* 9/15 Called by a Linda Lewis at Barron Financial/Teledraft about a "second chance" credit card offer:
- $2500 limit, unsecured Visa
- One-time issue fee of $299; no other charges or fees except interest on outstanding balance, unless I defaulted
- sponsored by Bank of America
- Would receive cards (also one for my wife) in two days via Express Mail and other supporting documents within two weeks
- Could immediately draw the $299 back from the card to replace in my bank account.
* fee of $299 drawn from checking account 9/17
* called ACS' contractual customer service (the number Ms. Lewis gave me as being her own but actually another company) at 866-952-8882 and told that they would send the "packet" out within two weeks (not two days as was promised).
* called again 10/1 and was told the packet was sent regular USPS mail under 9102251460176000637875 on 9/30. Only info available on USPS website (ckecking every day or so) was that packet had finally been accepted for delivery in Champlain, NY on 10/10.
* called again 10/22 to complain about extraordinary delays and was told another packet would be sent out that day.
* packet finally arrived 10/29 containing a coupon book and an application for a special account/card that my employer would be able to fund via electronic transfers allowing me to make purchases up to the amount so transferred.
* called immediately to report that this was not anything like what I was promised and wanted my money back. Was told that my only recourse was to return the packet and, once it was received, a check would be issued within 30 days. Asked for and was given Barron/Teledraft's number as 877-246-2667.
* Called Barron/Teledraft, spoke to Customer Service Manager Dave Olsen and was told that: no Linda Lewis worked there; they were only a contractual telemarketing center; had discovered Alpha's practices and discontinued representing them; could not reverse the draft without Alpha's authorization and were powerless to help me.
* Called ACS' customer service provider again, explained entire situation to another rep, was given same prescription for getting my money back. Stated clearly that this was not acceptable and that I would pursue every legal avenue if money were not replaced in my account. After a few seconds off the phone, the rep returned and repeated the prescription again, stating that I had no recourse with them because they were only a contractual customer service provider. Also said that they had no information on reaching Alpha Credit (their customer, hard to believe).
Don't know how much success I'll have but I:
* returned the package (to the originating address in FL) with a tracking number so I'll know when they receive it and will wait, though unexpectantly, for this unlikely check of dubious value.
* will simultaneously pursue criminal charges of fraud with the FCC (since they called me on an interstate telephone line); the USPS (since they used the mail to deliver the fraudulent packet; and with the FL Attorney General.
If anyone has a better or alternate idea, I'd welcome the help.
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