Complaint Review: EMerge Mastercard

I have experienced the same problems as others, my GetRight/Providian account was purchased by eMerge Mastercard. Since I received this npotice from them, billing nightmares have ensued.

I first chad tried to accept a settlement offer of $90/month untill account paid in full. They credited the $90, but no acknowledgement of the offer was made. I continued to receive statements with accruing penalties and charges.

Finally on April 14, 2004, I made what I thought was a settlement of $561. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of making this settlement through a phone call.

At the beginning of May, I received another statement from eMerge showing the payment, but no acknowledgement of settlement, and a new fee. I then called eMerge and was told that it would take "one or two" billing cycles for the settlement to be acknowledged.

Today, I received a call from eMerge for me to settle my "deliquent" account. I explained that it was settled and I considered the matter closed. I further demanded the letter of settlement that had been promised. I also mentioned that any further attempt to collect on this account would be considered fraudulent and harrasment. I was further told that this would be transfrred to "another department" and that it would be a "minimum of 24 hours" before that department could do anything or answer my questions.

Growing increasingly incensed, I called back eMerge to find out that they had tacked on yet ANOTHER late fee. I tried talking to a customer service rep and tried to get him to forward my call to a manager. All he would do was tell me that it would take "24 hours for this new department" to respond.

I am seriously considered a lawsuit for telephone harrassment, fraudulent billing practices, and credit reporting violations. It is evident that they have no desire to settle this account.

Daniel
Salem, South Carolina
U.S.A.