Complaint Review: Consumer Financial Resources Aka Encore Financial

"Guaranteed to get you a credit card with $5,000.00 limit so you can consolidate your bills." "Cancel at any time." We are owned by Encore Financial who is owned by THE MORMON CHURCH, so you know we are honest." "Only $199.95, you can change the date of the withdrawl." "You can sign on to your account immediately on-line, pick out the credit card you want and get all the information you need." "We will send out paperwork to you to sign & send back, you should have it in 7-10 days" These are some of the promises I heard on or about 10/1/2004.

Now is the time to tell you that I was given 3 toll free numbers to call to get back with Jeff Myers, MY REP, at Ext. 630. I tried calling all 3 numbers and reached a recording. 2 of the numbers said "you do not have authorized access to this number." The third number said "This number is no longer in service." The customer service number on the web site is a hired out 'service agency' and can and will do nothing for you, they are not owned by any of the above companies, they are paid by those companies to take all the calls.

$199.95 was to be taken out of my bank account on 10/19/04. After 10 days I had still not received any information in the mail and still could not get into the web site. The error on the web site says "You are not registered with us." Therefore I have never been able to sign a contract with them, or so I thought. I called to try & cancel my account but was told I only had 3 days to do that in and it was past the 3 days. They promised me to mail out the info again and put me in the computer again. They also changed the date of my ACH withdrawl to 11/2/2004. That's today. I still cannot get into the web site and have not received any mail from them. I still have not signed a contract with them, I thought.

I called them today, of course, they said they put my payment in 4 days ago, I told Edith that I didn't have the money in there and she said "That's OK, we will put the check through 4 times, then you will owe us $100.00 for bad check charges and you will owe your bank 4 bad check charges too, then we send you to collections." When I told her I hadn't signed a contract she said "You didn't need to sign the contract anyway because when you did the voice recording that is authorization enough and is the same as a contract." When I asked her name she hung up on me. I called back, she answered, I disguised my voice and asked who I was speaking to, she said "Edith, what do you want?" when I began my story she again hung up on me again.

Then I went to the website again and found a new toll free number. When I called that I got a different customer service company, still not owned by the above companies. I was told there that I only had 5 days to cancel. (A bit different than "cancel anytime" and "only 3 days to cancel." By this time I had cancelled my check through the internet. I was told I cannot cancel my account & that I will be referred to a collection agency.

Also, they can guarantee a credit card, BUT you have to apply at all the names they give you, when you are refused by all 5 you have to notify them within so many days, then they will get you a credit card but they cannot say what the interest rate will be.

Yes, it is a scam, a rip-off and they do lie.

Linda
Dayton, Nevada
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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...the victims' advocate

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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.