Teleglobe Direct deceptive telemarketing practices fraudulent billing ripoff of $364.95 for directory ad never ordered or authorized Rouses Point New York
After being ripped off in the past by Ameri-Source (see our ripoff report file), we are savvy now regarding this kind of fraudulent ad marketing. When I received an invoice from Teleglobe for $364.95 dated 12/6/02, I immediately became suspicious. Because this company provides a very niche product to a specific industry, we NEVER advertise in general directories - we don't even advertise in the Yellow Pages - because 100% of the responses from those ads do not convert to sales. People who need what we do seek manufacturers in entertainment industry directories, never in general directories.
My daughter used to be our receptionist, so her name occassionally crops up on telemarketing lists. She still sometimes covers phones for us in an emergency. On 12/06/02, she was covering phones while our office manager was out of town and we were out of the office at a business meeting. Because the invoice was directed to her attention, I immediately called her for the details.
She received a phone call on 12/06/02 and the telemarketer asked for her by name. She immediately became suspicious and asked how they got her name. They told her they were calling to confirm an order she placed before sending out the invoice for an ad in a directory she'd never heard of.
She explained to the original caller and to subsequent individuals that she had NOT placed an order and that they had NOT spoken with her previously. She went on to explain that she is NOT an employee of our company and that she has NO authority to make or authorize advertising purchases - or any other purchases.
They insisted she had placed the order and that they would send the invoice. She stated that they could send the invoice if they wished, that since they had all our contact information she could not stop them, but that no order had been authorized and no order would be authorized by anyone at this company.
When I called the company today to tell them we had not placed or authorized this order and that we would not pay the invoice, the operator got huffy with me and said that her records showed the names of two people with whom my daughter spoke on that day. I am now waiting for their call back with details of the conversation with my daughter as noted in their logs, at which time I will advise them that if they do not cancel this order immediately and fax me verification of that cancellation today, my attorney will be contacting them and that all further correspondence will be done through him.
According to the Better Business Bureau:
"Our file contains a pattern of complaints claiming misleadingselling practices. Customers report that they received an invoice from Teleglobe Direct for a directory listing that had never been ordered.
"In June, 2002, the Bureau sent a letter to Teleglobe Directrequesting background information such as a copy of their directory and promotional materials,distribution methods andstatistics and the names and addresses of 10 satisfiedcustomers.
"The company has not responded to the Bureau's request andtherefore has an unsatisfactory business performance report for failing to substantiate their business practices upon our request."
I will keep you posted.
Lynda
North Hollywood, California
U.S.A.
STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, its paid for!
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Lynda
North Hollywood,California,
U.S.A.
I finally received satisfaction
#3Consumer Comment
Sat, March 15, 2003
About a month after I filed this rip-off report, I finally received satisfaction in the form of a cancellation.
I appreciate the suggestion regarding mail fraud and will report this company, since they used the US Mail to send an invoice for services never ordered. Thanks!
Lynda
Robert
Staunton,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Ameri-Source, Pavlos Angelatos, World Wide Source, American Solutions and IT Data Direct All Do the Same Scam!
#3Consumer Suggestion
Wed, March 12, 2003
Dear Lynda:
Has anyone considered the need to report these directory scammers for mail fraud. Get the form at your local post office. The billing practices of these companies clearly constitute mail fraud.
Contact your state Attorney General. Vermont shut down Pavlos Angelatos and Ameri-source and Missourri is about to drop the hammer on them.
Mister or Ms. Telemarketer, sitting in their boiler room bunker in Montreal or Dartmouth, is either woefully ignorant of state laws--or hopes you are! Most states have "right to cancel" laws. If you are a telemarketer you are required by law to notify your contact of them in such transactions. Usually it is a 72 hour period or something similar. It goes without saying that the telemarketer would also have to clearly identify themselves and provide clear contact information to create an enforceable transaction.
Your state probably also has laws on the books similar to this Virginia statute:
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59.1-200. Prohibited practices.
A. The following fraudulent acts or practices committed by a supplier in connection with a consumer transaction are hereby declared unlawful:
1. Misrepresenting goods or services as those of another; (eg: The "Real Yellow Pages")
2. Misrepresenting the source, sponsorship, approval, or certification of goods or services;
3. Misrepresenting the affiliation, connection or association of the supplier, or of the goods or services, with another;
4. Misrepresenting geographic origin in connection with goods or services;
5. Misrepresenting that goods or services have certain quantities, characteristics, ingredients, uses, or benefits; (saying you distribute over a million books when your circulation is closer to 35000).
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With a little knowledge you should be able to help stop this kind of operation in your area. Their only strength is in their telephone operation. They also have no respect for anti-harassment laws. Just keep hanging up on them. You can be nice about it since you possess the moral and legal high ground. They seem to take sadistic enjoyment out of reducing professional people to rage and verbal conflict with them on the telephone. Kill them with kindness.