Check Fee, LLC aka Credit Enhancement, Triple Gold, Liberty Benefits, NAMES & PHONE NUMBERS TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK **UPDATE info is accurate **UPDATES major TV network exposs
THIS LEADS UP TO IMPORTANT INFO: PLEASE READ THIS IN FULL!!!
In may, 2001 I received a postcard from Credit Enhancement Services, so I called to inquire. When I called I was told that for a fee of $219.99 I would receive 2 unsecured credit cards, and many coupons, as well as numerous discount offers, and a free trip.
I was also told that 1 card would be a mastercard w/ a $3,000 limit, and that the other would be an unsecured catalog credit card w/ a $4,000 limit that could be used to purchase items from the catalog I would receive w/ my package. They explained that I would be
Being that I am currently employed only part time, it is very difficult for me to obtain credit. So, this program sounded exactly what I needed, a great way to establish a good credit history. After asking the representative many questions, I decided to enroll. The first thing I asked was if there was a money back guarantee, and I was told yes. It was my understanding that If I was not 100% satisfied, I would receive a full refund.
Second, I asked if I would have to make a down payment on items purchased w/ the catalog card (very common w/ these programs), and I was told "absolutely not". Third, I asked how long it would take to receive my package and I was told "6 weeks at the very most".
Finally, I was informed that I could pay via a "check by phone" and schedule the debit 30 days in advance. So, I asked if I could cancel before the debit date and I was told "yes". After all my questions were answered, I figured that this was for me, so I gave them my personal checking account #, and set the debit date for 06/01/2001 (30 days in advance).
Credit Enhancement processed my order and said "be sure to void out your check". After 3 weeks of giving my decision serious thought, I decided to cancel my order, so I called the customer service # to inform them of my decision. After hitting re-dial for several hours, I finally got through to them, and they agreed to cancel my order.
I even stopped payment on the check # I authorized them to debit my account with to be absolutely sure. However, to my amazement, on 06/01/2001, Credit Enhancement debited my account w/ out my permission via an "ach" transaction, a type of transaction I NEVER authorized. At that time, I called customer service at 1-877-527-4653, and told them that my account was debited w/ out my permission. They then apologized and assured me that it was a mistake, but they also said that they could not cancel my order after my account was debited. I was very upset but they reassured me that I would receive a package very soon, and that if I didnt like it I could get my refund.
At that point, I decided to wait and see what the package was like, but unfortunately it did not arrive until 11/10/2001 (4 months later than they told me, and 5 and a half months after my account was debited). During these months of waiting, I called customer service several times and I was given nothing but excuses (the 9/11 incident, a strike, anthrax, etc.). On the day the package finally arrived, I opened it, and was immediately shocked.
The only thing in the folder were a few "secured" credit card applications (all requiring excessive start up fees, and 1 didnt even have a bank name on it), a catalog (approx 15-20 pages containing mostly cookware/leather clothing, and requiring a 33% down payment), and pcs prescription discount card enrollment forms. There were no credit cards included, not even a card to use with the catalog.
Nothing I was told would be included by the phone rep on 05/01/2001 was to be found. So, at least I had the money back guarantee, right...no! After reviewing this pile of garbage I could have gotten on my own for free, I called customer service and asked to execute my money back guarantee, but again, to my shock, I was informed that "Credit Enhancement Services, LLC (not their real name), did not offer refunds under any circumstance.
I then looked at my $219.99 pile of $hit, and got even more mad, so I decided that I had to do something to prevent this from happening to other innocent consumers. I set off to file a civil claim as well as put my knowledge and the legal system to the test.
However, I had a hard time finding a physical address for Credit Enhancement so that I could serve them w/ the civil action. I searched the NJ state datbase for the name and address of Credit Enhancement's registered agent (who you serve w/ the civil claim) but NJ had no records of such a compnay. That is because no such company exists. During my search I was able to immediately find info on United Capturdyne Technologies in FL., and Pacific Mercantile Bank in CA. These are the companies that process the bank debits for Credit Enhancement. I called United Capturdyne and they were very cooperative (or at least pretended to be) but they said that they could not help me.
So I kept searching, and as a long shot, I entered the name Titanium Blue (the name on the package I received from Credit Enhancement)into the database. BINGO...This name came up as a fictitious name for a company called Check Fee, LLC. After reveiwing the report there is no doubt that Credit Enhancement is really Check Fee, LLC. This is why Credit Enhancement didnt seem to care when people filed complaints against them w/ the BBB and the Dept of Consumer Affairs.
Armed w/ my new information, I called United Capturdyne, and we engaged in a 3 way call w/ Credit Enhancement. The Credit Enhancement rep seemed very upset and I was finally told that my money would be refuned (plus interest) w/in a few days. I am now waiting for my money back, but even if I dont get it back, I now the the information necessary to successfully file a civil claim.
At this moment, I am debating whether or not I should continue w/ the civil action after/if I get my money back. Now, to protect all of you who have been scammed by this "corrupt operation" (to use the words of NJ consumer Affairs), I am passing on every bit of info I have. So if you decide to file a lawsuit against Credit Enhancement, name the defendant as: Check Fee LLC, c/o Ronald J. Cappuccio Esq "registered agent", 1800 Chapel Avenue, Cherry Hill, NJ. 08003-0000. And remember, if you file, file in your home state (if possible), and drag their asses all the way to you!!
Also, some people may beleive that the companies who process the debits for Credit Enhancement aka Check Fee, are just as bad and just as much to blame (and I wouldnt necessarily disagree). Therefore, if you would like info on those companies as well, please do not hesitate to contact me. I sincerely hope I was of some help to all of you!!
Thanks for reading!!
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Credit Enhancement Services Titanium Blue
CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports involving United Capturdyne - Voice Flash VFNX - Data Flash as the Credit Carde Processing Company (ACH)
12 Updates & Rebuttals
Stephanie
costa mesa,California,
information of how to get you money back
#13UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, October 13, 2002
I am a former employee of Pacific Mercantile. When you call the bank, ask for the E-Funds phone number. Pacific Mercantile is just the bank that these companies use. They are not the ones who have your money.
The quickest way to get you money back is file an unauthorized ACH debit with your bank. These claims will give you the money back within 10 working days. That is what the law requires (Reg E) They will finalized your claim within 45 days but almost always you will get your money back.
ronald
frankfort,Ohio,
they are a rip off
#13Consumer Comment
Fri, October 04, 2002
they are trying to take money out of my account, for $229.00 dollars, i have tried to call the 800 #'s but they are always busy, now i owe the ban money for all of the debits were they are trying to take out my money.
Maneesh
Stillwater,Oklahoma,
just got ripped off too ..thank you Steve
#13Consumer Comment
Mon, September 30, 2002
Thanks Steve@RipoffReport.com for your very thoughtful insight and help on this matter. I just got ripped off too... but my case was a little different where I had not given them any information about myself and account. I had received that yellow paper but did not bother calling it. but yesterday I just had $229 taken out of my account.
I am hoping I am protected with my bank and will have this money given back to me, but at the same time I want help do something to get rid of this. This is outrageous and needs to be brought to a stop. We students dont have the means of coming up with $229 up from nowhere. I work ourselves out for that sort of money. pls advise on what else I can do
United Capturdyne registered agent information
#130
Sun, March 03, 2002
United Capturdyne Technologies recenlty merged with a company called VFNX, Inc. Now they have an additional registered agent listed.
Registered Agent:
Robert Kaufman
Principal/Mailing address:
6401 Congress Avenue
Suite 250
Boca Raton, FL. 33487
If you were not able to successfully serve United Capturdyne by way of Mark Angert, use the above information and try again.
Consumer Advocate/Investigative Reporter,
BADbusinessbureau.com
MAY
Washington,District of Columbia,
I Too Was Ripped Off
#13Consumer Suggestion
Thu, February 28, 2002
but my bank got my money back for me because i had signed a stop payment. and they (the perps) put the payment through as "titanium blue telephone" and a separate fee under "check fee telephone" so when you put the stop payment in for the whole amount, the automated system misses it, because it is acutally two debits to your account.
thanks to my bank and thanks to
ripoffreport.com
consumer alert report that aired in Atlanta, GA. regarding Liberty aka Check Fee. Rip-off Report provides victim information. ..By: Jim Strickland, Channel 2 wsbtv-Atlanta consumer investigator
#130
Mon, January 21, 2002
They filed the following UPDATE to the above Rip-Off Report:
Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion Consumer Advocate with BADbusinessbureau.com / Rip-offReport.com
UPDATE
Below is a transcript of the consumer alert report that aired in Atlanta, GA. regarding Liberty aka Check Fee.
After Speaking with Mr. Strickland, and sending him tons of info on Liberty, the following report aired in Atlanta. Jimmy Strickland neglected to mention my name, but at least he got the word out, and I am very happy about. He did mention the RipOff Report in the story, as he should have. Without this site, we would have had nowhere else to turn, and Jimmy wouldn't have gotten a story. Below is the Atlanta TV Station Report.
Good luck everyone!!
::::::::::::::::::::
Bad credit? No credit? No problem! --- NOT!
By: Jim Strickland,
Channel 2 wsbtv-Atlanta consumer investigator
January 16, 2002 -- Bad credit? No credit? No problem! You can get a credit card --guaranteed!
The pitch comes on a little yellow post card, mailed coast to coast to people with shaky finances. An Atlantan, who thought she'd be on the road to credit recovery, wants you to know where she wound up instead.
This is a bad deal that's targeted directly at those who can least afford to fall victim. People like 33-year old Shirley Thompson, who is struggling with debt and bad credit. She fell for a postcard with all the promises.
"Well, my credit is not that great," Thompson admits. But that is why she thought this offer was a God send --a pre-approved credit card with a limit between $4,750 guaranteed. The promise, though, came with a price.
"They told me that it was going to be $221.99 to get everything processed and and you were going to get a credit card, basically. And that never happened."
On a consumer bulletin board called Ripp-Off Report, we found dozens of similar complaints lodged against credit issuer Liberty Benefit LLC.
Victims charge Liberty Benefit promised them a credit cared, withdrew roughly$ 200 directly from their checking accounts, then failed to deliver. The New Jersey Office of Consumer Affairs is looking into 170 cases.
Here in Atlanta, the Better Business Bureau has its hands full with business that sell credit cards.
"We received the most complaints about companies that offer advance-fee credit cards, of any company that we track here in the year 2001," said Ed Smith of the BBB.
Smith says some victims get nothing for their money. Others get something they didn't expect.
This is what Liberty Benefits sells: a program called Titanium Blue -- a private credit card good only for buying from a catalog. They pass along a separate application for a master card.
A lawyer for Liberty Benefit claims the company has never had any ties to Georgia, but the Better Business Bureau file contains an address on the company at a Mail Boxes Etc. in Decatur. The phone number in the file is answered by a sales representative selling the Titanium Blue credit package.
Shirley Thompson is forced to live without her $221 whether she can afford it or not.
"Sometimes you lean from your mistakes, and I think I learned a valuable lesson from this one," she said.
Only after we called, did Shirley Thomson finally receive her Titanium Blue catalogue -- three months late.
Thompson says they never explained she wasn't getting a conventional credit card.
Liberty Benefits' attorney claims the company has thousands of satisfied customers and that the number of complaints is relatively small.
The lawyer refused to divulge the owners, or the exact location of the company. The lawyer also contends they answer all consumer complaints.
The Better Business Bureau in Trenton says the Liberty Benefits has answered none of the complaints the BBB has received.
MSP
::::::::::::::::::::::::
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! 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.
I did find more info, and all of the above info is accurate.
#130
Mon, January 14, 2002
They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:
Their email: UterusPotPie@TheFalopianTooobs.mmm
Their name: Rodney Luther King, Sr.
Their relationship to the company: Owner
Rebuttal:
More phone numbers!!!!
I must say that this website is great and that the above report was extremely well written. HEHE!!!!! Anyway, I conducted an investigation to verify the above information and to find more helpful information. I did find more info, and all of the above info is accurate.
I came up with some more phone #'s for the people involved, and they are below. These numbers were all obtained LEGALLY and are "Public information" to quote M. Steven Papi.
#1.) Ronald J. Cappuccio, Esq. =
1-(856)-665-2121 = Office "Verfied"
#2.) Mark Angert =
1-(954)-771-1171 = "Verified"
1-(954)-384-0900 =
#3.)Korbin = 1-(954)-970-3022 "?Unverified?"
#4.)Ben Frydman = 1-(714)-537-8538
The main customer service #'s for LIBERTY-CHECK FEE, UNITED CAPTURDYNE,
and PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANK are as follows:
Liberty & Check Fee, LLC:
1-(800)-991-8241
1-(877)-527-4653
1-(800)-279-9609
United Capturdyne Technologies aka Check Max Service:
1-(800)-476-4828
Pacific Mercantile Bank:
1-(714)-438-2500
1-(714)-708-7892
Call these people and pester the until you get your $$ back. If that doesnt work, you will be able to fil a calim by using the info posted in previous report.
Good luck,
HA HA
L. Rodney King, Sr
...recently contacted by a reporter from a major network affiliate. His consumer alert report that exposes "LIBERTY" (aka about 5 diff names) will be airing shortly.
#130
Sun, January 13, 2002
They filed the following rebuttal to the above Rip-Off Report:
Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion
Rebuttal:
Hi, I just wanted to let everyone know that I was recently contacted by a reporter from a major network affiliate. His consumer alert report that exposes "LIBERTY" (aka about 5 diff names) will be airing shortly. I will update everyone when I know what date it will be aired on, and what markets it will be aired in. This should be somewhat helpful to all of you
filing law suits.
Also, I have obtained alot of evidence, including but not limited to, notarized documents, recordings, photos, etc from other Liberty victims and a few state agengies, and I will be attempting present said evidence at my upcoming trial. However, I would like to get more, since more is better (obviously). So, if anyone who has also been victimized by this company would like to help me, you could write down your personal story in
detail, have it notarized, then mail it to me. I would greatly appreciate it! It usually only costs about $2 to get a document notarized but I will reimburse this fee if necessary. Also, if you do this, please include your name, and try to include the invitation # from the postcard, or any other Liberty account info. If anyone from the PA, NJ, or DE area would like to
appear at my hearing, that would be greatly appreciated as well. A few people have already volunteered. If possible, I will do the same for anyone filing.
I have recently spoken with a lawyer that represents United Capturdyne, and a lawyer for Liberty as well. I can not really say what Liberty's lawyer had to say at this time, but his defense WILL NOT work. The lawyer for United Capturdyne was somewhat upset with me for publishing this page.
It seems that she is mad at me for publishing the company info (director and agent info) and for expressing my personal opinion about her clients company. As far as the company information goes, it is PUBLIC information, not private as she argues. Anyone can get that same info from the www.state.fl.us website by doing a corporation search. A law suit can not
be filed against her client unless you have know at least one of those addresses (at least the agent address). However, being that they were helpful, and seem pretty legit, I myself will not file against them, UNLESS they attempt to file aginst me for publishing this page, in which case I will take them for alot of money as I have obtained alot of evidence that they are not aware of.
As far as my opinions go, this is America, and I have the right to express my thoughts. Therefore, I WILL NOT retract them or apologize for writing them. I went to great lengths in
my report to seperate facts from opinion, and to avoid making libelous statements about the companies involved. Furthermore, I think I went pretty easy on United Capturdyne. I do not know what they are even upset about. The bulk of my original statement was about Liberty-Check Fee-Credit Enhancement-Titanium Blue.
Again, if anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me via phone or email.
people like you that make life worth living..
#130
Mon, December 03, 2001
They filed the following to the above Rip-Off Report:
Their email: TheFraudChick@aol.com
Their name: The Fraud Chick
Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion
Rebuttal:
Like you need any help from me or anyone! Thank you, it's people like you that make life worth living. We appreciate the knockout job you did on this charade of a business. I can't wait to learn how your suit turns out.
Please keep us posted.
The Fraud Chick
PS I can tell already that you are going to be a killer attorney.
people like you that make life worth living..
#130
Mon, December 03, 2001
They filed the following to the above Rip-Off Report:
Their email: TheFraudChick@aol.com
Their name: The Fraud Chick
Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion
Rebuttal:
Like you need any help from me or anyone! Thank you, it's people like you that make life worth living. We appreciate the knockout job you did on this charade of a business. I can't wait to learn how your suit turns out.
Please keep us posted.
The Fraud Chick
PS I can tell already that you are going to be a killer attorney.
people like you that make life worth living..
#130
Mon, December 03, 2001
They filed the following to the above Rip-Off Report:
Their email: TheFraudChick@aol.com
Their name: The Fraud Chick
Their relationship to the company: Consumer Suggestion
Rebuttal:
Like you need any help from me or anyone! Thank you, it's people like you that make life worth living. We appreciate the knockout job you did on this charade of a business. I can't wait to learn how your suit turns out.
Please keep us posted.
The Fraud Chick
PS I can tell already that you are going to be a killer attorney.
UPDATE: Check Fee, Titanium Blue, Credit Enhancement update. Names, Addresses, and Phone #'s. My money was returned and my civil claim has been sucsessfully served !!
#130
Sun, December 02, 2001
I just wanted to give everyone an update regarding the Credit Enhancement/Check Fee situation. After my 3 way phone call with United Capturdyne Technologies (the company that processes the debits for Credit Enhancement), I was told that my money would be returned to my account by the next afternoon. The next day I checked my account, and my money was returned as promised. Even though I got my money back, I still filed an $8,000 civil claim in a PA court in order to help protect other innocent consumers. However, since United Capturdyne was somewhat helpful, I did not name them as a co-defendant. If you are looking to get your money back, get in touch with United Capturdyne (name, address and # below), and if they don't help you, name them along with Check Fee, LLC as a co-defendant in your civil claim. They should be able to help most of you get your money back though. Ask for Jeff Korbin or Chris. Here are the names, phone #'s, comany ID #'s, partial stautus reports, and physical deliverable addresses for all the companies and agents involved:
***Note: When you file your claim, file against the company, but serve the registered agent with the lawsuit.
#1.) Check Fee, LLC (aka Credit Enhancement),
P.O. Box 237, Collingswood, NJ. 08108
1-877-527-4653, 1-800-279-9609, 1-800-991-8241
Fictitious name listed with NJ Dept of Coporations:
"Titanium Blue, LLC"
NJ Business ID # 0600117616
Director: Agnus
Home Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Domestic Limited Liabilty Company
Status: Active
****************************
Check Fee, LLC's Registered Agent for service of process:
Ronald J. Cappuccio, Esq.
Deliverable physical address:
1800 Chapel Avenue, Suite 128
Cherry Hill, NJ. 08003-0000
Verified Phone # = 1-856-665-2121
#2.)Liberty Benefits Package, LLC (aka Credit Enhancement)
"Same company as Check Fee, LLC but operating under a different name and address" Fictitious names: Titanium Blue, LLC
P.O. Box 231 Gloucester, NJ. 08030
1-877-527-4653, 1-800-279-9609, 1-800-991-8241
NJ Business ID # 0600114470
Director: Agnus
Home Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Domestic Limited Liabilty Company
Status: Active
****************************
Liberty Benefits LLC's Registered Agent for service of process:
Ronald J. Cappuccio, Esq.
Deliverable physical address:
1800 Chapel Avenue, Suite 128
Cherry Hill, NJ. 08003-0000
Verified Phone # = 1-856-665-2121
#3.) American Credit Source, INC.
"A Florida Profit Corporation that was recently dissolved by the FL Secretary of State for lack of a registered agent. This company MAY now be as known Check Fee, Titanium Blue, Liberty Benefits, Credit Enhancement, ETC. after possibly moving to NJ"
Unconfirmed Address:
460 S. Kirkman Rd, Suite 843, Orlando, FL. 32811-2802
Registered Agent: NONE "Jerry E. Beavers resigned on 04/27/2001"
Director: NONE
Home Jurisdiction: Florida
Florida Profit Corporation
Status: Inactive
#4.) United Capturdyne Technologies, INC. (Processes the ACH bank debits for Check Fee, LLC and all their alias companies by way of Pacific Mercantile Bank)
Confirmed Address:
1001 NW 62nd Street, Suite 407, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 33309
Verified Phone #: 1-800-476-4828
Directors:
CEO = Jeffrey M. Korbin = 721 Lyons Rd. Coconut Creek, FL. 33063
D = Hugh Bendit = 3964 W Hillsboro, Deerfield Beach, FL. 33442
SD = Arturo Urgelles = 375 S Royal Poinciana Blvd. PH-3, Miami, Fl. 33166 (Other Contacts/Company Officials = Chris, and Lisa)
Florida Business-FEI ID # = 650184646
Home Jurisdiction: Florida
Florida Profit Corporation
Status: Active
************************
United Capturdyne Technologies, INC's Registered Agent for service of process:
Mark Angert
Deliverable physiacl address:
2501 East Commercial Blvd, Suite 109,
Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33308
Phone # = Not yet obtained
#5.) Pacific Mercantile Bank, INC (United Capturdyne debits accounts for Credit Enhancement through Pacific Mercantile Bank)
Confirmed Address: 949 S. Coast Dr, 3rd FL, Cosa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: Not yet obtained
California Company ID # = C2125962
Home Jurisdiction: California
California Profit Corporation
Status: Active
***************************
Pacific Mercabtile Bank, INC's Registered Agent for service of process:
Ben A. Frydman
Deliverable Physical Address:
660 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1600
Newport Beach, CA. 92660
Phone: Not yet obtained
To get full status reports on these companies go to their state website and do a company (LLC or Corp)search.
For Check Fee, LLC & Liberty Benefits Package LLC,
go to: www.state.nj.us
For American Credit Source, INC & United Capturdyne Technologies,
go to: www.state.fl.us
For Pacific Mercantile Bank, Go to: www.state.ca.us
Or you can call the Office of Commercial Recording, or the Secretary of State in the appropraite state.
I also recommend filing seperate complaints with the BBB and the Dept of consumer affairs in the appropraie state. Furthermore, when you file the complaints against Check Fee, be sure to file complaints against their alias names as well.
Good luck with your lawsuits!! Lets get these guys, they need to be stopped!!!!!
If you have any questions, or additional information, please get in touch.
Thanks for reading
Click here to read many other Rip-off Reports on Liberty Benefits
Click here to read other Rip-off Reports on Credit Enhancement Services