Complaint Review: Centurion Financial Benefits

I just want everybody to know about my experience with Centurion Financial Benefits.

Around the end of October, my husband received a phone call asking for me and since I was at work he told them who he was and if there was anything he could help them with. The lady on the phone then proceeded to explain to my husband that we were approved for a Mastercard with a $2000 limit. Well, my husband and I are 20 and 21 and we don't really have any credit. So to my husband this sounded like a great offer to get our credit built up. So the lady then proceeded to tell my husband that he would have to give her our checking account number so they could deduct $249.00 out of our account for the "fees" of the credit card. Well, my husband doesn't know a whole lot when it comes to things like this so he agreed and gave our number. The lady then procceded to tell him that he was being recorded which my husband understood b/c a lot of companies do that.

Well, when I got home from work my husband told me about the "great offer" that he had recieved. He told me that on November 8th this company would be taking 249.00 out of our account and that he had given out our account number. When I heard this, the thought of a scam popped in my head. But I thought "Nah it wont happen to us" But am I eating my words now.

On November 9th I had received my bank statement showing that the 249.00 had been taken out and that we were now over drawn. So my mom had called the 866 number that the company had given my husband if he had any problems with the "card". When my mom called and asked about the card the lady on the phone got real nasty and said that they dont deal with credit cards!!! Well, then I thought "ok they gave us a fake number!!"

Well, the next day my co-worker called the number to find out the name that would show up on the card and she said Centurion Financial. So how is it that one day they don't deal with credit cards and the next day they do??? So I went on the search engine, typed in the name of the place and it sent me right to ripoffreport.com. And there I found 25 reports of the same place that had screwed us over and I thought I was going to be sick.

I immediately printed off a few of the reports, called my dad who is my "financial advisor" and went to my bank. There we talked to the vice-president and he read the reports. Although he hadn't heard of the specific company, he had heard of scams like this in the past.

Well, my bank did reimburse the 249 dollars and my overdraft charge which they did not have to do considering it wasn't their fault. And we had our accout closed. And they said that they would pass it along to the proper authorities.

I am so thankful that we were able to get our money back but this crap has got to stop. These companies have GOT to be stopped. It is absolutely ridiculous that the idiots that work for these companies can't go out and get real jobs and quit stealing from those that work honest jobs to earn a living.

Melissa
Chillicothe, Missouri
U.S.A.

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

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CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.