Complaint Review: United Card Services Credit Education Group

I got a call in May 2003 from a lady named "Sarah" who worked for a company called Credit Education Group. She had a heavy Indian (or Middle East) accent and claimed that I had went online to apply for a Mastercard on their site but was denied. 6 months later they finally approve me for a secured Master card with a credit limit of $2,500.

She also said that they would be sending me a membership package that included a free vacation from a company called Mini Vactions. There were so many other perks that it sounded too good to be true.

I tested her by asking all the right questions. Sarah had all the right answers. That included phone numbers and the name of another company that would authorize a checking account fee of $299 if I wanted to apply for the card. That company's name was United Card Services.

I declined and made an excuse that I wouldn't make a final decision until I knew if my funds could handle that. Sarah even called me back!! She was very outgoing about this matter. I then decided to go along with the deal but explained that I had no checking account only a savings account.

Sarah said it wasn't a problem as long as she had an account number and a routing number. She even said that the fee would drop to $249 since I used my savings account. That just sweetened the deal.

After I gave her my account number, Sarah told me the money would be deducted on June 6. Unfortunately for them I gave the account # but not the routing #. Unfortunately for me, I got the routing # from my bank and called them back. $249 was deducted on June 12.

I recieved a package in the mail from Mini Vacations in July (still got it), but until this day (Sept.), I still haven't received a Mastercard. I even called Mini Vacations and the receptionist said that United Card Services only provided them with customers and nothing else.

The receptionist gave me a new toll free # to call UCS back (the 888 number doesn't work anymore). That number was and is always busy.

William
Atlantic City, New Jersey
U.S.A.