I logged onto Treasury Financial Group's website in search of a company who would approve me for a loan. Treasury Financial Group's website seemed promising and the following day I received a call from a Celion Patterson requesting my personal information (i.e. salary, social security no., etc.) so that she could process my loan request. Everything seemed legit and she sounded very professional and convincing.
The following day, she informed me that she had found a lender that was willing to approve me for a loan but I would need, however, $800 to secure it with insurance if I couldn't find a co-signer making at least $45K and having a credit score of 750. Obviously, that wasn't an option. So I opted for the insurance security when I received my next paycheck on September 29th, 2006. Needless to say, Celion faxed me over a contract to sign and remit to her along with a copy of my Social Security card, photo ID, and Driver License to "validate" my identity.
On the day that we had I agreed I would send her my money, she called me and asked that I wire the money via Western Union to a Ms. Michelle Samuel and that I would receive my $5000 loan via direct deposit. She also stated that she would cover the $60 cost to wire the money. Further, I had asked if I could wire the money from my bank account into the account of the insurance company who had agreed to lend me the money because it would be much cheaper and I could track the money, but she stated that this would not work, that the costs would be covered by Treasury Financial Group.
On the day that I was to receive my loan, October 3rd, Angela Simmons contacted me stating that there was an international tax issue that was holding my loan from being placed in my account and that I would need to send an extra $400. She went on to explain that she understands that I was not made aware of the issue and that the company refused to pay it. Feeling skeptical, I opted for a refund. She quickly rushed me off the phone and told me that she would contact me by 2:00 because she had to process it downstairs at their "Refund Department".
However, I received no more word from Angela and Celion rushed me off the phone promising to take care of the matter. Finally, the following day, Wednesday, October 4th, I called Angela and she groggily answered the phone, obviously caught off guard by my phone call. When I told her that I believed that her company was running a scam she heatedly asked me whether anyone had forced me send in my money and went on to state that her company had been in business for over 15 years. That was enough evidence for me to know that I had just been robbed of my $800 and probably wouldn't ever see it again.
I called Angela and Celion throughout the day and didn't receive any word. I left a message for Angela that I would have to take legal action from if I didn't receive a phone call within 24 hours and I sent Celion a detailed e-mail of my intended actions. I received a call on Thursday, October 5th from Angela stating that she had my refund information and still couldn't reach her again.
I then filed a report at the BBB (although they aren't members), the Federal Trade Commission, and Project Phone Busters. I was told from the Phone Busters that I had been scammed and that it is illegal for any company to ask for any type of fee before issuing a loan in both Canada and the U.S. Further, if I was fortunate enough to receive a refund check, it would probably be a fake one that the bank wouldn't cash.
So, it seems we've all been scammed. The company's website doesn't even exist anymore, at least not to my knowledge. I only wish that I had trusted my gut instincts when dealing with this company and researched them a little more. I mean, think about it: I sent a Western Union wire in CASH to a person who could have been anyone in Toronto with an ID that stating Michelle Samuel, a pretty generic name; I couldn't wire the money via my bank's wire transfer; these people hardly answer their phones; when Angela Simmons was confirming my bank account information she remained quiet and didn't go over it with me to be sure that it was correct; the font on the contract from Treasury Financial Group and the contract from "Fine Line Insurance Group" were nearly the same; and Celion's email address is through a Hotmail account and they're such a large corporation?
I have accepted my loss and am ashamed that I have wasted most of a paycheck on these con artists' scheme because I was so eager to get approved for a loan because of my current credit rating. What we all have to do is think of a way to get all of our issues and complaints with this company reported, heard, and investigated and bring down the immoral people behind this Treasury Financial Group scam before they strike again.
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