Scam Numbers: (209) 884-1315 & (657) 500-3769
Carriers: Onvoy (209), Telnyx (657)
Call Center Location: Irvine, California 
Answers as: “Tax Relief Group” or Guardian Tax
Technician: “Devin”
The scammers sent not one, but two missed robocalls to my cell phone, which is on the do-not-call registry, to send the following pre-recorded voicemail:
“Hi, I’m so sorry I missed you. This is Alexis with the Tax Hardship Center. I was looking up the file that we have with you on your tax issue and I know that we can get all of this situated. So if you have any unfiled years or tax liens, garnishments or even levies, just know that all of that can be taken care of! Your tax debt actually qualifies you for several programs that can help reduce the amount you owe significantly, if not eliminate it completely. So, can you call back? My number is (657) 500-3769. We can do a quick consultation with you over the phone, it’ll only take a few minutes, but it could save you thousands of dollars, so it’s totally worth a quick call. Again, this is Alexis with Tax Hardship Center and my phone number is (657) 500-3769. Thanks so much and I look forward to speaking with you.”
When I called, “Devin” revealed the true identity of their company as Guardian Tax, a BBB-accredited tax organization operating out of 32 Executive Park suite 140, Irvine, CA 92614. User complaints on their BBB and Google listings indicate patterns of fraudulent activity, such as:
- Making cold calls and refusing to offer refunds.
- Stealing “food money” from elderly victims.
- Taking money from their victims’ accounts despite prior claims of not doing as such.
- Refusing to help relieve their victims out of their tax burden. despite being paid to do so.
- Falsely claiming there would be no upfront fees for signing up, only to later charge their victims $595 upfront.
On August 15, 2022, the company was sued for violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the Western District of Texas after the plaintiff, Erik Salaiz, received 5 unwanted robocalls from third party telemarketers on behalf of their company despite being on the do-not-call registry since March 6, 2022. The case was dismissed with prejudice on September 13, 2022.
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/64895851/salaiz-v-guardian-tax-network-inc/
The company was also sued for TCPA violations in the Eastern District of Michigan on January 17, 2023 after the plaintiff, Mark W. Dobronski, received 28 unwanted robocalls with the following pre-recorded message:
“Hello, this is Mary, an assistant here at Central Processing Center for Federal Back Tax Negotiation. How are you doing today? Okay, the purpose of my call is to notify you of the new zero owed tax debt forgiveness program and to see if you already enrolled in the program or settled the debt…”
The lawsuit also names employees Alexander John “AJ” Rovesk, Sabrina Nichola Marinez and Katelyn Rose Post as defendants alongside Ovation Tax Group, LLC. The case is likely still ongoing at the time of writing.
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66738166/dobronski-v-guardian-tax-network-inc/
Associated Instagram Account - https://www.instagram.com/guardian.tax/
Associated LinkedIn Account - Guardian Tax
Associated Phone Number - (800) 336-2815 (ThinQ)
Associated Email Address - [email protected]