I received a call in January 2004 asking if I had recently been declined for a credit card. I stated I had not applied for a card recently. The person on the phone asked if I was interested in receiving a credit card. I stated no. The caller asked why and I stated that I would be declined due to my credit. He, James Green, stated that he worked for a company who's goal was to help people like me that have credit problems re-establish their credit. He stated everyone was guaranteed to receive a credit card with a $3000 credit limit and 0% interest for the 1st year. I asked how that was possible since I had been declined before.
He stated that they worked directly with the credit card issuers to help people in my financial situation. He stated that there was a one time fee of $299 that would negate any annual charges being added to the card. After speaking with him for approximately 30 minutes, and being told several times that this credit card was guaranteed, I felt that this was a legitimate company and I gave them a check number to be automatically transmitted to my bank the following month.
On Feb. 24, 2004, the money was drafted from my account. One week later, I called to ask when I would be receiving my credit card. I was told that a packet would be sent to me 25-30 days after the money was debited from my account. They verified my address, which they had originally listed incorrectly. One month after the money was taken out of my account, I called again due to not having received anything. They again asked to confirm my address and had it wrong again. I gave them my correct address and was told that it would be sent out immediately.
During this time, I began to feel as though I had perhaps been cheated out of $300. Within one week, I received a packet from a company called Parnelli Inc. with a Montreal, Quebec, Canada address. Included in the packet was a flier for $100 in free gas that would be reimbursed in the amount of $6.00 per month after sending in the credit card receipt that the gas was purchased with, a flier for Worldwide Travel Center to receive accomodations for 2 adults at a "premier resort destination, " a website printout for a Canadian Prescription Drug Company, and a copied letter with a number to call to apply for a credit card. I called the number on the form which was to apply for a card with Chase Manhatten Bank.
On April 8, 2004 Chase Manhatten Bank sent me a letter stating they were unable to approve my application. I was given the option to receive a secured credit card. I immediately called Consumer Credit Services and told them that I wanted a refund because they fraudulently stated I would receive something that I did not. I informed the lady that I spoke to that I was told by her company that I was approved for a credit card and that I had been declined by the credit card issuer. She stated that she did not know why I was promised that, but there was nothing she could do. I asked what the $300 was for that they took out of my account and she stated that it was for the "benefit" packet they had mailed to me.
I informed her that I had no interest in the packet they sent me and would happily return it in order to get my money back. I was told that someone in "administration" would have to review my file and make a determination on issuing a refund. I asked her how long that would take. She stated 1-2 weeks. I informed her that that length of time was not acceptable to me and I expected to receive an answer back within a week.
To date, I have heard nothing from this company. It is now May 18, 2004. I have called on three more occasions and am always told that everyone in administration is gone or an answering machine picks up.
I feel that I have a right to get my money back. If I purchase something from a retail store, and it does not meet my expectations, I can return it and get my money back. I feel the same should be true here.
I realize now after doing a little more research that I should not have given my money to this company. Unfortunately, they are one of many that pry on people like myself. I would appreciate any help that I can receive on this matter. I would like to do whatever possible to keep this from happening to others also.
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