Tips On Avoiding Scams

WARNING! Many people trying to clear their record get scammed by using a non-attorney to expunge or seal their record. Do not waste your money, give your confidential information, or blow, what may be your only chance to clear your record by using anyone other than a licensed attorney.

The internet is a great way to find a qualified attorney who can expunge or seal your criminal record at an affordable price. However, there are also several scam sites posing as attorneys. They call themselves “form processors,” “paralegals,” or a “legal service;” some go as far as to lie and say they are attorneys. Do not allow non-attorneys to take your money, waste your time, access your confidential information, let you become a victim of identity theft or blow what might be your only chance to clear your criminal record.

How To Spot Rip-Off Expungement and Record Sealing Sites

Look for these signs that the site may be a scam.

• Their Better Business Bureau record shows dozens of complaints (Like RecordsRemoval.com who has an F rating and 63 complaints).

• They are not licensed to practice law in your state or they do not have an office in your state
• It is a “paralegal” or “form processor” that is giving you advice.
• They are just going to send you forms and then leave you alone to fight the District Attorney, answer questions from the court, put together evidence and pay all filing fees.
• The operation is based in Kentucky (several scam sites are run out of Kentucky).
• There is no money back guarantee if your case is denied.
• They want to charge you to apply for a pardon (Nationwide, about 1 in 5,000 pardons gets granted. If someone wants to charge you for a pardon, they are probably more interested in your money than helping you).
• Their phone system has an extension dedicated for disgruntled customers who issue chargebacks on their credit cards, like extension #4 at Records Removal Service.

For the quickest way to find an attorney visit our choosing an expungement attorney page for a list of recommended attorneys.

---

Do not take legal advise from these companies:

• Records Removal Services

  www.recordsremoval.com or www.myexpunge.com

  Better Business Bureau Rating of F

• Expungement Assistance Services

  www.clearmyrecord.com or www.clearupmyrecord.com

  Better Business Bureau Rating of D-

• American Pardon Services

  www.americanpardons.com

• ClearMyPast.com

  www.clearmypast.com

Have You Been Scammed?

If someone other than a licensed attorney charged you for expungement or to clear your record, you may be entitled to a full refund and/or damages, send email to
info@recordclearing.org telling us who ripped you off and how. We will do our best to put you intouch with a class action lawyer who is working to stop these scams.

• Were not told that you would have to go to court?
• Were you not told that you would have to argue against the district attorney or probation department?
• Were you sold an expungement but received something else?
• Was your case denied?
• Were you told you were eligible and you were not?
• Were the benefits of expungement not as described?
• Were you charged hidden fees?
• Did you become ineligible or have to wait longer because of the failed service?
• Did the person fail to make clear that they were not an attorney and that you should consult an attorney before proceeding?
• Were you not told that the chances of having a pardon granted were exceedingly slim?
• Did your case take much longer than expected?