Back in October, I was contacted by Northstar Financial offering me a $2000 Mastercard, interest free. I have just started getting my financial status straight and thought this was a good deal, a good way have emergency funds available, especially when my job has me on the road for 10 months a year, and help get my credit reports and situation straight again.
The tele-marketeer went through his routine, then explained that there was a $199.90 processing fee that they had to have. I agreed, like a fool, and gave them the information they requested.
Well, the money came out of my account as agreed, and then when five weeks went by, then six, I decided it was time to call them and find out what happened to my card. It is next to impossible to call these people, the line is always busy. When I did finally get through, they told me that they just process for the financial institutions and that I should have received a package with a form that needed to go back to the bank issuing the credit card. They would send me another package and I should have it in 7-10 days (this was in December). I called them again, and this time requested that mymoney be refunded, the person I was talking with said that she could not do that, but that she would connect me with the fullfillment department (?), and then the call was disconnected.
I called again, after about four days of attempts, and this time I requested to speak with the rep's supervisor, and I was asked why, then I explained the problem, and again was told that the Fullfillment Dept could do that for me. I requested to be connected with that dept and was told that shw could not connect me but gave me a phone number. I then requested a supervisor, and she hesitated, then I politely told the poor girl, that I wnated to be connected to her supervisor, the Vice President for Customer Relations or Corporate President immediately to file my complaint. She said she would connect me to her supervisor, then the line went dead, again.
I have sent a letter of complaint to the California State Attorney General's Office of Consumer Affairs and filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (all in California, now i looks like Arizona would be a good place also). My bank has not been very helpfull, since I did authorize, but they are researching the situation.
Do not let these people get you. I was stupid and was trying to get myself financially reestablished. Use your local banks or a reputable company.
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