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Registered Agent "service" scam. Legal Zoom has made an unauthorized charge to my bank account for $159. This is how the scam works: they sell you a service for which you agree to pay a stated price. You authorize Legal Zoom to debit your bank account for installments to cover the service you are purchasing. They do not offer you the option to just pay it out up front or if they do it is not readily noticeable. To complete your order you accept the terms & conditions by checking a box. You assume that the terms and conditions relate only to the service for which you have agreed to purchase but that is not the case. Mentioned somewhere in lengthy terms is an entirely separate service to act as the Registered Agent for the company you have formed. This service is $159 and is not included in the amount you agreed to. They wait until you have received your articles of incorporation at that time you will have made to installments on your agreement. They send an email notification reminding you when your upcoming installment payments are about to post to your account. They conveniently NEVER mention the $159 extra service fee for the registered agent service because then you may question and cancel it. You never receive an email about the impending charge. They simply debit your account for the full amount and wait for you to call to hear that it was not included and that when you accepted the terms and conditions you authorized payment for the service. The first person to take my call even said "we get a lot of these calls." It gets better: when you learn that all this service is for is "filtering" your junk mail they charge $49 to remove themselves as your registered agent. I was able to change my registered agent to myself with my state for $5 bucks. I am told that when they receive confirmation of my change they will prorate my "subscription" which in the end allows them to get at least 2 months ($26.50) payment for a so called service out of you that you would never have purchased otherwise add the $5.00 to make the change yourself (and that's only if I can get the proof before they bill again) and you have paid another $30.00 on top of what you agreed. I could have just paid a local attorney to draw up my papers for that less than that amount ($414.00). To stop unauthorized debits your bank will need to cancel your card altogether.
This complaint has been resolved automatically due to user's inactivity.
Yet another horrible company. I was 3 weeks into creating a DBA and trademark, until I experienced enough yellow and red flags with customer service and delays.
Gas lighting, hidden fees, conflicting information from customer service reps.
Zoom and Airbnb are on the toilet.
I’ll never do business with either ever again.
Team: This is a Converstaion that Took Place with a Debt Collector Caine and Weiner over a 399.00 Charge.
LISTEN CAREFULLY...
Team- Standby! ANOTHER DEBT COLLECTOR HAS TO PAY UP! GIVE MY GROUP 5 HOURS AND THE CALL WILL BE AROUND THE WORLD... COLLECTING DURING A PANDEMIC? GO TO HELL!
We Got A Collection Demand Letter from Caine and Weiner. It is collecting for ... LEGAL ZOOM! We are having it Transcribed NOW. YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHAT COLLECTOR CLAY SMITH SAID--- YES, he hung up (as they all do) Tomorrow.. Friday we will be Filing in Federal Court. This will be available at Western Capital Media as well as well as on our Sirius Radio Station and Direct TV. Be Prepared! GOD HELP THEM!
https://soundcloud.com/robert-paisola-173187510/paisola-v-caine-and-weiner-debt-collectors-over-legal-zoom-illegal-account-with-clay-small
FULL TRANSCRIPT OF CALL: https://otter.ai/u/3AvfuDal8AqMC1MFBzDORTbza08
CERTIFIED AUDIO AND TRANSCRIPTION ON [protected] AT 5.13 PM PST
Wetstern Capital International
MyCollector.org
robert@MyCollector.org
[protected]
LegalZoom $10, 000 CHA CHING... Did HE EVEN AUTHENTICATE WHO HE WAS TALKING TO? NOPE!
Just received an email from Caine and Weiner yesterday for a charge of $299 from LegalZoom. We verbally canceled our services with them over the phone early 2019 and DID NOT renew. They were awful. No correspondence from LZ for over two years, and now a collections letter. Fortunately, another scam forced us to close our business account in late 2020. If C&W will be unhelpful, and LZ are a bunch of crooks, what do I do at this point?
YUP I'm dealing with this BS as well. Also as far as registered agents go they are absolutely terrible at their job. Sent me a copy of a letter in the mail 3 months late. I had to pay a $150 fee. Also they were charging me $400 a year. 2 years and $800. They are now trying to charge me $160 to change it. I don't need them to change it and it's already changed. I just need them to stop trying to charge me for services I didn't ask for. You got me for $800 legalzoom. I suggest you quit trying to scam me. Class action in your future.
I just got off the phone with Legal Zoom in the same situation. I refuted the charge in 2016 and I'm embarrassed to admit I never even paid attention to my card until today. They never removed that charge and when I called today he made me aware of this registered agent crap. It is a sad situation that in the age of Covid-19 could potentially send some balances into the negative. They are fraudulent and I wish I had known. I am following up with the change of agent now and I've learned my lesson to pay closer attention to my cards. This is the one downfall to auto payments I got so comfortable with my bill being paid automatically, I never took the time to check for fraudulent charges. Please take a lesson from me and check your accounts every single month.
Not only was I scammed by this, but LegalZoom has now sent our account to collections at "Caine & Weiner." I will never use LegalZoom again and will tell everyone I know to avoid them and their shady business practices.
Exact same situation. How are you proceeding?
Same here. Cancelled account 3 years ago and just received a letter, and was for previous company that was closed 3 years ago. Looking forward to reading on how others are proceeding with this.
DO NOT USE LEGALZOOM ! I also have a recurring charge on my card for $499.00 per year. Not only that, but get this, they had my old American Express account set up on their auto-billing system. I closed that American Express account about 5 years ago now. (I had used it 8 years ago to pay for two wills and my LLC formation. My LLC is now an S-Corp, and Legalzoom is still billing me for the LLC! We never even authorized "registered agent services" for our LLC, but Legalzoom says our state requires it. State of Texas disagrees. BUT, worst of all, Legalzoom is billing my Discover Card account now, that we never gave to them whatsoever! I showed this to their customer service department, and they still refused to help unless we got the state to drop our LLC listing first ? We're a corporation now, not an LLC, Legalzoom did not care at all, said we might get a refund in 90 days If we get the state to adjust our records. By the way, I had to get through to them by picking a different extension, because no one was answering their normal customer care number either. DO NOT USE LEGALZOOM.COM, sue them instead! THEY SUCK !
I just noticed I was getting charged $108 a month, I don’t know what for! And I paid $500 last year as I filed my 1065-F form, and realized my llc was dissolved in September of 2020, they’re still sending me reminders to file as this is how i discovered it! They’re a huge scam!
I unsubscribed from my registered agent services a few weeks before the scheduled renewal at Legalzoom and even deleted the credit card out of my account to make sure they didn't charge me.
That didn't stop them though. They saved my CC even after I deleted it off my account and charged me $399 for the service I had unsubscribed from.
I called in, waited several minutes on hold, and spoke with a rep who confirmed that the service had been cancelled and the card had been deleted but had no explanation as to why or how they were able to charge me for the service. The rep claimed that she initiated a refund (I assume it's true, just waiting to see it come through).
Very very shady business practices though.
ps. If they try to give you a hard time and say they can't do anything just tell them, no, you merely need to fill out form RA-100 to resign yourself as Registered Agent which can be submitted to the SOS at no fee. Escalate to a manager if they talk down to you and just keep repeating yourself. Tell them to file the form. Tell them there is no need to dissolve the LLC. Tell them you can act as your own RA if your company is organized in the state in which you reside. Just keep repeating yourself. Forward the form if needed:
http://bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov/pdf/ra100.pdf
When I pressed them they agreed to resign... hopefully they actually will and stop billing me.
I'm badgering Legal Zoom with this now. Crossing my fingers. I'm doing this in Texas which as a simple form "Form 402" https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/forms_boc.shtml
Lol. I am on the phone with them RIGHT NOW dealing with the same problem... snuck the registered agent service in when I formed the LLC and have been charging me for years on an inactive company before I noticed what they were doing. Trying to get them to remove themselves as registered agent by filing form RA100... so far I have been talked down to, hung up on, and told that I need to “dissolve” the LLC in order to remove them as registered agent even though I live in state and can do it myself. LIES and BS. Have sent five emails and called twice and they still refuse to cancel the service. The form can be submitted to the SOS free of charge. Furious and sick of wasting my time. They also botched my trademark filing after I paid them over a grand... will never use them ever again. DO NOT TRUST THEM.
The FEDs should look into this for sure. I also have been getting charged for registered agent services. We contacted legalzoom My Accountant said to them that we do not need a registered agent in my state. The person from LZ refused to reason and listen.She also continued saying we I needed to file for a change in status with my state. They refuse to refund the previous charges which were $159 a year and now have suddenly jumped to $499. Advised by my account to cancel and change the credit card numbers with my bank and LZ is still calling and sending me emails. How can LZ continue to get away with this? As a previous customer. I feel like I was had too.Until this SCAM is fixed I would NOT DO BUSINESS WITH LEGALZOOM
This business is a SCAM. Stay away. I had my business dissolved in 2015 but Legalzoom are still charging me $159 dollars every year and now $299 for an agent fee for a business that doesn't exist. so its over $1200 is charges I did not authorize. They are so corrupt. When I called they said there was nothing they could do and they won't even let me cancel my own membership - "You can't close your account because your state requires a registered agent." what BS. I am already administratively dissolved. Its nuts. FRAUD at its worst.
Wow! I am not the only one in this boat. I formed an LLC for a company that I never used. I have tried to cancel my account many times now and have received the same canned response as the rest of the posters. "You can't close your account because your state requires a registered agent..." nonsense. I am already administratively dissolved so I don't understand why this is a big problem. I also have an expired card on file... I guess I'll be looking forward to the charge regardless based on other posters. Can they get reported to BBB or is there a class action suit for this scam? This is absolutely absurd! Is there a way to get rid of them for once and for all?!?!
LegalZoom is sly, watch what happens. They now will cancel your agent registration service but when you log back inot the account you are presneted with an agreement only option to update the terms and conditions of your order. Inside of the terms and conditions it authorizes legalzoom, and you agree to pay them $200 for renewal of service. I DONT THINK SO!
Same ol Same ol, the CSR talks to you as if you don't have the knowledge about the situation. When I questioned his policies, and he stated that he was bound by law, he raised his voice and became belligerent. A horrible experience. I ended up discussing with Chyna over email and finally someone that represents honesty took care of my situation.
Same here. Legal zoom has an auto-renew registered agent scam. I already experienced this auto-renew scams through other companies. So, I change my credit card every couple of years. And those companies didn't bother me anymore. Legal Zoom, however, sent my name, address and phone number to a collection agency within a month of the renewal date, when it discovered it couldn't charge me. The charge $159 is for one entire year but they claim I owed them the entire fee within a month. They have the option of resigning from being a Registered agent for a mere $60. But they wouldn't do that since they can get $159 from me ! I called and told them I had already changed the agent to my own name. But now, I got a letter from their lawyers. Legal zoom has already had class action settlements for their dubious claims. Legal zoom does nothing as a registered agent other than sending a reminder. Anyway, I have now changed my registered agent to another company.
Scam scam scam. Registered an llc with legal zoom and was charged the $159 for registered agent, fine. The next year called to cancel and was informed they couldn't cancel because I was not on the account (its a 50/50 llc) and they are charging MY card yet Im no where on the account. So my partner called and was informed they wont cancel unless the llc is dissolved. Bunch of crap. I just canceled the bank card and this year their auto withdrawal was rejected and then they tried sending some email about collections. Good luck. I have documentation of calls to cancel and the agents we spoke with as well as my bank calling them to try and resolve/ cancel.
Unbelievable.
Sent me a collection letter for $249.07 for the Registered Agebt service which was cancelled. Never once received an email, telephone call or physical letter in advance on collection letter.
Legal Zoom rep told me the girl didn’t process my cancellation properly. She only cancelled the AutoPay but not the Registed Agent Service.
I have perfect credit which potentially will be compromised because of Legal Zoom’s inadequate training and service.
Collection company will not rescind collection letter until Legal Zoom authorizes it.
I’ve referred several friends to Legal Zoom over the years.
And this is how I’m treated.
Sad to see this is still going on. Same thing has happened to me, called and they will not remove them self. I need to contact state and make the change. meanwhile I have had zero contact but a heat email because my CC on file has expired. TOTAL SCAM
For several years I have been getting repeated charges for registered agent services. When I contacted legalzoom they said I needed to file for a change in status with my state. I did the appropriate paperwork with my state who rejected the change because the address of have for legal zoom is not the one on file with the state. They refuse to refund the charges which were $159 a year and now have suddenly jumped to $499. I have cancelled and changed the credit card numbers with my bank and still they manage to charge my credit cards. How is this legal? DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH LEGALZOOM
Their registered agent is a scam. I had them assist with my LLC and they had informed me that I needed to have this registered agent.
I had made several attempts to cancel and they want to charge me to do that. After speaking with the Attorney Generals office I have found that A company is NOT required to have a registered agent in Pennsylvania if the company is located in Pennsylvania! After I attempted to cancel the last time they still billed an outdated credit card. After moving on legal action against the credit card company for accepting an UN-approved charge on a card that is no longer valid, I have now just received a threatening letter from Legal zoom demanding their money for this service that is NOT required by the state that my company is located. This is now becoming harassing! I am not and will not give Legal zoom another dollar even if it is for them to cancel a NON required service to have an established business! Not only that but I paid $500 for an LLC through LZ just to find that I could of went to the local courthouse and established my own LLC for less than $100. THIEVES!
Same thing here, did it to me last year and just now did it again. Used legalzoom 4 times and now no more, company became a shady business .
Exact thing happened to me. Legalzoom charged me again without informing me. Earlier I called and canceled the services. Now I realize they have been charging me every year. This year they charged $399. This is really looking like a fraudulent behavior.
Same here set up a useless LLC in the state of IL for the practice of dentistry which is one of the professions a LLC is not allowed in the state. I didn't find out I had wasted $750.00 until I tried to registered my business with the IL Dept of Finance and Profession services. The lawyers (if there are any) at Legal Zoom should have caught this. The state dissolved the corporation due to lack of annual report in Oct of 2016.. I have a certificate sent from Legal Zoom who received the cerficate from the state. I did not nothing because I never performed any business with the LLC anyway. Yet this year 2017 I was charged a $249.00 fee for registered agent for a dissolved corporation. The rep on the phone in turn stated that I had to dissolve it voluntary not the administrative dissolution by the state. ? The agent then stated it could be reinstated so its not officially dissolved. Un F-in believable.
Having same issue. Never did business, I folded the company i tried to form and LegalZoom would NOT let me cancel their service! I informed them that no business was conducted and i would like to cancel. Years later I am STILL being charged the $159 a year?!?!? I called and they told me nothing they can do. I now have to cancel ALL my banking and change my CC, this SHOULD NOT BE LEGAL! It has really put me in a bind and from what customer service says at LegalZoom "There is nothing you can do about it".
I too, feel swindled and will not use their service moving forward. My order confirmation e-mail has Total Charges: $493.94 in 2 months my bank statement has racked up $902.94 in charges. I called in was given the spiel you have all gotten, they can enjoy the $400 extra they got me, the business practice has left a bad taste in my method.
I have been paying the stupid registered agent 12.99 fee for 4 years now. I am busy and it took me til last fall to call and cancel this service that is WORTHLESS, and the person helping me said they removed that service for me. Guess what, I am still paying it to this day. Not only that, my llc is not current with the Secretary of State because I missed multiple filing deadlines of which I was never notified by legal zoom, and for some reason I thought that's what this service provided? I was completely unaware of my status until a lender checked into it for me. There is no where on the website to cancel this service and I don't have the time to spend 2 hrs on a phone call again. Yes, I sound like an dumbdumb for still paying it, I am just lazy I suppose. You're welcome, legal zoom.
I reported fraud to my bank and had my bank card canceled but LegalZoom was still able to debit $159 from my account! I set up my LLC 3 years ago and never did anything with it so I don't want to pay the CA annual fee of $800 in order to dissolve it. Most people just ignore this but I am stuck with Legalzoom because of this Registered Agent fee. Has anyone able to successfully get rid of this? Do I have to change my bank account since reporting fraud to my debit card was not enough.
They warned me about my second installment payment plan by email and then hit me with an additional $159 without any notice! No warnings what so ever! I am a reasonable person and this is a very shady move. Legal zoom is a rip off. I called them today and they told me that I didn't read the "fine print" in the agreement. I hope you read this fine print Legal Zoom, you will never get another dime out of me. . Crooks!
The EXACT same thing happened to me!
Hidden charges, completely opaque processes, lack of any real help from anyone at LegalZoom. I actually found out about LegalZoom's 'awesome' $159 fee this morning, when my bank account called to tell me my account has been overdrawn, and my subsequent auto-pay bills (that would've been paid just fine... if there were still $159 in that particular account) caused a series of overdraft fees.
Unfortunately for all of us, LegalZoom is a law service... so they've got lots of legal help. They seem pretty adamant about continuing to charge me, and the only way out of it, for me, was to report fraud charges to my bank and cancel my bank cards.
0 out of 10, would definitely not recommend LegalZoom, unless you have a bunch of money you don't really want.
Hi Tom,
Please contact us at Chyna@lzserve.com so we can looking into the charges and resolve this issue for you.
LegalZoom
I had the same experience with Legal Zoom now in attempting to understand this "Registered Agent" charge.
Customer service agents are incredibly condescending and rude.
Demanding to speak with a manager in my next call and have this charge reversed.
If LegalZoom customer service is reading this please send me your contact information.
Tom
Hi Nicave, I am very sorry to hear that you didn't have great experience and would like to hear more about your situation. Feel free to contact me directly at Chyna@lzserve.com.
Legal Zoom IS SUCH A SCAM.
Got the run around on the phone with "Service Agents".
They're condescending and specifically try to confuse you.
I called about a year and a half ago to get all services cancelled. They said they would, but they happened to leave out this "service". Worst part is that they do it knowingly.
BEWARE OF LEGALZOOM at all cost!
I recommend paying up and using real lawyers.
Hi Kathie1,
It is very important to us that our customers are happy with the products and services we offer. We want you to be satisfied and I'd like to assist you in finding a resolution. Please contact me directly at Chyna@lzserve.com and I can try to help make things right.
I had the same thing happen to me, I feel this is also a SNEAKY SCAM and I was told By LegalZoom that I was required by LAW to have a Registered Agent, not only
once but SEVERAL times. Once I called NYS I found out that NYS DOES NOT REQUIRE YOU TO EVEN HAVE A REGISTERED AGENT! I had to pay a $30 filing fee with NYS to remove LegalZoom as the Registered agent. To make matters worse my credit card on file was expired (9/13) and they were still able to make the $159.00 charge! What a SCAM!
Hi schmidyuc,
We'd like to resolve your filing issues, please contact us at Chyna@lzserve.com for help. We look forward to hearing from you.
LegalZoom
Yep they got me too. The best part is they get you coming and going: After they tell you missed the fine print, they want to charge you to refile with the state. What a crooked way to start off doing business with a new company.
Hi, we are very sorry that your registered agent concern wasn't properly handled. I would like the opportunity to make things right. Please reach out to me directly at Chyna@lzserve.com.
Don't be fooled by Legalzoom scam. They charged me the registered agent fee even after I told them to cancel all of their service. When I called them, they refused to refund. Stay away from this scam artist. There are tons of better solutions out there these days as more and more CPAs are offering cheaper packages. .
Hi KevinHen,
We're sorry your Registered Agent situation wasn't properly addressed. We’re really interested in knowing what kind of resolution you’d like to see and are willing to do anything we can to improve your experience with LegalZoom. Please contact Chyna@lzserve.com for assistance.
We look forward to hearing how we can make this situation better.
LegalZoom