I was searching the internet for parts for a 1985 Mazda RX-7 and I found this site called carsponsorships.com. The site, if you read their pages before joining, states that they have a free membership. I decided to fill out their application and clearly stated that I did not want professional sponsorship, I just wanted the free membership to start out with. I put in my make and model car and its condition, which is not show quality. I also stated in the application that I was only looking for Factory OEM parts for my car.
The application also stated a full 30 day refund, and also stated that I would not be charged any money unless I qualify for Professional Sponsorship, which I knew I wouldn't.
Well they decided to disregard my information and give me professional sponsorship which charged my card $89! Immediately upon seeing the charge, I contacted my financial institution and filed a stop payment for the transaction. This was around March 1st 2008.
My bank, First Security Bank of Bozeman/Belgrade, told me they would investigate the charge. Turns out, the bank never investigated anything, they sent my information, or part of it, to Visa to investigate. I was never told about this. Aparently, Visa told First security bank that they could not recover the funds, so First Security bank decided to let the charge go through, even though I signed the stop payment.
I called carsponsorships customer support and requested a refund, without looking for or asking for my information, they stated that I did not qualify for a refund.
I went to the BBB (Better Business Bureau) website to see if anyone else had any problems with this company. Sure enough, the count was over 190. The BBB report claimed that the company was in business for about 2 years. I filed a complaint with the BBB and waited. It took 30 days to be notified that the company did not respond.
I thought I had better file with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC keeps track of reported frauds, ONLY if someone files a report with them by calling them or filling out the FTC complaint form.
In the mean time, the $89 charge had sent my bank acount into the negative, I was getting charged by my bank $5 per day as well as NSF charges that would not have been NSF, had it not been for Carsponsorships deduction from my account. I contacted my bank on the phone and they were claiming it was a valid charge.
I decided to go to the bank and see if someone there would be willing to take a look at the website and the application form I had filled out. The Asistant Vice President of First Security Bank of Belgrade pulled up the site on her office PC and she saw the application first hand. With its 30 day refund policy, and statement indicating that there would be no charge if you did not qualify for professional sponsorship. The bank Asistant VP claimed, herself, that it looks like a scam. But still the bank would offer me no assistance.instead the told me I would be charged by the bank all these bogus 5 dollar charges because I got scammed. The total so far was $133 just in bank fees. I was then told If I wanted to pursue the matter further, I had to pay $500. I was outraged.
I then decided to go to my local police department and file a complaint. The officer their stated that since it was not criminal he could do nothing, but did file the complaint on record. I asked him, "If I go to the bank and steal Items or money off of the customer service representitives desks, what would happen?" He seemed shocked at my statement but stated, "You would be arested because that is criminal". I asked him, "Why then is it not criminal for a company that steals from a person". Its all because of state and local laws.
I thought BS, Another officer there recommended that I go to my bank and Freeze my account and open a new account at a different bank. I left the PD and went to my bank to freeze my account. My bank told me that I could not freeze my account because they were closing my account.
Well I guess that ends the bank charges. So far the total carsponsorships.com scam cost me $153.00 in bank charges and $89 by carsponsorships, thats a total of $242 this scam has cost me, as well as a bank account that was in good standing for over 3 years, and the frustration.
When I got home I went to the (Federal Communications Commission) FCC website and sent them an email asking them if it is a crime to use FCC Regulated equipment to commit disparagement (Bait and Switch) in this form. Carsponsorships.com is clearly using a webserver through a communications service provider that falls under these FCC regulations. The e-mail was sent to the Chairmen of the FCC. I am still awaiting a response!
I have all relevent referance #'s of all my reports and am debating on contacting the FBI about this issue which is arising in several states.
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