I received a letter that posed as a pre-approved credit "card" (They leave the "card" part out). They use words layout and words like:
Credit Limit: $10,000 for: (my name)
Member Status: PLATINUM
Classification: PRE-APPROVED
Expires: 12/19/07
Interest Rate: 5% APR
Credit Provider: Union Workers Credit Services
It goes on to include details such as Bank Affiliation: None (that was a clue) then a Service # (Their in house #), Approval # (Their #), * Applicable Law: (My state)
Below all this is the letter portion (This was a one paper letter. With nothing on the back)
The letter states: (With words like VISA & Mastercard in a larger bold font!)
Congratulations (my name)!
It's nice to inform you that you have been identified and PRE-APPROVED for a PLATINUM CARD Membership from Union Workers Credit Services with a GUARNTEED $10,000 credit limit valid exclusively toward all credit purchases from credit provider!
You don't have to worry if you have been denied access to a VISA or Mastercard. The UWCS Platinum Card Membership offers many benefits including a LOW, LOW interest rate of 5% APR all because you are PRE-APPROVED.
Full details of your membership and its exclusive benefits will be included with your new Platinum Card. You satisfaction is assured by a 60 day refund of money guarantee!
This is a limited time offer and all deadlines are final, so act today. Failure to do so may result in your loss of your PRE-APPROVED status. Please enclose your annual membership fee of $37 by check or money order along with the attached Platinum Card Activation Form by the deadline shown below.
(In small font)
Note: the $37 is fully refundable with your first purchase using your $10,000.00 credit limit.
(in all caps)
you have been approved for this platinum card membership offer because you satisfied certain consumer criteria. Visa and mastercard are registered trademarks of visa international and mastercard, inc. Respectively, and are unaffiliated with this offer or uwcs. Credit amount referenced herein shall not be construed to function as any type of multi-purpose credit card and is exclusively applicable for credi purchases from uwcs. Additional credit may be granted in the future at credit providers sole discretion. Failure to respond by expiration date will result in termination of your eligbility.
(Then below this is the cut-off and mail back portion asking for your signature and the $37)
I don't even want to hear their excuse that this follows the law. At one time so did murder!!! That doesn't mean you get to do it! It's deceptive and considered a scam.
I didn't send them my money. It looked suspicious to me right away. They didn't have my real personal information and any Pre-Approved Credit Card always at least asks for your SSN and never the fees up front. They just add them on the card. PLUS by law Credit Card Companies have to supply the terms of the card, like if you are late, your APR and if it goes up, Etc. Etc. It's usually on a little piece of white paper that's about the size of a 1/3 of a normal size 8 x 11 paper.
I did a quick search on the internet and found Legitimate Unions don't like them
Chicago Teamsters Joint Council 25
"Alert: Scam Poses as Union Workers Credit Card Company"
http://www.chicagoteamsters.org/news/0689_scam.html
AFL-CIO
"Watch Out for Scams: Only Union Plus Credit Card Is AFL-CIO-Endorsed"
http://blog. Aflcio.org/10/08/watch-out-for-scams-only-union-plus-credit-card-is-afl-cio-endorsed/
Just put "union workers credit union scam" in the search engine!
Don't send them your money. Show this to your kids to educate them on things to look for.in fact do this with all credit card offers open it together and discuss the terms. And was it better than the last offer or worse. My favorite "Look if I'm late! My APR is 30%!!!"
Education is the best weapon!
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