Cheri
Pilot Rock,#2Consumer Comment
Fri, October 20, 2006
i too have been duped by these guys. iwas contacted byt boston faud today, he said i was on a list of many that he was going to contact. so it seems someone is paying attention. i'll fax him all my correspondence tomorrow...they are onto these guys, even if they keep changing their company names..i still think western union or whatever money gram people are using, need to make the public more aware, esp when sending funds outside of the US. (funny, i'd never used western union until this), i've also been contacted by the state in regards to this. it's such a shame...those of us who have been scammed and cheated are those who are desperate for help...all of us cheated by union, pinnacle, treasury, greentree, etc (too many names to list) need to bond together and make a difference....we'll be broke but maybe we can get some justice.... i still think credit.com has something to do with it...whadda think?
Kamryn
Centerburg,#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, October 19, 2006
Barb- I want to let you know first off all that I too was the victim of this group and know how horrible it feels to realize you are in an even worse position financially than you started out with as well as how horrible it feels to be scammed. The brutal fact is that there is no way that you will ever see your money again. It is long gone. I lost over $1380 and know I have no hope of ever seeing it again. If you have not already done so it is imperative that you contact the credit bureaus and have a fraud alert placed on your reports. If you just contact one of the 3 major credit reporting agencies and go through the automated telephone process all 3 agencies will get the information. If you gave them your personal information and bank information first close your bank account(s) immediately. I have read through hours and hours of researching this group that other people have already had their bank accounts accessed and had money taken. The next thing you need to do is contact your BMV as well as local social security office and have your information red flagged. You will not be able to get a new social security number just because of this but at least it gives a heads up that your identity has been comprimised. Next please please (and anyone else who has been a victim of this bunch should do the same) file a complaint with the State of New York Better Business Bureau. It isn't going to help in recovering any of our money but it can help others from being taken for the same ride we did. I searched the BBB of New York upon initial contact from First Union and had they received more complaints at the on-set of the scam running under this name then I would have known what I was dealing with. I also searched them by name and if you don't use the particular search engine that holds the derogatory info on these criminals then valuable information is not seen and these people continue to victimize innocent, hardworking and most likely desperate people. You also need to make a report with your local police agency just for informational purposes and then contact the New York Police Department. Now I can tell you from personal experience that they do not place much concern on this matter but this group is using a New York City address as their physical business address and I can tell you that they refuse to take a out of state report over the telephone but I really think it is necessary for each of us to report this to them to just have all of the bases covered and as many law enforcement agencies aware of the situation. I was told by an officer he would at least contact Western Union to possibly obtain information that could be useful and that he would contact me the following day and I still have yet to hear from him and intend to contact him tomorrow as I have given him more than enough time and opportunity to call me back even it is to only tell me he struck out. You need to file a complaint on this with the FBI internet division, IC3, and I also contacted Western Union via e-mail to report the names and locations etc. used when the money was wired. They are able to put a block in their system on the names that we report in case they give the same persons name intended to pick up the money and this does not allow the transfer to be completed and maybe it can save another person from the nightmare the rest of us has found ourselves in. I have spent many many hours on the internet researching this group and have found at least 5 other business names they are or have operating/operated under. There are quite a few inconsistencies in what suite number they are using, zip codes used, telephone contact numbers, cities and many other small details. We are all very aware that it is practically impossible to get a person to answer the phone and when someone does I think I have been told I had reached a receptionist and have been given at the least 6 different names. Two days ago I called (just out of the blue I hadn't tried for about a week) and a female answered the call giving the business name of Union Financial. I asked her to repeat the business name I was calling again and when she said it again I asked when did that change in name take place seeing as how for weeks I had called the same number and was dealing with First Union Financial Group and was she sure on the name they were now using because the automated voice that comes on prior to being able to connect to a live person states First Union Financial Group. As usual at that time she tells me she is just the receptionist and I ask for Mr. Cromwell. Also as usual I get "who"? and then an "oh oh yes Mr. Cromwell please hold" and am transferred to a voicemail. I waited a few minutes and called again blocking my number that time and she once again answered and I inquired as to whether or not Mr. Cromwell was even working and after she asked if anyone knew whether or not he was working I heard a male voice tell her to ask who was calling and when she did I replied, oh yeah let me tell you my name now and let me guess he conveniently won't be around right? Plus once you have my name and realize I am calling to complain no one will talk to me and I will go straight to voicemail. She laughed and told whoever was by her what I said and then did transfer me to voicemail. I called back and gave a gentleman this time a rather large piece of mind as well as made it plain and clear that I am well aware that my money is gone and that they "got me" but that I do have a 9 year background in law enforcement as an officer and that I do have the skill and knowledge to continue investigating on my own and that one day they wouldn't be so lucky because one of them would get sloppy and get caught. I have decided that it has become my new hobby to pursue putting an end to their group. I know that I will eventually get a hold of a person affiliated with law enforcement that will take this matter seriously like it should be and put in the time and attention it absolutely deserves to shut down these people. Don't worry. Yes, my financial situation is 3 times more crummy than when I started this thing but I have decided to stay determined and not give up because I am willing to bet that each of us will be okay eventually and I am very comforted by the fact that there will be a special place reserved in hell for these people and all like them. Yes, we made a dumb decision but we are not dumb and they caught each one of us in a very desperate situation and at least I can speak for myself when I say that my usual level headed common sense self disappeared for a bit because I was blinded by the overwhelming amount of relief I experienced when I was first notified that finally someone had said yes and was giving me a chance to finally turn stuff around and I was going to be able to pay off the debts on my credit report keeping me from a more reputable business approving me and I would be able to improve my credit score by making my payments. That relief overshadowed my nagging gut feeling and I am sure it did most of us. Good Luck to all! I will add any updated information I receive in the future
Barbara
Arona,#4Author of original report
Mon, October 16, 2006
I had applied online for a loan of $5000. Yes I gave my social. Had also faxed over a copy of my drivers license. Lorraine Brown said that I was approved for a loan of $5000. I would love to know how to go a bout getting a refund and making sure they don't steal my identy. Barb
Cheri
Pilot Rock,#5Consumer Suggestion
Sun, October 15, 2006
i was scammed also, different company, same scenario...who did you apply with online originally?? did you give a social??? did the company that contacted you know the exact amount you were looking for??? any suggestions would be a big help. thanks