Complaint Review: Advantage America - Winter Park Florida

My story is VERY similiar to EVERYONE who got SCAM. I have been getting these unknown calls on my cell phone for the past week starting around 0ct. 10 or so. I didn't pick up because these calls are always at night or when I have classes.

Finally on Oct. 16th I picked up the phone and a lady who said her name was "Cindy" told me all these "goodies" that I just received from the government.

Coincendentally, I was at school on Friday and asked if I could get out some loans or more grants. So STUPID ME thought that the school had told them about my finanical needs so that's why they are giving me $12,500 of free money.

This lady spoke so bad English that I had a hard time figuring out what she said and kept asking her to repeat what she said and she sound a little steamy after telling her to repeat everything she said so I was like whatever so I just hung up.

Then on the 20th a guy went by "Joe Moreno" (again very bad accent)told me all the crap that "Cindy" told me. This time we went a little further because his English I could understand to the point he asked me about my personal information (bank name, routing number, and checking accout).

I was like "what's your name, what company are you from, why am I getting this "free money"?? He gave me all the explanation saying that because I filed my taxes and the government knew that I needed money. He asked me what am I going to use the money for and I told him my rent and utility bills. He further explain that when the $12,500 sent to my account, I need to have $49.95 for a processing fee.

I was like why are you charing my a processing fee he said something like because of the shipping and handling fee and all these other reason that I can not understand. He went on FOREVER and EVER about the fee of $299.95 and he say that I could cancel anytime I want. I just said "ok" to everything. Gave him all my information then he transferred me to the automated voice thingy. When they asked for me to verify my routing number and checking account again my voice just got lowered and lowered and the woman interrupted and say can I repeat what I say. DANG IT, wish I wouldn't done ANY of THAT.

After everything was done she then said that I will be getting $500 of grocery coupons in a week and my check would be coming in 4-8 business days. Throughout this whole process I am still feeling a little uncomfortable but what could I do "the government told them to call me and the GOVERNMENT knew that I need money."

So when I got off the phone with them I was like "what the heck did I just do". NOW, I know when people say that if you could feel something that is not right THEN it is NOT RIGHT period. So, I immediately got online and look up ADVANTAGE AMERICA. I stumble on to this site and was SHOCKED, TERRIFIED, etc. I could not believe what I was reading about this "government company".

I was so stunned that I went blank for a minute. NEVER in my life I have felt so deceived from a person or should I say a company. I should of hung up on them again. Luckily, I began I regain so knowledge and IMMEDIATELY call me bank and exlpain to them what happen. The banker told me that this was a FRAUD and unfortunately, ALOT of people get scammed. I just felt so horrbile after he told me this. The banker was more than helpful telling me what I should do.

He transferred all of my money from my checking to my savings. This process took a while because he had to verify to see if those LOSERS AND LIARS have took any money from account yet. LUCKILY, they haven't and I was fortunate that they haven't. I immeidately went to the bank and made sure my checking account has been close and that all of my money is in my savings account. Opening a new account was such a relieve because I know that these LOWLIFE can't take money from me.

However, I was still very stupid to believe in this in the first place. I have learn a very important lesson and I WILL NEVER give my account over the phone to anyone.

I hope that all of these people will get caught and HOPEFULLY all of those people that was not as fortuante as I was will get some justice back. AND.. We need to stop them before they scam other innocent people who work hard for their money like most of us in here are.

Lanh

Portland, Oregon
U.S.A.