Complaint Review: Maxxim Platinum (USA Gold)

I received an invitation in my email box to apply for the Maxxim Platinum card and I regret filling out the application.

I paid a fee of $149.99 for this card because I really thought that it was a REAL credit card. I guess I should have listened to that BELL RINGING IN MY HEAD.

When I received the card in the mail, I became very upset because I thought that it was a REAL credit card. I became more upset with this company when I called to cancel my $7,500 "credit" card because they advised me that I would receive a separate REAL credit card in the mail (which turned out to be a lie!!).

In addition to that lie, the representative on the phone kept offering me money to keep this account open. I could not believe what I was hearing!! I was truly amazed when she kept raising the amount that she would send me! She went as far as offering me $150!! Of course, she would have to get her manager's approval (and we know what happens then - ANOTHER SCAM!!!)

I finally got her to give me a RETURN AUTHORIZATION NUMBER (another dumb number just to say that I was authorized to close my account - BULLCRAP!!!). I had to return the entire package to them via CERTIFIED MAIL (of course I put a RETURN RECEIPT REQUEST on it in case they say that they never received it).

If you have already paid to open an account with Maxxim Platinum (who is actually USA Gold - the representative slipped up and told me!), the trick is this: YOU MUST FOLLOW THE PRECISE INSTRUCTIONS THEY GIVE YOU IN ORDER TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK!!

I quote: "To receive a refund of your card membership fee, you must first contact Maxxim Platinum at (800) 580-1065 to obtain a RETURN AUTHORIZATION NUMBER. Upon receiving your return authorization number, you will be required to return all membership documents as well as your Maxxim Platinum Credit Card to Maxxim Platinum, One Millennium Drive, Uniontown, PA 15401. REFUND GUIDELINES MUST BE CAREFULLY FOLLOWED TO ASSURE A PROMPT REFUND OF MONIES."

Also, VERY IMPORTANT, you must send them a letter stating why you are closing your account. The things they do to make you EARN your money back!

In any event, I hope that my money will be returned to me. My suggestions: In conjunction with sending the forms back, make a copy of everything that you send and include all pertinent information in your letter (such as the account number, the return authorization number, etc.). Also, contact the Attorney General's Office in your state to report this company as fraudulent.

REMEMBER THIS (as I sure will from now on): If a company wants to give you a credit line, you should not have to pay them first, NO MATTER WHAT THE CREDIT LINE IS! Wish I had this information before filling out the application.

Geraldine
New York, New York