JK Harris ripoff They totally misrepresented themselves and now they are not willing to do anything to help me! Charleston South Carolina

JK Harris, upon my initial meeting with Christine Ellis in Dublin, Ohio on May 27, 2004, indicated to me that I qualified for an Offer in Compromise to help me with my IRS debt as the penalties and interest were eating me alive. I was already set up on a repayment plan through the IRS but quickly realized that I would dead and gone before this debt would ever be paid off. I also had a tax debt that I owed to the State of Ohio which I was told would be included in this service.

Upon completing the Tax Settlement Analysis, Christine assured me that my $15K debt to the IRS, along with the $1.7K debt to the State of Ohio would be reduced to $1,900. I couldn't even come up with the down payment (requirement was $500) until the next pay period so I had to write a post dated check. Upon receipt of the down payment, JK Harris proceeded to take $292 out of my checking account every month. I was unaware that I was automatically signed up for the financial recovery portion of the service, which I didn't need as I filed bankruptcy in April.

I didn't hear from anyone until June 28, whereby I received a letter from Tamara Capers asking that I fill out the Power of Attorney and Financial Disclosure along with three months worth of my expenses which took quite some time to gather together.

I waited and waited and finally called Tamara on August 13, 2004. All the while, I am paying the IRS $230 a month as well as paying JK Harris $292 a month. I finally write a letter to them to tell them that I did not need the financial recovery portion and my monthly amount deducted as reduced to $208! Upon trying to reach Tamara Capers, I learned she had left the company and a person by the name of Dennis Carter had taken over my account. I contacted Dennis Carter and was told that I had to gather another 3 months worth of bills and submit again. I was also told that even though it had been over four months since my initial visit, that things just don't happen that fast. Clients who aren't being garnished or have judgements against them are not looked at first!!!!

I was shocked and dismayed at the lack of urgency even though they were taking my money each month! I fax'd Dennis Carter various things, a new Ohio State bill which continues to keep adding interest and penalties, etc. I finally put together the 3 months worth of bills, and was told to fax all 42 pages to him whereby I had to call to make sure you received them.

On November 20, 2004, I received a package that contained an Offer in Compromise and various attachments that had information on it that didn't even pertain to my individual circumstances. I called Dennis Carter on 11/22, and he told me that the package was sent to me just so that I could see that he did the work, but that I didn't qualify for the Offer in Compromise because my overtime pay put me over the limit and until I overextended myself, the IRS wouldn't even look at it!

Dennis Carter told me that he would keep my information in a file and if my financial condition changes, to let him know but that he can only do two offers max.

I don't know what to do next. They continue to take the money out of my checking account, I continue to pay the IRS, and the State of Ohio just sent me notice that I owe them!! What recourse do I have?

They totally misrepresented themselves and now they are not willing to do anything to help me!

Vikki
Columbus, Ohio
U.S.A.