unauthorized withdrawal
Complaint
Cheryl
Country: United States
I just got an unauthorized withdrawal from this company as well. I happened to look at my account online to check my direct deposits and I saw that I had a $30 charge pending from the Splendor Concepts scammers. I called my bank, they froze debits to my account, and I have to go to the bank in person to close the account, and open a new one, and get new checks, and a new bank card, and change my direct deposits to go to the new account. I also have to write a letter about the fraud that contains all the details Thanks a lot Splendor Concepts. This will cost me pretty much a half a days time plus the price of new checks (which I had just purchased 2 new boxes), plus the hassle and stress.
Comments
Complaints started about 2 months ago.
In several cases these involve charges to the elderly caught by relatives.
The charges appear to be against checking accounts, not credit cards.
There is a report that the charge is an ACH charge, rather than a debit card charge. It's not clear from the other reports how they were made.
Although the high level of elder connected charges is consistent with typical predatory fraudulent telemarketing of "medical discount plans", there are NO reports of any even fraudulent telemarketing contacts connected to these charges.
Targeting of checking accounts is commonly reported with "medical discount" elder fraud.
The high level of elder targeting connected charges does suggest that these are being made with some access to account information, rather than at random.
That basically leaves two possibilities:
1) They are being used to process fraudulent charges using account information obtained from some other source.
2) They may be a weak security website being expoited to verify account information preparatory to larger fraud.
I'm leaning toward (1).
Was your charge made using your debit card number, or by ACH or RCC to your checking account?
To what extent do you use checks, or payment by providing your checking account number?
For all purposes, including mail order and online, or only for particular payments like rent or mortgage, utility, and credit card charges?
In other words, how widely distributed is your checking account number, and to what sorts of payees that might represent vulnerabilities for this type of fraud?
Make sure you dispute the charge through your bank, in writing, including a fraud affidavit.
File a fraud and bank theft complaint with FTC and the IL AG.
Also file a police report on the theft.
Limit your risk going forward by using checks only for payments to continuing creditors that you have an established relationship with.
Do not activate debit cards, as they expose your checking account to loss of funds potentially disrupting legitimate payments, and have weaker federal dispute protections than credit cards.
Use only credit cards for online or retail purchases, as their fraud protections are better, and financial disruption is less in case of fraud.
Use only ATM cards requring PINs for obtaining cash only at your bank's own ATM machines.
we are a legitimate online business and we have already helped thousands if not more people save on their mortgages, with our patented mortgage minder system. I apologize for those of you that have had errors or any inconveniences while dealing with us. While there may still be some kinks or glitches on our website , this does not make us crooks or a scam. Just because we are a small start up company people assume the worse, this kind of thinking makes me sick, and sad at the ignorance of the people of our great nation. Furthermore if you look at some of our most trusted and respected retailers such as wal-mart,
home depot, sears , target , you'll be hard pressed not to find MANY complaints , or even those of you yourselves , that have had unpleasantries dealing with such companies. For those of you looking to reach us we can be reached at 1-866-775-4392 and we will be happy to assist u with any questions , comments , or inquiries you might have thank you .
Your excuse that large companies have lots of complaints doesn't hold up, considering they are far larger than you, have far more actual customers, and that their complaints do not generally report significant levels of unauthorized charges, while yours are entirely complaints of unauthorized charges, with a substantial number of complaints suggesting targeting the elderly. In short, your complaint profile does not match those of large well known retailers.
1) Are you selling your product through outsourced telemarketing, possibly incentivized to pad or fake sales?
2) If so, what call lists is your telemarketer using, with what characteristics?
Are they using call lists likely to include a preponderance of older consumers?
What is the name of your telemarketer?
3) You are reported to be primarily charging checking accounts, with a report of using ACH charges, and few if any reports of credit card charge. What payment processor are you using?
4) What is your physical address (not mail drop/mail forwarder)?
5) Who are the owners of the company?
6) In what state is it incorporated, who is the agent for service of process, and what is their address?
Prepare to battle in the courts!