I was a victim of ICS, on 11/15 - I had applied online for credit card on one of those places where you enter your info and they shop for credit cards for you - I believe that is where they received my information... Anyway, I received a call from an Indian or Middle Eastern sounding man, explaining that I would receive a secured Visa within 6 weeks... For security and verification of my ability to repay charges made on the card, 258.00 would be deducted from my checking account, but I was assured that as soon as I received the card I could withdrawl the 258.00 immediately... I feel really dumb now, but it made sense at the time...
I called my bank on the day the 258.00 was debited from my checking account because I had a feeling something wasn't right, to have a reversal done, but was told there was nothing they could do, that I would have to contact the company fora refund... But I had lost the phone number ICS had given me - in typical victim fashion, I didn't persue, because I was embarrassed. Though uneasy, I still believed that I would get the credit card, and kept expecting it in the mail at any time... Of course, it never came.
As a single mother, this was a particularly cruel scam - and at christmas time... I was counting on that card to help with presents for my children.
After reading information on this site today, then calling my bank and learning that unless i had actually SIGNED something (phone authorization does not count!), according to NACHA and federal regulation E rules, I was entitled to a refund if the debit was disputed with my bank within 60 days... And as I was still within that window of time, I went to my bank this morning, signed an affidavit of fraudulant activity that the bank had for this purpose, and the bank assured me that the transaction WILL be reversed by Monday (within two business days, today is Friday) no further questions asked - SO -
GO TO YOUR BANK and do this... ICS is not going to help you - if you call and they say they are "looking in to it, or that you will receive a refund, they are simply delaying because they know that after 60 days they can keep your money!
(FYI - My bank explained that if the debit had been on my atm/visa check card the procedure would be different and more difficult to reverse... But a debit of your checking account number only, WITHOUT a physical signiture, it is IMPOSSIBLE for ICS or any company to prove that it was actually an authorized person giving permission for the debit - even with a recrding... Beside, companies like this are unlikely to dispute the reversal... Hence the delay tactics. THEY know the rules!)
Good luck - go to your bank now!!
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