Complaint Review: USABENEFIT Commonwealth Marketing Group Inc - Uniontown Pennsylvania

I also have been mislead by this company and have been systematically billed $9.95 for quite a while (too emabrressed to say how long), without my knowledge. Until recently, I never noticed the charges on my checking account. Well, immediately I remembered the name "USA Shopping Network" (http://www.usashoppingclub.com/) and found the common link to the companies.

Well, that's where everything got real interesting. I followed the trail to discover that USABENEFIT is USA Shopping Network (aka. Common Wealth Marketing Group, Inc.). I did some reasearch on the company and discover they have beein trouble for deceptive business pratices before.

Below are my findings, all of which is public information... right down to the corporate officers's name. Use it as you wish, but I can assure you that I will be blocking this scam company from access to my account. Notice the links between the scam companies and the FINALE is the suit brought by the FTC.

I am a man that is pursuing a law degree and it's companies like this that are my motivation.

God bless and I hope everyone follows thru on this!

=========================================================

http://www.usashoppingclub.com

Our Address:

USA Credit

One Millennium Drive

Uniontown, PA 15401

Commonwealth Marketing Group Inc - (724) 437-3707 - 460 Bute Rd, Hopwood, PA 15445

Our Phone Number: (800) 262-4192

Our Fax Number: (724) 430-2165

Our E-Mail Address: [email protected]

Hours of Operation:

Monday through Thursday 9:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time

Friday 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time

Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time

Commonwealth Marketing Group

1 MILLENNIUM DR

UNIONTOWN, PA 15401-6408

US

Phone: 7244373707

Domain Name: USACDT.COM

Administrative Contact :

Commonwealth Marketing Group

[email protected]

1 MILLENNIUM DR

UNIONTOWN, PA 15401-6408

US

Phone: 7244373707

Technical Contact :

Network Solutions, LLC.

[email protected]

13200 Woodland Park Drive

Herndon, VA 20171-3025

US

Phone: 1-888-642-9675

Fax: 571-434-4620

Record expires on 27-Jun-2006

Record created on 27-Jun-2002

Database last updated on 06-Jul-2004

Domain servers in listed order: Manage DNS

NS1.USACDT.COM 64.8.26.228

NS2.USACDT.COM 64.8.61.253

Show underlying registry data for this record

Current Registrar: NETWORK SOLUTIONS, LLC.

IP Address: 64.8.61.222 (ARIN & RIPE IP search)

IP Location: US(UNITED STATES)

Record Type: Domain Name

Server Type: Indeterminate

Lock Status: REGISTRAR-LOCK

DMOZ no listings

Y! Directory: see listings

Secure: No

E-commerce: No

Traffic Ranking: 4

Data as of: 08-Jun-2004

=============================

http://www.ftc.gov/os/1998/05/cmg-finl.cmp.htm

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION,

Plaintiff,

v.

COMMONWEALTH MARKETING GROUP, INC., a corporation,

GREAT ESCAPE VACATIONS & TOURS, INC., a corporation,

FREDERICK F. ZEIGLER, III, individually and as an officer of Commonwealth Marketing Group, Inc., and Great Escape Vacations & Tours, Inc.,

and

ROBERT E. KANE, individually and as an officer of Commonwealth Marketing Group, Inc., and Great Escape Vacations & Tours, Inc.,

Defendants.

Case No.

COMPLAINT FOR

PERMANENT INJUNCTION, CONSUMER REDRESS, AND

OTHER EQUITABLE RELIEF

The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC" or "Commission") brings this action under Sections 13(b) and 19 of the Federal Trade Commission Act ("FTC Act"), 15 U.S.C. 53(b) and 57b, and under the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act ("Telemarketing Act"), 15 U.S.C. 6101 et seq., to secure a permanent injunction, preliminary injunctive relief, rescission of contracts, restitution, disgorgement, and other equitable relief for Defendants' violations of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(a), and the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 310.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

1. Subject matter jurisdiction is conferred upon this Court by 15 U.S.C. 45(a), 53(b), 57b, 6102(c), and 6105(b), and 28 U.S.C. 1331, 1337(a) and 1345.

2. Venue in this district is proper under 15 U.S.C. 53(b) and 28 U.S.C. 1391(b) and (c).

THE PARTIES

3. Plaintiff, the Federal Trade Commission, is an independent agency of the United States Government created by statute. 15 U.S.C. 41 et seq. The Commission enforces the FTC Act, which prohibits deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce, and trade regulation rules promulgated thereunder, including the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 310, which prohibits deceptive or abusive telemarketing acts or practices. The Commission may initiate federal district court proceedings to enjoin violations of the FTC Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule in order to secure such equitable relief as is appropriate in each case, including restitution for injured consumers. 15 U.S.C. 53(b), 57b, 6102(c) and 6105(b).

4. Defendant Commonwealth Marketing Group, Inc. ("CMG") is a Pennsylvania corporation with its principal place of business at One Executive Center, Route 40 East, Hopwood, Pennsylvania 15445. CMG also does or also has done business as Cruise Marketing Group, CMG, CMG Vacations, Great Escape Vacations, and Worldview Travel. At all times material to this complaint, CMG has transacted business in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

5. Defendant Great Escape Vacations & Tours, Inc. ("GEV") is a Pennsylvania corporation with its principal place of business at One Executive Center, Route 40 East, Hopwood, Pennsylvania 15445. At all times material to this complaint, GEV has transacted business in the Western District of Pennsylvania.

6. The corporate defendants are affiliated companies controlled in whole or in part by one or more of the individual defendants named herein. They share officers, office space, and employees and cooperate and act in concert to carry out the Defendants' business practices as alleged herein. They constitute a common enterprise for purposes of this proceeding.

7. Defendant Frederick F. Zeigler, III, is an officer, director, or owner of corporate defendants CMG and GEV. At all times material to this complaint, acting alone or in concert with others, he has formulated, directed, controlled, or participated in, and has had knowledge of, the acts and practices of corporate defendants CMG and GEV and their sales agents, including the acts and practices set forth in this complaint. At all times material to this complaint, Defendant Zeigler has transacted business in this District.

8. Defendant Robert E. Kane is an officer, director, or owner of corporate defendants CMG and GEV. At all times material to this complaint, acting alone or in concert with others, he has formulated, directed, controlled, or participated in, and has had knowledge of, the acts and practices of corporate defendants CMG and GEV and their sales agents, including the acts and practices set forth in this complaint. At all times material to this complaint, Defendant Kane has transacted business in this District.

COMMERCE

9. At all times material to this complaint, the Defendants' course of business, including the acts and practices alleged herein, has been in or affecting commerce, as "commerce" is defined in Section 4 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 44.

DEFENDANTS' BUSINESS PRACTICES

10. Since at least 1993, Defendants have engaged in the deceptive telemarketing and sale of vacations throughout the United States, in Canada, and abroad. Defendants market and sell these vacations, which include a boat ride to the Bahamas and several nights of accommodations in Florida and the Bahamas, under various names, including Cruise Marketing Group, Great Escape Vacations, CMG, CMG Vacations, and Worldview Travel.

11. Defendants operate their scheme through a network of telemarketing boilerrooms throughout the United States and in Canada. In some instances, Defendants telemarket the vacations directly to consumers. In other instances, Defendants enter into contracts with other telemarketers (hereinafter "outside telemarketers"), who sell Defendants' vacation packages.

12. Defendants' outside telemarketers obtain "leads," i.e. the names and telephone numbers of potential consumer targets, from "lead generators." In many instances, leads are gathered at local fairs and trade shows. Booths are decorated with banners or signs inviting people to "register" for a vacation. Consumers "register" thinking they are entering a drawing to win a vacation.

13. Defendants provide substantial assistance to their outside telemarketers by, among other things, creating, printing, and sending direct mail solicitations to consumers; providing outside telemarketers with the names and telephone numbers of consumers to solicit or paying outside telemarketers for obtaining the names of such consumers; creating or approving sales scripts for outside telemarketers to use; providing "verification" of sales made by the use of such telemarketing scripts; mailing vacation confirmation packages; processing credit card charge sales; making travel reservations; and providing customer service, thereby enabling outside telemarketers to deceptively sell the vacation packages.

14. Defendants and their outside telemarketers contact consumers in several ways:

1) outside telemarketers call consumer leads directly and represent that they have won a vacation; 2) Defendants or their agents send direct mail solicitations to consumers informing them they will receive a "fantasy cruise holiday" vacation including a "luxury" cruise and directing them to call an 800 number; and 3) Defendants or their agents send unsolicited faxes to businesses notifying "all staff" that the "wholesale travel department" has only a few Bahamas cruise packages remaining at a special corporate rate and that they should call immediately if they are interested in purchasing one. Regardless of the method of contact, consumers are led to believe they are part of a select group of people specially chosen to receive this vacation package.

15. Once telemarketers have a consumer on the line, they describe an exciting vacation in Florida and a "luxury cruise" to the Bahamas. Telemarketers state that the vacation is worth a significant amount, sometimes as much as $2,500, but that the consumer will pay a much smaller amount to receive it, typically $398, $498, or $598. The amount CMG charges for its vacation has varied during the course of its operation. Telemarketers urge consumers to immediately secure or "register" this vacation with a major credit card. Telemarketers represent that the payment covers the cost of the consumer's accommodations in both Florida and the Bahamas, as well as the Bahamas "cruise."

16. Telemarketers inform consumers that they must purchase the vacation immediately. Telemarketers respond to consumers who request time to think over the offer, or receive it in writing, with canned rebuttals such as "I can only enter your assigned number into the computer one time" or "this is a limited promotion based on availability." In fact, there is no limit to the number of such vacations for sale.

17. Consumers give their credit card numbers to the telemarketers. Once the credit card number is obtained, the telemarketer tells the consumer he or she will be switched over to a "supervisor." In actuality, the call is transferred to the "verification" department at CMG's headquarters in Hopwood, Pennsylvania, where a third person comes on to the line to confirm details of the sale. Unlike the sales portion of the call, the "verification" is tape recorded. During the verification, the verifier asks for the consumer's credit card number again, quickly reviews the details of the vacation package and, in some but not all instances, tells the consumer for the first time that the consumer will have to pay additional charges for "port service reservation processing fees" and that the vacation package is "non-refundable." These disclosures, when given, occur only after the consumer has provided a credit card number. The consumer's credit card is charged within minutes after the consumer hangs up.

18. In the travel certificate industry, the amount the consumer is initially charged during the sales call is known as the "front end" fee. Consumers do not receive a vacation for the money initially charged to their credit card accounts, nor does that "front end" fee pay for the consumer's vacation. In fact, most, if not all of the "front end" fee pays Defendants and their telemarketers for their sales efforts. For their initial $398, $498, or $598 "front end" fee, consumers receive nothing more than a package containing a short video, some advertisements, and "reservation request vouchers" for the Bahamas cruise and the Florida vacation. In order to book the cruise or visit Florida, consumers must pay more money to Defendants. The required additional payment, or the "back end" fee as it is known in the travel certificate industry, is at least $198 to $316. The Defendants falsely state that the "back end" fee is for "port reservation processing fees." In fact, the "back end" fee pays for most, if not all, of the consumers' "cruise" to the Bahamas and their vacation accommodations.

19. When they receive Defendants' vacation package, consumers learn for the first time that the "luxury cruise" is actually a five to six hour ferry ride to the Bahamas and back; discover that they will have to pay more to take the vacation they thought they had already paid for; and realize that they did not win a thing. Many consumers call Defendants and attempt to cancel their vacations. Defendants flatly state that they have a "no refund" policy and that consumers cannot cancel their initial purchases. If consumers read the fine print on the back of the reservation vouchers that are included in their vacation packages, they discover that Defendants actually do have a return policy of a specified number of days, depending on the state in which the consumer lives.

20. Consumers who return the vacation package by following the instructions on the back of Defendants' reservation voucher inevitably receive their packages back, often several times, until the consumer either gives up or calls a law enforcement agency, the Better Business Bureau, his or her credit card company, or a private attorney seeking assistance. Consumers who seek third party assistance generally receive a refund. Those who do not seek the assistance of a third party are generally stuck paying for Defendants' misrepresented vacation package.

21. Those relatively few consumers who decide to pay the extra "back end" fee to take the vacation discover that the vacation is not the "fantasy cruise holiday" they were promised. If consumers wish to stay at the better-known hotels and resorts referred to in Defendants' solicitations and brochures, they must pay yet more undisclosed "upgrade" fees; otherwise they must endure the sub-standard accommodations provided by Defendants.

VIOLATIONS OF THE FTC ACT

COUNT I

22. Since at least 1993, in connection with the telemarketing of vacations, Defendants, in numerous instances, have represented, expressly or by implication, that consumers who pay Defendants the amount specified in the initial solicitation or sales call will receive a vacation.

23. In truth and in fact, in numerous instances, consumers who pay Defendants the amount specified in the initial solicitation or sales call do not receive a vacation. All the consumer receives for the payment is the option to purchase a vacation. In order to receive the vacation, the consumer must pay additional amounts to Defendants and to others.

24. Therefore, Defendants' representation as set forth in Paragraph 22 is false and misleading, and constitutes a deceptive act or practice in violation of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(a).

COUNT II

25. Since at least 1993, in connection with the telemarketing of vacations, Defendants, in numerous instances, have represented, expressly or by implication, that consumers who return, within a specified number of days, the materials sent to them by Defendants will receive a refund of monies paid to Defendants.

26. In truth and in fact, in numerous instances, consumers who return, within a specified number of days, materials sent to them by Defendants do not receive a refund of monies paid to Defendants. Defendants refuse to refund consumers' payments and often return or resend the materials to consumers.

27. Therefore, Defendants' representation as set forth in Paragraph 25 is false and misleading, and constitutes a deceptive act or practice in violation of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(a).

COUNT III

28. Since at least 1993, in connection with the telemarketing of vacations, Defendants, in numerous instances, have represented, expressly or by implication, that consumers would receive "luxury," "world-class," or otherwise superior vacations worth much more than consumers were paying for them.

29. In truth and in fact, in numerous instances, consumers do not receive "luxury," "world-class," or otherwise superior vacations worth much more than consumers were paying for them.

30. Therefore, Defendants' representation as set forth in Paragraph 28 is false and misleading, and constitutes a deceptive act or practice in violation of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(a).

THE TELEMARKETING SALES RULE

31. In the Telemarketing Act, Congress directed the FTC to prescribe rules prohibiting deceptive or abusive telemarketing acts or practices. On August 16, 1995, the FTC promulgated the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 310. The Rule became effective on December 31, 1995, and remains in full force and effect.

32. Defendants are "sellers" or "telemarketers" engaged in "telemarketing," as those terms are defined in the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. 310.2(r), (t) and (u).

33. The Telemarketing Sales Rule requires sellers and telemarketers to disclose, promptly and in a clear and conspicuous manner, in outbound telephone calls that the purpose of the call is to sell goods or services. 16 C.F.R 310.4(d).

34. The Telemarketing Sales Rule also requires sellers and telemarketers to disclose "[b]efore a customer pays for goods or services offered . . . in a clear and conspicuous manner . . . [t]he total costs to purchase, receive, or use, and the quantity of, any goods or services that are the subject of the sales offer . . ." 16 C.F.R. 310.3(a)(1)(i).

35. The Telemarketing Sales Rule also requires sellers and telemarketers to disclose "[b]efore a customer pays for goods or services offered . . . in a clear and conspicuous manner . . . [i]f the seller has a policy of not making refunds, cancellations, exchanges or repurchases, a statement informing the customer that this is the seller's policy . . ." 16 C.F.R. 310.3(a)(1)(iii).

36. For purposes of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, the term "before a customer pays for goods or services" means before the customer "sends funds . . . or divulges . . . credit card or bank account information." 60 Fed. Reg. 43,846 (1995). A telemarketer who takes a credit card number before the required disclosures are made violates the rule. Id.

37. The Telemarketing Sales Rule also prohibits sellers and telemarketers from "[m]isrepresenting, directly or by implication, . . . [a]ny material aspect of the performance, efficacy, nature, or central characteristics of goods or services that are the subject of the sales offer . . ." 16 C.F.R. 310.3(a)(2)(iii).

38. The Telemarketing Sales Rule also prohibits sellers and telemarketers from making a false or misleading statement to induce any person to pay for goods or services. 16 C.F.R. 310.3(a)(4).

39. The Telemarketing Sales Rule also prohibits any person from providing substantial assistance or support to any seller or telemarketer when that person knows or consciously avoids knowing that the seller or telemarketer is engaged in any act or practice in violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, such as the acts and practices described in Paragraphs 33-38, above. 16 C.F.R. 310.3(b).

40. Pursuant to Section 3(c) of the Telemarketing Act, 15 U.S.C. 6102(c), and Section 18(d)(3) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 57a(d)(3), violations of the Telemarketing Sales Rule constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce, in violation of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(a).

VIOLATIONS OF THE TELEMARKETING SALES RULE

COUNT IV

41. In numerous instances, in the course of telemarketing vacations, Defendants have failed to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner before a customer pays, the total costs of the vacation in violation of Section 310.3(a)(1)(i) of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. 310.3(a)(1)(i).

COUNT V

42. In numerous instances, in the course of telemarketing vacations, Defendants have failed to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner before a customer pays, a policy of not making refunds, cancellations, exchanges, or repurchases, in violation of Section 310.3(a)(1)(iii) of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. 310.3(a)(1)(iii).

COUNT VI

43. In numerous instances, in the course of telemarketing vacations, Defendants' outside telemarketers have:

a. represented, directly or by implication, that consumers have won a valuable vacation for which they need only pay a small "promotional cost" or other fee. In truth and fact, consumers have won nothing. Therefore, Defendants' outside telemarketers have made false or misleading statements to induce persons to pay for goods and services, thereby violating Section 310.3(a)(4) of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. 310.3(a)(4);

b. failed to disclose, promptly and in a clear and conspicuous manner in outbound telephone calls, that the purpose of the call is to sell vacations, thereby violating Section 310.4(d) of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. 310.4(d);

c. failed to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner before the customer pays, the total costs of the vacation, thereby violating Section 310.3(a)(1)(i) of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. 310.3(a)(1)(i);

d. failed to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous manner before the customer pays, Defendants' policy of not making refunds, thereby violating Section 310.3(a)(1)(iii) of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. 310.3(a)(1)(iii);

e. misrepresented, directly or by implication, that consumers will receive a vacation worth much more than they are paying, thereby violating Section 310.3(a)(2)(iii) of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. 310.3(a)(2)(iii).

44. Defendants provide substantial assistance or support to their outside telemarketers, including, but not limited to, creating and sending direct mail solicitations, paying for the names and telephone numbers of potential customers, creating or approving scripts to be used in the telemarketing of vacations, mailing vacation confirmation packages, processing credit card charge sales, making travel reservations and providing customer service when Defendants know, or consciously avoid knowing, that their outside telemarketers are engaged in acts or practices that violate Sections 310.3(a) and 310.4(d) of the Telemarketing Sales Rule as set forth in Paragraph 43, above. Defendants have thereby violated Section 310.3(b) of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, 16 C.F.R. 310.3(b).

CONSUMER INJURY

45. Consumers throughout the United States have suffered substantial monetary loss as a result of Defendants' unlawful acts or practices described in Counts I through VI, above. Absent injunctive relief, defendants are likely to continue to injure consumers.

THIS COURT'S POWER TO GRANT RELIEF

46. Section 13(b) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 53(b), empowers this Court to grant injunctive and other ancillary relief, including consumer redress, disgorgement, and restitution to prevent and remedy any violations of any provision of law enforced by the Commission.

47. Section 19 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 57b, and Section 6(b) of the Telemarketing Act, 15 U.S.C. 6105(b), authorize this Court to grant such relief as the Court finds necessary to redress injury to consumers or other persons resulting from the Defendants' violations of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, including the rescission and reformation of contracts and the refund of monies.

48. This Court, in the exercise of its equitable jurisdiction, may award other ancillary relief to remedy injury caused by the Defendants' law violations.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests that this Court, as authorized by Sections 13(b) and 19 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 53(b) and 57b, Section 6(b) of the Telemarketing Act, 15 U.S.C. 6105(b), and pursuant to its own equitable powers:

Award the Commission all temporary and preliminary injunctive and ancillary relief that may be necessary to avert the likelihood of consumer injury during the pendency of this action, and to preserve the possibility of effective final relief, including, but not limited to, temporary and preliminary injunctions and an order freezing each Defendant's assets;

Permanently enjoin the Defendants from violating the FTC Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule, as alleged herein;

Award such relief as the Court finds necessary to redress injury to consumers resulting from Defendants' violations of the FTC Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule, including but not limited to, rescission of contracts, the refund of monies paid, and the disgorgement of ill- gotten monies; and

Award Plaintiff the costs of bringing this action, as well as such other and additional relief as the Court may determine to be just and proper.

Respectfully submitted,

DEBRA A. VALENTINE

General Counsel

Dated:

BRENDA W. DOUBRAVA

LARISSA L. BUNGO

MICHAEL MILGROM

Attorneys for Plaintiff

Federal Trade Commission

1111 Superior Avenue, Suite 200

Cleveland, OH 44114

(216)263-3455

Warren

Germantown, Tennessee
U.S.A.

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, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com

[email protected]

badbusinessbureau.com

www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.

Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

We are not lawyers.

We are not a collection agency.

We are Consumer Advocates.

...the victims' advocate

WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists

We are a Worldwide Consumer Reporting News Agency

...by consumers, for consumers

CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.