Complaint

0
Judy
Country: United States
I found this complaint on-line and my scenario was exactly the same.

I received a call with a recorded voice saying the call was from "Card Services" telling me that I needed to "act now to save money on my credit cards or the offer would expire."  Then I was given an option to press a number to be connected with a live operator and the option to press another number to stop receiving any more "notifications".  I pressed to speak to the "operator" to ask why they're calling me since I am on the Do Not Call list.  She hung up on me immediately.  I tried to call the number back, but the number I tried was disconnected.

Comments

  • 0
    squirtles
    I got a call this afternoon.   Unknown number.   And I am on the do not call list.  I answered though because some family members have OnStar and cell phones that show up that way.  

    The computer recording was that they could lower my Visa and Mastercard rates....just press 6.  I pressed 6.  Girl answered and I asked who she worked for.  She said "Credit card services".  I then asked her how she knew I may or may not have credit cards and if she had my credit card information.  There was an immediate click and I was transferred to a ringing phone.   An elderly woman answered and I apologized for wrong number.   Then another click and a ringing phone.  I hung up at that point.

    I have been reading posts and blogs and I don't know how they can do it, but they can use your number to call other people.

    Crap, my dad just called.  He's in my caller id...he got a call.  Unknown number.   Probably too late to delete all that.

    We need to take this company down.   There is a good thread at City-Data with info and e-mail addresses.
  • 0
    Julie ann
    I was getting 8-10 calls daily from these jerks, it was awful.   They have been harassing me and even called on weekends.   After doing some research on the web, I found the following phone number for EZ Financial, the company responsible for this nightmare.   I called 877 354 5485 and very politely asked them to remove my number from the list.    The agent was nice and told me it would be removed in 24 hours.   I asked him if he worked for Ran David Barnea, and he said yes.    Anyway, I got 1 more annoying call that day, and none since then.    I also called the chairman of the FTC several times before I did this, and he never returned any of my calls.   I hope this helps those of you who are a victim of this horrible company.
  • 0
    Julie ann
    OOPS, wrong number, the correct number to call is 888 262 3331.  Sorry bout that.
  • 0
    Loki
    Obvious con artists who forge CID, from a criminal enterprise calling cel phones (and likely FTC DNC list too).  Likely a trunk connected PBX generating their own fraudulent CID and skipping name.  

    This seems to be the company shut down by court orders and an FTC backed injunction a few weeks ago, that had pitched fake extended auto warranties and other services.  I pretensed fake info as a desirable customer, and in an 18 minute call before they hung up was told by a supervisor that their headquarters is at 877-354-5485.  That's a real number, to a Texas company that says it is working with a Florida telemarketer.  

    www.pdmi.us
    PDMInt'l - Priority Direct
    2132 Don Dodson  Suite 100
    Bedford, TX   76021
    Telephone:     (877) 354-5485
    Gary Lehmbert - supervisor

    They want targets with more than $4,000 credit card debt at over 6.9% interest, and with several hundred dollars below credit limits, and not delinquent (they want to charge you $590 or $890, but say fees are paid by lenders).  If one has time, pretense being a good customer and consume some of their time, while trying to link them to their related companies.  Complaints can then be better documented to the FTC here:  

    https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
  • 0
    Spoke to Visa about this
    I've been getting these calls from "Card Services" for several months.  I've tried the opt out option but it doesn't work.  Tried talking to reps, been hung up on mostly.  Today I said that I didn't have time for the call right now but wanted to call back when I had more time to go into it.  After asking the man to repeat himself about 4 times he clearly said their number was 800-VISA-911.  

    Called them and the rep very politely apologized and said that VISA is investigating this scam and they can't track down who is making these calls but they are upset by it too. I asked if I could help in ANY way and she told me to gather whatever information I can from them and email it to  askvisa@visa.com  I plan on doing this.

    I also did a reverse search on the "card services" number that showed and it came up a residential - which after calling found out is disconnected.  The number was 717-339-0000.

    VERY frustrating but I will probably keep connecting and trying to gather info and waste THEIR time too, that is of course when I'm not busy with my kids!
  • 0
    Matt
    LOLOL prank calling 911 might be a crime but it is definitely not a federal crime. What does your local or country emergency service and police have to do with the federal government? LOLOL
  • 0
    Loeb
    | 2 replies
    I HAVE THE SOLUTION to the Credit Card Services scam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    The last time they called me, I was able to keep them on the phone for 18 minutes and it only too 2 minutes of my time.  I could have kept them on longer, but I got bored.  If everyone does that, imagine how their profits will drop.

    First play along.  At some point they'll ask if you can find a recent credit card statement.  Pretend you're looking, that might take 5 minutes.  Tell them you can't find it.  Then they'll ask for numbers off of your card.  The key is to be able to feed them fake info that looks legitimate.  Use a credit card number generator like one of these (http://www.cis.nctu.edu.tw/~is86007/magicshop/creditnumber/).  Make up a 3 digit security code (4 digit for AMEX) and use a fake name and zip code.  (Write down the numbers, they'll ask you to repeat them a lot to make sure you're not faking).  They'll also ask you for the name of the bank on your card and the 800 number.  Do a quick search like "BOFA 800 Number" and you'll be able to give them a real one.

    When the fake credit card number doesn't "match their records", say "huh, that's funny, can I try a different card".  If they think you're really as clueless as the prey they're looking for, you can keep them on the line for a long time.

    If they call me one more time, I think I'll write down all the bogus info above and keep it handy so I don't have to look it all up while I'm talking with them.  But, I suspect that they'll take me off of their call list since I cost them more than I make them.
    • 0
      frustrated in NY replies to Loeb
      | 1 reply
      I just received a call frsom 971-295-9768 with a robo-call introduction "Rachel from Credit Services, would you like to reduce your credit card debt?  press 1 to speak to a live rep".  I held for a few minutes to speak to someone.  The rep started her script asking how much debt I had.  I asked what company she worked for.  "Credit Services" she said,  I asked for a number to call her company back.   She aburptly hung up.   When trying to call 971-295-9768 back,  A  recording says,  the mailbox for Mike Jones is full,  good bye"

      The callers can't be simple stool pigeons, they must be aware that they are engaged in a criminal operations.  Overt fraud is the only reason why the call would end so abruptly.

      It clearly is not a legitimate business.

      I'm going to try Loeb's suggestion from 29 Jul 2009
      • 0
        Jake replies to frustrated in NY
        Hah I got Mike Jones too! He hung up on me when I asked to speak to a supervisor.I have received over 50 calls from these people in the last 3 months. Attorney general cant do a thing. I am at the end of my rope with these despicable pieces of human garbage.
  • 0
    Larry
    | 3 replies
    In review of each of these prior posts, not one has indicated doing business with this company and the company not delivering on it's promises. What is being stated are complaints about phone calls. Hmm, a lot of energy wasted.

    Has anyone been defrauded? Have you spent your money for a service from PDMI, and not received it?

    All this other conversation appears to be a disgruntled person venting...13+ posts about a phone number that's now disconnected and a woman cursing at adults and children continually. Not withholding businesses of this type monitor their employee calls for cost effectiveness if nothing else. They want to make sure their employees are working. And this previous post on how to cost the company money; now who is the scandalous one?

    If you've been defrauded, I would like to hear about it. If not, save that yada yada. that's all that it is!
    • 0
      Larry Shut UP!!!!! replies to Larry
      Duma$$, hopefully NO ONE get caught up in this ratchet scam.  Why would you want to hear about somebody being scammed out of their hard earned money by some 2-bit lazy sons of B's.  You might be one of those [***] trying to scam people. You are a RAT!!!
    • 0
      Stef replies to Larry
      Oh Larry shut up, you probably work for that stupid company!
    • 0
      Denacal replies to Larry
      Larry, the PROBLEM is that we're tired of being HARASSED with these calls. We want them to STOP!!! We tell them to remove our number, that we don't want their services, but they continue to CALL!

      They ask for your credit card number... do you know they can make a fake card with your number and use it @ a gas station in another state? I didn't give them my credit card number, but we've had ours stolen by a server at a restaurant and used similarly.

      They waste our time and we're trying to do whatever we can to make them STOP! That is all we want... if they stop, then we won't waste their time either. Got any ideas to make it STOP?! You aren't helping anyone.
  • 0
    Steve
    Dear Larry,

    You obviously do not get the intent of the previous posts. Yes, people are venting about a troublesome company. I have been recieving several calls a week from "Credit Card Services" (sometimes multiple calls in one day) for several years now. I have tried many different approaches to make these calls stop including: using the companies opt-out, reporting to National do-not-call registry, reporting to local and Florida AG and BBB offices, reporting to FTC. None has brought results. I look into the problem on occassion to see if anyone has found a solution but have not found one that works yet.

    You claim that nobody has been defrauded - but I disagree. There are many definitions of "Fraud" depending on the source, and the legal definition varies by jurisdiction. However, one definition from Websters dictionary is:

    FRAUD :: something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage

    Credit Card services uses both many different deceptive scripts and "spoofing" the caller ID of their calls to get people to spend their time if not their money. Also, if you've done any research into the companie(s) (they are run through several shells that keep changing) you can find that they have been charged in Florida in several Fraud cases brought by the state for taking peoples money for no return.

    The company obviously does not follow acceptable and legal business practices since they do not abide by the National Do-Not-Call directory, and since "spoofing" (reporting incorrect, incomplete, or someone elses numer as your own) as oppossed to blocking (Private caller) is illegal in many jurisdictions. The telemarketers that answer the phone also refuse to provide the companies real name, address or phone number when requested. I base that statement on the 20+ times I have requested that information and been refused or lied to. That is too many negatives without any positives to indicate anything other than a company policy.

    If you are unable or unwilling to see the "fraud" in this companies practices you may be blinded by yor experiences. Maybe you worked as a telemarketer (or for PDMI itself) which has jaded your viewpoint.
  • 0
    Groovy
    I think I see Larry's point.  I did just receive a call and I did not give them the info but I still would like to know their angle.  Has anyone actually gave them all the info they request and then got nothing, or worse, did they use their credit card numbers for purchases?  Are they selling a service sort of like back in the 90's when companies were everywhere that would "sell" you the service of cleaning your credit?  I have not read anywhere that someone has been ripped off monetarily.  I see a lot of wasted time from phone calls they make but has someone gotten their credit messed up, milked for money, stolen identity, or anything besides being annoyed by phone calls?
  • 0
    eaa
    I also receaved this call. I don't think i gave them any information that they could use to do anything. But by the time I relized that it could be a scam I had already told them my old phone # and spelled my name out correctly to them I got disconected and when I tryed to call them back the caller ID had Blocked on it, so i wasn't able to call them back.  The last thing they asked me was if I was still in Colorado.  Who can I report this to to make sure they don't do any thing to any of my accounts or to still my identity?
  • 0
    agree with Larry
    | 1 reply
    I completely agree with Larry, all the previous posts are of people venting.  I also received several calls over a long period of time until one day when I wasn't rushing out the door or busy with all the things we are all busy with on a daily basis and I answered the call and spoke to a live person.  To make a long story short, I was never told that it was my credit card company calling, I was told that they work with me and my credit card company to get me the best possible rates and the best part is that the service is for the lifetime of the cards.  I have 6 credit cards and 5 of them were lowered considerably.  I also have an experienced Financial Advisor that has helped me with other financial issues and I can honestly say that I am very pleased with the service.  The only bad thing that I can say is that sometimes I have to wait to be called back by my advisor as they work on an appointment basis, but then again, which company is perfect.  For example, I contacted the BBB to ask some more detailed questions before signing up but they never returned my phone calls!!! I called and left 4 messages AND I sent an email! Now who is fraudulent?  By the way, for those of you who are not aware, the BBB is a privately run business, they make their own rules and are NOT a goverment agency, same goes for credit card companies.  Every company is out to make money but at least Easy Financial helped me save more than I paid, a lot more, that counts for a lot!!!  Go ahead and vent away everyone!! Keep wasting your time!
    • 0
      danger to health replies to agree with Larry
      to "agree with Larry"-you seem to have had a very different response from the call then the rest of us. I receive calls multiple x per day about 5 times a week for months now. They won't answer any ? or transfer you to the next person to talk to. 1. visa & master card being 2 different co. don't "work together" to lower your int. rate-They start with "this is card services, we have an urgent call to reduce your credit card rateS". The s being the big deal. Once I got them to say they were calling from my credit card co. to lower my interest rate. The minute they mentioned visa & master card together I said, visa & master card are separate companies, so which one are you calling from-hung up. -Don't give the 1st person a balance that meets their minimum, hung up, -ask any question-hung u, etc. hung up, hung up.... I've pushed the # to receive no more calls-hung up, -can I talk to-hung up.........
      Now, for not causing any harm, I'm middle aged, but disabled. I've had multiple surgeries/balance problems/ walking issues. I only have one phone which is located where there is no electric plug (therefor I can't have a cordless phone). I'm in bed most of the time & take many naps. When the phone rings, I have to wake up if asleep, but even if awake, it takes time for me to get out of bed, get my walker or cane and then try to get to the phone. I don't have the finances to change this arrangement. I try to get to the phone to answer as obviously I also do not have an answering machine (needs electricity), most people hang up after 5-6 rings, so I'm trying to rush without falling, as that would be a BIG problem. I finally get there & it's "this is card services calling......" I can't just not answer the phone as I do have family, both young & old and it could be family or medical related locations trying to reach me.  I've gotten to the point for safety reasons, if I was asleep I don't even bother to try to answer the phone anymore. Of course, then when I talk to family I get, I tried to call you .....you didn't answer, so I've been really worried something was wrong or you were in the hospital. Therefore, I DO feel these "repeated calls" posts are not just whiners. This has started taking over our lives & how we function. I might feel different if they only called twice a year, but these have become harassment, which IS illegal, so people ARE being harmed.
      You also must be thinking only of yourself not all the elderly out their either, who have problems getting to the phone or are more likely to give out information being from a generation where you could trust a person's word or make a contract with a hand shake. I'm glad for you it worked out, but the way you were handled on the phone sounds like poss. a different company.
  • 0
    John B.
    Larry, why would anyone in their right mind spend money with a company that blatantly breaks the law with their advertising practices?  I'm sorry sir, but it is you who is the scandalous one or more aptly, a common criminal.  Your company is a scam pure and simple with no redeaming qualities as the volumn of posts to numerous websites clearly testifies.  You prey on the weak and most vulerable among us, i.e. those already in dire straights finacially.  Your company is a pack of hyenas.  

    Any "wasting of your time" by the public doesn't begin to commensurate the public for your collective wasting of our time.  

    Just so you know, I'm a lawyer and you are in my sights.  I will be pursuing you doggedly until your company is shut down and you are in jail.  I hope you read this Larry, and thank you for validating that you (PDMI) is indeed responsible for these criminal acts.  Your post was forwarded to the agent in charge of your case at the DOJ.  So yes, Larry, we've all been defrauded and our government is coming to tell you all about it.
  • 0
    Peggy J
    I just got one of these calls.  I kept telling them that I did not give out my credit card number over the phone to unsolicited callers.  I asked if I could have their number to check out their offer and call them back.  They said it was a "one time offer" and this was my only chance.  They said I had been sent a letter 60 days ago offering me lower interest rates on my credit cards, but I did not respond, so they were following up.  I told them if they had my credit card information, they should be able to verify the information from the last 4 numbers on the card.  They said they had to have all 16 numbers, but they were not going to ask for the 3 digit code on the back, and that I was protected by the Consumer Protection Act, and that if there were any fraudulent charges made on my card, the credit card company would come after the company and put them out of business.  I finally got them to give me the name of the company's website because I could not find it under "Cardmember Services", as he said.  Then I found all these complaints.  If I had not been wary of giving out my card information, I would have been scammed in a minute.

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