Lauravan
Silver Spring,#2Author of original report
Tue, December 25, 2012
After calling and getting NO RESPONSE (several times) from Direct Express Card Services I filed a complaint with the FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. The F.T.C. has a consumer protection division that is extremely helpful. It took the F.T.C. about 2 weeks to check my complaint and then they immediately contacted Direct Express corporate headquarters.
I wrote a letter to a member of the Board of Trustees for Comerica Bank which is the bank that finances the Direct Express debit card. That board member was in charge of public relations.
I also ALERTED the Attorney General of the State of Texas regarding the shady business practices of Direct Express Card Services in San Antonio, TX. They responded by sending me a letter telling me they would do what they could.
Between those three complaints I got a response from a very attentive Vice President of Direct Express and she immediately complied with the F.T.C.'s "suggestions" that they re-open my case. The V.P. also contacted those complete idiots in San Antonio, TX that refused to process my claim correctly. They were forced by corporate to attempt a charge back immediately. Which is what should have been done to begin with.
Direct Express credited my account for the amount fraudulently removed on a "provisional" basis while Fraud Services re-opened my case and investigated further. After 6 weeks I received a letter stating that my account had been credited with the amount of my claim!
After I pursued Direct Express for refusing to process my claim of Identity fraud and Debit Card fraud they finally returned the stolen funds to my account. It took them FIVE MONTHS to do so and the assistance of the Federal Trade Commission.
If you're having problems with Direct Express Card Services do the following;
Write the required letters stating your claim and make whatever calls you have to make.
Always follow up repeatedly and make a note of the time and date.
SAVE your correspondence!
If they send you a letter closing your case and you know you're right go to the Federal Trade Commission's web site.
Find their Consumer Protection division.
You have to file a claim on online but it will be taken care of.
Make sure you provide the F.T.C. with documentation of what you've sent the card company,. bank statements, etc.
Then contact the Attorney General for the State of Texas. Be specific.
IF you have a legitimate claim you will probably get your money back!
Remember that debit card companies are required by the CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS under TITLE 12 the Bank & Banking Regulations to protect their customers in both credit and debit card (electronic) transactions from FRAUD, Identity theft, etc. Never think your bank can screw you and get away with it.