David
Las Vegas,#2Consumer Suggestion
Sat, August 09, 2008
They need your voided check so they can deposit money you make online and to debit your account for the fees you owe (including termination fees if you cancel with First Data). The reason he put your business was over a year old is because he wanted to ensure he could get your business approved. The reason he overstated your sales was probably so that if your business grew quickly, you would hopefully not have money held in reserve because you exceeded your limits. You should read the entire application very clearly. If you are with a bank that owns their own processor, I would suggest going that route. Not many banks do, but those that do are usually not only much better at the service end, but have a lot more to lose if the service fails (ie: your entire bank relationship). Bank of America is one. They own BA Merchant Services. US Bank is another one and they own Elavon. Both are very good, but Elavon is rated by Mastercard the best in the industry. Also look to see that chargeback fees aren't more than $15 and that there are no retrieval fees ($10 charged just to send proof that your sale shouldn't be refunded). Also, don't pay annual fees or batch header fees or debit access fees... those are bogus charges for pure profit. Statement fees shouldn't be more than $10/mo and should be the only monthly fee you pay other than transactions. If you didn't send your voided check in, I'm not sure how they will be able to bill you for anything. And as long as you haven't done a transaction if they approved you, you should easily be able to cancel without penalty based on not completing the entire process and being misrepresented on the application.
Nate
Columbus,#3Author of original report
Wed, June 25, 2008
So I immediately contact my closest Army Judge Advocate General's Office, and told them what happend. They instructed me to email them back so it is in writing exactly what happend and how / why I believe I was entered into the contract under false pretense / understanding of what was being said, and what they were doing on their computer at the time of the application, and link to them the JAG Offices Fraudulent Investigations Site and that any further communications will be forwarded to my representitive. So if you are in the military, and having issues with possible cases of fraud, please dont hesitate to contact them as they are here to protect you as a Soldier and you family, cause protecting you means, protecting the United States Armed Forces. Here is their main site: https://www.jagcnet.army.mil/JAGCNETInternet/Homepages/AC/ArmyFraud.nsf/(JAGCNetDocID)/HOME?OpenDocument Just wanted to update and give a possible solution to any other service members that may be being ripped off by this company. Here is a copy of his email to me in response: ------------------ Chris Waymon to me show details 4:50 PM (4 hours ago) Reply Nathan, Per your request, and as I informed you yesterday your merchant account has been closed. I do not appreciate you sending threatening emails accusing my company of fraud. You didn't "unknowingly" sign up for anything. You told me that your wife decided that it wasn't a good idea after you had submitted your application. Moving forward it is in your best interest to make important business decisions before you apply for a merchant account and divulge your social security number, checking account information, and credit card number. You will not receive any future charges or communication from our company. Sincerely, Chris Waymon Senior Account Representative Flagship Merchant Services ----------------------- Now I noticed he tries to flip the story on me like its my fault while the whole time he knew what he was doing. Anyways, just wanted to give some advice of all those ripped off by this company to any soldiers out there. Nate