My daughter and I both spoke to SCBN on the telephone (got number from web site) and explained several times that I only needed help getting my medications for September and October until my Medicare would start. After being reassured by the sales rep that I could cancel at any time, I authorized the $50 set up fee and the first $80 payment, HOWEVER,
When I got the membership kit, I saw the Delivery Receipt and Advocate Authorization / Membership Delivery Receipt with return envelope. I started to sign it, then decided to read the packet. I discovered numerous errors on the Membership Agreement (my e-mail address, income amount and source, and referred by section). I was dismayed and concerned that there were so many errors and started highlighting them so I could call to correct them.
Then I got to the second paragraph of the Patient Advocate and Membership Agreement and noticed that it says that my membership dues will be paid in twelve (12) equal monthly installments by automatic deduction if at any time you wish to discontinue your automatic deductions, you will be responsible for paying the full remainder of the contract value immediately. Neither my daughter nor I were ever told that this would be a 12 month contract or that the automatic deductions would continue for 12 months. We were both lead to believe that there would be a one-time $50 set-up fee and $80 for each of two months and that I would be able to stop it once my Medicare started in October. I believe that the sales rep was deceptive and dishonest with both of us and took advantage of the fact that I was having difficulty finding a way to pay for my medications during this interim until my Medicare started.
Then, to make matters even worse, the last paragraph of that same document states that If you do not agree fully with the terms and conditions or if at any time during the first thirty (30) daysyou wish to cancelyou may do so by giving written notice to us. You will be released from your obligations ONLY if you return all documents, forms, papers, or other work product within thirty (30) days unaltered and unused. ONLY IF UNALTERED? This is entrapment! They placed the Receipt and return envelope loose in the packet so that people will naturally sign it right away and then they had numerous errors in the documents so people would mark them in order to discuss them with SCBN, then the contract says that there is no way out of it once you alter any of the documents! This is totally deceptive, unfair and possibly even illegal taking advantage of people who are in desperate need of legitimate assistance (which may or may not be provided after the entrapment)!
After numerous phone calls over several weeks and getting voice mail or real person always saying the person I need to talk to is busy, I finally got a call from someone SCBN who gave me instructions to write to Board of Directors which I did. No response yet.
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