Medplan ripoff Nationwide Worldwide
i received a call telling me about a wonderful medical plan and the only way to see the brochures was to verify it was me by checking my checking account. i was assured that i could cancel the plan and receive a refund if i was not satisfied w/it once i got the package.
unfortunately i fell for it and gave it to them. the money was taken out and i called them to cancel. they said it would take 60-90 business days. i stilled called every month w/them telling me that they would put a "rush" note on it. after the 90 days were up, they told me that there financial department must've misplaced it and told me another one would be printed up and sent. again no check.
i called and called, everytime the same answer, "it's on it's way, it should be there by the end of the week." then i called late novemeber early december to find out the phone number had been disconnected. i filed a report for the federal trade commission and they said that they could do something only if they get more complaints about the same company. so if this has happened to you, PLEASE FILE A COMPLAINT!!! thanks
Emmanuel
richmond, Virginia
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Barry
Toronto,Ontario,
U.S.A.
MedPlan operates as Global Discounts - investigative journalist
#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, January 27, 2003
I am a freelance journalist who entered into MedPlan's boiler room [call center] and know they operate under "Global Discount" at 68 Scollard Street here here in Toronto. All other addresses used by the either company name is just a mailing address/Box Office that they use to make it appear the package sent is from the U.S.
To get a quick over-view of the current situation, see
http://www.cbc.ca/consumers
/market/files/money/telemarketing/
This companyhas been sued by numerous states or given formal letters of warning to stop their practice. Just last week, the Attorney General's Office, Consumer Affairs indicated MedPlan just refused to respond to the court notice and they are going for a no default order, despite the fact it has no bearing in Canada.
The Federal Trade Commission has full knowledge of this company but, for some reason, ignores numerous victim complaints. In my case, I gave them details about working in the telescammer's call center, they paid for all the transcripts and FedEx packages from them to me and back to them, and still their lawyers say they must wait in line for a senior committee to approve any legal action.
A committee appointed by your U.S. President.
That was last October 2002 and I have heard nothing from the FTC's Chicago office.
As well, Toronto Police Services took 2 hours interviewing me, on video, about MedPlan. The FTC paid big bucks to have it transcribed and no law enforcement office has adequately powers to justice.
The Canadian equivalent to the FTC, The Competition Bureau investigators say, "We know about MedPlan but we are underfunded and can only go after 3 out of a possible 10 cases. Yet, statistics are even lower if you look at their website.
Overall, only about 6 state Attorney General's Office have, at least, tried to do something - all the rest appear to purposely ignore the problem. Even details sent to the Association of AG Offices produced no response and appeared not to be interested notwithstanding their mandate of improving communication between states.
Also, despite the lack of response from FTC investigators, they complain that they lose witnesses when state AGO applies pressure.
Reportely, often when victims go through the state, the pressure applied will prompt the owner of the scam to return just that complainant's money. Hence they can no longer be a witness or complainant at the federal level.
In short, in my experience since July 2002, law enforcement do not find these scams important relative to other matters they must handle.
What I need for the purposes of an article to further expose this telescam, are "current" victims. MedPlan is mentioned on other consumer-related websites but most victims have received their money back.
As well, another reason I want to hear from people with the debt outstanding, many editors are afraid of legal reprisals from the company and their lawyer spearheads that attack.
However, I intend to show the Law Society of Upper Canada [the government body who licenses lawyers] that this lawyer is undeserved of a license to practice law here in Canada. It would be most helpful to do that with current victims.
In addition, the owner's name is Allan Shiell whose office is located at:
1235 Bay Street #710
Toronto, Ontario
M5R 3K4
His personal office telephone number 416-924-1229
The call center is at:
68 Scollard Street, 1st floor
TORONTO. Ontario
M5R 1G2
416-924-2359 X 229
If you want more information, go the the Better Business Bureau's Head office in New York State [only good for background information, they are a reporting agency only and do not investigate complaints.
However, I don't recommending calling this company at all. It might make you feel better, but you will accomplish absolutely nothing. One Illinois woman received a MedPlan check only to have it bounced, she never did have that money returned.
Instead, you need to organize your experience in writing, send it to the FTC and the Competition Bureau. You need to carbon copy your comlaint to your state and federal representative to let them know you're not happy with having a complaint mechanism that doesn't work to protect consumers.
In future, and a 'thanks' for all who responded - I will release the bank account numbers of MedPlan/Global Healthcare so you can write the two Canadian banking institutions who took money out of your account.
You should also be advised that conumer's banks have reinbursed money since they also had a part in removing funds without proper permission.
Look forward hearing from you all!
Barry
barrydennison@hotmail.com
[entitle email, "medplan scam" so it won't be deleted as junk mail].
Jan 21, 2003