Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
A class action lawsuit was filed in Florida state court alleging that GovSimplified LLC, an online customer service company, deceived customers into thinking they needed to pay for information about government services that they could have received for free.
Lead plaintiff, an Illinois resident, alleges in her class action lawsuit filed last week that GovSimplified tricked her into paying for an Employment Identification Number (EIN) last winter.
According to the class action lawsuit, GovSimpified’s website claims that it provides a service that simplified the process of applying for and receiving an EIN faster and easier than going through government channels. EIN applications can be bought for either $129, $147 or $197 depending on the requested speed of the application.
According to the GovSimplified class action lawsuit, the plaintiff purchased an EIN through the GovSimplified website because she thought it was an official government website. She goes on to allege that after her purchase she discovered that EINs can be obtained through the IRS website for free and be received immediately after applications have been fully and accurately filled out. The plaintiff claims that she would not have used the GovSimplified website if she had been aware the EIN could be obtained at no cost from the IRS, but she was tricked by the appearance of GovSimplified’s website and its URL, which includes the affix “ein-gov.us.” She also claims that she did not see any disclaimers about the government offering the same services for free.
The plaintiff alleges that GovSimplified’s website is set up to deceive consumers into thinking it is an official government website and charges them for services they could receive for free. “Defendant knew and intended that consumers would pay a price premium for its product if consumers believed defendant’s website is faster than obtaining an EIN through the United States government website,” said the plaintiff in her GovSimplified class action lawsuit. “Defendant also does not inform consumers that they may apply for an EIN for free over the Internet, over the phone, or by facsimile,” she continued.
The class action lawsuit alleges GovSimplified used domain names and made their website look similar to government sites in order to deceive consumers. The plaintiff also pointed to allegedly hard-to-read disclaimers to show that the company employed deceptive methods to entice customers to pay a premium for their services.
The plaintiff claims that GovSimplified’s website violates the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. By filing the GovSimplified class action lawsuit, she is seeking damages for unjust enrichment of the company, as well as attorney fees and costs. The plaintiff also wants a court order issuing an injunction that stops GovSimplifed from using deceptive marketing practices on its website. The plaintiff is seeking to represent a nationwide Class of consumers who were allegedly deceived by GovSimple into purchasing EIN numbers at a premium price through the site.
Lead plaintiff Kelsey O’Brien and the putative Class are represented by Andrew B. Boese of Leon Cosgrove LLC and Jana Eisinger of Martinez Law Group P.C.
The GovSimplified Deceptive Marketing Class Action Lawsuit is Kelsey O’Brien, et al v. GovSimplified LLC in Florida’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County. The case number was not immediately available.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
5 thoughts onGovSimplified Hit with Deceptive Marketing Class Action Lawsuit
Similar complaint. Website emulates a gov website. While it is helpful they provide critical information on how to replace duplicate or replacement SS cards.
The key is once you give your give your personal information like your SSN, they say we will take care of everything and send your card, more convenience for you, when they are nothing more than a mail forwarding service. $29 is bargain for the $100 they often charge, even more.
We filed a complaint with the bank on the charge, and the company sent a long 2 page letter to the bank never mentioning clients can get the same basic service for free from the SS site directly. The letter is well written with justification after another on how the service they perform is inline with their charges. They said enough, and are not banned by the FTC or a state agency, so the bank can not disallow the charge. But they do have official claims against them so it’s just a matter of time!
Of course if you read between the lines, they are basically saying ‘Buyer Beware’.
We are not responsible for you NOT going to the SS directly, but fully and legally able to charge for the services we do provide.
This goes for DMV, SS. or any other website supporting a government process. Several do provide good and clear explanations, which can be helpful. But beware when it’s time to get forms. Do not use ANY services of these types of ‘assistance’ sites. No one in their right mind is going to offer such services without a charge, even for services that are much cheaper and even free from the government directly.
Better yet, avoid them altogether and go directly to the legitimate .gov website.
If there is something there you don’t understand they will always have a toll free number for assistance.
I paid $37 gov simplified thinking it was a official government site for a replacement SS card. They would not refund my money after I figured out I was in the wrong place. Went to my local Social Secerity Office and got my replacement card with no charge. This website need to be shut down!
@lisa Taylor- did u refund your money? Just found out this is a scam but i paid my ssn already
I live in a city where I can go right to the SS office. I thought they were an extension of the social security office. I never used the information they emailed me or the postage form. They gave me the wrong information about what firms were needed. The 30 minute window to cancel is unreasonable and not easily found on their website.
I paid $29 to allegedly process an application for a replacement SS card, but all I received was a copy of an application with instructions to mail it to the SSA office. This place is nothing but a scam, and needs to be shut down.