STAR Exemption Advisor

Review: I cannot see how it is legal for a company to operate with a primary goal of misleading the public. They use letterhead and envelopes to model government documents that lead taxpayers to believe they are filling out legitimate paperwork for their STAR exemption for the state. The appearance, language, and even the name of the company are deliberately deceptive. I recently moved and was aware of the star exemption. It was free the first time I filled it out in my last location. So naturally with the documents looking the way they did, I figured it was the same thing I have done in the past. Shame on me for not reading carefully. I do understand a contract was signed etc. and such. However, this is 100% a way to confuse home owners into having someone provide a very unnecessary service at a very high price.Desired Settlement: Dismissal of charges

Business

Response:

[redacted]To Revdex.com,I read carefully [redacted] complaint and I strongly do not agree with any of his allegations, they are simply not true, NONE IS TRUE.However, it looks like that one sentence will describe exactly what is really took place: "Shame on me for not reading carefully".Sincerely,

Review: Last year after hurricane Sandy I recieved a star exemption application It was from the Star Exemption Advisor of East Meadow. I thought they were from Nassau County because the application was from the Nassau County Department of Assessment Application for Basic School Tax Relief Exemption form. I filled it out and sent it in. I got a letter from the Star Exemption Advisor saying I have to pay the first year fee for filing. I did not think there was a fee. I paid 865.49 on November *, 2013. I post dated the check for November [redacted]. They already cashed my check which my account became withdrawn. I am looking at this years Nassau County Department of Assesmment Application and it says on it in clear writing

" (Nassau County does not charge a fee to file this application.)

Any alteration of this application may result in a denial. )

Instead the application said Nassau County Department of Asessment Application for Basic School Tax Relief (Star)

It was false advertising because they sent me a older form that did not say "Nassau County does not charge a fee to file this application"

This company swindled money from me equally $865.49 I saw on the news yesterday that this was a scam. Unfortunately I sent the check in Novemeber *, 2013. I post dated the check November [redacted] and they already cashed it. Please help me!!.Desired Settlement: I would like my check of 865.49 returned because this fee is supposed to be free. They sent me the wrong application which resulted in false advertising. I would also like my 35.00 over drawn fee returned. Please help me.

Business

Response:

November *, 2013

Review: On March [redacted], 2013 my husband and I purchased our new home. We previously lived in a home and applied for the STAR exemption for that home. After we moved, we received mail with Nassau County Star Exemption on the letterhead and on the envelope. I figured they knew we moved and were sending us a new application to fill out and send back. I filled out the application and signed and dated the back. What I did not realize that attached to the application was a contract stating that I had to pay this "advisor" the amount of money I will save. This man sent us an application for the STAR exemption and we were duped into signing a contract. I understand I should have read the second paper stating that this was a contract. However, having a one year old running around it was easier to just trust something that I thought was affiliated with Nassau County. I received via mail on October [redacted], 2014 that we owe this man $1,372 for handing in paperwork that I could have done myself. I believe this is an excessive amount of money to pay for a service I could have gotten for free. Again, I understand that I made a mistake and did not fully read the back page of the application he sent me, but I should not be penalized in paying an enormous amount of money. I currently do not have this amount of money. I have two kids in daycare and I am a teacher whose salary cannot bare anymore payments. I would like this man to lower my payment significantly or to drop this payment altogether. I was a victim to his ploy to "steal" money from unsuspecting new homeowners and new parents. I believe wholeheartedly that this business should be shut down and he should not be allowed to solicite his "service" for a fee that citizens can receive for free.

Business

Response:

November *, 2014

To Revdex.com,

1. I believe that [redacted] pointing to the Application for Basic Star when she is describing the "letterhead" with "Nassau County Star Exemption".

2. When [redacted] saying that is the same on my envelopes, that a completely false statement (nothing like this in existence!).

3. Only the contract have have the address printed on it, so in order to be seen through the window of the outgoing envelop, it must be the first page.

4. There is no "ploy to steal......and new parents" what so ever.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here]

Good Morning,

What is the resolution here? I was not given any type of relief as of payments wise. I currently do not have 1,372 dollars in my bank account. Nor do I have any cash/credit left in my name. We live paycheck to paycheck paying for childcare, food, and other living expenses. We live our lives very basic and use money extremely cautiously. I thought this was a free government program. I don't know how were going to pay this man, our lives have been turned upside down with the amount of money were going to lose. Again, we have two children that this man is taking away money from. We'd have to make a choice whether to pay him or feed our children. Please don't make us have to choose.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

[redacted]

To Revdex.com,

In this continuances complaint [redacted] saying just the same as in the original complaint, so, my answer is just the same.

Note to [redacted]: IF YOU ARE REALLY LOOKING AND WANT TO FIND ANY RESOLUTION, IT CAN ONLY BE OVER THE PHONE/DIRECT CONTACT AND NOT OVER THE Revdex.com WEB SITE.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here]

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

This is a scam run by a man named [redacted]. He defrauds new homeowners who are already inundated with paperwork. He sends out paperwork disguised as [redacted] Star Exemption forms which are basically his service contracts. I have a suspicion that some [redacted] officials are in on this scam. They know him a little too well at the courthouse. He files this paperwork on behalf of the homeowner and bills them for their 1st year of savings. He spends all day in [redacted] county court and sues people for not paying him. He has at least 5 "meetings" a day in the mitigation room.

Review: We were scammed by this company. They obtained our personal information and filed STAR documents with the County which we had done on our ownDesired Settlement: Not paying him for services they did not perform. We filed papers for the STAR program on our own

Business

Response:

October **, 2015To Revdex.com,To the "Customer's Statement of the problem", really? "They obtained our personal information" HOW?To the "Desired Settlement", [redacted] just stated is solution by stating; "Not Paying him....".There is nothing else to add on my part. Sincerely,[redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

This guy is a scammer. He has many complaints against him and is trying to scam me. Also I am the head of my house and the main person on my mortgage and deed. I didn't sign it and refuse to pay for a service I didn't request and I hand delivered the star program forms and information to the county. I refuse to pay for services not rendered.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

October **, 2015To Revdex.com,[redacted] advised the Revdex.com and myself that he "refuse to pay for services not rendered".There is nothing else to add on my part. Sincerely,[redacted]

Review: I purchased A New Home In The Summer Of 2013 and Received Countless Amounts Of Mail offering Coupons And Other Advertisements. One Piece Of Mail Was From Star Exemption Advisor. It Has To Do With Filing For An Exemption On Taxes And TheM Offering To File The Application On My Behalf. It Is Very Easy To Think That This Letter Is Coming From The CountY Regarding Your Tax Status. I Apparently Filled Out The Authorization Form Allowing This Company To File For My Tax Exemption And I Was Unaware That I Had Done This Until I Tried To File On My Own And Was Told That The Money I Was Entitled To Was Sent To This Company. When I Called The Company To Say That They MisrepresentedTheir CompanyTo A New Homeowner That Was Overwhelmed With The Purchase Of A New Home While Being 9 Months Pregnant, He BasicallyTold Me Too Bad And That It's Already Done And He Has My Money $1300 As Payment For Filing A Form. They Are ScammingPeople SThat Are Doing What They Think They Are Supposed To As HomeOwners And have Poor Customer Service In The Uncaring Condescending Manner Of Speaking.Desired Settlement: I Want This Company Shut Down So They Can No Longer Scam People Out Of the Money They Are Entitled To In The Way They Misrepresent Themselves And I Want My Tax Exemption Sent To Me In full

Business

Response:

Review: I moved into my house in June 2014. I received forms to do star exemption and I was told that these forms need to be done. I did not realize until today that the forms I was sent were imposter form from [redacted]. I would like to be taken off his fraudulent list and not have him file any type of paper work. This is misguided information and ridiculous that he does this to people.Desired Settlement: From my understanding he sends a bill I dont want no bill from him I dont know who this guy is. I called Star in Mineola and apparently he is and has been doing this for years. I want him to get me off his list.

Business

Response:

November **, 2014To Revdex.com,[redacted] asking that I will "not have him file any type of paper work".HOWEVER, his paper work was filed back in September **, 2014 and a notification regarding this filing was sent to him on October *, 2014.The contract that [redacted] signed permits a cancellation within 5 days of signing.Sincerely,[redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here]

I did not receive any type of paper work please send copies if that is the case and it's not [redacted] it's [redacted] there is no male [redacted] adult living in the house so "he " could have not signed anything. I just moved there which this business knows and they send paper work out matching the same as the star assessment that is fraud. I want no bill and no parts of this star advisor company. You know you are wrong and stealing from people. It you do not cancel this I will have to file a court order I am trying to resolve the matter before it goes to court.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

November **, 2014To Revdex.com,Sorry for my mistake and I will address [redacted] from now on.I am strongly deny and do not agree with [redacted] complaint.Also, there is nothing for me to add to my answer to the previous complaint.Sincerely,[redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

This is not acceptable. I am asking that the resolution be that I receive no type of bill from this company nor any further mail that is fraudulent. I have called your office multiple times and have left messages I receive no response so I better and should not receive a bill. I will not pay it based upon the fact that you target new homeowners who would not know the difference in the paper work. I want a response saying I am not responsible and that the paper work will be returned and or discarded and pulled from your filing system so I can file myself. This is misleading and shameful. I will go the the media if I don't get this resolved. Its petty and wrong what you are doing. [redacted]

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Review: I move to hicksville last year and got a mail from whice I thought was from the county for star exempt program for discount.filled,signed and mailed it back.now I received a bill for $956 from star exemption advisor that I have 30 days to pays.I was unaware that I applied through a company.I aware that this pressor is free to apply,why I have to pay a company such amount.please help me in this matter as I have untill the nov ** to pay.I called and they dont answer the phone,so I left two meaasge and still no call from them.thank you.Desired Settlement: reduced amount in installment.

Business

Response:

November **, 2015To Revdex.com, I will contact [redacted] within the next few days regarding payment through installments. Sincerely, [redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

sofar star advisor has not contacted me in any way.I do not want only installment payment.I want the payment reduced from $956 TO MAYBE $200 for filing on my behalf.I also farwared this to nassaue district attorney.waiting for reply from them.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

November **, 2015To Revdex.com,A few days ago I informed the Revdex.com and [redacted] that I would contact him within a few days.I was not able to contact him "as soon as he desire.Only to find a new complaint on November **, 2015 and now also a demand to how he demand to resolve.At this point after reviewing the whole contains of his complaint, it is not any more my intention to contact [redacted]. Sincerely,[redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

I havent received any calls from star exemption advisor.if he can gave me his direct phone number I will contact him.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Review: I purchased a new home in the spring of 2013 and was provided hundreds of documents at closing - one of which was a star exemption application. I was informed it was free to apply. I then received another application in the mail, which looked, for all intents and purposes, identical to the one I had received at closing, same letterhead and everything. I filled it out and sent it in.

This week I received a bill in the mail for 1225 dollars from this company for basically acting as a third party middle-man between me and nassau county gov't offices. This business is trying to charge me $1225 for having mailed my application in for me. Half of the "services provided" listed have to do with putting a stamp on an envelope and going to the post office, which includes sending out the initial unsolicited feeler letter i.e. being charged for something I never asked for in the first place.

This business is very deceptive and it is too easy to think that this letter came from The County since they basically copy the font and letterhead of official documents in order to intentionally mislead people. Having read other complaints on here I realize that I am not alone in having felt scammed and taken advantage of by this company.

The fee they charge is egregious and not commensurate with the services they provide. Their business practices are borderline fraudulent and I honestly don't understand why they are still allowed to be in business after the number of complaints that have been filed against them.Desired Settlement: I would like the the invoice to be adjusted to ZERO dollars, as there really was no service provided that could justify the amount charged. The alleged services that were provided were either unsolicited and/or provided under false pretense.

Business

Response:

[redacted]

To Revdex.com,

As an answer to [redacted],

1. [redacted] forgot to mention that not only an application came through the mail, there was also a contract attached that he sign.

2. The contract specified clearly everything in regards to the service.

3. There was no such thing as "The alleged service, it's simply a service that was provided after a contract was fully executed by [redacted].

4. The invoice stay as it is.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:The entirety of [redacted]'s response is unreasonable, and his unwillingness to compromise in this situation is just further evidence of his company's egregious conduct, and sub-par and specious business practices.In fact, [redacted]'s claim that the form I signed constitutes an enforceable contract is wholly without merit. Why would any reasonable person expect he is being asked to execute a separate contract which obligates him to a fee for an otherwise *free* filing process? And when such a "fee" is so incredibly disproportionate to the act of filing a form with the County Clerk: a task which cannot take longer than 30 minutes.This organization intentionally prays on the fears and concerns of new home owners, and exploits their inevitable exhaustion with signing the never-ending forms associated with new home ownership.New home owners are informed (normally at closing) that the Star exemption is free to file. It is obvious that [redacted]'s understands that new home owners will complete the application with the understanding it is free. The objective of this firm is for the recipients of these forms to NOT read them or to comprehend that they are signing a Contract. As [redacted] is undoubtedly aware, when the author of a contract has reason to believe that the other party would not agree to the terms if he/she were aware of those terms, and/or where the author of the contract attempts to deceive the other party and/or if the terms of said "contract" are so unfair as there can be no expectation that a reasonable, similarly situated person would agree to such unreasonable and unfair terms, that contract is deemed unconscionable and void. I therefore reiterate my refusal to pay this so-called fee, and respectfully request that the Revdex.com intervene with a fine and/or censure and/or citation against "Star Exemption Advisors" and, if possible, against [redacted] individually.In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

[redacted]

To: Revdex.com

As an answer to [redacted],

At this time [redacted] is using in his complaint mostly of the same that his attorney used in a letter to me on November *, 2014.

For the fact that I do not agree with his first complaint and with Attorney letter, my last answer from November *, 2014 stands.

I have nothing else to add to my last answer.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here]

Contracts such as these should be - and are in fact typically voided if the contract is considered unconscionable - or if the author of the contract has reason to believe that the other party would never agree to the terms if they were aware of those terms. There is not a reasonable person on this planet that would agree to those terms if they were aware of them.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Review: Do not use this service, they make appearances in forms and documents to be a service of the Star Exemption tax discount eligibility from the town. This can be filed free through the town. This appears to be additional mailing from the town and not a separate consulting service. IT IS A SCAM! They will charge you the year's discount as a fee.Desired Settlement: This service should be required too change appearance of their forms and documents as it appears the same as office town documents and in name, they are playing with deception. I would like to be taken out of contact with this company as I am deeply concerned with the repercussions now, at home and with future contact.

Business

Response:

October **, 2013

Review: I received a form in the mail, which I thought was an application for the Star Exemption. I filled it out a year ago ,was approved for Star Exemption, and then just received a letter in the mail saying that I owe them 1300 which was the amount of money that they claim to have saved me. I didn't realize that they were providing any service for me. I thought that I was simply applying for the exemption. They are claiming that because they filed my paperwork then I owe them the first year of savings. The name Star Exemption is [redacted] is very misleading. I received this form in the mail after requesting an application for the Star Exemption.Desired Settlement: I do not want to have to pay them at all because I could have filed for the exemption myself.

Business

Response:

October **, 2013

Review: On september ** 2013 at the closing of the title for the purchase of the home I was handed at the table of the closing in the office of the seller lawyer the paperwork of star exemption advisor as the proper paper for filing star exemption. One year later I received from star exemption advisor a bill with a fee equivalent for the star saving amount of $1080 which is my right to have as a tax payer. This was not only a misrepresentation of the facts but also a fraud.

Similar cases have been spoken about by [redacted] and [redacted] is already within scam companiesDesired Settlement: ignore the bill and receive my lawful star refund without paying a fee equivalent to the refund to Star exemption advisor. Thank you

Business

Response:

November *, 2014

To Revdex.com,

As an answer to [redacted]:

1. I do not have any attorney employed by myself that is giving my paperwork,

2. Their is no such thing as: "misrepresentation of the facts but also a fraud", I have no idea what are the "facts" [redacted] is talking about and were she found a "fraud".

3. "[redacted]" is not within any scam companies!

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here]

Star Exemption advisors misrepresented the services to be provided and never informed of a fee to be paid.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

November **, 2014

To Revdex.com,

As an answer to [redacted],

I strongly do not agree with [redacted] continuances complain.

1. Star Exemption Advisor did not "misrepresented the services to be provided".

2. It's in bold and underlined that it will be a fee to pay.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here]

The form was handed to me at the closing table as the only way to submit the star exemption with no mention there was a fee associated. This is a misrepresentation of the facts since I do not need a third party to submit a paper. Moreover, the requested fee is unjustified and excessive. It is unconceivable that to submit a form that I would have submitted for free, a one page form, a fee in excess of $1080 is requested. No service was provided to justify such fee, and I never agreed to pay any amount for the submission.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

This company misleads the public, making them think they are applying for the star exemption which is free, then a year later slapping them with a heafty fee!!!!!! Their letter head has the words "Star Exemption" and looks very official. Not nice.

Review: I was falsely led to believe I was completing paperwork for the Nassau County STAR program when in fact I was completing paperwork for this fraudulent scamming company. I received an invoice mailed to me today for payment for services rendered. After attempting to contact the company with no luck, I did a google search to find dozens of long island homeowners scammed by this very same company--as they have already been reported to Revdex.com multiple times as well. I'm seeking assistance with the result of negating any outstanding invoice balances to $0.Desired Settlement: Negating any outstanding invoice balance to reflect $0.

Business

Response:

October **, 2015To Revdex.com,Reading the complaint, I can only assume that [redacted] never read the agreement before he signed.The invoice stand. Sincerely,Arie G**

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

This man has robbed millions of new homeowners by falsely representing himself as working for a government agency called "STAR" from the research I have found. I'm hoping Revdex.com can assist me in coming to some sort of agreement between this company and I.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

October **, 2015To Revdex.com,I am not sure how [redacted] looking for the Revdex.com to help him in any way and at the same time he is using this language in dealing with me.There is none and never was any "falsely representing himself as working for the government".The invoice stand. Sincerely,Arie G**

Review: The STAR Exemption Advisors are taking advantage of and targeting young home owners who just purchased a home. They have created a form of their own that looks almost identical to the "Application for Basic School Tax Relief" form that is given out by the county to apply for the STAR rebate. They are sending this form out to young home owners who have just purchased a home. Their intent is for the home owner to use their application to apply for the STAR rebate program. They are charging the first years savings as their fee. Their services are to simply forward the application to the county and then charge the first years savings as their fee. This is a service that any home owner can do on their own.Desired Settlement: I would like this company to be refund the charges that they have charged me for their unnecessary service and eventually be shut down. They should not be allowed to make money off of young homeowners who are tricked into thinking they are filling out the counties application.

Business

Response:

November *, 2014

To Revdex.com,

1. I do not agree with [redacted] falls statement that: "taking advantage of and targeting young home owners".

2. I do not agree with [redacted] falls and completely untrue statement and accusation that: "They have created a form of their own".

This is a public place for everyone to see, so [redacted] should be careful with such accusation.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here]

The Star Exemption Advisor's are making money by offering a service that is completely unnecessary to new young home owners. They are sending out a form that resembles the Nassau County Star exemption application. They are then simply forwarding this form to the county and then charging the new young homeowners a fee of their first year's savings, which in many cases is close to $1,000. They are dependent on young homeowners who are unaware that this service can be done on their own. This is a service that any new home owner can do on their own by going to the counties website. Their business is unethical, and they need to be stopped immediately.

Thank you for your help with this matter.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

November **, 2014

To Revdex.com,

In this continuances complaint, [redacted] simply states of the same from the original complaint dated October **, 2014.

My answer stays the same for both.

I have nothing to add to my original answer.

Sincerely,

Review: My wife and I purchased a home in August 2013. We were eager to reduce our annual taxes so I contacted what I believed to be the local office in order to obtain the proper documentation that would allow us to apply for this exemption - a process that I believed was free of charge.

Soon thereafter, I received official looking documents that I assumed that I needed to fill out in order to move forward with applying for the STAR including the official Nassau County Department of Assessment 2014-15 Property Tax Exemption Application. All items were filled out and returned to what I believed to be the proper address.

A year later (October **, 2014), I received an invoice for $1,707.93 for services rendered by the company in question, STAR Exemption Advisor. This invoice of $1,707.93 is the equivalent to the amount of our first year STAR exemption.

I feel that we were misled and misrepresented by a company that only serves to take a substantial amount of money for a service that is normally free.Desired Settlement: I currently have an outstanding invoice where STAR Exemption Advisor is billing me for $1,707.93. I want STAR Exemption Advisor to void this entire bill so that I do not have to pay the $1,707.93.

Business

Response:

November *, 2014

To Revdex.com,

1. I do not think that [redacted] read the contract he executed on October **, 2013, other than that I have no answer to his "Statement of the Problem".

2. The invoice stand as it is.

Sincerely,

Review: I am aware that there are several closed complaints about this company but I cannot see how it is legal for a company to operate with a primary goal of misleading the public. This company is more or less committing mail fraud. They use letterhead and envelopes to model government documents and lead taxpayers to believe that they are filling out legitimate paperwork for their STAR exemption for the state. The appearance, language, and even the name of the company are deliberately deceptive.Desired Settlement: I would like to not be responsible for the payment of this bill since it was not my intention to sign up for a service.

Business

Response:

December *, 2013

I am having the same issue listed in previous complaints. They are scamming me into paying for the star fee. I went to their address listed on the paperwork and it was a ups store. I have left many messages on their voicemail and have not heard back. Should I not pay?

Review: STAR Exemption Advisor charged $1267.11 for filling an application on my and my wife's behalf. They obtained my information, and deceitfully placed their information with the official Nassau County Department of Assessment's paperwork application for STAR (School Tax Relief)reduction. This led me to believe that they represented Nassau County, which was not the case. They never once called to confirm any type of approval or that they received our application. One year later, my wife and I receive a bill for $1267.11 .Desired Settlement: To pay a fraction of the price billed for a service that took only 30 minutes to complete which I could have done myself.

Business

Response:

October **, 2013

Review: This company obtains the addresses of new home buyers in the area and sends a mailing soliciting services under false pretenses. The mailing includes a Nassau County STAR Tax Exemption Application and a contract which is printed on similar paper and in similar text size and font to the Nassau County application. The contract appears very similar to the Nassau County application and can easily be mistaken as part of the application paperwork. Once signed, the company then files the STAR paperwork with the County, which most consumers would assume they had done already by completing the paperwork. The company has subsequently sent us a letter requesting that payment be made within 30 days in the amount equivalent to the first years tax savings which for us was $1684.99. Aside from the fact that the charge for this service is completely excessive, the entire mail presentation and paperwork is a false representation of County paperwork and processing. When contacted, the representative on the phone identified only as "[redacted]" stated that the agreement had been entered by us and that we were required to pay but if we could not afford the total amount that we had 2 options. Option 1 was that we could take %10 off of the balance owed and pay a total of $1516.49 by the due date of November [redacted], 2013. "[redacted]" then explained that Option 2 was that we could send 4 checks post dated for Nov [redacted], Dec [redacted], Jan [redacted] and Feb [redacted] in the amount of $421.24 and that would be an acceptable form of payment if all 4 checks were received at once. When I went to the listed address to attempt to obtain actual copies of the contract, the address is a post office box in a UPS Store in [redacted]. I feel that this is a terrible way to conduct business, and is taking advantage of unsuspecting new home owners who have yet to file such forms with their County of residence. I have subsequently found out that the business is no longer licensed with the Department of Consumer Affairs in Nassau County. Although we are to blame for signing the contract in the first place, I feel that this way of operating a business leaves new home owners at an unfair advantage with companies who prey on inexperience, and feel that the fees for the amount of services provided are excessive and do not accurately reflect the amount of work performed. We entered into this contract under the pretenses that we were filing for the STAR program ourselves.Desired Settlement: Given the fact that any consumer is able to file this paperwork on their own and the fact that I am completely dissatisfied with this service, I believe that this charge should not apply as I will never use this company again. If the company was to offer a reasonable "processing fee" I would be willing to pay that as restitution. Overall, given this companys' history and mode of operation, I truly believe that both the County and State should ensure that this business is no longer allowed to operate in the manner in which they do currently.

Business

Response:

October **, 2012