Complaint Review: Per-Paid Legal Services Inc. - Ada Oklahoma

When we were facing foreclosure on our home we were desperate for help.  I went to our state's web site which directed us to some credit counseling services.  They gave us some information but couldn't tell us what to expect or how to handle our upcoming court date.

I felt we needed an advocate in court, someone experienced to represent us.  So we searched for attorneys specializing in foreclosures.  We came across Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. and provided our phone number.  Someone contacted me and told me with a membership we would be assigned to a legal firm close to us.  We would be able to call and get advice and if needed, someone to represent us in court.

Within a day or two I called the law firm and was forwarded to an attorney.  He listened to what had happened so far and the advice I had been given by the credit counselors as well as my niece who dealt with foreclosures for over 10 years.  He commented that I had received good advice and had nothing additional to add.

I called Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. and told them I did not wish to continue the membership.  I didn't feel it would benefit me and wasn't going to provide the advocate I had hoped for.  I was told someone would call me back.  A supervisor called me back and I restated that the services just weren't what I was looking for and that is why I was canceling my membership.  Another attorney from the firm called and I restated my reason for canceling.  All this transpired with in about 5 days after joining.

Two months go by and I see an unfamiliar deduction coming out of my checking account.  I discovered it was Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.!  I called and explained that I had canceled less than a week after enrolling.  They stated that none of the notes on my account reflected that I canceled.

I told the representative that I have worked in customer service for over 10 years.  I didn't think I should be penalized because someone did not properly notate the account.  I had 2 follow up call made to me because I was canceling!  No where did their notes reflect this!

Then I was told that I had to sign a waiver to cancel.  Of course, no one told me that when I requested to cancel my membership 2 months prior.  So they emailed the waiver to me.  One day before the next payment is due to come out (on a Sunday) I receive an email acknowledging receipt of my waiver. It stated "Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. abides by Federal Reserve laws which state a
company is not responsible to refund any fees not reported to them within
60 days of the payment." which I believe is their way of saying there may be 2 more payments coming out.  Of course it was too late to do anything about the payment coming out the following morning since I received this on Sunday.

What suckie customer service!  This should have been taken care of less than a week after I enrolled.  With the fees that attorneys charge it is pretty greedy that they should resort to getting money from people who can't afford to just hire an attorney out right.

Don't get sucked into believing there is any benefit to pre-paid legal services.  If you can't afford an attorney, go to legal aide!