Complaint Review: Hydra Financial I - Wellington Internet

On 4/19/2012, I became aware of a deposit made into a personal checking account I have with usaa federal savings bank. The deposit was made on 4/10/2012. I had not, at any time between 4/10 and 4/19, accessed my account and had no prior knowledge that my account had been breached. I immediately contacted my bank while, simultaneously conducting an internet search for information on the group Hydra Financial I, from which the deposit was made. While still in contact with my bank, I tried several of the more than 100, different numbers given to this umbrella organization based in New Zealand, its numerous marketing fronts, and its difficult to reach customer service centers that are outsourced in America as well as abroad. Many of the numbers listed are dead ends. They have been disconnected, simply do not go through, or appear to answer then disconnect. With the help of my banking institution, a correct number was found. The number was 888-302-5282. This number is answered by a 3rd party customer service front based in the Midwest USA. The name of the company is River Elk Services. Upon speaking with one of the agents, named Stacy ex.1060, I was told that this was a payday loan company.

I informed Stacy that even though at the beginning of the month, starting on 4/4/2012, I had went online searching for a short term loan; I had never completed the loan process. When I was in the process of applying for a loan, I received a phone call from a gentleman with a heavy accent. He gave me a promotion code and a particular ip address to go to. While still on the phone with the gentleman, I began completing the full loan application. My telephone number was accessed through the pre-approval process. Once done with the application, that had required my banking information, I was told that the page would refresh and if i accepted the terms of the loan, the money would be deposited into my account within an hour. The page, however, never refreshed. I ended up closing my browser and never actually accepted the terms of the loan. Over the next few days, i received no less than 15 calls a day along with 100 of emails that all had my basic information already filled into prescreened loan offers. I began trying to go through and unsubscribe to the mailing lists, but, many of the emails required you to sign in to do so. Feeling very concerned about how pushy the loan companies began to be, i simply began deleting the emails and blocking the numbers. 

Once i had realized that my account had been accessed, i began going through the proper chains to dispute the transaction. I knew that it would be necessary to dispute the deposit to assist in proving that i did not authorize the entire transaction. If i had waited to dispute it until after a debit was made from my account, then i would have, to a certain extent, been agreeing to accept the money. When on the phone with Stacey, i was told that if i disputed the deposit and sent a copy of my bank statement, they would simply remove the funds from my account and void the contract. To which I said no. I had never received a contract, so therefore, i had no idea what other ramifications the fraudulent contract may contain. I began asking for information, i.e., mailing addresses to the customer service group, phone numbers for River elk services as well as Hydra's office in New Zealand, and supervisors names and extensions. I was told that no phone number is allowed to be given for Hydra and that only a fax number, email, and street address is available. River Elk Services will not give a mailing address or a phone number other than the one that directs you to Hydra's customer service; that they run, a fax number, and the option for a supervisor call back. I ended the call with River Elk Services and immediately called the FTC to file a complaint. 

The FTC took my complaint, filing it with the case number, 36779670. I relayed my concerns with the FTC employee who filed my claim and she advised me to give Hydra/River Elk Services, no more information and to absolutely not send them my back statement. I then contacted USAA again to inform them of the information i had obtained. I was directed to the back office and spoke with a representative who advised me that unscrupulous loan companies commonly practice in these ways. Under the reference number, 2246831, i set up to have the deposit reversed back to the company form which it came. I then called River Elk Services again and spoke with Tracy, for which i did not write down the extension. I informed her of the FTC claim number as well as the ref. number for USAA. I asked again for the mailing address and phone number for River Elk Services and also to speak with a supervisor. I was not given an address or number. I was given the extension to the floor manager, Ulanda, 1140. The agent, Tracy, told me that she would be sending me a copy of the loan contract for my review. Which i had not previously seen. That email never came.

I then proceeded, by calling Ulanda. I explained to her that i could not have provided an electronic signature on the date they claimed i did, because i was driving 3 hours from my home to conduct business in my state capital. I was told i didnt have to agree to the terms on that day, because if i agreed before that was consent, via my electronic signature. Also, that if i didnt want the loan, then i could just send the money back and "Have nothing to worry about". I asked why they would allow for there to be an escape clause after 9 days, since they had informed me that the contact i supposedly signed and agreed to say 3-5 business days. She stopped answering my questions. I asked for her supervisors name and was told the name Carmen. She would not give me the extension. I asked why, and she said she wasnt allowed. I told her that Tracy had given me the next in commands extension and she informed me she would me "talking" to Tracy for doing that. I left a request with Ulanda for Carmen to call me back along with my FTC complaint number and the reference number for my bank. 

I then began a series of internet searches trying to locate addresses and usable phone numbers so i could file separate complaints for all the companies working under the umbrella of Hydra. I was shocked to find hundreds of pages of rip-off warnings, scam alerts, and complaints with the BBB. For every company name, there are dozens of phone numbers. 
 DJR Group, LLCAdditional Business Names:1HourDirect.comCMG Group LLCDJR Group LLCFSM ProcessingFTR Group LLCHydra Financial Limited Fund IIHydra Financial Limited Fund IIIHydra FundHydra Fund IIHydra Fund IIIOSL Group LLCOSO MarketingRiver Elk Services/ RiverElk.comSJM Group LLCSSM Group LLCSummit Group, LLC
1-866-553-5788 (DJR Group LLC)1-816-822-8677 (DJR Group LLC)1-208-656-4563 (DJR Group LLC)1-855-284-7794 (DJR Group LLC)1-877-815-2280 (DJR Group LLC)1-877-678-3056 (DJR Group LLC)1-866-463-2130 (DJR Group LLC)1-855-284-7685 (River Elk Services Customer Service Center for SSM Group LLC)1-888-302-5332 (Hydra Financial Limited Fund II / Hydra Fund III)Fax:1-866-516-9700 (DJR Group LLC)1-866-463-9412 (DJR Group LLC)1-866-264-9532 (DJR Group LLC)1-855-284-7686 (River Elk Services Customer Service Center for SSM Group LLC)1-855-487-1392 (Hydra Financial Limited Fund II / Hydra Fund III)

Many of the numbers go nowhere or want you to use an automated system of logging in to access information. I dialed 816-822-8677, and received the voicemail of Carmen, who is the supervisor to Ulanda at River Elk Services, though it was the number for DJR group llc. I left a message, again, with all the reference numbers and an explanation of my concerns. I received a call back fairly quickly but was not able to answer at the moment and a voicemail was left for me by Carmen. She told me that she was sending a copy of the loan agreement. This time it actually came. Upon reviewing the loan agreement I became aware that it, in fact says that i electronically signed it on 4/10/2012, which, like i have stated previously, is impossible. Then i reviewed the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act, 1999. If a contract is changed without the consent of both parties, the contract is void and the electronic signature is deemed useless. I did not electronically sign the Hydra loan agreement on 4/10/2012. Even if i inadvertently signed it on a day before 4/10, the fact that the date of signature was changed without my consent and approval, void my supposed electronic signature even more than it already had been by me never receiving the terms and condition making me incapable of agreeing to them. 
I then, again, called USAA to inform them that i had received a copy of the fraudulent loan agreement. I decided then to stop the credit reversal. My intention now, it to clear up any pending debits on my account with USAA and then close the account for good. My personal information has been breeched, and the security of my account compromised. If i do not close this account, the many front companies and back companies involved in this predatory lending would be able to store and possibly access my banking information as they choose. After speaking with the USAA representative, I decided it was time to file a police report. I live outside city limits so I put in a call to the Calcasieu Parish Sherriffs office. SR CPL Scott Patch, was dispatched to my place of employment to take my report. I filed a report of criminal activity with the Forgery & Identity Theft department, case number, 12-056721. Dispute 

I have taken every step available to me to dispute this contract and subsequent loan, which was issued on fraudulent terms using unscrupulous methods. I DO NOT intend to honor this contract. It is void and illegal. I am a single mother of 4 children under the age of 13. I work part time and volunteer in political campaigns. My youngest son is a special needs child who suffers from a rare metabolic condition. I have never taken out a loan of any type and though i knew that short-term loans and payday loans are notorious for their, less than honest, business practices. I was short the money for my application fee to be a qualifying delegate in the Louisiana Republican Caucus. However, through the help of a friend, I was able to pay the fee, without, taking out a loan. The fact that my account lay inactive for some 9 days after this was deposited, speaks to whether or not i was aware of a loan transaction. 

If there is any further action taken, i will send an update. But, as of now, I will wait for the detective to call that has been given my case, update my FTC claim as i attain new information, and once all actual debts are taken from my account at USAA, close that account to assure it will not be accessed by one of these illegal groups. I am still researching whether or not, Hydra violated any Louisiana laws. I have found that, in Louisiana, there is a limit set on how much pay day loan companies can charge in fees. Beings that the illegally obtained contract sent to me for the first time yesterday, Hydra charges $60.00 in fees. Louisianans cap is, $25.00 for every $100.00 borrowed. This means, Hydra exceeds the fees limit enforced by my state of residence. This, however, will require further investigation. 

Laci Berwick
Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs office540 E. Broad StreetLake Charles, La 70615(337)491-3600Case # 12-056721
Federal Trade Commission(877)438-4338Case # 36779670
USAA Federal Savings Bank(800)531-2265Case # 224-6831
Hydra Financial Limited Fund ILevel 5, 22 The Terrace,Wellington, 6011, New ZealandFax [email protected]
River Elk Services(888)302-5282Stacey 1060Ulanda 1140
DJR, Group LLC(816)822-8677Carmen, no extension