- Report: #264501
Complaint Review: Veteran's Advantage - Internet
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Veteran's Advantage
www.vetsadvantage.com Internet, U.S.A.
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Veteran's Advantage Scammed not only me, but other veterans as well ripoff Dover Delaware *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!
I have tried honorably to rectify this situation. I have e-mailed several times, and have tried calling, to no avail. This company uses the guise as a "discount" program for veterans, to (in my opinion) steal their money.
I received an email from a friend, who was trying to help her brother, save some money. I checked into the program, and found no fees anywhere. I kept investigating the web site, and finally started the sign up process to get any fee information.
After I had entered my debit card number, I found out the fee was 59.95. Before submitting, I backed out of the site. I repeat, I did not hit the submit button. Only later, did I realize that 59.95 was taken from my bank account.
I immediately called the company, and emailed them about the problem. I received a "generic" letter from the CEO. I was informed that vetadvantage would look into the problem, and would take care of it.
I feel this company should be looked into severly by whichever authority, and shut down. The "powers that be" should be locked up, and never allowed to roam the streets again.
David
Naperville, Illinois
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.
I received an email from a friend, who was trying to help her brother, save some money. I checked into the program, and found no fees anywhere. I kept investigating the web site, and finally started the sign up process to get any fee information.
After I had entered my debit card number, I found out the fee was 59.95. Before submitting, I backed out of the site. I repeat, I did not hit the submit button. Only later, did I realize that 59.95 was taken from my bank account.
I immediately called the company, and emailed them about the problem. I received a "generic" letter from the CEO. I was informed that vetadvantage would look into the problem, and would take care of it.
I feel this company should be looked into severly by whichever authority, and shut down. The "powers that be" should be locked up, and never allowed to roam the streets again.
David
Naperville, Illinois
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.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Doug
Pasadena,California,
United States
Misleading response.
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, June 08, 2021
I just spent hours going in circles to not find a direct answer as to why I couldn't access the "benefits" you tout. Nowhere do you state plain and clear that you won't be able to access most of the meaningful discounts without paying a monthly fee. I spent hours and saw nothing even close to this. But you do have a lot of cute terms that you created to try to create a defense when you are called out for ripping people off or engaing in false advertising.
In your response you tout your BBB rating. That rating doesn't mean that you are ethical or that you are honest. It just means that you responded to the complaints. NOTHING more. So the BBB didn't find that your advertising schemes were honest and upfront. They simply are pointing out that you responsed to the complaints. In many of them that I read it appeared that you answered them with a lot of doubletalk.
Veterans Advantage HQ
Connecticut,Veterans Advantage Response
#3UPDATE Employee
Fri, December 13, 2013
Veterans Advantage has an outstanding record since of delivering real benefits and military discounts from top companies to both our military and veterans. Founded in 2000, we are rated A+ by the BBB for our advertising practices, including our plan pricing, and robust customer support.
Veterans Advantage pricing is always clearly displayed online from our homepage at
www.VeteransAdvantage.com. The plans for one, three and five year memberships can be found when you click the top center blue bar title of Plans and Pricing: http://www.veteransadvantage.com/cms/plan-and-pricing. It also includes information on the Exclusive Benefits Plan-- valuable benefits and services worth hundreds of dollars if you were to purchase them independently -- that more than cover the cost of your annual member fee before you make a single purchase with your VetRewards Card. Further, the plan fees are published on the enrollment form where you enter your payment information for debit card, credit card, or PayPal information. A charge is processed only after you submit this page of the enrollment form.
Veterans Advantage plan fees support a host of benefit resources for its members, including escalated Veteran benefit phone support. Our US-based Veteran Call Center at 1-866-VET-ASSIST (838-2774) is open to take calls Monday thru Friday 9am-9pm and Saturday 11-4pm. Our toll free phone services are all recorded for quality assurance. We take all member concerns seriously and have a daily Customer Engagement meeting with the entire member support staff, which includes our CEO. We review all member emails.
We do not send ‘generic’ customer support letters from our CEO. Our Founder and CEO, Scott Higgins, however does prefer to reach out daily to assist members with personal phone calls. From time to time, we are confused with similar Veterans Service Organizations, since there are now over 40,000 different veterans organization in the United States that have been founded since 9/11. We find we may never have been contacted at all by the member.
We would encourage you to forward to us this previous correspondence for review with your Member ID to www.veteransadvantage.com/contactus or strongly encourage you to use our toll free Veteran Help line at
1-866-VET-ASSIST. If you feel you called and were not given relief, we can review the recording for compliance and assurance that your account was handled properly. We would appreciate you doing this to avoid misunderstandings such as those contained in this post, and before posting erroneous complaints that can be damaging to a outstanding program that for more than a decade has delivered valuable benefits to so many deserving military and veterans who have served our nation.
