Val
Houston,#2Author of original report
Tue, January 06, 2009
Hubby learned the HARD way about giving out sensitive info. It was all about the principle, not the measly dollar amount. I really detest crooked companies! YES, Hubby messed up and was irresponsible in giving out info, and it will NEVER happen again. And I will file reports at the sites you provided Laurie, thanks. It disgusts me that they do business in a dirty way. I requested 2x that the process be canceled, I was assured it would be, but they continued with the process anyway. That's what burns me up. Ahh, life goes on, Platinum didn't get ANY of our money. That's my silver lining.
Val
Houston,#3Author of original report
Tue, January 06, 2009
just an update on my complaint....to the commentators, you're absolutely right about consumers taking responsibility. I do, in everything I do. Now Hubby has learned the VERY hard way to not give out info. I was really upset at having to dish out any money, even if it had been less than what I was upset about. At least Platinum Advantage didn't get any of the funds! That's my silver lining. But still, have you seen the new reports filed since mine? They continue to do "business" and it really ticks me off. My case was based on principle, not on the monies. I expect every business to be legitimate, and have integrity. I guess my expectations are too high. Believe me, I will look into the sites provided, and I will file reports. I really detest crooked companies!
Laurie
Haslet,#4Consumer Comment
Thu, December 18, 2008
THEY ARE A COLLECTION AGENCY or working with one- As soon as I saw the reference to BAD credit - I knew exactly what it was. Its a scam used by SOME collection agencies to restart the clock on old out of statute of limitations debts - that the collection agency bought for pennies - but they cannot collect on because it is too old. IT MAY NOT EVEN BE YOURS! They use the ploy of a new credit card that require you make payments upfront before you receive the card. Once you make that first payment - you have restarted the clock on the statute of limitations - called RE-AGING. And its illegal to not tell you upfront that this is a collection activity. They had your personal data because they bought the debt. VAL - file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission. www.ftc.gov While on the FTC website - read the FDCPA Fair Debt Collection Practice Act. Federal Law that collection agencies are required to follow but many do not. You can also file with the Office of Thrift Supervision - this government agency is responsible for overseeing Credit Card Companies. www.ots.gov Another excellent resource for you is www.budhibbs.com - A consumer advocate website that specializes in protecting you from debt collecters. COLLECTION AGENCIES DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT THIS SITE! Because it EXPOSES ALL THE NASTY ILLEGAL TRICKS THEY USE - like bogus credit card offers. NEVER COUNT ON THE BBB TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM - They usually side with Dues paying members because they want to keep the money coming in. they have stopped being an advocate for the consumer long ago. A good BBB rating is not worth the paper it is printed on anymore.
Elizabeth Pili
Boyton Beach,#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, December 18, 2008
Val it seems you really need to have a long conversation with your husband. As for the Better Business Bureau complaint. Anyone can file a complaint and being your claim being closed within 30 days tells me a few things. 1. This company complies with the BBB and responds immediately to rectify matters against them. 2. Your claim was not supported and from experience was probably closed "Administrively" due to just seeing how you can't accept the denial over $34.97. 3. Since the BBB requests for ANY company to provide documents, tapes etc to prove their case. Once again from my experience they HAVE that proof to provide. In all honesty, since this company DID NOT break any law. I would take this a lesson learned. Do not apply for any type of credit over the internet, phone or mail system. DO NOT provide any private information which may include your social security number or checking account information. As a consumer it is YOU that must take that responsibility. I can assure you this company just may be a crooked one. Yet, its only the consumer not using common sense not to give their private information over a phone that can be blamed in the end. Btw a civil suit over $34.97 would just make the judicial system laugh. Don't embarrass yourself or waste any more money. Besides to continue a fight over the amount your wasting your energy on now must mean you need every penny. Good Luck
Val
Houston,#6Author of original report
Tue, December 16, 2008
After first filing a complaint with the BBB, they have decided to close the case, it's been 30 days. Platinum Advantage never responded to our emails or our messages, but they were quick to respond to our complaint with the BBB. Since our complaint date with ripoffreport.com, we have observed new complaints filed on this same company. According to Platinum Advantage, they have done nothing wrong, but these complaints sure do look the same. Please respond to this post if you have any info on lawsuits against Platinum Advantage, we will be looking into starting one. Although they weren't able to keep any of our money, we love our bank!, they continue to take other people's money, and it needs to stop!
Val
Houston,#7Author of original report
Tue, December 16, 2008
If my complaint to the BBB was not legitimate, it would have never been filed. This is the first complaint I have filed. In reading your posts, I wonder where your professionalism is? Yes, the BBB has closed this complaint after we have gone back and forth for the last 30 days, but it doesn't mean your company was in the right. Again, I ask for the tape of the whole conversation. As for classifying my comments on ripoffreport.com as harassment, I suggest you look up the First Amendment. I also have the right to form a civil lawsuit against your company, which I am currently looking into. Wow, have you seen how many more complaints have been filed since mine? We all must be doing something wrong, and your company must be the only one doing something right.
Platinum Advantage Customer Service Department
Clearwater,#8UPDATE Employee
Mon, December 15, 2008
As we have responded to the BBB complaint filed by you. Your $34.97 stop payment charge made by your bank is denied. You as a spouse chose to place a stop payment on a recorded verbal contract YOUR HUSBAND applied to have done. You don't even have your facts straight on our terms and conditions of the program we offer people like your husband. People who have BAD credit due to not paying their bills. At this point, it is you harrassing our company over $34.97. You will not get a refund for a fee not caused by our company. Sincerely, Customer Relations Dpt.
Val
Houston,#9Author of original report
Wed, December 10, 2008
Then it would be correct to assume the whole conversation was recorded? Including the part where your agent stated that the the card was a Mastercard? And where I asked that your agent please cancel the transaction, twice, also where I asked if he needed to have my husband verbally cancel the transaction? Is there any way I can get a copy of the WHOLE conversation, or conveniently, will it only show where my husband gives permission, or will I not be able to obtain a copy of the recording? Please don't compare your company to these companies you used in your rebuttal. Complaints lodged against you company here on ripoffreport.com, and the Florida BBB speak plenty!
Platinum Advantage Customer Service Department
Clearwater,#10UPDATE Employee
Wed, December 03, 2008
Dear Mr. Andrew Rodriguez, Please explain to your spouse what you applied for with our company. Also, as noted in the BBB complaint # 67127835 we did an investigation and have corresponded with the BBB. You will receive a letter from the BBB with our response. Due to the privacy of your account its best you contact our customer service department if you would like us to explain to your spouse the account details. We will need your authorization to speak with her since she is not on the account you applied for with our company. Mrs. Rodriguez, On behalf of the company Platinum Advantage ( We are NOT affiliated with National Consumer Service or Alternate Credit Solutions) I would like to say that no one is ripped off, people only hear and believe what they want even if the truth isn't what they want to hear. We have an extensive process of opening all new accounts. 1. Sales reps explain all information including ALL fee's to the consumer. 2. A Verification PreRecorded message (done by 3rd party, which is UN-editable, UN-alterable) states all terms and condition, with the first statement " Your Platinum Advantage Merchant Finance Account that you have been approved for is issued by Platinum Advantage." It does NOT state this is a Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express or any other Major Bank Card at anytime during the process. Definition of a Merchant Finance Account:A finance company or institution that offers merchant account services to traders or individuals. It processes on site and online credit for products and electronic-commerce transactions in exchange for a fee and/or the right to collect on the credit debt given by the merchant owed by the buyer. 3. A verifier asks the consumer if everything that was heard on the pre-recorded message was CLEAR, UNDERSTANDABLE, Without any noises or interruptions, and gets full authorization to debit the consumer on dates agreed and recorded to present to the bank, BBB, Attorney General etc if requested. THIS PROTECTS Our company and Consumers who may have had their identity stolen. 4. Before ANY ACH debits are submitted to any financial institution a final QC Verifier listens to EACH and EVERY recording before releasing it in a computer for debit processing. How can any one claim that they have been ripped off? Here is How: There are customers who are trying to get something for nothing, and there are customers that are NEVER happy, no matter what it is. We maintain less then 1% of unsatisfied customers and there is nothing we can do to satisfy someone who is out to get something for nothing,PERIOD. For example, check out complaints on the following companies. Everyone trusts them, they are blue chip companies. DELL WALMART VERIZON WIRELESS US BANK WACHOVIA BANK CAPITAL ONE DISH NETWORK EBAY RAMADA BBB AT&T CIRCUIT CITY EXPERIAN GEICO PAYPAL T-MOBILE GMAC That is only a few mentioned...go ahead and run your favorite national chain store or business that you are happily doing business with, buying products or services, and you will be surprised that most of them have unhappy customers. People like you should say: SHAME ON YOU-RIP OFF REPORT FOR NOT VALIDATING ANY COMPLAINTS AND NOT TAKE THEM OFF THE SYSTEM WHEN THEY ARE FRIVOLOUS.
Val
Houston,#11Author of original report
Wed, December 03, 2008
Did I mention that as of today, the numbers I had as contact points are either never answered or are disoconnected? I found a 1-877 number at the BBB, I wonder how long that will last? Oh yeah, Platinum and National Consumer work together scam-wise! National now goes by Alternantive Consumer Services, according to the NCS number I found.
Val
Houston,#12Author of original report
Wed, December 03, 2008
Did I mention that as of today, the numbers I had as contact points are either never answered or are disoconnected? I found a 1-877 number at the BBB, I wonder how long that will last? Oh yeah, Platinum and National Consumer work together scam-wise! National now goes by Alternantive Consumer Services, according to the NCS number I found.
Val
Houston,#13Author of original report
Wed, December 03, 2008
Did I mention that as of today, the numbers I had as contact points are either never answered or are disoconnected? I found a 1-877 number at the BBB, I wonder how long that will last? Oh yeah, Platinum and National Consumer work together scam-wise! National now goes by Alternantive Consumer Services, according to the NCS number I found.
Val
Houston,#14Author of original report
Wed, December 03, 2008
Did I mention that as of today, the numbers I had as contact points are either never answered or are disoconnected? I found a 1-877 number at the BBB, I wonder how long that will last? Oh yeah, Platinum and National Consumer work together scam-wise! National now goes by Alternantive Consumer Services, according to the NCS number I found.