Complaint Review: USA Credit

Apparently, May 30 was the day for USA Credit to fill its robbery quota. I was hit 149.95 for a credit card that I never asked for. I went to the BBB's website and pulled up their information. If you need a contact number, there are plenty of them here. This is what I found on USA Credit:

BBB of Western Pennsylvania, Inc.
300 Sixth Avenue
Suite 100-UL
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2511
(412) 456-2700

COMMONWEALTH MARKETING GROUP
One Millenium Dr
Uniontown, PA 15401
View Location Map

Original Business
Start Date:
2/1/1992
Principal: Kimberly Coddington, Vp of Operations
Local Phone Number: (724) 437-3707
Fax Number: (724) 430-2166
Membership Status: This company is not a member.
TOB Classification: Credit Cards & Plans

The information in this report has either been provided by the company, or has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources.

Nature of Business

USA Credit promotes the use of a credit card via the internet. By advertising on various high traffic web sites and email, consumers are linked to the company web site to apply for the credit card. The credit card is good only for merchandise purchased from the companys web site. The USA Credit Card is not affiliated with the nationally recognized credit cards.

Customer Experience

The company has an unsatisfactory record with the Better Business Bureau due to a failure to eliminate the basic cause of customer complaint. The company has responded to customer complaints processed by the BBB usually by offering a refund and an explanation of its position. Customer complaints deal with USA Credit using a check draft to withdraw funds from the credit applicants checking account to cover charges connected with the membership application. The customer contends they are unaware of monies to be taken from their checking account. USA Credit replies advising the applicant has agreed to this withdrawal by providing the routing numbers for their checking account. USA Credit offers an unconditional 30 day cancellation and refund policy.

When evaluating complaint information, please consider the company's size and volume of business. The number of complaints filed against the company may not be as important as the type of complaints and how the company handled them.

The Bureau processed a total of 308 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total 308 complaints in the last 36 months, 88 of those were closed in the last 12 months.

Complaints Concerned
Advertising Issues: 37
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 34; |[Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]| |[Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]| |[Company offered a partial (less than 100%) settlement which the consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.]| Administratively Closed: 3; |[BBB determined that despite the company's good faith effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.
]| |[The parties could not provide sufficient information to
support their positions nor were they agreeable to make
reasonable efforts toward resolving the issues of the dispute.]|

Sales Practice Issues: 40
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 38; |[Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]| |[Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]| Administratively Closed: 2; |[BBB determined that despite the company's good faith effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.
]|

Delivery Issues: 4
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 4; |[Company resolved the complaint issues.
The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]| |[Company
resolved the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]|

Service Issues: 29
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 25; |[Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]| Administratively Closed: 4; |[BBB determined that despite the company's good faith effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.
]|

Customer Service Issues: 1
Outcome of the complaint -
Administratively Closed: 1; |[BBB determined that despite the company's good faith effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.
]|

Guarantees or Warranty Issues: 2
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 2

Refund or Exchange Issues: 52
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 50; |[Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]| |[Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]| Administratively Closed: 2; |[BBB determined that despite the company's good faith effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.
]|

Contract Issues: 11
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 11; |[Company resolved the complaint issues.
The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]|

Billing or Collection Issues: 132
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 119; |[Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]| |[Company offered a partial (less than 100%) settlement which the consumer accepted.]| |[Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]| Administratively Closed: 13; |[BBB determined the company made a reasonable offer to resolve the issues, but the consumer did not accept the offer.]| |[BBB determined that despite the company's good faith effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.
]| |[The parties could not provide sufficient information to
support their positions nor were they agreeable to make
reasonable efforts toward resolving the issues of the dispute.]|

ADDITIONAL TRADENAMES, ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Cruise Marketing Group
Commonwealth Marketing Gr One Millennium Dr (724) 437-3707
Uniontown, PA 15401

(724) 439-5080

(724) 439-5083

(724) 439-5390

(800) 929-0979

(800) 795-8747

(724) 439-5089

(800) 262-4192

(800) 862-4992

(800) 594-3993

(800) 634-6720

(800) 634-6729

(800) 576-2965

(800) 594-3393

CMG Inc

Gleaming White

Great Escape Vacations

Reservation Center The

U S A Shopping Club

USA Credit

USA Emergancy Roadside Assicatance Plan, A

USA Platinum

This is not necessarily a complete list.

Educational/General Comments

Many guaranteed credit card offers are made by third parties. They may not actually issue credit, but they will charge you a fee just to get you an application. You may also need to deposit money in an out-of-state bank before getting your credit card.

This money will serve as a credit limit or collateral for your account. Cards that require you to keep money on deposit are generally known as secured cards. Other companies offering guaranteed credit cards may send you a credit card which can be used only to make purchases from the company's own merchandise catalog, rather than the Visa or MasterCard you may have expected.

Be wary about paying a fee before you apply for credit, especially if the promoter isn't the actual credit grantor. The promoter will be happy to take your money but, if they aren't the creditor, they cannot guarantee you'll get credit.

The information in this report has either been provided by the company, or has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources.

BBB reports may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

Report as of: 5/31/2007

Copyright: 2007 BBB of Western Pennsylvania, Inc.

As a matter of policy, the Better Business Bureau does not endorse any product, service, or company. BBB reports generally cover a three-year reporting period, and are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information contained in this report is believed reliable but not guaranteed as to accuracy. Reports are subject to change at any time.

The Better Business Bureau reports on members and non-members. Membership in the BBB is voluntary, and members must meet and maintain BBB standards. If a company is a member of the BBB, it is stated in this report.

Damion
Fort Smith, Arkansas
U.S.A.

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.

We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate

WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists

We are a Worldwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...by consumers, for consumers

CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on USA Credit

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, it's paid for!