Complaint Review: Unified Services

I received a phone call (from 1886-766-9616) from Unified Service employee Nick 2709 saying that I was one of 30 families in my area selected to receive a $1000.00 shopping spree and a 3 day 2 night vacation to a location of my choice. He said that all I had to pay is 1.95 shipping and handling and they would send me my gift box. He said that for my protection they only use checking accounts as opposed to credit cards so he kept asking me for my checking account number. I told him I don't have a checking account and he asked me if a family member had one. I told him no but he continued asking me for my account number, thinking I was just feeling uncomfortable giving out my information. I told him once again I have no checking account and he hung up on me. During the conversation he had asked me to confirm that my address on file was correct. I asked him how they got my information and he said something about some research company. It was difficult to undersatand due to his thick foreign accent; he also spoke fast when answering my questions. Rigth after he hung on me I looked up Unified Services (Las Vegas, Nevada) on Better Business Bureau website which said the following:

Based on information in BBB files, this company calls consumers claiming that they are a bank representative. They state that the consumer has won a prize, however, the consumer is required to provide their banking information in order to pay a $1.95 shipping charge via electronic bank draft. After providing the requested information, the consumers account is debited $149.80 and no prize is ever delivered.

According to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS 598.136, Sections, c, d,e,g,k and l) THE PRIZE IS GIVEN WITHOUT OBLIGATION TO THE RECIPIENT If you receive an offer by telephone, ask the caller to put it in writing.

Luckily I asked questions and didn't not give them my information but their are other innocent people who were not as fortunate. Please don't let this happen to you either! DO YOUR RESEARCH first to make sure that it is not just a big scam. The better business bureau is a very good resource and this is the second time that it has saved me from being scammed! I called their number back that showed up on my caller I.D but was unable to get through. It was a recording which put me on hold and then said to leave a message but the mailbox is always full so I am unable to request tat my name and number be removed from their contact list.

Jean
Rockville, Maryland
U.S.A.