KWCH - Kansas News and Weather - Wichita Woman Falls Victim to Legal Aid Scam

Wichita Woman Falls Victim to Legal Aid Scam

A Wichita woman wanted a divorce but ended up getting scammed.  She thought she was going through a local organization but lost hundreds of dollars to an out-of-state fraudulent company. 

The Scam

Angie Alvey is like a lot of us these days - she works two jobs and says money is always tight.  She recently decided to file for divorce and called directory assistance asking for "Legal Aid" - an organization she remembered specializes in helping people who can't afford a lawyer.

"I thought I was dealing with Legal Aid here in Wichita," said Alvey.

Look in any phone book, call directory assistance or check online and you will find a business called Legal Aid with a Wichita address and phone number.  The people she talked with e-mailed her paperwork to fill out for her divorce.  But when Alvey tried to pay the $449 fee, the business told her the credit card machine wasn't working and to try back later.

Alvey wanted to drop by the business and write a check but a staff person told her that wouldn't work.  Instead, after a week of waiting for the credit card machine to get fixed, they asked her to wire the money.  Alvey did and never heard from them again. 

"I just feel so ripped off," said Alvey.  "I don't know any other way to say it."

A Similar Name

The confusion comes with the name Legal Aid.  For years, a legitimate agency called Kansas Legal Services has helped low income Kansans get legal help.  Kansas Legal Services was formerly known as the Legal Aid Society of Wichita.  It has no affiliation with the Legal Aid business Alvey contacted.  Kansas Legal Services Executive Director Marilyn Harp is upset scammers are using her organizations name and reputation to rip people off. 

"We've paid money to protect that name," said Harp.

Harp says they've tried to contact the company to tell them to stop but can't get a hold of them.  Eyewitness News ran into the same problem when we tried to locate Legal Aid to ask questions about Alvey's situation.  The Wichita phone number is temporary unavailable and the address listed is not a business but a home in a residential neighborhood.  The homeowner is also upset his address is being used in association with the Legal Aid business. 

It looks like Alvey isn't the only victim.  The Colorado Attorney General filed a consumer fraud lawsuit earlier this year alleging the business used the term "legal aid" to confuse consumers looking for free or low-cost legal services.  The lawsuit says the company purchased local phone numbers throughout the country so consumers believed they were dealing with a local entity.  We tracked down the company's out-of-state phone number and were unable to leave a message because the inbox on the voicemail was full. 

"I'm speechless about it," said Alvey.  She knows she'll probably never get her money back and says she can't afford to do it again. 

"Here I am," said Alvey.  "I still need help."

What Happens Now

The Colorado Attorney General's Office won a default judgement in the case because the owners of Legal Aid didn't show up to court.  AG Communications Director Nate Strauch says the office will file in Nevada and any other states where Legal Aid operates. 

"We are continuing to track this group and will attempt to shut them down wherever they may be," said Strauch.  "The case is far from closed.  If we find them, we will pursue restitution for victims."

Tips To Spot a Scam

*Never wire money - once you do that, you can't contest the charge.  By using a credit card, you have protection to dispute the purchase. 

*You can find certain legal paperwork for free online.  Check out the Sedgwick County Court website or the Johnson County Law Library for information.

You can also contact Kansas Legal Services to see if you qualify for help.