Today, in my office mail, I received an unsolicited card from CCS-Credit Service Division/First National Card with a balance of $6,500. It was addressed to me, but with my work address. Naturally, I was confused what this was as a) I have not applied for anything in quite some time, and b) it doesn't have a Visa, Mastercard, etc. Logo on it.
After reading the 'fine print'I found out that this 'card' is "not a general credit card and is authorized for CCS catalog purchases only" and that it came with an annual membership fee of $198.00. Further reading lead me to "you may cancel your merchantcard at anytime by notifying us in writing. To avoid billing for your annual fee, we must receive your notice at least 3 business days before we bill you." The only phone number listed is to activate the card only.
I came on this website to find many numerous complaints about this fradulant deal. First—DO NOT CALL THE 800 NUMBER THINKING THAT YOU CAN CANCEL OVER PHONE-it's an automated number and will only lure you into inadvertantly activating the card in hopes that you'll eventually speak w/an operator. Second-Warn your bank that this is a fradulant company and that they may attempt to withdraw the 'membership fee' from your account-you may have to close your account in order to stop them from taking the funds; after reading the complaints here, I have found that they somehow have our bank info and are using it to get their money. Third-Call or visit the FTC webpage (ftc. Gov) and make a complaint.
The only thing that I think might have gotten me involved in this scam is that right after Hurrican Katrina I tried to donate money to the Red Cross. I called 1/800-Red-Cross to donate. I don't beleive that is actually red cross's number. When the call was picked up, the man who answered the phone made it sound as though it was a charity, but didn't mention any specific name. Thinking that that was odd, asked who I had called and he told me that he was with Red Cross. I gave him my credit card info in order to make a donation. This was over a week and a half ago and as of last night I have not had my account debited by Red Cross, but this bogus card showed up today. Correlation? I don't know, but it sure is funny timing.
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