Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Unbelievable!! My parents got a solicitation from a company called "STAR" Tax Reduction Consultant located in Floral Park. Another company to look out for!!

ETA same thing as you that the fee is equal to the first year's exemption, one time only!

I totally get your anger! My dad is in his late 70s and if I hadn't caught this, I wouldn't be surprised if he filled it out and sent it in.

Message edited 10/31/2013 2:57:50 PM.

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

I feel your pain. I am a victim of the star advisor scam as well. Last year after hurricane Sandy I received a star exemption application which 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 on October 15th, 2013 saying "As a result of your authorizing STAR exemption Advisor to file your Basic STAR exemption application on your behalf, I can tell you that your application has been approved. The total savings on your tax bill was $865.49. As per your agreement that you signed, Star Exemption Advisor's one time fee is equivalent for the first year's savings." I did not think there was a fee because Star Exemption is supposed to be free. This was a very deceptive business practice that tricked me into paying them. I paid 865.49 on November 5, 2013. I post dated the full amount of the check for November 15th 2013. The star advisor said there would not be a problem if I post dated the check. He even said I could send 4 checks postdated for the next four months with the amount equivalent of 216.37. The only catch was I had to send in all 4 right away. I explained to him that I thought it was free to sign up and he tricked me into believing I had to pay for this service because I received the star credit. Unfortunately, on November 6th without my authorization the Star Exemption Advisor cashed my check that resulted in my account being overdrawn. Later on that day this company was all over the news. These awful people prey on first time home owners or people who are uninformed. I have contacted the BBB, District attorney office, Governor Cuomo’s office, STAR tax manager, consumer affairs, Help Me Howard and Shame Shame Shame. II am waiting on the Attorney general’s office to send me a complaint form to fill out this week. If any of you fell victim to this company I urge you to do the same.

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/cuomo-issues-alert-over-star-rebate-scams-1.6411196

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Isabellsmom -
This is EXACTLY what has happened to us! We owe them over $1K and I haven't sent them anything yet. I filed a complaint with the State Attorney General (there is a link upward in this post) and am waiting to hear back. They told me the same thing about post-dating the check or sending in 4. It was a really crazy time for us (moving and renovating our home) and when we got the application we did the same thing as you - dutifully returned it! Our payment is also due this Friday and I'm not sure what to do.

I've submitted my complaint to the Sate Attorney and also submitted emails to Ed Mangano, my district state senator, and Carolyn McCarthy. No reply from anyone yet.

I didn't see anythign about them in the news - can someone post a link?

ETA - I found the link thanks to the above poster.

But the fact remains - what do we do as the deadline is looming!!??

Message edited 11/11/2013 8:54:27 AM.

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Loves mike, I would not send them any money. I wish i didnt send them any money. I am submitting the forms to my lawyer and will take them to small claims court if nothing comes of it. This ridiculous fee they charge for mailing a paper is a ridiculous scheme who knows how long they've been playing. It's like a trick, they claim you sign a contract now you owe them money. People need to be aware what this company is doing to innocent people. I can only imagine what a field day these people had with all the people that had to re-register too.

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Isabellasmom - EXACTLY what I was thinking!!

Are you really getting a lawyer and taking them to small claims court? That's amazing and more power to you, but for me, I don't think that is an expense we can spare. We can hardly spare the 1K we "owe" them.

I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Loves Mike, I'm not sure where you are a resident of. They have already opened a file in Nassau County about this company at the District Attorney Kathleen Rice's office. I had contacted Ed Mangano and he passed my email on to the D.A. I have been emailing back and forth with them. I am in the process of filing a complaint with the New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office. They recommended sending a complaint in with them. I called his office and they mailed me a complaint form. You should file a complaint too. My husband pays for a lawyer service through the company he works for. We are trying to get some legal advice. Small claims court is a $20.00 or $25.00 fee to file. I wonder how long this company has been getting away with this for.

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Posted by KittyKatCopper

I would contact the NYS Attorney General and report it...if they are representing themselves to look like STAR then I'm pretty sure they are committing fraud...I hate shady stuff like that!

NY Att General

I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Isabellasmom - The same company got me too! This was about 3 years ago when we first purchased our home. So many papers to be signed and being mailed to my house. I usually am pretty good at reading stuff before I sign anything. But I really thought the star contract I signed was for the real star program. I later found out I had filed for star before this company did. A year later I got a letter from small claims court and I was being sued by this company.......After many days of missing work to go to court and much aggravation my lawyer told me to try and settle before it goes to trial. I didn't want to but he said this guy has my signed contract!! We settled before we went to the court mediator. I had to pay this ahole $400! This guy was very well known in court. He must have about 3 cases a day. I asked my attorney how this is in any way legal. He said it is borderline!! How is this fair?!!! So can you help me contact the Attorney General's office to file a complaint. Hope this guy gets what he deserves and noone falls for his crap!

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Lisamarie - that is terrible. Your situation is exactly like my own and Isabellasmom's! They count on new homeowners being harried and overwhelmed and they get you when you are vulnerable.

I told Isabellasmom already via FM, but I spoke with both the State Attny Generaly today and the Nassau County Department of COnsumer Affairs. They have 12 closed cases with this company listed on their website. I was told they were closed and that the company was paid. The most they would agree to was a small reduction or payment plan, which is consistent with what they told all of us.

Did they take you to small claims because you filed for STAR on your own and then they tried to file for you? Or because you didn't pay up?

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

So you're saying I shouldn't file a claim because nothing would be done? This sucks! Sorry to hear you are going through it also. I was taken to court because of nonpayment.

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

No, definitely file a claim. Hopefully the more claims they receive they will be able to put this scheming company out of business.

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Ok will do.

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

His name is Orie Gal. His company uses a UPS post office box in east meadow, #321.

He's a scam arrest and a coward. Feel tree to knock on his door.

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Whoa.....

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

I just went through my paperwork pile and the fake Star application is there along with the deed letter. I was actually going to send the deed one in till this thread.

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Honestly, I would throw it out and not think twice. Let them take you to court. It probably isn't worth their while.

Actaully just read some of the other comments. If this guy is a small claims freak, I would make a deal with him. Offer to pay $250. Show up at his house with all of it in coins then REPORT him. I would hang posters, take to social media, etc.

Message edited 10/22/2014 10:56:16 AM.

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

I know Arie-- he will take you to small claims. (didn't know he did this STAR adviser nonsense though-- he does small claims assessment review hearings also, and he is pretty good at it). No harm in trying to settle though. In fact, if you do end up in small claims, you are required to try and settle the matter through a mediator (at least in Nassau).

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Just a small update on my situation - I ended up paying virtually the whole amount (less $60), so $1K total. Too bad this guy is making money on the back of inexperienced homeowners, but karma. That's all I have to hold onto!

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

I would make a complaint with the AG and also contact the CFPB-thsi is what they do...

Here is the CFPB link. PLEASE file a complaint. They have a lot of power

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/

Message edited 10/22/2014 12:44:18 PM.

Re: I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Its either the address you posted there or this one I found. I just received that same BS letter today. I WILL NOT pay this jerk 1 cent.

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I got taken - I can't believe it- STAR related

Wow, I received a letter from the "Star Exemption Advisor" in the mail the other day stating we owe them $1,700.00. My wife and I, being new home owners, were swamped with paperwork in the beginning and we did the best we could. We noticed we were getting a large amount of mail for things we "needed" to do and it was all spam and scams. Needless to say, one had slipped through our hands... the Star Exemption Advisor. It looked like legit government paperwork with the letter head and name and we were trying to stay a little ahead of the game, so we filled it out and sent it in. Little did we know we were being scammed by the spawn of ***** himself. We are already struggling to make ends meet and then a low life like thus comes along to take advantage of people who think they are doing the right thing. This is what happened.... Instead of us filling out paperwork for the star program and giving it directly to them, we gave it to this jerk to give it to them for us, in turn giving them the first years savings the star program saved us. Now why would anyone in their right mind do this? They wouldn't. This wouldn't save you anything by doing this. We fell victim like everyone else with them. We searched the address for them 1936 Hempstead Turnpike East Meadow Suite 321 and saw nothing but complaints of the same thing. We, not only want this to be dismissed, but we also want to shut this person down and keep them from scamming anyone else. If anything we want to make everyone aware of this scam so nobody had to go through this again; therefore putting this person out of business. It is truly unethical and how the town can let him get away with it is beyond me. It goes to show money buys power and power ignore fractures in the law. What an all around POS. He needs to be stopped and I would be all about a class action lawsuit. The town knows all about him and what he does and how he has many other "businesses" like this. He just happens to be a contributor to the attorney general from one of those businesses, therefore nothing is going to be done to stop this guy. This came directly from someone who works with the program. There's no way in hell I am going to pay this thug.