Complaint Review: medplan - i'm not sure Nationwide

I am a freelance journalist who entered into MedPlan's boiler room [call center] and know they operate under "Global Discount" at 68 Scollard Street here here in Toronto. All other addresses used by the either company name is just a mailing address/Box Office that they use to make it appear the package sent is from the U.S. To get a quick over-view of the current situation, see http://www.cbc.ca/consumers /market/files/money/telemarketing/ This companyhas been sued by numerous states or given formal letters of warning to stop their practice. Just last week, the Attorney General's Office, Consumer Affairs indicated MedPlan just refused to respond to the court notice and they are going for a no default order, despite the fact it has no bearing in Canada. The Federal Trade Commission has full knowledge of this company but, for some reason, ignores numerous victim complaints. In my case, I gave them details about working in the telescammer's call center, they paid for all the transcripts and FedEx packages from them to me and back to them, and still their lawyers say they must wait in line for a senior committee to approve any legal action. A committee appointed by your U.S. President. That was last October 2002 and I have heard nothing from the FTC's Chicago office. As well, Toronto Police Services took 2 hours interviewing me, on video, about MedPlan. The FTC paid big bucks to have it transcribed and no law enforcement office has adequately powers to justice. The Canadian equivalent to the FTC, The Competition Bureau investigators say, "We know about MedPlan but we are underfunded and can only go after 3 out of a possible 10 cases. Yet, statistics are even lower if you look at their website. Overall, only about 6 state Attorney General's Office have, at least, tried to do something - all the rest appear to purposely ignore the problem. Even details sent to the Association of AG Offices produced no response and appeared not to be interested notwithstanding their mandate of improving communication between states. Also, despite the lack of response from FTC investigators, they complain that they lose witnesses when state AGO applies pressure. Reportely, often when victims go through the state, the pressure applied will prompt the owner of the scam to return just that complainant's money. Hence they can no longer be a witness or complainant at the federal level. In short, in my experience since July 2002, law enforcement do not find these scams important relative to other matters they must handle. What I need for the purposes of an article to further expose this telescam, are "current" victims. MedPlan is mentioned on other consumer-related websites but most victims have received their money back. As well, another reason I want to hear from people with the debt outstanding, many editors are afraid of legal reprisals from the company and their lawyer spearheads that attack. However, I intend to show the Law Society of Upper Canada [the government body who licenses lawyers] that this lawyer is undeserved of a license to practice law here in Canada. It would be most helpful to do that with current victims. In addition, the owner's name is Allan Shiell whose office is located at: 1235 Bay Street #710 Toronto, Ontario M5R 3K4 His personal office telephone number 416-924-1229 The call center is at: 68 Scollard Street, 1st floor TORONTO. Ontario M5R 1G2 416-924-2359 X 229 If you want more information, go the the Better Business Bureau's Head office in New York State [only good for background information, they are a reporting agency only and do not investigate complaints. However, I don't recommending calling this company at all. It might make you feel better, but you will accomplish absolutely nothing. One Illinois woman received a MedPlan check only to have it bounced, she never did have that money returned. Instead, you need to organize your experience in writing, send it to the FTC and the Competition Bureau. You need to carbon copy your comlaint to your state and federal representative to let them know you're not happy with having a complaint mechanism that doesn't work to protect consumers. In future, and a 'thanks' for all who responded - I will release the bank account numbers of MedPlan/Global Healthcare so you can write the two Canadian banking institutions who took money out of your account. You should also be advised that conumer's banks have reinbursed money since they also had a part in removing funds without proper permission. Look forward hearing from you all! Barry [email protected] [entitle email, "medplan scam" so it won't be deleted as junk mail]. Jan 21, 2003