I was conacted by someone claiming to be a senior loan consultant for Nations Credit Financial Service, after I filled out an online application for a personal loan. As I have damaged credit, I was thrilled that someone was willing to help me. The person claiming to be the consultant called herself Laurie Mills. I was sent an email with official looking documents. I did some research, and found the company has locations all over the U.S. So, I felt comfortable doing business with them. I was instructed that because this was a private investor that was funding the loan, I would have to send $810.00 through Western Union to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in order to insure the funds. The full amount would be refunded to me after six months with my "account" in good standing. The loan would then be wired to my account. I had sent in all my info via fax. DUH! I sent the money and was called by Western Union about an hour later to inform me the transaction was cancelled due to the fact the contact who was to pick up the money in Nova Scotia, her name is Kimberly Wheeler (alias) I believe, tried to pick up the money in Windsor, Ontario, along with four other sums of money from various "send to" locations. That information was given to me by the Western Union Customer Service Agent. I confronted Laurie Mills on the phone. She was offended that I would think this was a scam. I told her that I counldn't find anyone to talk to at any of their offices around the country, and she informed me that the phone numbers had been changed for some reason I do not recall, as I was not really listening to her story by then. She directed me to the BBB on line where I saw a company in good standing, but I wasn't convinced this was their company. She had olso called me from a cell number at one point during our arrangement. Whe I attempted to call herr back at that number, the recording explained the phone would not accept calls! During my investigation, I found some information related to the Bakersfield, Santa Clarita, Palmdale California area through the White Pages web site. When I returned the next day to investigate the phone numbers again, the site had no information regarding the numbers. They've been cancelled. Further investigation shows this is a known scam, and the Canadian officials are well aware of it, as well as American Law Enforcement. Please be careful. I was lucky, but they have my personal information. Furtunately, I have Identity Guard to protect me from fraud. Only if I weren't so Dumb as to fall for this scam...
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