My story is the same, except for a few minor exceptions. I was contacted by "Dominion Financial" in June, and told that I now qualified for a major Credit Card with a major lending financial institution. I asked several times how this could be so, as a few years ago I was the victim of identity theft in Arizona, and the state advised me to file chapter 7 however "Dominion Financial" seemed to have all the right answers. First they stated that when a major lending institution denys an application for a Visa or Master card, they send them the refused applications, they (Dominion Financial) holds them for six months, and then can approve them. They also told me I could choose the major lending institution I wanted the C.C. with, so I chose Bank of America, since I already have a Studend loan with them, and have been a customer with them for approx 15 years. I asked them several times if I had to fill out an application with THEM, they said NO, all I had to do was sign the "signature card" which would arrive in the mail approx 2-3 after I let them debit my checkiing account 279.00, which was of course to be the "ONLY UP FRONT FEE" they would ask. They stated the card would be worth 2500.00. I asked several times if it would be for 250.00, they said "NO, the amount will be 2500.00". After three discussions on three different occassions, I agreed to let them extract 279.00 from my checking account by means of electronic debit. I waited, and waited, after 4 weeks, this "package" arrived. It contained the following items:
1. An application for a "store valued visa/mastercard"
2. A flyer to a website for "unlimited grocery coupons"
3. An offer for a free wireless phone
4. An offer for a 4-room satelite TV system
5. A flyer from "Medisave Advantage" for a discount on prescription drugs.
6. A flyer for a 6 day & 5 night vacation
7. A "gift certificate" for "one-thousand dollars in merchandise and services from the World of America "Gift Catalog" "
8. An offer for a "free home security system"
and...
9. The infamous "Credit Repair Guide Booklet"
I tried calling and talking with the company, and no one would carry on a conversation with me long enough to do any good, they told me to "call back on Friday and I could listen to my recording of the conversation" but when I would call on Friday they would again cut me short, and tell me to call back next friday. This went on for three weeks. They continously told me that there was NEVER a manager or Supervisor anywhere on the floor to speak with me, and that they probably wouldnt even return my calls. The last rep I spoke with told me "Mam, you know what you ordered, you agreed to everything, so there is no point in this conversation, if I can find one I'll give your complaint to a supervisor, good bye" and he hung up.
I contacted both Attorney Generals offices in New York, and in New Mexico, and I contacted the FCC, and I printed all the "rip-off reports" from this website. I am now sending letter to Dominion Financial requesting the 279.00 back, if they do not comply, I am retaining an attorney and will attempt to recover my losses this way. I have also contacted the New York Times, with five different e-mail addresses in hopes they will write commentaries.
Stephanie
el prado, New Mexico
U.S.A.