I applied on line for a $3500 loan that I really needed. Their website promised help for people with not so great credit (me). About 2 weeks later, I got a call from a Christine Williams (phone number 647-833-6529). She already had all of my info, which I stupidly entered on the website. I verified it and she said I was approved for $5000, since this was their minium amount.
"Christine" faxed me a 10 page "contract" including a sheet from a Pineride insurance company. The insurance supposedly was to secure the loan because of my credit score. I was told that I had to pay the premium upfront in order to get the $ wired to my acct.
Next I recieved instructions on sending them the $850 premium through Wester Union. It was to go to a "Michelle Samuel" with a pick up location of Toronto, Ontario. I actually sent them the $ and was told the $ would be in my acct within 24 hrs. Needless to say, it wasn't. I called back and was told by 5pm. It wasn't. I called back the next day and was told a hold was put on the $.
This time a "Karen Mercer" informed me that some offical sounding Canadian tax group wouldn't let the $ be sent because there was a tax for transferring money over the border. She said I could send the tax of $400 of cancel the loan and I would get a refund of the $850 I sent and call back between 3 and 4pm to get the Western Union infofor my refund. I called then and of course got no answer.
Now I'm being told that they only issue refunds 4 times a year and I won't get it until FEB 28TH and I would only be getting $650 back. She said the contract I signed said if I didn't go thru with the loan, they would charge a fee. NO WHERE on these papers does it mention that. I cussed her out, asked for a manager and was told someone would call me back. I asked for a number to someone in charge and she would not give me one.
Needless to say, I will probably NEVER get any of my $ back. If I'd have trusted my gut, I wouldn't be filing this report. I am going to contact EVERYONE I possibly can to get the word out and to help stop these people. One of the numbers they used is a land line. Since my husband is a police officer and has access to resources that most people don't, we MAY be able to find a real address for this "company".
The phone numbers they use are 877-884-1596 (this a fax line), 416-837-1510 (land line and Karen Mercer), 647-833-6529 (cell phone for Christine Williams, 647-868-7244 (Kimberly Grass). Addresses 1170 Colesville Rd Silver Spring MD 21236 (doesn't exist) 817 Bathurst St Toronto, Ontario (doesn't exist).
BEWARE!! I thought I was pretty smart, but they are very professional sounding and they got me!
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