I received a call from Integra Financial Benefits Services, saying I had recently been denied for a credit card. They were willing to help me improve my credit by giving me a $2000.00 credit card. All I had to pay was $249.00 for a deposit.
I thought finally someone is willing to give me a credit card, and the offer sounded great. I was told there would be no interest for 3 years. Also, I would be able to withdraw up to $500.00 a day, with no ATM fees and no monthly fees.
I was also told that in 6 months, that my limit would change to 5000.00. They also stated that they reported to the Credit bureau's 4 times a year, and as long as my payments were on time, it would help improve my credit.
My husband and I had been wanting to buy a house, but our credit could use a little help. I thought maybe this is just what I needed. Boy was I wrong.
I, as I have learned to do in my profession, asked for the name of the person I was speaking with, and was not given a name, but given operator # 2004. I asked several questions just to make sure it was legit. The person I was speaking with sounded very professional, and answered all questions without hesitation.
So I proceeded to give my bank account information. This was on a Saturday. My payment was scheduled for the following Friday, but was not drafted from my account until the following Monday.
I was told 1 to 2 weeks from the day it was drafted I would receive my credit card. I was given 1-866-848-6234 as a contact number for any questions.
Well about 2 1/2 weeks went by, but I had not receive my card. I called the contact number I had been given, but every time I called I got an answering machine. I left messages several times, but never received a call back.
Finally I went online to see if I could find a better contact number or and address, but when I pulled up the name of the company, all I found were usacomplaints.com. At first, it was shock, I thought surely not.
I could not find another number, but i did find a number for one Integra Bank. I thought it was worth a shot, so I called. I spoke with a rep by the name of Olivia. She was very helpful, and advised I was not the first call they had gotten. She proceeded to tell me they were not in business with this company and that it was a scam.
She gave me a phone number to call for fraud 1-888-495-8501. This was the number to Phonebusters out of Canada, which is the Canadian Anti-fraud call center. I called this number and filed a report with them.
Phonebusters also gave me the number to the Federal Trade Commission 1-877-438-4338. I called and filed a report with them as well. I also had to have a fraud alert put on my social security number throught the credit bureau's.
I was advised from the FTC to change all of my bank account information and to file a police report. The police would not file a report until I had an affidavit from the bank.
I changed all of my account information and filed the affidavit with my bank. Then I called my local police dept, and filed a police report with them. I was given a case number and advised I would be contacted by a detective.
I have spoken with the detective and been advised it has been turned over to the FBI. My bank is going to give me my money back, but the catch to that is, if they can not get it back from Integra within 45 days, they have the right to take it back.
It normally would not have been like this, but instead of the money being drafted from my account, they actually sent a paper check. The bank said if it would have been a draft they could have reversed it.
I have went through things in the last month, that I thought could never happen to me. I suggest if this has happen to you, taken action as soon as possible. Do not sit back and think to yourself, It is only $249.00. That could be a car payment, or groceries.
Do not let them get away with this!!!
Kisha
McKinney, Texas
U.S.A.
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