Consumers beware! We thought that we were applying for a loan to aid in the start up of a local business. We were first contacted by Frank Portino-he faxed us a copy of the loan. We went through it and signed-faxed it back. He then contacted us and stated that we would need a down payment for 3500.00. We sent 1500.00 of it by moneygram to a "broker" by the name of Bruce Jack Kneisley in Ajax, Ontario, Canada. That afternoon Frank and a fellow "rep" by the name of Andrew Sanlac contacted us and said that there was an error in the contract. He faxed a new copy. Again, we went over it. There didn't seem to be an issues. Signed and faxed back. We were then told that the balance of the down payment needed to be sent. Ok-we did. This time the moneygram was sent to a Daniel Jason Brodie-another "broker" in the firm that was working on our loan. I called Frank both times and gave him the reference numbers.
That day we recieved a call from Frank and Andrew stating that the amount of the down payment had to be increased to a total of 7000.00 and the balance had to be sent. We spoke with friends and tried to come up with the amount.By this time we had been on-line, calling them for verification, anything to show that they were legal. Give us some kind of ID number - a registration number-something! We went on line trying to find them. Guess what we found??? Lists of scams!!! We have been looking for additional information... FTC, FBI, FDIC, Banks in CT... You name it... We've been looking. We recieved a phone call - 1-23-08 stating that the loan would be terminated if the transfer wasn't sent.By then, they were handing out other phone numbers. (we will gladly give them to anyone who needs them!) Just for the heck of it I tried the 800-963-9165 number a few moments ago... Still out of order!!! We are filing a complaint here at this sight and everywhere else we can! Our dreams of owning our own business look very slim right now and I firmly place the blame on Frank Portino, Andrew Sanlac, Daniel Jason Brodie and Bruce Jack Kneisley. To all others out there in the same position-you have our sympathy. We know how you feel!!!
0 comments