I had received a phone call in late August. A woman with a russian or armenian accent had informed me that I qualified for a $12,500 grant along with $500 in grocery coupons. She also informed me of health benefits I could apply for as well as long distance. I had been applying for college grants as I had just turned 18 in late June and moved out on the same day of my birthday.
I was hoping to get the grant as I was supposed to receive $5,000 once I turned 18 because my great grandfather died a long time ago, but I never received that money. So, I was very excited about this grant, and was hoping I would have the funds that I wanted to go to school. I was informed of the $49.95 processing fee, and the $299.95 membership fee if I wanted to receive grants every year. I just figured I would be okay with the one year grant.
So, I stupidly gave her my account # but did not provide a routing number. Then she transferred me to another woman who had recorded me.
They told me to expect the coupons in 4-5 days. Only a couple of days after the call, the $49.95 was deducted from my account. I had waited a couple more days, but still received nothing.
I invested a day of calling the company, and my bank to find any more numbers that I could get to see if I could reach someone. They gave me the number to the payroll company that Advantage America worked with, along with a customer service number, which I already had, and another number for First Beneficial. (I will issue the phone numbers, and confirm the name of the last company mentioned, as I am unsure.) I had called all three numbers given to me.
The payroll company told me they had nothing to do with the company, and just gave me the same customer service number.
I had then called the customer service phone line and had been on hold for 11-12 minutes each time I called before I got through to someone.
The first time, I asked why I did not receive my grant, or my coupons. The woman verified my address and just told me to wait a couple of more days. Then she asked me if I was aware that the company would pull the $299.95 from my account so, she told me to put a payment stopper if I did not want that.
I was infuriated! Why should I fork out money to stop a payment? Why could you not cancel my membership?
I was very persistent on calling Advantage America. I had called a second time, and this time a bit more attitude, trying to figure out why I had to put a stopper. The woman who I spoke with hung up on me, leaving me more angry as I was sick of waiting 12 minutes each time to get through to someone.
So I called First Benificial, and was on hold for 12 minutes as well, and I was trying to figure out about the $299.95 fee and what was going on with the mailing. The woman told me that they did not associate with that company, yet she was able to play back the recorded message to me.
I gave up on talking to anyone, and fortunately, I closed out my account and got a new one. A few days later, I got my grocery coupons.
What they failed to mention is that you have to pay another $50 to receive those coupons! So, I just ignored everything, and went on about my life.
On Saturday, October 1, I had received a phone call. A man named "Ronnie", who had a very thick asian accent had asked me if I had received my $12,500 dollars. I told him I did not.
He then proceeded and asked me for my account number, and I told him I was not comfortable giving out my information as someone had stolen my money. He then asked me, Who? How much? And he continued to ask, so I hung up.
He then called back, and my boyfriend asked him for his full name. He gave us "Ronnie Williams". My boyfriend asked for his I.D. Number to verify that he is who he says he is, and "Ronnie" started whining and asking why he had to give his I.D. #. My boyfriend came back and asked him why we should give my account number, and "Ronnie" hung up on us.
I had then searched up Advantage America on google, and found this site. Which made me so upset because I searched Advantage America on yahoo after I had received the first phone call, and I did not see a single thing that showed that Advantage America Scams.
I have been checking up on this site, and reading all the reports. I cannot believe I was scammed! Everyone should change their account number instantly!
I received my papers from the long distance company and they charge you 20 bucks a month including a 49.95 start up fee. But it gets charged to your account! Don't go throught the hassle of stop payments. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO THIS.
I could have lost a lot more money than the $49.95 that was taken from me. I will be updating with the mailing address given to me and those phone numbers!
I HOPE WE CAN BRING THEM DOWN! I found some scam reports on various sites on this company dated in 2000 and 2002. This has gone on way too long!
Amber
Eagle Rock, California
U.S.A.
0 comments