Earlier this week, Justin Evans of Ozarks Family Law in Springfield received an unexpected phone call. The woman on the other end of the line said she was directed to Ozarks Family Law by a “legal services” group she found online through a Google search (and that, according to Evans, advertised through Google AdWords). Evans reported that the woman had called the listed number (800-985-3955) for assistance. When she got in touch with the group, they gave her Evans’ number, collected her credit card information and charged her a $25 fee. The woman was under the impression that Evans was a pro bono attorney.
“It’s a straight-up scam,” Evans said. He added that the group has no obvious website, but appears to go by the name “Legal Services” – not to be confused with the Legal Aid Programs in Missouri which provide legal help in civil matters to low-income Missouri citizens.
Members of the public who need assistance with legal matters are encouraged to use the Missouri Bar’s LawyerSearch feature, public resource directory and list of discounted and pro bono providers based in Missouri, all free at MissouriLawyersHelp.org.
