Ank accounts at US BANK w / Fraudulent Unauthorized Alledged Long Distance VISA Debits...
Beware of fraudulent unauthorized electronic debits to your bank VISA checking accounts! It appears, I have been the victim of as many as two such scams in the past two months. Such con artist wreak havoc on unsuspecting victims in the way they conduct their activity. They tend to skirt the laws with their elusive tactics.
The first incident occurred when two electronic debits were made to my bank account at US BANK on the same day, 7/16/02 in the amounts of $59.95 & $99.95 by National Wellness Network (NWN). The 800 number as required by law was 1-866-824-1016. When I noticed this due to some discrepancies and bounced checks, I called the number numerous times with no answer.
These seem to occur in midweek leading up to a weekend when most businesses are closed. When I finally contacted someone a female with a very young sounding voice provided sketchy info about me which not even my bank has. This aroused my suspicions. She said I had ordered there product and these were the charges. I denied it, but do recall receiving a packet in the mail about three months prior to this. Fortunately, I did not discard this unopened packet. She instructed me to return it to the following address in Canada:
National Wellness Network
126-5934 Fraser St
Vancouver, BC V5W2Z7
I did this and it was returned via USPS 4 times to me for various reasons. The last time it was stamped by Canadian authorities as MOVED. The other's were refusals to accept. I still have the package and their number no longer works. I noticed the packet was postmarked as originating in the United States, Naperville, Ill on 7-5-02. The return address was listed as National Wellness Network, Inc, 3505 Silverside Road, 208 H Plaza Center, Wilmington, Delaware, 19810.
The most recent occurrence and the primary target of this report is a similar incident where $54.90 was debited from the same account on 8/27/02 by a company calling themselves "ePhone Long Distance Service." The 800 number provided by law was 866-293-0514. As usual when I attempted to contact someone they were closed with a voice recording stating the hours to call back. I research ePhone on the Internet and found this complaint forum (usacomplaints.com/) along with a shady website in which would not load to where the links were legible. That's when I decided to write this report. Another scam victimization is not what I need right now in life.
I have not been able to research any more information than I have been provided on this "ePhone Long Distance Company." I will try again during their business hours EST. I am in PST zone.
However, When searching on the Internet MS Explorer Browser, I did notice the following: "Results 1-15 of about 35 containing 'ePhone Long Distance Service'." So it appears, this is wide spread to say the least. It is my guess that this is another get rich quick money making scam. Therefore, BEWARE of strange phone calls with no caller or recorded messages! I suspect this, because of the nature of ePhone's business and the volume of such calls I receive on a daily basis. This may, or may not, be related?
I will file a subsequent report here tomorrow based on what I am able to find out from calling during business hours. I trust this will help someone else keep themselves and friends from becoming a victim of these high-tech seemingly legitimate looking scam artist. This mat prove to be of the Enron/WorldCom magnitude before it's all over with. I simply want these frauds locked up and paying for the cost of their greedy acts. If you have any leads or information on "ePhone" feel free to contact me through this medium. God Bless!
Yours Truly,
Min. W.D.
Seattle, Washington
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