Hello. My name is Stephen Brown. I am writing seeking a working solution to an offer I was phone solicited for back in July.
The company's name is Transamerica United Benefits, affiliated with another company called First Capital Consumer's Group.
I have been in contact with this company repeatedly for the last 3 months.
I have gone through a slew of phone numbers, which I will detail below:
The first number, given to me by "Janet, " (The Original Solicitor who called me), was 1 (416) 488-4664. This seemed to be directly to her desk. I was given a different number to call after a couple of calls to "Janet."
The first number for Customer Service was 1 (416) 761-9083. I had utilized this number for a good 3 months up to about the last part of September, 2002. When I call this number now, I'm informed that the number has been changed.
The new number is now 1 (416) 488-0219. However, now when I call, I am informed that this number is now disconnected.
During my discourses with Customer Service, I managed to obtain a Toll-Free Number from one of the Customer Service Representatives. This number is 1 (800) 787-1583. When I call this number now, I am informed that it is disconnected.
Calling Directory Assistance for the (416) Area Code in Toronto, doing a search for "First Capital Consumer's Group, " has yielded up the following number: 1 (416) 406-5333.
During the past two weeks that I've been calling, this number rings 3 whole times, then does a 4th "skip ring" (a normal-sounding ring tone, followed by a sort of "skip" in the tone, itself, followed by another full tone), which then connects to a voice mailbox, which has been full to the point that no more messages can be left.
When the 1 (416) 761-9083 number was active, an identical tone-sequence also occurred. I managed to get through, using the technique of listening for the 4th, "skip ring" tone, then immediately hanging up, and using speed-dial to dial the number again, quickly.
Patient effort yieled up my being able to get through most of the time using this method.
After the number changed to 1 (416) 488-0219, the same method also worked. Toward the last few times I did call this number, I was transferred to the voice mailbox a bit sooner than the usual 4th "skip tone" ring, but managed to get through once. However, since then I have not been able to get through.
As of 10/25/2002 Friday, the 1 (416) 406-5333 and 1 (416) 488-4664 numbers give me a "fast busy" signal, which I relate to an "All Circuits Busy" situation. This may well just be my discount long-distance carrier's switches piling up with calls, but I can not discount the possibility of other causes.
This is the extent of my experience concerning the phone numbers.
I will now detail my interactions with the Customer Service personnel.
First the original solicitation: I was called at my home by "Janet, " who provided me with the offer of two credit cards, one for a $2, 000 credit line, and the other for a $2500 credit line. I was not informed about any type of wait for the "2nd $2500 card."
I was told that this would cost me $219. I asked if I could up the date of my checking account being debited, and "Janet" said that would not be a problem. She then gave me a number to call to set up my account to be debited about a month after.
My bank statement lists my checking account being debited on 8/31/02, under the listing of "Electronic Withdrawal 1st Capital Cons".
About 30 days went by before I received my "package" via regular mail.
I will now detail what I received: I received a plastic, fold-open binder, similar to the kind some home-study cassette courses come in. The inside front portion of the "package" contained a CD-ROM entitled: "idSafe". This contains a .pdf file on Identity Theft & Security, computer-related security issues, and the like.
The right-side portion of the "package" contained a number of papers with various promotional offers on them. On the top of this pile of papers was a yellow-orange, thick glossy bi-fold mail-in card for the $2, 000 MasterCard.
The front of the card is entitled thus: "Stored Value MasterCard Activation Kit, 0% APR, For use herever Master Card is accepted or at most ATM Machines, no interest, no late fees, no monthly service charges, no hassles."
Upon opening this card, then reading down the left side of the now-open top portion of the card (the bottom contains the spaces for name, address, etc.) states: "... You can place a maximum of $2, 000 on your card at any time..."
Just above the signature line on the bottom of the card is the phrase: "I understand that by activiating my MasterCard, I waive my return priveleges of this program." Being extremely thorough in my reading of "fine print, " I avoided sending this card in from the start.
Ergo: It wasn't what I was solicited for; this MasterCard is *obviously* a secured credit card and decidedly not either one of the unsecured credit cards I was solicited for.
Additions:
A prepaid "free" cellphone offer.
The "Free PC" is a People PC offer.
Two non-related Visa credit card offers, one for First Premier Bank (which is legitimate as far as I can tell) for an unsecured credit line up to $1, 000, and another for Cross Country Bank, this one with no specified limit (but probably is--most of these kinds are.)
I am familiar with both of these offers from researching them on the Web.
Summary of Event To Date: 10/25/2002, Friday
My last contact with Transamerica United Benefits Group/First Capital Consumers Group Customer Service occurred on or about the latter part of September, 2002.
I was to be contacted by a Customer Service Supervisor by the name of "Tricia." I had called to explain that I had not been sent the correct promotion (with the $2000 and $2500 dollar cards, respectively).
To date, "Tricia" has not contacted me. I am unable to get to Customer Service due to disconnected and busy numbers.
Report Writer's Note: I have gone to great and extended lengths to be *very polite* to the Customer Service Personnel of Transamerica United Benefits Group/First Capital Consumers Group.
The times I have been able to get through, I have been polite and have been treated the same. I wish to ask that anyone who assists me please act in a similar manner.
I have purposely worked diligently to keep my emotional tone as flat as possible without sounding dull. I do have some dissatisfaction--or I would not be writing this report on this website--but I feel that any solution should be approached with a *Firm, Yet Polite* attitude and demeanor.
The people on the other end are most likely operators in a high-stress environment and are working just as much as any of us are.
I appreciate any assistance I may receive, and offer gratitude in advance for services rendered.
My current goal is thus: I wish to have a single unesecured credit card for $2, 000 to $2, 500. If I can obtain this, I will consider the matter satisfied.
I wish you well.
Stephen
Traverse City, Michigan
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