Complaint Review: I.M.A. IMA Santa Fe Marketing Group 1-888-854-4706 - Virginia Beach Virginia

My cell phone kept receiving 'unavailable' phone calls for two days. As I was leaving work one day, I decided to just answer it. It was a salesperson who said as a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card holder I was entered into a sweepstakes and was selected. As I was driving home, the salesperson informed me that as a 'thank you for being a good customer' I had won a free watch. I had the option of choosing men's or lady's style. I was then transferred to another agent who congratulated me on my new watch and proceeded to offer me four magazine subscriptions that would actually interest me for only $4.99 a month. I accepted and I gave her my debit card info. I was then given a thorough list of detailed confirmation numbers (Ex: an order number, the salesperson's name, an authorization code, and some other type of number) for me to write down for my records. She then summed up my magazine choices totaling $59.99 a month. What??!! I immediately told her I could not afford this amount. She understood and offered me a discount of $49.99 a month. Again, I told her that would be impossible. She assured me that I didn't need to pay immediately. I could pay later when a phone call would alert me to when I would actually be billed. I told her I think I changed my mind. She then said she was going to do this for me, I was going to get her employee rate of $35 a month. I politely declined and explained that I knew this wasn't the best thing for me. Then the questions came: "Why are you changing your mind? What's making you change your mind now? You agreed before, why now?" I told her I did not want another bill. This went back and forth for awhile. Her last words were, "Well obviously I can't make you do anything you don't want to do." Happy that she was finally relenting, I thanked her for going over everything with me. I heard the phone hang up on me in the middle of my sentence. I'm 21, kind, and obviously naive but not stupid. I was worried this person had my banking info. I checked my banking and found a pending $1 fee charge from a I-888-854-4706 number and the word 'magazine' before it. No company name, no address. My mother searched the Internet with this number and found this webpage, which in turn turned me to RipOff.com! I immediately called my bank and they are issuing me a new account number due to this unauthorized charge. 

I know now what questions to ask and how to ask them. I've learned alot and I'm grateful for not being burned worse. I hope my story helps someone out there.

 

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back! HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO: Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E. According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days. If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges. Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent! DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER! Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get. And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state. Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth. If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form. CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here. Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action. And good luck Let us know how you do! ED Magedson Founder RipoffReport.com Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com Rip-off Report PO Box 310, Tempe, Arizona 85280