Complaint Review: IMPERIAL BENEFITS

I received a call from a female employee of Imperial Benefits in January 2004. I was told that I had been approved for a $3000. Master Card based on my income and improving credit history. I was told that I had to be at least 18 and have a valid checking account. I was told that all I had to do was pay a Introductory fee of $279.

I advised the representative that I did not have the money because my father had recently passed away and I was in the process of taking over his house payments. I advised the rep. that i would have the money on the 28th of January which was my next payday.

I was told that she could only give me until the 19th and that I could call customer service and extend that date to the 28th. She advised me that she would have to verify my info. and we did. Then I was told that her supervisor would call me back to verify the info that she took.

I received a call about ten minutes later from a man named Mark we verified the info. that she had taken and I was told to hold for a confirmation number. The phone hung up and I never received that number. Nor was I given the custmer service number as promised.

On the 20th of January my account was debited and the money was not available. I was charged an NSF Fee. I got the telephone number for Imperial Benefits from my bank and called to inquire about the status of my card. I was told that the card had been processed, but was being held until payment was received. Again I advised that it would be available on the 28th.

On the 30th of January my account was debited and I called and spoke to Jessie and was told that my card was on the way. I was told that they only mailed out cards on Friday which did not sound off to me because I work in accounting and we only mail checks on Friday. I was told that it would be mailed on the 6th of February.

I know that packages from the east coast can take 3-4 days to reach the west coast and actually be delivered. When i didn't receive my card by Friday the 13th I became concerns and called to check the status. I was told by Jessie that the production dept. was backed up and it was not mailed yet.

On 2/17/04 I became concerned that something was not right and i asked to speak to a supervisor. I was placed on hold for 24 minutes and when I did speak to someone it was a man who refused to give his name and appeared to have tourettes syndrome because he kept shouting obsenities into the telephone. After about 10 minutes of this I had enough and asked for a supervisor to process a refund. That man hung up the phone and i was not able to reach anyone else that day. I have tried to call several times today and have not been able to reach anyone after staying on hold for nearly 40 minutes.

I searched the net for contact info. so that I could reach an owner or director and found these ripoff reports and my heart dropped. I am a single mother of a disabled child and i don't have money to through away. Additionally my father passed away recently and I have to carry that expense as well. I want to let everyone know that while you are scamming people to make a fast dollar you are destroying families. I gave you the cash that I needed for my sons' medication because I thought I would be able to charge it to the card.

I wonder how you are able to rest at night knowing what you are doing to unknowing people. For this reason I have contacted an attorney and it is my mission to open a class action law suit, so that everyone that you have screwed over will be able to ream you for what they spent plus damages.

I asked for a refund on 2/17/04 now let see if I get it.

Charlana
Palmdale, California
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, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish you 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 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, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it is their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal 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!

Rip-off Report has logged, as of today, 3,788 e-mailed complaints. Additionally, several of the actual Rip-off Reports filed contain numerous victims.

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/comptroller 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.

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 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! File your 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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