Premier One Consumer rip-off fraud DO NOT LET THOSE GUYS GO...! Idaho Falls Idaho
A couple of months ago I got a call from one of those telemarketers companies offering me a credit card in order to rebuild or build my credit history, since my credit history in USA is pretty good, but new, I was caught with the idea coming from this company, PremierOne (NOTE: is not the credit card Premier One).
They asked me for my bank information, and I made the big mistake to gave it to them, in other words, I trusted them.
For my big surprise, they told me about $ 25 USD as a processing fee, that was not true, they took $ 174.00 USD from my checking account, without my permission. When I saw that charge in my balance, I called them (you have to call them if you want to follow up what is going on with your application, they will not contact you, not even an acceptance or rejected letter).
They explained to me all the charges, like 25 USD application fee, the rest, enrollment fee, annual fee, etc. I called them because I did not receive anything from them, until I called them the second time.
After that, they sent me a "Benefits Package" with the credit card application form, for my big surprise, the card was not a credit card, was a Pay-as-you-Go Master Card with a limit up to $2,500.00 USD, in other words, a secure "credit card" or debt card.
I rejected immediately the offer and called them to cancel this membership, since I was in my 30 days trial period and the "contract" said as follows:
If you cancel your Membership during the initial term within 30 days of your Membership's effective date, we will refund the $ 159.95 Membership fee."
They asked me to mail back the Benefits Package, with a return authorization number (that I still have for my records) and wait until the package arrives in order to be processed. I did that in Sept. 9th, I got the return ID on Sept. 6th.
I did not hear from them until Sept. 26th or so, I contacted them again and told me that my money will be posted on Oct. 27th (in Sunday and 1 month later). I wait until yesterday, Oct 28th to called them. The customer representative told me that my refund was in process and that I need to wait until today (Oct. 29th)to get my money back, of course, my money is not there.
I called them again today, asking directly for a Supervisor (they call that division as Escalations Dept. or whatever that means for them). The lady that answer told me that I need to wait 14 business days, because they have policies and procedures to follow. I'm pretty sure that my money is gone by now, but I do not want to stop and let this company play with other people.
Guys, let's us kick some asses....!!!!
Gabriel
Walnut Creek, California
2 Updates & Rebuttals
One more thing you can do....
#30
Mon, November 18, 2002
You can also fill a complain at the Federal Trade Commision at:
http://www.ftc.gov/ Nothing to loose...!!
Thanks.
Next Step - What I did and what you can do
#30
Mon, November 18, 2002
Hello again,
Since all my efforts to get my money back and contact those guys were useless (if you try to reach them by phone you will notice that the number 1-866-892-6017 is always busy), I tries to contact all the major newspapers in Idaho, I sent to them e.mails with my story and links to all the information that you can find in this Site, to be honest....I do not know if it worked or not..I only had a response for one newspaper, and what they told me is that they do not have ehough reporters to cover a story like this.
Anyway, after that, I explained my case to one of the lawyers here at the company I'm working for.
Since I am a California resident, maybe this update will be helpful to you, just make sure that you can contact a similar agency in your state or city of residence.
The lawyer suggested me to contact the California Courts / Small Claims, because of the amount of money does not exceed 5,000 USD you will need to fill a complaint, also, this kind of courts does not accept lawyers, they are not allowed to represent you, syou will need to represent yourself.
You can get more information at
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/smallclaims/
Please read it in full and carefully, and contact them if you have any questions.
I'm guessing that I will not see mymoney anymore, but at least, I'm trying to protect my self and others for future acitvities like this one. This process will take time, so do not desperate, but you will have the support of your local court, and I am sure that you will not be the only one in this situation.
You will need to go to the Court, but beleive me, it will worth it.
Also, since those guys have my bank information, I changed my checking account ASAP. You can do that with your bank, close your current savings or checking account, depending on the information that you gave to that people, and open a new one, even in a different bank if you want, this is one of the best things that you do...!!!!
I was a fool when I trusted those guys, but I wll not give my information never, never, never on the phone again tosomeone that I do not know...
Good luck.