Complaint / Review
Consumer First Aka First Consumer
Rip-off warning! Same company. Thank You consumer complaints

Thanks to usacomplaints.com I was able to stumble across another potential scam.

I received a letter that was an EXACT copy of their example letter. I was suspicious as I noticed no guarantee of a credit card, just a platinum card.

I continued to look over the letter and noticed no phone number and no listed terms and conditions on the letter. All there was was a statement of "Terms and Conditions included in your Membership package."

We became very excited as my credit is not good at this time and we thought to use it to help resolve an issue that we could pay but would help if we could pay it off faster.

After bouncing it around, I decided to do a web search. I placed in the words Consumer First. But I couldn't find anything on that name (the plus sign means the search must include both words). What I kept finding was First Consumer notices. I decided to take a look. I saw one good report out of seven I read but again, nothing that really showed me it was the same company.

So I then decided to check out this website because I was sure it was a scam even if I didn't find anything on Consumer First.

I clicked on the link that led to the "UPDATED info How to deal with phony credit cards";lo and behold. An exact replica of my letter right down to the signature.

I got lucky. I know it. But we all need to know that First Consumer and Consumer First are the same companies.

Here are the hints I look for when deciding if an offer is legitimate.

1. No terms and conditions listed? Not a credit card.

2. No Visa/Mastercard or similar symbol? Probably not a credit card.

3. No toll free phone number? ALL valid credit card companies want you to keep in touch. It saves them money tracking you if you are late and helps resolve your complaints quicker. (Yes, I know but believe me, they don't always go out of your way to be a pest.)

4. Does your letter say "Member of FDIC"? No? If it's a bank, I wouldn't put money in it. That's the symbol that protects banks from losing money and going bankrupt. Remember those recent times? I do.

5. No Email address? Again, it has become an important tool in banking these days and credit cards are banking. If the "too good to be true" credit card offer doesn't have an e-mail address, odds are, they don't want to be contacted. Why? Good question. Not a valid offer.

6. Hey remember when they say "reserved a card for you"? Notice that letter never says credit card in it? Maybe because they only want you to think it is a credit card.

My letter is long but I hope it helps. If you think my advice is bad, give me a call, I used to sell vacation spots and could probably offer you a few condos.

Good luck folks and remember, research and wonderful websites like these are our best tools for protection and getting back on our feet!

Thanks again!