I was contacted at my home by the BABC on Feb 1. I was offered a $2,000 MasterCard by paying a $170 one-time fee and allowing them access to my checking account to deduct a $10 membership fee each month from the card. They were also to charge me an additional fee of $14 to UPS the card so that no one could get ahold of the card & begin charging on it. I was givin a detailed explanation of how the card worked and of course, I thought the deal was too good to be true. I persistently asked the question, is this a pay as you go card, and will I automatically have a $2000 limit with no strings attached. I was assured that it was not a pay as you go card, over & over. I was then told at the end of our conversation I would listen to a recording and answer questions, which I was to very clearly state yes or no. If I did not, the tape would be stopped & we would have to start over. I again wanted to know the details of the card. After 3 explanations of the card and the guarantee that it was not a pay as you go card, we began the recording. I was very nervous & the recording was very fuzzy, but I listened very carefully, no mentio of a pay as you go plan, only the $10 monthly fee. The call ended with the promise that I would receive the card by the following Friday. (She had stated earlier that the tape would tell me 7-14 days, but off the record, it usually took about 5 business days). I accepted the card, received an 800 number to contact & an account number. After the call ended, I felt very panicked. These people had access to my checking & savings account, with no real proof they even existed. I called the 800 number to verify & indeed, they seemed existed. I questioned the person on the phone & he said all of the right answers. I did this 2 more times, before the following Friday, with the same assurance. (by the way, the money was deducted from my account 1 day after the call-$194)
After 2 weeks, I still had not received my "packet." Packet? There was never a mention of a "packet", until I called 2 weeks after the initial call. I began questioning what kind of packet I was to receive. That is when I was informed it was a pay as you go card & once I received my packet, I could apply at a several local banks for a pay as you go card. I almost passed out, I could do that for alot less than $194 & $10 each month therafter. I asked for a refund, which I was denied. I was denied because I had agreed on tape. The tape was played to me, with a jumbled blurb about paying $10 a month and paying as you go. I believe the tape was altered, I had listened very carefully for just that statement on the original taping. What a scam. It has been 4 weeks, I still have not received anything & I ONLY want my money back!
Thanks!
Marianne
westfield, indiana
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