My story is the same story as others across the country, just a different city and state. On or around May 31 a Vicki Williamson came into the salon I owned and opperated. I had previously consulted my existing credit card merchant provider about the need for a new processing terminal which did not enclude the account numbers on the reciepts as was the new visa / mastercard laws due to identity theft. Miss Williamson led me to believe she was from them at first and wanted to see copies of their statements. I was very busy and asked her if she could come back later. The answer was no as she was in the area that day only.
Then I learned she was not who I thought she was. She approached me about changing my provider account as she could save me money from what I was currently being charged. I was very busy and told her I did not have the time right now. She insisted it woul only take a few minutes, ten at the most and I could continue to work and she would ask a few questions. I agreed to work and listen.
First, she quickly showed me some fancy scribbling on my statements and insisted I was being overcharged, especially for debit card purchases. She told me I would only be charged 35 cents per debit transisitions and I should encourage everyone to use debit over credit choices. What she did not tell me was I would be paying a higher fee for debit over credit purchases, plus batch fees, higher statement fees, and I had a higher minimum to meet as well as higher percentage fees, all more than what I was currently paying. Her fancy talk was confusing and when I asked her questions all she answered was I would be saving money.
She took information from me verbally and wrote it somewhere, where, I do not know. I signed two forms, one signature an acknowledgement not a contract to lease a processing terminal since she told me I would have to buy one for about $3500.00 to $6000.00 cash up front, and it would be cheaper to lease over a period of time, $59.95 for about 48 months. The other signature was stating that all my banking information was correct.
At some point, I asked her about what would happen in the possible event that my business should close down. She simply said, return the terminal and it would all be OK. She quickly left and because I was busy informed me all the paperwork was right on the desk for me to look over.
As soon as I was finished with my client, I looked on my desk for all the paperwork. All that was there was was a single piece of paper with the lease price and creditcard processing fees plus her business card. So I called her cell number and asked her if that was all I got? Shoulden't I have a copy of a contract or something I agreed to? She said a contract would be mailed to me later to look over and sign. I was dumbfounded, I had never heard of such a thing. So I figured, OK, I can look at it later and decide then to sign or not.
On June 14 the terminal arrived by DHL delivery. Still no contract or anything in the mail. Later on, postmark June 28 I receive a bogus contract in the mail, a 5 page contract condensed into 2 pages so that the print is micro small with my signature in two places. I never saw this contract before this day. I certainly would never have signed this lenghty of a contract without first reading it which would have taked me at least 30 minutes or better, and I never would have knowingly agreed to the terms.
They debited funds from my account before this bogus copy was in my possession, they have continued to debit funds such as so called property taxes. When I asked them about this and as to why and to which county it was paid the answer was I agreed to this as it was in the contract and the right county was paid. They could not name the county to which it was paid. I have checked with my tax assessors office, all payments recieved have been made by me.
It is my belief that that the signatures on this bogus contract are images of the delivery signatures from DHL. The dates cordinate with these speculations. I recieved the terminal on 6-14-05. A sales tech signed the contract in NY on 6-17-05. The envelope was postmarked 6-28-05. This would allow for the images (delivery confirmation) from DHL to arrive at MBF in NY and be placed (photocopied) on the contract. Then sent to me.
People, this makes sence, since no one remembers signing such a bogus contract, it probably happened that way with you.
My business is now closed, I am being harrassed like everyone else with numerous calls each day at my home. Nothing is resolved, all they say is I personally guaranteed to make payments even if the business closed and I do not need a credit card terminal.
This is a scam, a bogus rip off. I have reported them to the BBB nationwide and in NY as a scam and a complaint. The Atty General of Texas as well as NY recieved a complaint. And as I investigate this more, I will notify all agencys and offices I can. These monsters need to be stopped and taken down. This is class action lawsuit material, sign me up, or I"ll see about getting one started.
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