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Report: #888661

Complaint Review: Platinum Tax Defenders - Simi Valley California

  • Submitted:
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  • Reported By: Victim of SCAM — Bangor Maine United States of America
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  • Platinum Tax Defenders Simi Valley, California United States of America

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Sherri Gastelum, owner of Platinum Tax Defenders stole my money,. This is not a joke.  She took $10,000 from my checking account WITHOUT MY AUTHORIZATION and now refuses to return my money to me even though I never signed up for any services!!! She drafted my bank account without my approval and now refuses to give me my money back.. I have filed a police report against her and she is probably going to go to jail soon.

BEWARE OF THIS WOMAN and any any company she is associated with!!! She is the ultimate scam artist. She has probably done this to other people also". If you are reading this Ms Gastlum, then all I can say is shame on you, You should be ashamed of yourself for taking advantage of me and probably others also. You will have to answer for what you did to me. 

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 05/26/2012 11:54 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/platinum-tax-defenders/simi-valley-california-/platinum-tax-defenders-owner-sherri-gastelum-is-a-scam-artist-and-thief-sherri-gastelum-st-888661. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
0Author
6Consumer
1Employee/Owner

#7 Consumer Comment

Happened Me Too

AUTHOR: Anonymous - (USA)

POSTED: Thursday, October 12, 2017

Yes, my card was charged by this company without my authorization AND without a signed agreeement. I asked for the agreement to be revised and instead, they just charged my card. Here's the communication from an email exchange with Sherri. Instructions to PTD-"Mark, Per our conversation last Friday, we would like to take advantage of your offer to pay the next 2 payments in the amount of $3333.34 in full and eliminate the final payment of $1666.66.  If you could please send a revised agreement, I would appreciate it." Email to Sherri, "Hi Sherri, Please see the email thread below. I asked Mark to send me a revised agreement and instead of doing that, he charged my card and sends an invoice. I never gave him authorization to do that. He has been very unprofessional from the beginning and i..." Sherri's response, "I am sorry there was a miscommunication. 

When you said you wanted to move forward with the Paid in Full, we thought you knew what that meant."--she takes no responsibilty and puts the blame on me.  She did this the entire time I hired her company. I write contracts ALL THE TIME and I'm sorry, but if I did not have a signed agreement and I charged someone's card without authorization, I would be in BIG trouble! What world does she live in that she thinks she could charge my card because she thought we had an understanding?  She took almost $7000 of my money, wasted my time and resources and the results were exactly what I could have done but at no cost and in less time and with less headache. I'm talking months of bs-- pointless conversations, unanswered emails & unaswered phone calls, total disrespect on her part, unprofessionalism-- all for nothing.  

I have no connection to her other than I hired her company based on a referral from someone I know.  I rarely write complaints or reveiws. It's been 1 year but I always knew I had to say something.  I have NEVER felt so regretful as this was a super stressful time and I felt totally taken advantage of and disregarded. I'm suprised that its been years since the original report on this site and she is still in business. If anyone were to read the communication between myself, Sherri, and her staff they would be appauld. And she had the nerve to send me a review request after a year? Well, here you go Sherri. I told you while it was happening how you could be better and you turned it around on me and didnt take responsibility.  Why would you ask if you don't care? I really hope you are helping some people because you and your staff did nothing but make my life more stressful.

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#6 Consumer Comment

back and forth

AUTHOR: atlantafalcs1 - (United States of America)

POSTED: Wednesday, May 30, 2012

There seems to be alot of back and forth and in reading the post from  "insider - Sacramento" and the owner Ms. Gastelum. 

I question the validity of the claim made by "insider" who in their own words, personally does not know Ms. Gastelum. I have seen many posts by this individual and they have alot of information on Ms. Gastelum and knowledge of the case, so my belief is that they have made a false report. 

In addition it would be helpful for all involved if the claimed Ventura County Sheriff Dept. case number can be provided by "insider".  

Someone who is "friends with her former business partner" may have an axe to grind against Ms. Gastelum, again very suspicious behavior.

Knowing the former business partner who was "set up to go to jail because she didnt want to be his business partner anymore" makes me further believe the person making this claim has an axe to grind. This claim sounds childish and I ask the "insider" to provide a case number for the investigation into the "set up" and the resolution into this case. Upon research it seems as the former business partner is one, "Scott Curley" a former Tax Master employee.

Insider stating- "Sherri, you know what you did to that lady in Maine. Stop lying and making excuses for your actions and claiming that you are being defamed. Do the right thing and give this lady her money back. It is that simple. Give the lady her money back." It seems from the "insider" that they are very familiar with Ms. Gastelum due to choice words and direct claims made by "insider". 

Righteous1 - gg- you are correct with BBB efforts only to reach out by sending letters. I filed a report a few years back and my efforts were useless but letting the public know about companies that should be out of business due to fraud, bad business practice or other illegal activity is admirable. 

I wish people would use this website for good....

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#5 Consumer Comment

PLATINUM TAX DEFENDERS OWNER, SHERRI GASTELUM COLD BUSTED LYING ON THIS SITE; READ BELOW

AUTHOR: insider - (United States of America)

POSTED: Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Sherri Gastelum (owner of Platinum Tax Defenders) claims that there are no investigations or criminal complaints filed against her, but if you contact the Ventura County Sheriff's department, then it is documented on record that there is a criminal investigation into allegations relating to consumer fraud and felony theft with a CASE NUMBER assigned to the complaint.

IT is an outright lie for her to deny this when it is so easily verifiable. Anyone who wishes to confirm it can just contact the VCSD themselves and speak with the "investigation division".


I am aware of the case against Sherri Gastelum and it is true that the police department in Bar Harbor Maine has contacted the Ventura County Sheriffs department and is, in fact, investigating her for felony theft and fraud. 

By denying this verifiable fact,

THIS SHOWS THE OUTRIGHT LIE THAT SHE IS BUSTED HERSELF IN RIGHT HERE ONLINE ON THIS WEBSITE.

From what I understand, she took the money from this victims checking account on 2 occassions in increments of $5000 each. That's why it didn't raise a red flag with the bank. She is a sneaky devil, that's for sure.

I am friends with her former business partner and I witnessed 1st hand how she literally tried to steal the business from him and even set him up to go to jail just so that she could get him out of the way in order to take control of the company that they owned together. 

I don't know about you, but that is the definition of a snake in the grass if I ever saw one.

It looks like she has pushed her luck a little too far this time, tried to screw over the wrong person, and is now is getting a taste of her own medicine.

I may be making light of this matter, but the fact is that there is a true victim involved here and its a darn shame that there are predators out there like this woman who will take advantage of people who least expect it.

Sherri, you know what you did to that lady in Maine. Stop lying and making excuses for your actions and claiming that you are being defamed. Do the right thing and give this lady her money back. It is that simple. Give the lady her money back.

It is disgusting to watch you write your claims of innocence when the truth is so obvious. 

Give the woman her $10,000 back. 

 

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#4 Consumer Comment

Sherri Gastelum is a LIAR and just busted herself in her own words with her false claims of innocence. READ BELOW CAREFULLY AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.

AUTHOR: insider - (United States of America)

POSTED: Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Sherri Gastelum said that she has no complaints with the BBB HOWEVER, if you check her story, it shows right on the BBB's website that she has 2 complaints! And one of the complaints is about BILLING ISSUES! IMAGINE THAT!  BUSTED SHERRI.

If she will lie to the world online, then it is quite obvious that she is willing to lie about everything else. 

I know one of her victims and I have seen 1st hand how morally bankrupt she is. From what I was told by my friend who witnessed this, she stole the money in 2 separate withdrawals of 5K each so therefore there were no initial red flags with the bank.  

The police department in Bar Harbor Maine has contacted the Ventura County Sheriffs department and is, in fact, investigating her for felony theft and fraud. This can be easily confirmed by contacting the detectives division of the Ventura County Sheriffs Department. There has even been a case number assigned. It's all public information. 

I don't know this woman personally, but I have heard and seen 1st hand what kind of person she is. She practically stole her previous company from her former business partner and then set him up to go to jail just because she didn't want to be his business partner anymore. At the very least, she is a low-life predator. But I have a feeling that these claims against her are not completely without merit. Who would say all these things without it being at least somewhat true?

I have a feeling that she crossed the wrong person and now she is getting a taste of her own medicine. I'll be watching this one from a distance. It's better than a soap opera. Unfortunately, I suspect that there is a true victim somewhere in all of this..... and Sherri is 10K richer because of it. 

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#3 General Comment

Inquiring minds

AUTHOR: Righteous1 - (USA)

POSTED: Tuesday, May 29, 2012

I am 98% sure that the originator of the post has a personal axe to grind, for true reasons that have yet to be exposed. Its a rouse to get a response and exposure for this company.
To the Attorney: How do you absolutely Know for a fact that this Lady never stole in her entire life? Try to prove she never did. Maybe to the best of your informed knowledge it may be true ,but even as a lawyer ,you cannot make a blanket statement without it being questioned. Maybe she stole a pen (unknowingly ) from a bank or took a towel from a hotel stay somewhere...you simply as a professional cannot dismiss that she "could" have stolen at some point in her life.  True to a point that the books can clearly show the proof of what, if any, clients issued a payment of 10K. Chances are the banks would have flagged it anyways since anything over 7k are regulated where the CTR  must be filed for payment/withdrawals thru the FTC. (Which is why I don't buy this original posters statement)

THE BBB Does not and never WILL send anyone to Investigate a report on a business. They  do send lame Letters for a business to respond to. They make no effort to check the validity but rather forward complaints and ask for the business to resolve.  I have dealt with the BBB and they are nothing to rave about for accrediting a business. All a business does is BUY there accredits thru yearly fees. So I give zero respect for the BBB and how they operate. Been on both sides and they are just a housing data base of complaints and resolution without true investigation for the facts.

Sherri- Could it be possible that there is another person "claiming " to be using your reputation and identity? Maybe they stole your identity? In this day and age of fraud...its a far fetched reason as to this twisted allegation being relayed here?

I would like to believe that RIP OFF carries some valid reports, this isn't one that falls in that proper category per se.

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#2 REBUTTAL Owner of company

PLATINUM TAX DEFENDERS IS A REPUTABLE COMPANY WITH AN "A" RATING WITH THE BBB!

AUTHOR: Sherri Gastelum - (United States of America)

POSTED: Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Platinum Tax Defenders has hundreds of happy clients, an A rating with the BBB and zero complaints.  This would not be the case if we were in the habit of scamming people. 

This fraudulent complaint has nothing to do with Platinum Tax Defenders.   Platinum has never had a $10K dollar client and NEVER take any money without authorization from our clients.   This site does not do any investigations of the claims; (unlike the BBB) they just put out whatever anyone wants to say.   If there were any legitimate complaints, I would have dealt with it expediently.  There are no police reports, no investigations, and no claims to any federal organizations against me or my company. 
 
Sincerely,
Sherri Gastelum

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#1 UPDATE Employee

Platinum Tax Defenders

AUTHOR: Attorney - (United States of America)

POSTED: Tuesday, May 29, 2012

As the General Counsel of Platinum Tax Defenders, I can validate that at no time did Ms. Gastelum "steal" any monies from any persons. The above complaint is fraudulent, and we are aware of this persons multiple attempts at attacking Ms. Gastelum and are taking steps to ensure her protection from further false accusations.

There are zero complaints about Platinum Tax Defenders, and this is a personal attack defaming Ms. Gastelum.  Platinum Tax Defenders has never dealt with this person, has no clients that have been charged $10,000, and have full receipt and records of such.  To see reviews and ratings of Platinum Tax Defenders, you can visit the BBB where the company has an "A" rating and read the reviews of our actual clients.  If there are any complaints in the future, I will be happy to discuss any situation that may lead to a report on this credible site. I can be reached at 800-991-3242.  

Lastly, the person who is writing this complaint has not taken any steps to contact Ms. Gastelum or myself and is instead using the internet to tread on her personal reputation.  I have already filed a police report and have contacted the FBI about
these fraudulent internet scams from a person trying to be "refunded" $10,000.

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