First came an email that promised real lead results for Realtors within specific zip codes at a fraction of the cost of well know competitors, like HouseValues.com. Their website looked very nice and well integrated, so I called them. I spent about 30 minutes on the phone with a very smooth and obviously well educated gentleman who convinced me to try their services for a month, with no further obligations, unless I chose to continue based on promised leads and real results.
The concept allows you to offer a real estate REBATE to the Buyer, whoever they may be, when they log into the website and seach for a Realtor in that zip code. You are free to offer any percentage of your commission back to the Buyer, and then you pay a fee to ePerks for any closed transactions. They bragged about their prominent advertising on the web and major national publications, as well. They had me convinced that I was going to be receiving at least 10 leads the first month, based on the exclusive zip code I paid for. I gave them my credit card, over the phone and it was immediately charged $151.92. I never signed any agreement or credit card voucher. Everything conveyed was verbal.
After 3 weeks, I had not received any leads. I called to find out why and got no response. When I did internet searches, only scam information about ePerks popped up. I just wrote it off and went on with my life. About 2 weeks later, when I checked my bank balance online, I discovered that they had fraudently recharged my credit card for $151.92. Luckily, I got someone on the phone when I called, or so I thought!
I was told that I had called just a few days too late. I was told that I had agreed to be charged on a monthly basis, unless I notified them before the next due date, which was a blatant lie. Evidently, in order to avoid being recharged, I should have called 3 days prior. They would do nothing for me, but cancel me for the following month. I told him that I had no choice, but to appeal to have the charges reversed by my bank. He said, he had no problem with that, but warned me that he would simply report me to 3 credit bureaus and told me "... Try to deal with them to have it removed...", in a very flippant manner.
After 2 months of investigation, the charge was deemed to be frauduent by my bank and refunded. 45 days later, I received a collection letter that now promises to report me to the credit bureaus on 11/18, if I do not pay them $151.92. I just sent them a certified, return receipt letter, again denying that these charges were in any way authorized by me verbally, or in writing. If they pursue with their threat to tarnish my credit, I have promised to petition the credit bureaus to deny access to their business by ePerks, citing total abuse of many consumers, not only myself. I will print out all of the ePerks complaints as proof, as well as the letter from my bank, finding in favor of me.in addition, I have promised to file complaints with RIP OFFs.com, the BBB and the CA real estate licensing authorities.
Stay away from doing any business with this sham of a company, who will abuse you, then abuse your credit card, then finally abuse your credit rating, leaving you with a big mess to clear from your credit reports.
If anyone else has been a victim of ePerks, please join usacomplaints. Coms.com and file a report, then report them to the BBB, then report them to the CA real estate licensing authorities, to have their real estate license revoked!
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