. Nowhere in my brochure, agreement, on our website or in my verbal communications with any prospect do we represent ourselves as attorneys or licensed agents. It is not necessary. As far as our credentials, our case manager had 13 years with the IRS and 17 more performing tax resolution in retirement before coming on board. 30 years inside and out of the IRS is not shabby.

We included her case log from our online CRM: IRS Logics. This log cannot be manipulated. It reveals the work my case manager was doing and the contacts made with the IRS right up to the 17th of June. It revealed the work and progress of her case and equally importantly, the number of time the case manager attempted calling, emailing and leaving messages w/o her response. Seems weird for someone desperately trying to cancel and retrieve their money?

3). Our record with our Merchant Commerce is flawless. We had never had a cancelation and refunded a single client their monies. In our line of work, that is next to impossible. We remain perfect as to refunds.

At the end of the investigation, we were refunded our fee.  In the end, what you really have is Clear Choice Tax Solutions attempting to defame us, scared the client back, and coached her complaint. The client made no attempts to contact us; we had no idea that she cancelled or even that there was a problem. Ms Bradley couldnt produce anything material. She has made false allegations and lied about contacting anyone in my organization.

No one from the state, FTC, OCC or the IRS has contacted us about these allegations made br CCTS. She now has thrown in he sells your information. That was never stated before in her complaint and I dont even know how to answer that one. Although Rippoff Report protects consumers first amendment right to free speech, unfounded lies and allegations that slander should not be tolerated. This seems to be a platform for revenge, not justice. I can document everything I have stated. Let the real truth be known.    Paul Brown