This leads up to important info: please read this in full!!!
In may I received a postcard from Credit Enhancement Services, so I called to inquire. When I called I was told that for a fee of $219.99 I would receive 2 unsecured credit cards, and many coupons, as well as numerous discount offers, and a free trip.
I was also told that 1 card would be a mastercard w / a $3,000 limit, and that the other would be an unsecured catalog credit card w / a $4,000 limit that could be used to purchase items from the catalog I would receive w / my package. They explained that I would be
Being that I am currently employed only part time, it is very difficult for me to obtain credit. So, this program sounded exactly what I needed, a great way to establish a good credit history. After asking the representative many questions, I decided to enroll. The first thing I asked was if there was a money back guarantee, and I was told yes. It was my understanding that If I was not 100% satisfied, I would receive a full refund.
Second, I asked if I would have to make a down payment on items purchased w / the catalog card (very common w / these programs), and I was told "absolutely not". Third, I asked how long it would take to receive my package and I was told "6 weeks at the very most".
Finally, I was informed that I could pay via a "check by phone" and schedule the debit 30 days in advance. So, I asked if I could cancel before the debit date and I was told "yes". After all my questions were answered, I figured that this was for me, so I gave them my personal checking account #, and set the debit date for 06/01 (30 days in advance).
Credit Enhancement processed my order and said "be sure to void out your check". After 3 weeks of giving my decision serious thought, I decided to cancel my order, so I called the customer service # to inform them of my decision. After hitting re-dial for several hours, I finally got through to them, and they agreed to cancel my order.
I even stopped payment on the check # I authorized them to debit my account with to be absolutely sure. However, to my amazement, on 06/01, Credit Enhancement debited my account w / out my permission via an "ach" transaction, a type of transaction I NEVER authorized. At that time, I called customer service at 1-877-527-4653, and told them that my account was debited w / out my permission. They then apologized and assured me that it was a mistake, but they also said that they could not cancel my order after my account was debited. I was very upset but they reassured me that I would receive a package very soon, and that if I didnt like it I could get my refund.
At that point, I decided to wait and see what the package was like, but unfortunately it did not arrive until 11/10 (4 months later than they told me, and 5 and a half months after my account was debited). During these months of waiting, I called customer service several times and I was given nothing but excuses (the 9/11 incident, a strike, anthrax, etc.). On the day the package finally arrived, I opened it, and was immediately shocked.
The only thing in the folder were a few "secured" credit card applications (all requiring excessive start up fees, and 1 didnt even have a bank name on it), a catalog (approx 15-20 pages containing mostly cookware/leather clothing, and requiring a 33% down payment), and pcs prescription discount card enrollment forms. There were no credit cards included, not even a card to use with the catalog.
Nothing I was told would be included by the phone rep on 05/01 was to be found. So, at least I had the money back guarantee, right... No! After reviewing this pile of garbage I could have gotten on my own for free, I called customer service and asked to execute my money back guarantee, but again, to my shock, I was informed that "Credit Enhancement Services, LLC (not their real name), did not offer refunds under any circumstance.
I then looked at my $219.99 pile of $hit, and got even more mad, so I decided that I had to do something to prevent this from happening to other innocent consumers. I set off to file a civil claim as well as put my knowledge and the legal system to the test.
However, I had a hard time finding a physical address for Credit Enhancement so that I could serve them w / the civil action. I searched the NJ state datbase for the name and address of Credit Enhancement's registered agent (who you serve w / the civil claim) but NJ had no records of such a compnay. That is because no such company exists. During my search I was able to immediately find info on United Capturdyne Technologies in FL., and Pacific Mercantile Bank in CA. These are the companies that process the bank debits for Credit Enhancement. I called United Capturdyne and they were very cooperative (or at least pretended to be) but they said that they could not help me.
So I kept searching, and as a long shot, I entered the name Titanium Blue (the name on the package I received from Credit Enhancement) into the database. Bingo... This name came up as a fictitious name for a company called Check Fee, LLC. After reveiwing the report there is no doubt that Credit Enhancement is really Check Fee, LLC. This is why Credit Enhancement didnt seem to care when people filed complaints against them w / the BBB and the Dept of Consumer Affairs.
Armed w / my new information, I called United Capturdyne, and we engaged in a 3 way call w / Credit Enhancement. The Credit Enhancement rep seemed very upset and I was finally told that my money would be refuned (plus interest) w/in a few days. I am now waiting for my money back, but even if I dont get it back, I now the the information necessary to successfully file a civil claim.
At this moment, I am debating whether or not I should continue w / the civil action after/if I get my money back. Now, to protect all of you who have been scammed by this "corrupt operation" (to use the words of NJ consumer Affairs), I am passing on every bit of info I have. So if you decide to file a lawsuit against Credit Enhancement, name the defendant as: Check Fee LLC, c/o Ronald J. Cappuccio Esq "registered agent", 1800 Chapel Avenue, Cherry Hill, NJ. 08003-0000. And remember, if you file, file in your home state (if possible), and drag their asses all the way to you!
Also, some people may beleive that the companies who process the debits for Credit Enhancement aka Check Fee, are just as bad and just as much to blame (and I wouldnt necessarily disagree). Therefore, if you would like info on those companies as well, please do not hesitate to contact me. I sincerely hope I was of some help to all of you!
Thanks for reading!!
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