I have already seen some usacomplaints.com about Advantage America, and here is another one. This is a dishonest organization that needs to be stopped! I am considering a lawsuit and would include myself in any existing class action lawsuits against this organization.
On November 15 I was called at my apartment by a man who sounded Indian in origin. His English was understandable but his accent was obvious. He would eventually tell me that his name was Eugine Mozart (employee number 32420WA).
Mr. Mozart told me that I qualified for a government grant for $12,500.instantly I was suspicious, so I asked him what I had to pay or what group I had to join in order to get this grant. He assured me that I "would not pay a single penny". I asked him at least five times what the organization was that he wanted me to join and emphasized again and again that I did not want to join any group, nor did I want to pay any money.
Mr. Mozart kept assuring me that I would not pay anything. I asked to speak to his supervisor, so he transferred me over to some guy named Gary. This Gary told me that there was a one-time charge of $49.95 to get the grant application, but no additional charges after that. I told him that when I got my bank statement I did not want to see any money above that $49.95 taken out of my account. Three times he assured me that that was all that would be taken out.
Eventually it came out that the organization was some Advantage America and that they were trying to get me to join. I became more emphatic as I stressed my desire NOT to join and me demand that no money be taked out of my account other than the $49.95
Finally, Mr. Mozart asked me to answer some questions. These questions are automated by computer and you answer "Yes" or "No". WARNING: This is the only part of the phone call they actually record, and it is the main basis of their fraudulent scheme! The last question asks about some fee for joining that could be refunded if I was not accepted for the grant. I hesistated, and Mr. Mozart asked what was wrong. I told him that I did not want that sum of money taken out of my account. Yet again he assured me that no money would be taken out other than the $49.95, explaining that I just needed to say "Yes" in order for the deal to go through.
I admit that I made a critical error by answering "Yes" to that question. I should have hung up there. But I thought I had covered my tracks by clarifying again and again with both Mr. Mozart and his supervisor Gary that I would be charged more than $49.95 and that I would not have to join Advantage America.
While checking my account on the phone one day, I found that $299.95 had been taken out. Right way I called PSECU to find out what that was for. They told me at the 800 number that it was Advantage America. I told them that I did not want Advantage America taking any more money out of my checking account, but PSECU said that I would have to change me account number, that they could not block charges.
On December 6 I called Advantage America again, this time speaking to a Marya Chachoso. I told them about how Mr. Mozart and his supervisor Gary had both lied to me. I demanded my money back. She then played back the tape of me answering the questions. I told her that the conversation was much longer than that and that both of them told me I would not be charged any more than $49.95. She told me that I should have received a packet in the mail detailing the benefits of Advantage America. I told her I never agreed to join and that there was no grant application in that packet. I also told her that I wanted to cancel any account I might have with them.
Ms. Chachoso said that if I cancelled my account, I could not get the grant. I said fine and got a cancellation number from her (ES CXLAF4567) as well as and assurance that no more money would be taken out of my account.
When I got my bank statement for December in the mail, I found that another charge, this time for $69.90, had been made ot my checking account on December 21 (15 days after Ms. Chachoso had supposedly cancelled my account). Right away I called Advantage America again, on January 10.
This time I was informed that my account had indeed been cancelled. I pointed that out that on Dec. 6 I had been told that, yet more money had been taken out. I told them that either they give me my money back or send me the grant application. Again I was told that I needed to join. I went over the deceptions again and finally the woman I was speaking to (I cannot recall the name this time) said she would send me the grant, but I could not get my money refunded unless I join and then am turned down for the grant. She assured me that I would receive the grant application in the mail in 4-6 weeks.
I called again on January 18 but got nowhere. On Dec. 6, Jan. 10, and Jan. 18 I asked to speak to the representative's supervisor, but all three times was told he was "in a meeting".
When I got my January bank statement in the mail, I found that $49.95 had been taken out.By the end of February I had not received any grant application. The rep had said 4-6 weeks. It has now been 66 days. No money was taken out in February.
I called yet again on March 7, but no one answered. All I got was a recording telling me to send my "queries" to the address in Winter Park, FL.
This organization has stolen $419.80 from me and I want it back! Let us unite in a lawsuit to decimate Advantage America.
Jonathan
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
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