I was mailed the "Pre-Approved" First National Card in the mail a little while ago and what caught my attention was the idea of repairing my credit. I HAVE TERRIBLE CREDIT! And I thought this was a good faith company that was truly going to help.
I understood that I could only use this card to purchase items from the one company. I thought this would be good for me because I was limited, I couldn't just go to the store and buy what I saw. They also included a Cash Advance card that I could use too through another banking service.
I activated the cards and spent an insane amount of time on the phone with a representative going through all of my information, benefits, bank account information, charges and everything. I understood that they were going to charge my activation fee ON THE CARD - it came through my bank account instead and unexpectedly. I also understood that my payments each month were directly withdrawn from my bank account on the first of the month. Another thing I THOUGHT would be nice because I often get statements and shove them in a drawer and forget to pay.
Here's the thing - I am definitely feeling like I am getting scammed because they haven't sent me a catalog yet to purchase items. They charged me $199.99 already from my bank and I have nothing to show for it. THEN - they said they would be sending me an authorization form for the cash advance card. I have to sign it and return with a voided check. I am not comfortable doign that. I'm sure you'll ask yourself now - she gave everything else away - why not?! I feel like a complete idiot and I'm young and naive and thought I knew what I was doing.
I called CCS three times already this morning. I wanted to know why the money was taken from my bank account isntead of charged to the card - couldn't answer, that's just the way it was supposed to be and the authorization department screwed up. I called back and was on hold AGAIN and asked for the free trial benefits to be removed from my account, oh wait - that has to be in writing. I wanted to overnight the letter because I have a feeling it wouldn't get there in time. I called back again - you can't overnight to a PO Box - and that was when I lost it. The first two times I called they asked for my social security number and I said the last four are... The last time I called the jerk on the phone would not contniue until I gave her the whole number. She verified my address, phone, date of birth, WHY did they need the full social? I asked for a supervisor. He was of little help (I spoke with Matt Eggert). He did offer me a $200 purchasing voucher though (yeah right). I wanted to cancel everything right then and there and they wouldn't. I asked for the physical address so I could overnight a letter and wouldn't get it because I wasn't TECHNICALLY A MEMBER even though they've already charged me the activation fee and I have an assigned member number. They said I wasn't amember yet until it comes back to them that the money was paid from my bank account (7-10 business days).
THEN - once I am a member I can write them a letter to cancel my membership.
I called my bank because I want the charge reversed and I don't want it to go back to CCS/First National Credit that it was paid. I don't want it at all.
I am completing a dispute form from my bank. Is this right? Technically won't CCS say that I authorized the charge? I am pissed and confused!
Sarah
Kalamazoo, Michigan
U.S.A.
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