National Tax Experts, Inc. and Patrick Oakes Are Charged with Deceptive Advertising and Failing to Provide Promised Services
BALTIMORE, MD (March 16, 2021) - Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has filed charges against California-based National Tax Experts, Inc. and Patrick Oakes in connection with their offer and sale of tax debt relief services to Maryland consumers.
The Division alleges that National Tax Experts mailed advertisements to Maryland consumers that appeared to be from a Maryland court or another government agency. The mailings threatened imminent bank account seizures or other collection actions unless consumers immediately called a toll-free number, that connected them to National Tax Experts. Consumers who called were not, in fact, threatened with any imminent action, but instead were offered and sold National Tax Experts tax debt relief services – a service that National Tax Experts claimed would reduce their tax debts.
The Division alleges that National Tax Experts failed to provide the promised tax debt relief services for many of the Maryland consumers that hired the company. The Division further alleges that National Tax Experts also charged Maryland consumers prohibited advance fees, engaged in credit services business activities without being duly licensed by the State of Maryland, engaged in debt settlement services without being properly registered with the State of Maryland, and engaged in various other activities that constitute unfair or deceptive trade practices and are prohibited by the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.
“Companies may not create the appearance that they are a court or government agency. They may not threaten legal action if the consumer does not call,” said Attorney General Frosh. “Consumers who want help with their tax debts are entitled to know exactly what they are getting for their money. Companies may not disguise who they are or misrepresent their ability to provide services they advertise.”
A hearing on the charges has been scheduled for June 9, 2021, at the Office of Administrative Hearings in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The Division is seeking a cease and desist order enjoining the National Tax Experts from engaging in unfair or deceptive trade practices and an order requiring them to pay restitution to consumers and civil penalties and costs for the alleged violations of the Consumer Protection Act.
Consumers with complaints against National Tax Experts or Patrick Oakes may call the Consumer Protection Division at 410-576-6569 or write to the Consumer Protection Division at 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.
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BALTIMORE, MD (March 16, 2021) - Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has filed charges against California-based National Tax Experts, Inc. and Patrick Oakes in connection with their offer and sale of tax debt relief services to Maryland consumers.
The Division alleges that National Tax Experts mailed advertisements to Maryland consumers that appeared to be from a Maryland court or another government agency. The mailings threatened imminent bank account seizures or other collection actions unless consumers immediately called a toll-free number, that connected them to National Tax Experts. Consumers who called were not, in fact, threatened with any imminent action, but instead were offered and sold National Tax Experts tax debt relief services – a service that National Tax Experts claimed would reduce their tax debts.
The Division alleges that National Tax Experts failed to provide the promised tax debt relief services for many of the Maryland consumers that hired the company. The Division further alleges that National Tax Experts also charged Maryland consumers prohibited advance fees, engaged in credit services business activities without being duly licensed by the State of Maryland, engaged in debt settlement services without being properly registered with the State of Maryland, and engaged in various other activities that constitute unfair or deceptive trade practices and are prohibited by the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.
“Companies may not create the appearance that they are a court or government agency. They may not threaten legal action if the consumer does not call,” said Attorney General Frosh. “Consumers who want help with their tax debts are entitled to know exactly what they are getting for their money. Companies may not disguise who they are or misrepresent their ability to provide services they advertise.”
A hearing on the charges has been scheduled for June 9, 2021, at the Office of Administrative Hearings in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The Division is seeking a cease and desist order enjoining the National Tax Experts from engaging in unfair or deceptive trade practices and an order requiring them to pay restitution to consumers and civil penalties and costs for the alleged violations of the Consumer Protection Act.
Consumers with complaints against National Tax Experts or Patrick Oakes may call the Consumer Protection Division at 410-576-6569 or write to the Consumer Protection Division at 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.
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