CashAdvanceUSA Stole $400 through Green Dot PrePaid cards from me, to get a $2500 loan. New York Nationwide
I went online to find a lender to help me. I filled out an application and then became bombarded with emails and phone calls. The first one was CashAdvance USA, in New York #315-755-5128. The man had a Indian accent, but an American name, Rick Jones. Also I talked with Michael Joy (badge #E5879) @ same phone number. I ended up getting a GreenDot card for $110 and gave him the scratch-off numbers on the back. He said it was to be saved in a payment account for the $1000 loan they would give me.
They told me I had a 'Red Flag' on my Social Security number and credit. They wanted $200 to remove it. I called Social Security and they said there is no such thing as a red flag. Then I contacted the three Credit Report Companies and they also said I have no red flag and if I did it could be removed for free!! Then I decided to borrow $2500 (with their persausion) and they wanted $140 more using the GreenDot method.
OK, then they said my money was in the local Western Union office and all I needed was the transfer fee of $136. I did that through GreenDot and they told me I needed another $120 for an activation fee. I started getting mad and yelled and they guaranteed me they money was in there and gave me the Western Union Transfer number. So, I did the $120 and then they said the GreenDot people told them there was NO money on the card I just put $120 on, but that GreenDot would send me a $120 refund.
I could wait for the refund and re-apply it to another GreenDot, or put on another $120 right away. Now I'm waiting for the refund in the mail, which has yet to arrive after a week. I am now out $406. I went to my bank and changed my account as they asked for that information and then said it would be delivered not to my bank account but to Wester Union.
I have been scammed!! I'm a senior citizen and live on a fixed income and needed extra money to catch up my bills. Now I'm even more behind and feel like a complete idiot. Please let me know what I should do next to get 'all' my money refunded. I have another phone number and name for CashAdvanceUSA... Rick Boyd @ (((phone number redacted))) Houston, TX.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Green Dot Corporation
Monrovia,California,
Green Dot Corporation Response
#2UPDATE Employee
Fri, May 09, 2014
The Green Dot MoneyPak is not a reloadable prepaid debit card. MoneyPak works as a “cash top-up card” that consumers can use to reload prepaid debit cards, add money to their PayPal account, or make same-day payments to approved MoneyPak partners. Green Dot is committed to educating consumers about how to avoid being victims of scams and we work closely with law enforcement to help enhance these efforts. A fraud warning is included on the MoneyPak package and information on protecting yourself from fraud, including common scams, is available on the MoneyPak website. When using MoneyPak, consumers should first verify the recipient is on the list of approved partner companies listed on the MoneyPak website, and never provide MoneyPak information to an individual person requesting it as a form of payment. MoneyPaks are to be treated like cash and we are not able to guarantee a refund of a used MoneyPak. We will assist in cases of potential fraud and will do our best to recover funds. If you started a claim, please send any requested documents so we can investigate. For approved MoneyPak partners and other information on using MoneyPak, go to www.MoneyPak.com. .