Complaint Review: American Credit Solutions

I received a postcard from ACS stating I was pre-approved for a credit card with a $4000 limit. I called the 800 number they provided and spoke with a Stevie Mack. I arranged a check by phone for $199.95 postdated for 5/31/02. He stated that if I changed my mind, "call one day before the check was to be posted." He also offered me several deals, but I refused them.

I caled the customer service department on 05/30 and spoke with someone who told me that the transaction was already posted to the bank. I asked her if the company would try to repost the check and she told me no. On 6/11, I found that there was a $99 "pre-authorized transaction" posted to my bank account. I found out it was from Hartfor Automobile Club.

I spoke with a customer service rep and told her I never authorized a transaction with them, considering I do not own a car, nor have a driver's license, so it didn't make sense for me to apply for membership. She asked me if I recently applied for a credit card with ACS. When I told her yes, she told me that I authorized HAC through ACS to deduct the $99 from my account. When the transaction went through, my checking account went into overdraft and I was charged $30 in bank fees.

On 6/17 and 6/27, ACS reposted the $199.95 check, which bounced, and I was assessed $60 in bank fees. On top of that, I sent two checks on 6/7, for bills, which also bounced. I was again assessed $60 in bank fees.

On 6/26, Voice Vox posted a "pre'authorized transaction" towards my checking account for $14.95, for a voicemail box service for my old apartment. When I spoke with their representative, they told me that it was a pre-authorized transaction through ACS. The transaction did not go through and I was charged another $30.

On 7/19, I received a message from Eric, one of their reps saying that I would be issued a refund for $199.95, which was scheduled to post on 7/24. On 7/30, I called ACS and spoke with an Elizabeth, who told me that the transaction did not go through because there was a problem with the transmission.

She said she would speak with a Lisa from the accounting department. On 8/1, I spoke with a Donna, who told me that the money could not be refunded because it was never debited. When I told her about the other companies, (Voice Vox and Hartford Auto Club), which were affiliated with them and also debited money from my account, she told me that ACS was only responsible for the money they debited.

I also spoke with a supervisor named Mark (associate #5006) and a Michelle from the accounting department, who told me that Eric should have never called and reiterated that the company would only be responsible for their own debts. I eventually spoke with Lisa from the accounting department who told me that Elizabeth never spoke with her.

With the fees my bank has charged me and the fees that my bill collectors has assessed, I am out $348.52. I have tried contacting the company, to no avail. I have faxed the paper trail I had of the money I'm out, including
bank statements, etc., but the faxes did not go through.

When I spoke with Donna about the issue, she told me to just send it via certified mail. Since then, I have reported ACS to the Better Business Bureau, and am also in the process of reporting them to the Federal Trade Commission.

Dennise
East Meadow, New York

STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, its paid for!

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on American Credit Solutions

CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. Consumer makes harsh but accurate statements. *Rip-off Report Investigation follow-up provides valuable information.