I recieved a phone call from this company on 5-29-07. I spoke with a woman who told me that I had won a contest! I thought how cool, I never win contests (The hook). She then told me that I was entered into an exclusive contest where the winner walks away with $1,000, 000. And that the company she is with would provide to me a vaction package for a few days at some exclusive locations in 4 star hotels, I'd also be reciveing a couple of magazine subscriptions "free of charge" (line). WOOHOO!
The next step was to talk me out of my card information. Easy. As a confermation we'll need your name, address, phone number, and a valid credit card number (and sinker). I gave my information thinking how great it would be to take my pregnant wife to Cancun or Palm Springs after the baby is born to getaway.
This is when I was transfered to a fast-talking male who congratulated me again and repeated many of the great things to come saying that all I'd have to do is pay somewhere between two and three dollars, amongst a stream of words that I cannot for the life of me remember it was so fast, somehow adding up to twelve payments totaling $74.75. I agreed, you can't beat a vacation for $74.75. She congradulated me once more and told me I'd be recieving a call from a supervisor.
No more than two minutes later I recieved a phone call from a woman claiming to be a supervisor. She asked some of the same questions as the last guy and congradulated me.By this time I was in a Target Superstore and my cell phones battery life was coming to an end, which I informed her of. "We'll me this quick then" she said to me before she attacked my ear with a string of words and numbers repeating numbers and words, asking if I understood.
Confused I told her that'd I'd like to cancel and reminded her of my dieing phone. She told me to just bare with her and asked wether or not I remembered what she said. "Do you remember how many payments you'd be making?" she asks, "Umm... Twelve?" Thats right!"Do you remember how much the payment was?" she asks, "Uhh...$74.75?" Thats great so I'll just confirm with you you'll be paying your first installment of $74.75 today... Hold up. I'm paying $74.75 a month? CANCEL. I'd like to cancel please. Shes says something about the cancellation and my phone dies.
Four days later a payment of $74.75 is taken out of my bank account.
That morning I call the customer service line after having to look it up online, I'm greeted by a man who had no idea what he was getting himself into.
I told him the problem I had with canceling and still paying. He told me he would see what he can do.informed me that the compnay financally obligated itself when I "confirmed." I told him that I had spoke to three different people all of which siad I confirmed and that I had cacelled with the last one. I want my money back. He told me that he could not refund my money and that he could only zero out my account until I had a better "finanical situation." I told him that my situation was fine, that I would not pay anything, and that I wanted my money back.
Cancellation is cancellation where I'm from. After a few minutes of civilized debate with him he offered to discount the payments to about $33 a month. I, becoming vexed now, told him that I don't appreciate being fast talked to which he replied he was not and wouldn't think of doing so. Then I let him know that I've many friends in the telemarketing business what with living in ORLANDO FLORIDA and all. That he could find clearly stated on the RECORDED sales call that I had tried to cancel. That he would refund me money or the next morning bright and early I'd be going to the bank and disputing the fraudulent charge.
Finally peace. He agreed, told me that he'd cancelled my "account" and refunded me my $74.75.
I suggest to any and everyone to watch out for these scam-artists. And be aware that if you've been bamboozled by them, you can and will get your money back with a calm, civilized talkin' to and a threat to call the bank on a case of fraud.
Trevor
Orlando, Florida
U.S.A.
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