First National Benefits, ostensibly based in Charlotte, NC, also ostensibly based in Miami, FL contacted me in May of this year, informing me that I was going to receive a Federal Grant of $12,500 plus $500 in cash for reviewing their offers for a National Health Care Plan, and a long-distance phone service, all for a "one-time fee" of $29.95 which would be automatically deducted from my checking account, after the grant had been placed in my account. I could review both the healthcare package and the phone service for seven days, after which time I would be automatically billed $299 and $49.95 respectively unless I chose to cancel one or both.
Foolish me, I fell for it, and the $29.95 was deducted from my checking account, without the promised payment being put in. A couple weeks later I received a letter from "Erika Roberts", Director of Customer Service for First National Benefits in Charlotte, NC telling me I would be receiving a package in three to four weeks telling me how to sign up for information on the First National Health Care Plan, and how to sign up for information on how to apply for Federal Grants. This was in direct contravention to what I had been promised on the phone, but that's neither here nor there; the package never arrived.
Just a few days ago, they called me and made the same offer again. When I challenged them on it, (fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me) the person apologized and said the grant would be in my checking account "within the hour." That was last Friday. Today, (Monday) it still isn't there. I've taken the appropriate steps to prevent further charges to my account and filed a dispute.
Numerous calls made to their customer service number have been completely fruitless. Regardless of the time of day that I call, I received either a busy signal or a recorded message saying all representatives were busy.
A phone call made to Netcliex, the company that processed the $29.95 electronic deduction allowed me to discover the electronic check, which was made out to First National Benefits, was actually submitted for processing by "First National Health Care", and claimed as payment for information on applying for government grants, information which I never received.
This is very slick operating, and I've prevented it from happening again by closing my checking account and filing a dispute. I intend to do whatever I can to see that this is investigated further.
David
Duluth, Minnesota
U.S.A.
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