Beware Prepaid Legal Scams!!!

[Photoguy]

Prepaid legal marketing is usually multi level marketing. Often advertisements for such services are elusive and not direct "my company won't allow me to say it's name" if you need secrecy you are not involved in something that can stand the light of day.

BEWARE OF PREPAID LEGAL SCAMS Warning posted on CanLaw (https://www.canlaw.com/caveat/prepaidlegal.htm)

Just my highly opinionated opinion.

Here is a legitimate "light of day" legal service.
Lawyer Referral Service | Need a San Francisco Lawyer? (https://www.sfbar.org/lawyerreferrals/san-francisco-attorneys.aspx?AC=loc&?ID=210A?KW=contract%20review&gclid=CI2JsYKk2pgCFRwpawodrD3ocQ)

-Dennis

[Barry]

BEWARE OF PREPAID LEGAL SCAMS Warning posted on CanLaw (https://www.canlaw.com/caveat/prepaidlegal.htm)


I have to say I was not very impressed by the above link. It sounds a slam at a competitor rather than a principled complaint about a scam. What's more, I know several reputable people who have sold pre-paid legal for many years. I believe I have heard from at least one happy consumer and I have not heard of any first hand complaints.

Does anybody out there have any first hand experiences with pre-paid legal services? I am particularly interested in hearing from consumers of the service rather than people who are involved in marketing it.

[Photoguy]

I don't sell anything and the link I gave (the 2nd one) is for the bar association. Barry are you serious?
Here's some more links you may not like;
https://www.mediamoogle.com/

https://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/apr2002/nf20020425_0617.htm

https://www.walletpop.com/blog/2008/08/12/washington-times-columnist-cheated-by-pre-paid-legal/

Like I said, legitimate business people will market in the open. If you can't say whos information you are selling publicly and need to divert prospective clients away from open information sources where they could verify what you say before you buy then....
I have no doubt people who are very nice sell this stuff, I am saying they are being scammed into selling this, mostly junk, product. There is a lot of pro information out there because there is a ton of money to be made in multi level marketing, not because it is actually good product.
-Dennis



I have to say I was not very impressed by the above link. It sounds a slam at a competitor rather than a principled complaint about a scam. What's more, I know several reputable people who have sold pre-paid legal for many years. I believe I have heard from at least one happy consumer and I have not heard of any first hand complaints.

Does anybody out there have any first hand experiences with pre-paid legal services? I am particularly interested in hearing from consumers of the service rather than people who are involved in marketing it.

[Barry]

I don't sell anything and the link I gave (the 2nd one) is for the bar association. Barry are you serious?

I am not saying you are selling anything, Photo. I was asking for testimonials from other people who are not selling anything either.

The link I was referring to, and quoted, was for CanLaw, a Canadian based lawyer referral service, which is essentially an advertising program. Yes, the second link you provided was the SF Bar Association.

Pre-paid legal does seem like a viable cost-effective way to get "casual" legal advice to me. Its a different service, that is delivered differently and paid for differently than sitting down with a lawyer for $250/hr.

[Photoguy]

Fair enough. How about $25 for half an hour for a specialist recommended by the bar association? I have had first hand experience myself with being marketed to, to be a customer and seller of these services. My scam artist alert radar went on "high alert mode" about this stuff ever since. I am definitely NOT a lawyer but they are in my family. I have a real problem with the selling of services where a bunch of middlemen make a lot of profit (mlm) and the end customer is often better served in other ways. I am not trying to be a provocateur.
Peace and Kisses,
Dennis



I am not saying your are selling anything, Photo. I was asking for testimonials from other people who are not selling anything either.

The link I was referring to, and quoted, was for CanLaw, a Canadian based lawyer referral service, which is essentially an advertising program. Yes, the second link you provided was the SF Bar Association.

Pre-paid legal does seem like a viable cost-effective way to get "casual" legal advice to me. Its a different service, that is delivered differently and paid for differently then sitting down with a lawyer for $250/hr.

[footographer]

I have used it for several years and it has saved me money. They respond quickly. Eileen


I have to say I was not very impressed by the above link. It sounds a slam at a competitor rather than a principled complaint about a scam. What's more, I know several reputable people who have sold pre-paid legal for many years. I believe I have heard from at least one happy consumer and I have not heard of any first hand complaints.

Does anybody out there have any first hand experiences with pre-paid legal services? I am particularly interested in hearing from consumers of the service rather than people who are involved in marketing it.

[boomerfashion]

Barry,

I used Prepaid Legal (Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (https://www.prepaidlegal.com)) for a couple of years. I used it for legal affairs pertaining to my business. They are an organization in southern California. Here are my impressions:

1. Efficient, clearly communicating front office (the people on the phone)
2. Timely return of phone calls as per agreement
3. Attorneys are knowledgeable, although not what you would get for $400 an hour
4. Good service for very basic advice
5. The attorneys to which you, as a client, are directed have varying specialties so that the service is not completely generic

That being said, had I had anything more complicated than needing the return of a deposit from a sales agency I had contracted or the outline of a sales rep agreement, I don't know that I would have entrusted them with the task. I'm not saying they did anything wrong, They knew basic law to an extent that was greater than what I could determine on my own. I just got the impression that the experience level of the attorneys, at least the ones I spoke to, seemed limited. For example, hen I was drawing up shareholder agreements and other related documents that could at some point come under SEC scrutiny, I retained the usual overpriced specialty firm to do that. I didn't feel comfortable taking the risk.

What is also important is that you know what you are paying for......the limitations of the services, what they will actually do for no additional charge other than the monthly fee that you pay (I don't remember what it was but it was minimal).

I think it is worthwhile, as I said, for very basic legal advice and I did not feel scammed or ripped off. My imagination is that for typical landlord/tenant issues they would be perfectly fine.

Hope this helps.

Marcy




I have to say I was not very impressed by the above link. It sounds a slam at a competitor rather than a principled complaint about a scam. What's more, I know several reputable people who have sold pre-paid legal for many years. I believe I have heard from at least one happy consumer and I have not heard of any first hand complaints.

Does anybody out there have any first hand experiences with pre-paid legal services? I am particularly interested in hearing from consumers of the service rather than people who are involved in marketing it.

[photolite]

I've used Prepaid Legal services out of L.A. for the past 7 years. It costs me about $16 a month and has provided me with tremendous bang for my buck on the 2 or 3 times a year I've needed counsel from them. They also have a network of local, reputable attorneys they can refer you to for more involved issues and at a 25% discount.
Photolite


I have to say I was not very impressed by the above link. It sounds a slam at a competitor rather than a principled complaint about a scam. What's more, I know several reputable people who have sold pre-paid legal for many years. I believe I have heard from at least one happy consumer and I have not heard of any first hand complaints.

Does anybody out there have any first hand experiences with pre-paid legal services? I am particularly interested in hearing from consumers of the service rather than people who are involved in marketing it.

[shellebelle]

There are some legal plans that are prepaid that are scams.

PREPAID LEGAL which is a true business/company is not a scam. My attorney group represents the Dodgers, and the likes of them in LA.

I have sold two accounts total so I don't consider myself a representative despite having the business (great tax write off); used it more than a dozen times including all my contracts which is a HUGE blessing! Most importantly; I live an alternative lifestyle that makes me susceptible to issues others may not have; PrePaid Legal provides me protection on sides I never knew I needed it; work, home, school, even with child services.

Have a plan of action that includes real attornies; not friends trying to be one.

When one needs a life ring in the see of legal issues PrePaid Legal is a great answer. Their Identity Theft Plan is lead by the team that searched out Enron's accounts and recovered funds around that disaster.

I HIGHLY recommend them!

If you are a medical marijuana recipient - wouldn't it be nice to have someone to turn to in an unexpected situation.

Just to clarify PrePaid Legal is not out of Southern California it is actually in Ada, OK. Harlan Stonecipher is the founder. Full disclosure can be found on the website and it is true. https://www.prepaidlegal.com/newCorp2/about_us/about_us.html

PrePaid Legal Reps are just that; like any other form of marketing we are paid when we do a good job. We do not make a "fortune" off our clients in any way. We simply make a small commission much in truth about the same as a click for any ad you follow and purchase.

In my case it wasnt a passion so I don't sellit - but I do beleive in it!

[photolite]

The Prepaid Legal Group I use is "Parker Stanbury LLP, Attorneys At Law" and are located at South Flower Street in Los Angeles, California, but you are correct that the organization's North American Headquarters is in Oklahoma.
Photo


There are some legal plans that are prepaid that are scams.

PREPAID LEGAL which is a true business/company is not a scam. My attorney group represents the Dodgers, and the likes of them in LA.

I have sold two accounts total so I don't consider myself a representative despite having the business (great tax write off); used it more than a dozen times including all my contracts which is a HUGE blessing! Most importantly; I live an alternative lifestyle that makes me susceptible to issues others may not have; PrePaid Legal provides me protection on sides I never knew I needed it; work, home, school, even with child services.

Have a plan of action that includes real attornies; not friends trying to be one.

When one needs a life ring in the see of legal issues PrePaid Legal is a great answer. Their Identity Theft Plan is lead by the team that searched out Enron's accounts and recovered funds around that disaster.

I HIGHLY recommend them!

If you are a medical marijuana recipient - wouldn't it be nice to have someone to turn to in an unexpected situation.

Just to clarify PrePaid Legal is not out of Southern California it is actually in Ada, OK. Harlan Stonecipher is the founder. Full disclosure can be found on the website and it is true. https://www.prepaidlegal.com/newCorp2/about_us/about_us.html

PrePaid Legal Reps are just that; like any other form of marketing we are paid when we do a good job. We do not make a "fortune" off our clients in any way. We simply make a small commission much in truth about the same as a click for any ad you follow and purchase.

In my case it wasnt a passion so I don't sellit - but I do beleive in it!

[shellebelle]

Yes I believe all in California use Parker Stanbury. I really like them. They are very professional and the attorney who helped me with my contracts was sensational. She added a couple things I hadn't thought about that lowered my liability and guaranteed payment; two very important things in my world.

They have helped me with tickets as well.

I see it as I invest in AAA for my car why not invest in an attorney service for my own safety. I am more important than my car!

I am ramping up for an out of country business as well and they will be a key consultant as I get farther along in it.

They will also review your taxes for you!!!


The Prepaid Legal Group I use is "Parker Stanbury LLP, Attorneys At Law" and are located at South Flower Street in Los Angeles, California, but you are correct that the organization's North American Headquarters is in Oklahoma.
Photo