Steve
Huber Heights,#2Author of original report
Wed, August 23, 2006
I did contact Interstate Net Bank who gave me the information and another number for National Platinum. When I talked to National Platinum they told me an account was opened and the name of the person who opened it and agreed that it wasn't me. They froze the account but would not refund the money. They said they would investigate after a detective called them with a case number which I must file. I was able to talk to NMB Platinum (also New Millennium Bank). They also admitted they opened an account and charged my checking account but would not tell me the name on it since it was not me. I advised them it was not an authorized charge and I wanted the account closed but they said they couldn't do that as it was not my account. They said they would not refund any money until a fraud investigation was completed. Fifth Third Bank was very helpful. They froze my account to any withdraw or charges but left it open for any deposits, gave me the money in there and opened a new account. They told me they would investigate and if accounts were opened in somebody else's name they would take the money back and given it to me in 10 days or less. I am not sure if what either of the companies did was illegal or not but it definitely is shady business. They opened an account for someone and charged $49.95 and $129.95 for application fees to me even though the names were different. It seems that if anybody has ever seen your check and can give them the routing and account numbers, these people will open an account for them and charge it to you. It doesn't seem to matter if the names are different or if they are an authorized user of your account. If I had not seen these charges within the first few days they could have taken hundreds or thousands of dollars from me. The following are a list of companies who seem to be related by name, phone number, or address and engage in this practice. They are all listed with the BBB and have negative information. Some of them seem to be out of business and some seem to be brand new, like they just change their name when things get too hot. NEW MILLENNIUM BANK 57 Livingston Ave. New Brunswick, NJ 08903 Original Business Start Date: 11/3/1998 from BBB, not a member Principal: Chris Van Der Stad, President & CEO Phone Number: (732) 729-1100, (732) 729-4395 Fax Number: (732) 729-4399 GOLDCARD APPROVAL OFFICE 6950 Hamilton Street Somerset, NJ 08875-9912 Local Phone Number: (732) 729-4395 American Platinum 5401 A South Blvd Box 269 Charlotte, NC 28217 Telephone: (704) 525-3880 Fax: (704) 525-3886 File Open Date: September 2005 from BBB, not a member National Platinum 5401-A South Blvd. Box 269 Charlotte, NC 28217 File Open Date: July 2006 from BBB, not a member, first came to our attention in July 2006, 1 complaint National Platinum 2533 N Carson St Ste 5864 Carson City, NV 89706 File Open Date: 08/14/06 from BBB, not a member, opened in August of 2006 Optimum Platinum 2533 N. Carson St Ste. 5864 Carson City, NV 89706 File Open Date: 01/27/05, from BBB, not a member, 5 complaints Membership Status: This company is not a BBB member Site Supply, Inc 2533 N Carson St Ste 5864 Carson City, NV 89701 Phone Number: 704-525-3880 File Open Date: 08/30/05 from BBB, not a member, 8 complaints Phone Number: 704-525-3880 United Platinum 2533 N. Carson St. Ste. 5541 Carson City, NV 89706 File Open Date: 07/20/04 from BBB, not a member, 14 complaints Phone Number: 704-525-3880 UNITED PLATINUM 169 S MAIN ST MORGANTOWN, WV 26508 Local Phone Number: (800)407-9470 from BBB, not a member,