Having just graduated from college and discovering I was the victim of an identity theft, I was desparate to find terms under which I could apply for my first credit card. I was trying to re-establish my credit and get on my feet in the real world. The pre-approved credit card offer by First National Credit seduced me into sending off a hasty check without checking the facts.
What is particularly insidious is the subtle ways in which this fradulent company manipulates the consumer into trusting it as a legitimate business. The name sounds very familiar and very official. The "acceptance certificate" is printed on paper that is nicer than my college diploma. There's no PO Box so it looks like a legitimate place of business. Although I had the "too good to be true doubts" I thought the "catch" was simply to lure first time credit users into opening their first credit card accounts with their company and not others. I also believed this may be a small start-up business trying to compete in a free market economy.
They cashed my check for $43.00 within two weeks. Six weeks later I have still not seen this card and have sent follow letters and checked my former address twice.
It may not even seem like a lot of money to lose (even though I am struggling each month to make ends meet and this could have paid for my pharmaceutical medication co-pay) But the damage is severe:
I took on a lot of financial burdens in the past couple of weeks certain that I would be receiving the card in the mail. I needed to do this to help get me lifted off in the real world after graduation and now it looks like I may be cast deeper in debt because of this. What kind of price do you put on that? Hundreds? Thousands?
I am sure that this company may target and solicit people with poor credit scores who they know are in desparate situations. They psychologically manipulate the consumer by writing the sneaky information in bold print (i.E. "the further details of your membership will be included with your gold card."). When you go to read the small print because it sounds too good to be true, you are only reminded that this is a legal binding document "enforcable under applicable federal law."
Well, now I would like to enforce the law. It is not only the consumer that should be interested in seeing these scam artists brought down but also Big Business. Any kind of consumer transaction is based on trust and rip-off deals like this serve only to undermine that trust. It is in the public sector's best interest to pursue these criminals and punish them openly.
I care less about seeing a return on my money and more on stopping these criminals from preying on any more innocent, hard working Americans who are just trying to build good credit in an economic system where that is all that counts.
Since I received the letter offer in the mail in early January and sent away for it in July. These rat bastards have been collecting and cashing checks for at least 7 months. How can this happen in a country where the individual has constitutional rights? Are there now authorities to report this to and close them down?
I have photocopied all forms and letters of correspondance with these crooks, especially the "acceptance certificate." I will not rest until they are brought down like all the other Enrons and Worldcoms in this world. Just because they have an "LLC" at the end of their names does not mean they are not criminals. There must be accountability in this country if business is to prosper and consumer relations healed.
I urge any one else ripped off to pursue legal action even if it costs more time and money than you lost. It's like negotiating with terrorists. Avoiding conflict may be a quick fix at the time but in the long run it invites more predators.
Seeking legal recourse and permanent compensation,
Daniel
Washington, District of Columbia
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