Submitted: 9/9/01
Modified: 9/9/01
I received a solicited call describing the membership card and all it's benefits. I authorized a automatic debit from my checking account in the amount of $199.00 in return I would received an $8000.00 credit limit to shop in their catalog.
I was told that the memember ship also included a cash on demand feature where I could request as much as 500-$1000.00 cash advance through a company call Allstate Check Cashing. They continued to glamourize the benefit package stating their catalog contained thousand of products to choose from (i.E. Computers, electronics, jewelry etc, because I am a sucker for shopping I was an easy prey.
About 8 weeks exactly I received a United States priorty mail package. My package included a cover letter from Jack Lund Schofield (President CEO), welcoming me and detailing my benefits. My package also included 2 catalog order forms, a letter with Allstate Check Cashing letterhead with information regarding my Cash On Demand requirements, 2 other forms labeled No Down Payment & Easy Automatic Purchas Payment form, 3 cards (
1. First Capital Card, 1-Preferred Membercard, you can keep for an additional $50 and 1 Cash On Demand Card, also included were
2 discount cetificate, 1 valued @ 100.00 towards my 2nd purchase and $200 towards my 1st purchase.included in the package was also 2 flyers each included additional benefits for an extra cost.
Everything that is offered at an additional charge they require you to enroll in an automatic payment billing where they will deduct from your checking account between the 1-4th of each month $50.00 monthly catalog charge and/or $150.00 or 10% of your entire balance which ever is larger. Unless you notify them otherwise withing 30 days.
Now to describe the scam... The majority of the items included in the catalog in my appinion are worthless and the items of value are extremely over priced. The catalog did not contain any electronics or computers.
The orders placed requires a 30% down payment. The Cash on Demand requires you to submit bank statements for the past 4 months, 2 pay stubs, W2 or 1099 from last years tax return, a copy of utility bill, drivers license and a preprinted check and your signature authorizing them to perform a credit check to determine your creditworthiness.
I received my package on Aug 8, and have not order anything from the catalog nor have I attempted to contact anyone. After reviewing the catalog for the 2nd time, and realizing something was not right, well here I am, the rest is history.
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