I contacted Ameritrust Financial Solutions in hopes of securing a loan. I applied for the loan gave all of my personal information, faxed over a copy of my drivers license and social security card.
I was told that I was approved for the requested amount of $8, 000. I was told that I since I am not using any collateral I would have to make a "collateral payment" in the amount of $820.65.
I explained that I did not have that kind of money and my "representative" Karen Johnson told that she understood - but if I changed my mind to give her a call back.
Well apparently I was thinking clearly at all on the day that I called Ms. Johnson and informed her that I had the "collateral payment". She told me that I would need to wire the money via Money Gram and list a person by the name of Greg Crandal as the person to receive the funds - since he was the individual lending the money.
My gut told me something was wrong. The woman at the Money Gram told something about the situation was right. But desperately wanting a loan I let my guard down and sent the money.
I was told that once the money was received by the company, I would receive my loan amount electronically in my checking account between 4 and 6 hours.
Four hours passed. Six Hours Passed and I had not received my money. I called Ms. Johnson 24 hours later and could not reach her. About an hour later she called me and stated that the company would have to insure the loan and I would have to pay for the insurance... a total of $426.
She told I could send the insurance money and receive my funds or I could get my money (the $820.65 that I wired them initially) refunded back to me.
I opted for a refund and she said sure, I would receive the money by the end of the day. She apologized for the inconvenience and said she hoped this experience did not give me a negative impression of the her company. She said someone would call me to further information in order to issue the refund.
That call never came. And neither did my refund. Calls are not answered. Emails are not answered Faxes are not answered.
Oh yeah - they also have a my banking information as well.
This has been a hard lesson - but one that I actually needed being the trusting individual that I am. This will never happen to me again. And I pray that my taking the time to tell my story on this site saves other people from a situation as frustating and stressful as mine.
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