Complaint Review: Centric Group Aka Century Group Aka Centric Travel Club - Las Vegas Nevada

Today I was contacted by a man from Centric Group that claimed that I had been approved for a Mastercard with a $3500 credit limit. He stated that there would be 0% interest for 3 years no annual fee and no monthly fee. After the 3 years the interest would only be 4.9%

Since I had been reserching credit cards for people with bad credit I figured that I had checked into it and that they were just following up on the info that I had submitted to credit card companies online.

I asked lots of questions most of which he answered with no problem. I even had my husband talk to him. We decided that this would be a great thing to do since we are currently trying to find ways to re-build our credit.

I got back on the phone with him and he stated that there was a one time $369.00 fee that they would take directly out of our ckecking account on January 3,2005. All I needed to do was give him my checking account number, routing number and name of the bank that I have the account with and I would recieve the card, and a free vacation package in the mail in 7-25 business days.

I gave him my information and he transfered me to a "senior officer" that had me answer questions in regards to my account and the promises that they made to me. After answering these questions the "senior officer" gave me a customer service # and also a contract # so that I could access my account that I had just set up.

He then told me to enjoy my trip and hung up. Immediatly after hanging up the phone I had a funny feeling so I called the number that he had given me. I got ahold of a women who assured me that it was legit but said that they could not access my account until tommarrow. I then hung up with her and left for work.

While I was at work my cellular phone rang and it was a women from Centric Group saying that they were having problems gaining access to my account and that I must have given them the wrong account #. I was asked to repeat my account info and did. I then asked her if it would help if I called my bank to have them authorize it. She said that she could call them with me on the line which I agreed to.

She then called my bank and talked to a lady there to verify my info. After she told the lady I was on the line my bank verified my info and next thing I know the line was dead.

I tried to call the customer service # back and all I kept getting was a recording stating that "this mail box has not been set up yet". I even tried calling from my work phone thinking that maybe they bloked my cell # from getting threw since they had everything they needed and didn't want to speak with me again.

I then realized that this was not a legit offer and called my bank immediatly. I talked to the same lady that had taken the call in the first place. I told her everything that had happened and asked her what she thought of it. She stated that it did not sound right and that I should "revoke authorization" through my bank. I decided that this would be the best option and have to call her first thing in the morning to give her all of the information and fill out a form.

I then called the customer service # again and finally reached a man. I explained that I had contacted my bank and they advised me to "revoke authorization" and that I had. I told him that I wanted him to cancel all my info and take me out of their system. He told me that there was nothing that he could do today because I was not in there system yet and to call back tommarrow.

I came home tonight and decided to do a little research on my own to see what I could find out. I was freaked out when I found the same phone number on another Rip off Report.

I am just very glad that I found out this tonight while I still have the chance to do something about it. Tomarrow I will be at the bank first thing in the morning and even though it will be a total pain to close my account and do everything that needs to be done to hopefully put a stop to this I believe that writting this report can hopefully help someone else like April from Bloomington Minnesotas report helped me.

Amanda

Sundance, Wyoming
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 you 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/comptroller 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

[email protected]

badbusinessbureau.com

www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.

Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

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...the victims' advocate

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...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.