On July 21 I filled out an application for a secured Visa card online. I didn't complete the application because I noticed there was a $59 application fee, a $90 processing fee & $10 to open the account. I erased my information (or so I thought) because I didn't want to spend that much to get a secured card.
This morning I logged into my checking account & saw that VIPCard had debited my account for $159 on 8/9/04. When I called the phone number next to the debit it was answered as 'ICard Services'. I asked the lady why they took $159 out of my account & was told it was for a secured Visa card. I told her there was no way I had authorized anyone to debit my account for that amount of money. She said they had my name, address & checking account number so I must have applied for it.
I asked her to tell me the last four digits of my social security number & she told me they didn't have it. At this point I was began to get angry. How could they take money out of my account without having my social security number? I told her I had started to fill out an application, however upon seeing the fees they charged, had gone back & deleted all information that I had entered.
When I asked how long it would take for them to return the money, she told me I had to file a fraud report with the police. I would then have to fax them a copy so they could do their own investigation to determine whether or not fraud had actually occurred. I was a bit baffled by that statement seeing as how they were the ones who had taken the money out of my account without my knowledge. I replied the police were the ones who would decide if fraud had been committed, not them.
Again I asked how long it would take for them to return the $159 to my account. She said it would take about two weeks but only $100 would be returned as they would keep the $59 application fee. I responded that wasn't right because I deleted my information so it wouldn't be processed. Her reply was "well, the application was processed therefore, you are responsible for the $59 application fee."
One thing I am still not clear on is the fact she claimed they could check the email IP# & if it originated from my home computer I would be responsible for the full amount. Of course it'll show the information was entered from my home... But it was also deleted there... By me.
I am going to file a police report & I will fax them a copy of the report. However, unless the police tell me otherwise, they will make the determination as to whether fraud was committed by ICard Services. I am also going to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I am also thinking about calling the local newspaper & news channels to have them investigatie these crooks. How else do you describe a company that considers an application with all the information deleted a completed request for their secured card.
My last thought as I wrap this up? How many of my checks are going to bounce & how much will the NSF fees amount to? The $159 they debited from my account had already been designated as rent. Now I will be charged a $25 late fee as well as returned check charges amounting to $58. That means my $159 will actually put me in the hole $142, which I can ill afford, because of some shady business practices used by this company.
I need any and all help anyone is willing to give me. Thanks for letting me air my concerns regarding this very shady business. I hope there is something that can be done to stop them from doing this in the future.
David
Stockton, California
U.S.A.
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