Complaints
This profile includes complaints for LegalShield's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 344 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 114 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:02/01/2023
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I have been a member of legal shield for over 7 years. In December 2022 I requested immediate assitance for a family issue with a breached divorce case, as well as my former spouse's lawyer threatening to kill me. I received 3 referrals over the last 6 weeks, including a referral who, on the home page of their website advertises they believe in "trial by combat" which is not a legal method of resolving a case in Texas as of 2022 or 2023. Legal Shield has been unable to provide any law firm who will call me back or perform an intake, and yet I have paid for over 300 hours of court room legal defense time. They are also unwilling to refund me more than two months of my membership fees. I would appreciate a full refund from the start of my contract to current (2/23) since they are unable or unwilling to refer a lawyer who can represent me under my covered membership agreement.Business Response
Date: 02/07/2023
Response is in attached file.Initial Complaint
Date:01/31/2023
Type:Order IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
They did not provide the services they market. Their lawyers also make decisions involuntarily on the behalf of their client without their clients knowledge which is a violation of BAR standards. I wanted to plead not guilty and the lawyer plead guilty. When I attempted to reach the lawyer it was impossible. After 3 weeks of trying to reach a supervisor they declined to provide any services and banned me from LegalShield after billing me and not providing services.Business Response
Date: 02/06/2023
Response is in attached document.Customer Answer
Date: 02/06/2023
Complaint: ********
I am rejecting this response because:I requested multiple call backs from supervisors over a course of a month plus. The legal matter was not resolved "Positively" as stated in the complaint, thus is why the complaint is being filed. After finally reaching a supervisor over a month plus of attempting to reach a supervisor to speak about what can be done to reverse the damage done by ************** (Lawyer for legal shield), I was notified I had no membership.
If Legal Shield thinks that it is perfectly OK to have poor communication with their clients, allow attorneys to practice law that make involuntary decisions without consulting the client first, and then leave them in phone hold purgatory, call either extremely late or not call back at all when promised, and then accuses their clients of abusive behavior after being accused of "Attempting to run over" my attorney in the parking lot of the court room (as he ran off before I could even speak with him. If trying to get your attorney to speak with my attorney is considered "Abusive Behavior" when he would not communicate before and after court then I would like to see those security cameras outside the courthouse so we could clarify the abusive behavior. It seems that Legal Shield is not interested in helping me in my matter as their over cumbered by more legal work than they can handle or just simply because they do not want to own up to their mistakes. When I spoke to an attorney about the appeal process he told me the lawyer ** got me a bad outcome. Please review your recorded calls as they're all recorded for training and quality purposes. I look forward to a prompt response as our family have been members for about 20 years since we moved to this country from *******.Considering my outcome as "positive" whenCOMMENT[1] Reasonable communication between the attorney and the client is necessary for the client effectively to participate in the representation.Please note: I did attempt to contact legal shield, **************, and Framme & Thrush Law Firm for consultation but only was promised call backs later which all fell through.An attorney shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client.COMMENT[1] An attorney should pursue a matter on behalf of a client despite opposition, obstruction or personal inconvenience to the attorney, and may take whatever lawful and ethical measures are required to vindicate a client's cause or endeavor. An attorney must also act with commitment and dedication to the interests of the client and with zeal in advocacy upon the client's behalf. An attorney is not bound, however, to press for every advantage that might be realized for a client. For example, an attorney may have authority to exercise professional discretion in determining the means by which a matter should be pursued. See Rule 19-301.2 (1.2). The attorney's duty to act with reasonable diligence does not require the use of offensive tactics or permit treating any person involved in the legal process without courtesy and respect.[2] An attorney's workload must be controlled so that each matter can be handled competently.[3] Perhaps no professional shortcoming is more widely resented than procrastination. A client's interests often can be adversely affected by the passage of time or the change of conditions; in extreme instances, as when an attorney overlooks a statute of limitations, the client's legal position may be destroyed. Even when the client's interests are not affected in substance, however, unreasonable delay can cause a client needless anxiety and undermine confidence in the attorney's trustworthiness. An attorney's duty to act with reasonable promptness, however, does not preclude the attorney from agreeing to a reasonable request for a postponement that will not prejudice the attorney's client.COMMENT[1] Reasonable communication between the attorney and the client is necessary for the client effectively to participate in the representation.Communicating with Client--[2] If these Rules require that a particular decision about the representation be made by the client, subsection (a)(1) of this Rule requires that the attorney promptly consult with and secure the client's consent prior to taking action unless prior discussions with the client have resolved what action the client wants the attorney to take. For example, an attorney who receives from an opposing attorney an offer of settlement in a civil controversy or a proffered plea bargain in a criminal case must promptly inform the client of its substance unless the client has previously indicated that the proposal will be acceptable or unacceptable or has authorized the attorney to accept or to reject the offer. See Rule 19-301.2 (a) (1.2).[3] Under Rule 19-301.2 (a) (1.2), an attorney is required, when appropriate, to consult with the client about the means to be used to accomplish the client's objectives. In some situations--depending on both the importance of the action under consideration and the feasibility of consulting with the client--this duty will require consultation prior to taking action. In other circumstances, such as during a trial when an immediate decision must be made, the exigency of the situation may require the attorney to act without prior consultation. In such cases the attorney must nonetheless act reasonably to inform the client of actions the attorney has taken on the client's behalf. Additionally, subsection (a)(2) of this Rule requires that the attorney keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter, such as significant developments affecting the timing or the substance of the representation.[4] An attorney's regular communication with clients will minimize the occasions on which a client will need to request information concerning the representation. When a client makes a reasonable request for information, however, subsection (a)(3) of this Rule requires prompt compliance with the request, or if a prompt response is not feasible, that the attorney, or a member of the attorney's staff, acknowledge receipt of the request and advise the client when a response may be expected. Client telephone calls should be promptly returned or acknowledged.Explaining Matters--[5] The client should have sufficient information to participate intelligently in decisions concerning the objectives of the representation and the means by which they are to be pursued, to the extent the client is willing and able to do so. Adequacy of communication depends in part on the kind of advice or assistance that is involved. For example, where there is time to explain a proposal made in a negotiation, the attorney should review all important provisions with the client before proceeding to an agreement. In litigation an attorney should explain the general strategy and prospects of success and ordinarily should consult the client on tactics that are likely to result in significant expense or to injure or coerce others. On the other hand, an attorney ordinarily will not be expected to describe trial or negotiation strategy in detail. The guiding principle is that the attorney should fulfill reasonable client expectations for information consistent with the duty to act in the client's best interests, and the client's overall requirements as to the character of representation. In certain circumstances, such as when an attorney asks a client to consent to a representation affected by a conflict of interest, the client must give informed consent, as defined in Rule 19-301.0 (f) (1.0).[6] Ordinarily, the information to be provided is that appropriate for a client who is a comprehending and responsible adult. However, fully informing the client according to this standard may be impracticable, for example, where the client is a child or suffers from diminished capacity. See Rule 19-30**** (****). When the client is an organization or group, it is often impossible or inappropriate to inform every one of its members about its legal affairs; ordinarily, the attorney should address communications to the appropriate officials of the organization. See Rule 19-30**** (****). Where many routine matters are involved, a system of limited or occasional reporting may be arranged with the client.Withholding Information--[7] In some circumstances, an attorney may be justified in delaying transmission of information when the client would be likely to react imprudently to an immediate communication. Thus, an attorney might withhold a psychiatric diagnosis of a client when the examining psychiatrist indicates that disclosure would harm the client. An attorney may not withhold information to serve the attorney's own interest or convenience or the interests or convenience of another person. Rules or court orders governing litigation may provide that information supplied to an attorney may not be disclosed to the client. Rule 19-303.4 (c) (3.4) directs compliance with such rules or orders.Model Rules Comparison: Rule 19-301.4 (1.4) is substantially similar to the language of the Ethics **** Amendments to the *** Model Rules of Professional Conduct except for the deletion of Model Rule 1.4 (a)(2) and the redesignation of subsections as appropriate, and wording changes to Comment [3].Please review the Client - Attorney Relationship Rules as found on **********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************(sc.Default)
Sincerely,
***********************Business Response
Date: 02/14/2023
Response is in attached document.Initial Complaint
Date:01/28/2023
Type:Sales and Advertising IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I called LegalShield on 03/16/2022. I explained to the representative that I had a legal issue in ********. LegalShield partnered ** with a firm in Long Island, **. The firm ************************************* NEVER contacted ** by phone or email. Regardless, how can a firm in Long Island, ** help ** with a legal issue in ********? On 04/08/22 I requested for the membership to be cancelled and to be refunded the amount I paid. LegalShield has a 100% Money Satisfaction Guarantee within the first 60 days. On 04/14/2022, LegalShield customer support wrote me that they refunded $6.98 out of the $29.95 I paid. I am not sure if tax was charged on top of the subscription amount. I am asking to be refunded the correct amount that I am rightfully owed. LegalShield had no right to charge us for services we NEVER received. My membership ID was ***********.Business Response
Date: 02/01/2023
Response is in attached document.Customer Answer
Date: 02/02/2023
Complaint: ********
I am rejecting this response because: I never received any services, I wasn't even contacted by my provider. I will be reporting this matter to the *** as this is clearly fraud. I was charged for services I absolutely did not receive and I made that clear in my initial email. The fact remains I was charged for a service I did not receive. I never even spoke once to my provider. It was not until I made mention of cancelling when LegalShield contacted the provider. The representative I spoke to even reassured me that the service was refundable. Where is my refund?
Sincerely,Business Response
Date: 02/08/2023
Response is in attached file.Initial Complaint
Date:01/26/2023
Type:Customer Service IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Been paying for over a year and when I needed help they did not help me whatsoeverBusiness Response
Date: 02/01/2023
Response is in attached document.Business Response
Date: 02/08/2023
Response is in attached file.Customer Answer
Date: 02/09/2023
Complaint: ********
I am rejecting this response because: The company did not help me when I was a customer, they kept shifting me from lawyer to lawyer who told me they could not help, they kept taking money monthly without giving me the service I was promised. They have many unsatisfied customers on yelp who feel the same. I would like a full refund of monies I spent or credit for all the months that they refused to give me the assistance they promised. Thank you
Sincerely,
*** *****Initial Complaint
Date:01/11/2023
Type:Order IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I purchased Legal Shield service for ***** a month to get legal advice and legal representation. I was referred to ******** **************** ** attorney that referred me to an outside attorney with Legal Shield whom charged ****** for consultation for an hour. The consultation didn't last for an hour so I asked if he can view documents to resolve the situation without going to court. He wrote up a document basis on the last attorney mentioned at ******** *************** getting the same result which was no response. He then stated he would get in touch the complainer attorney, therefore was redirected to the same person that wouldn't resolve the issue. He stated in order to find out more information he'll need additional payment for another consultation. At this point, I needed legal representation and he stated he wasn't going to represent but wanted another consultation fee. I'm now without an attorney for represent. All documents was provided to start a case within the courts.Business Response
Date: 01/17/2023
Response is in attached document.Customer Answer
Date: 02/09/2023
Complaint: ********
I am rejecting this response because: consultation only lasted 28 minutes when it was supposed to be for an hour. Any additional information can compromise attorney privacy however I can provide it.
Sincerely,
***********************************Business Response
Date: 02/14/2023
Response is in attached file.Customer Answer
Date: 02/15/2023
Complaint: ********
I am rejecting this response because: more phone records to support consultation wasn't an hour & documents was written during consultation & forward to attorney as well.
Sincerely,
***********************************Initial Complaint
Date:01/05/2023
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
A member for over 10 years. I've encountered repeated disrespectful treatment (rude representatives, disconnected calls, being lied on via recorded and monitored calls, being yelled at unprofessionally, argumentative representatives), I've also encountered quite a bit of help, pleasant representatives and attorneys. However, regarding the id theft restoration ***** I should have been notified about the company change from ***** investments/investigations. I should have been properly informed via first class mail, email, and via phone. I called corporate and explained this, was transferred to a supervisor (destiny) who was apologetic at first, then started making excuses while remaining apologetic then after I started I felt like I needed an attorney for this repeated poor treatment, lied and said I was threatening legal action, so she will end the call, as I said," did I threaten you,no, I simply stated that I felt like this, never threatened to actually seek legal action, she just rudely, obnoxiously, hung up after talking over me after violating my disability rights, and violating the **** This is absurd, unprofessional, and disgusting because someone can't answer a simple question and understand why I'm concerned with personal/private documentation submitted by myself and spouse. Where is our information?Business Response
Date: 01/12/2023
Response is in attached document.Customer Answer
Date: 01/12/2023
Complaint: ********
I am rejecting this response because: I have been a member longer and before 2013.I was never notified of any change and still unknown as to where my file with ***** went and or is.The ride and obnoxious treatment via phone with ******* has not been addressed. I gave consent for the bbb to contact legalshield on my behalf. Due to not being reasonably accommodated, hung up on rudely and vile treatment, No, I will not call in and subject myself, my health to that disguating treatment again. If legalshield cant and wont address my concerns via the bbb, it just proves how rude and disrespectful they continue to be. Legalshield needs to abide by the ADA ******************************** BkingBusiness Response
Date: 01/19/2023
Response is in attached document.Customer Answer
Date: 01/19/2023
Complaint: ********
I am rejecting this response because: All matter have not been addressed. I request the membership from 2009 and ir before when company was named (Pre-paid Legal) as well as after the nsme change to (LegalShield). I request all payment information, membership information and account information be mailed to address on file. I also require anyone from legalshield and or affiliates, include name and department when further corresponding with me via phone/email/first class as this was ignored blatantly and repeatedly per legalshield technical **** via email. When rhis is done successfully, I would gladly accept the response and successfully close this matter. Thank you
Sincerely,
Lr BkingInitial Complaint
Date:12/27/2022
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
This place ***** and is a scam on every level. They falsely advertise. Nothing anyone truly needs is covered for the monthly fee. Then the lawyers they assign **** and could not give a s*** less about your case. The most recent lawyer I was assigned did not even seem fully able to practice law as he always had to have co-counsel with him. Their firm opened up not even a year ago they had no experience had no clue what they were doing! I do not think they even looked at all my evidence. They had no clue how to deal with someone with disablilities and actually got offended when I asked for them to petition the court for me to be able to have a disability advocate. They abandoned me just days before my trial which will now most likely result in myself and my emotional support cats being homeless. They have no experience yet they were trying to charge 400 f****** dollars an hour when they do not have the experience to do so. They even made fun of the way that I have to communicate due to my disabilities which is via email they stated it was confusing that is when I knew I was in trouble if they are confused about emails how the f*** would they be able to pass a bar or read law documents. Horrible horrible! The law firm I was linked with that is s*** is ************. in ******* ******** I want a refund from Legal Shield for any time I was ripped off by this s*** service and I want a refund from the s*** law firm they let ***, abandon me and put me closer to perpetual homelessness with disabilities. SHAME ON THIS PLACE! SCAM AND RIP OFF!Business Response
Date: 01/03/2023
Response is in attached file.Initial Complaint
Date:12/24/2022
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I've articulated a letter to them That I would no longer like to be a client I have ended my membership and they have continued to charge me monthlyBusiness Response
Date: 12/30/2022
Response is in attached file.Initial Complaint
Date:12/23/2022
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I was thinking of stopping the service for a few months & until I did more research on other companies that provide this service.Very difficult website to find out how to cancel, eventually found a phone number. I called and asked to cancel my account & the rep went into a sales pitch. I told them I don't need anything except to cancel. The rep said I had ************************************************************************************************************************** instructions on how to cancel, it must be in writing or they won't cancel. I sent an email to ************************************** the recording said it was my responsibility to cancel the account.Once I notify the company to cancel & not to charge my card, that should be sufficient, it is with every company have dealt with in over 50 years.I want my account cancelled effective today & wish to have no more interaction with them, except for acknowledgement the account is cancelled.Business Response
Date: 12/30/2022
Response is in attached file.Customer Answer
Date: 01/03/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
*************************Initial Complaint
Date:12/16/2022
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I purchased the services from **************************** who works with ************************************* on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 . I sent in written and call in person Legalshield *******.****** <*************************************> on Thu, Aug 16, 2018, 2:45 PM to memberservices stating I want to cancel please. Well unbeknownst to me the company continued to withdrawal from my personal checking account without my permission. I am a single parent who work hard for my money and it is unfair that when I expressed my concern during Covid 19 and the company provided me with a ***** check. o 2/22/21. I am asking for your company to look into this matter. I will resubmit a complaint with BBB.org as well. Thank you ,***************************Business Response
Date: 12/21/2022
Response is in attached document.Customer Answer
Date: 12/25/2022
Complaint: ********
I am rejecting this response because:
Sincerely,
***************************
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