- Report: #1145020
Complaint Review: Brightwood Referrals - Albany New York
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Brightwood Referrals
67 N Pearl Street Albany, 12207 New York, USA
Phone:
866-827-0023
Web:
www.brightwoodreferrals.com
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Brightwood Referrals Scam Albany New York
On April 4, 2014, I received an email from them stating that I was approved for an 8,000 loan. I contacted the customer service listed on the email, David Salman. He explained the approval process and since I was high risk I need to pay a three months deposit ($574). I looked over the contract and everything seemed okay. I signed and emailed it to him. I asked David Salman tons of questions regarding the payment information and the veracity of the information he provided to me. I was still uneasy with the idea that I had to western union the security deposit, but he assured me that when it was received- the loan proceeds would be wired to my account. On April 8, 2014, a western union money was made for $574 plus $55 fee. He called within a few minutes to changed the receiver's name because instead of waiting for 4 hours it will be two hours. I followed the directions. Six hours later, I still didn't see the deposit. I called David Salman back, he said I need to talk to the customer service manager at ext. 105 to go over the paperwork. I called and a Kevin answerd. He told me that I was high risk and that I needed insurance so I need to wire an additional $750 even though it was supposed to be $1500, they "cut a deal" for me. I explained to him that I do not have an additional $750 and in the numerous conversations that I had with David, not once did he mentioned the insurance. Seeing I had already invested this much time and money into it, I came up with the $750 for insurance plus $65 for the wiring fee. It seemed that they waited til I wired the money and then mention the insurance. Mr. Kevin, in his obnoxious, condescending tone, said I could go and complained to anyone I want and that they been around for 10 years. I came to them for help and I felt taking advantage of and hoodwinked.
Now I am out of $1328. How can they do this to people? On Manta, the CEO name is Phillip Barnes. I was promised a full refund in 30 days, it is past 30 days and I still do not have my money back. I spoke with three different people over the course of three days, although I think person two and three were the same. I a now behind on my bills because of the money I had to put up to get this loan. My credit union ended up giving me a debt consolidation loan. I should have known better and went to them first. Lesson learned. But I still want my refund as I was promised.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Heather K
Minneapolis,Minnesota,
Two different people were scammed
#2Author of original report
Mon, June 02, 2014
These were two separate reports by two different people, it just happened on the same day. However, I did file a report with the Better Business Bureau of New York and the Attorney General of Upstate New York. Their web site is now shut down and their phones are off. I know I will never see my money, but at least they are probably out of business for now. I'm sure they will reopen under a different name, just like contractors do. My first goal was achieved, I will now continue to hunt them down and destroy them.
FloridaNative
Palm Beach Gardens,Florida,
You were scammed - twice by the same people
#3Consumer Comment
Fri, May 09, 2014
You don't seem to understand that there is not going to be a refund. This is called the Advance Fee Loan scam and you can read all about it at FTC(dot)gov under consumer scams.
It is not legal for a lender to charge you an advance fee for a consumer loan. Legitimate consumer loans have fees deducted from the proceeds, not wired through Western Union to an individual.
Yes, you were told that you will be issued a refund. The scammer will tell you whatever it takes to get you to send the funds. The scammers keep telling you different fees, only after you have sent the funds, because they want you to send more money. The intimidation from the scammer is part of the scam. This continues until you either catch on that it is a scam or you run out of money.
Please make sure you file a police report and a report with the FTC for this scam.
If you have provided personal information to the scammer on the fake application and agreement they had you sign, change your bank accounts to protect yourself.
It is very likely that these same scammers (or other scammers) will contact you to collect on this loan that you signed a contract for but never received. Be on the lookout for anyone that asks you to send funds through an untraceable method like Western Union or a reloadable pre-paid card. Don't do it.
