Lower credit card interest rate scam
Complaint
Michael Rennier
Country: United States
Somebody,(Margarite) phone number 901-248-7430, called me up and directed me to press number 1 to reach the company for credit card rate reduction. Upon doing so they requested if I had over $5,000.00 in debt and they wanted my credit card number to verify the debt. I requested their first and last name. The female speaking stated her name was Margarite but would not provide her last name. I attempt to find an address for the compant she refused to tell me then directed me to her supervisor "Ronald James". He again advised me he would lower my debt and requested my credit card number. I again requested as to the address of his company he stated Tallahasse Florida, but wouldn't not provide me with a street address. When I advised him I would look him up on the federal system because I felt he was trying to perpetrate a scam he stated "don't call this a scam and I'm going to hang up". I looked up the company "Account Services" on the internet and it advised of scam warnings. I said the internet site indicates you company is involed in scams. He stated "this is not a scam", I replied it sure appears that way; he stated "shutup" and hung up the phone.
Comments
"When we get people who treat us like you are sir, what we do is give your home phone number to everyone on my floor and anytime an upset consumer calls we tell them to call the do not call department and provide them with your number". I of course said "bring it on, I would like to get a group of angry consumers together to put you out of business".
Well I got 4 calls in the next 3 hours from angry people thinking I was the do not call department. I explained to everyone what was happening and they all said I could keep there name and numbers in case I needed some backing. Problem is that this is all a scam and even the Federal Trade Commission said without the phone number they couldn't help (caller ID listed as private caller).
It is illegal for telemarketers to privatize their number. Moral of the story is don't press 1, don't press 3, just hang up or better yet don't answer.
He has posted on several telemarketing scams in the Orlando area, on various sites.
Although they may have shuffled or changed their names again, you might be able to get some background on Orlando area boiler rooms.
(You can find his number through Google.)
I am so glad I had the chace to google this company. I was suspicious from the beginning, but the guy was very slick and I started to feel comfortable and trusting. I hate when people/companies try to take advantage.
Again, thanks to whoever started this post!
The legitimacy of these types of programs do always come into question. And even though I did get laid off... I can definitely say that I did save people well over the initial 'Elite Membership' charge. (See I really do know this company, and all the people that work there.)
However, with other less reputable companies, what they do is completely max out whatever card number they get and then there is never any contact. These are complete scams. But again there are honest companies out there, like I said I really did accomplish the interest rate reduction to save the client well over the initial cost.
However, that being said I would personally never proceed with any type of program that asks for your CC number before they even know/have my name. If you have fallen into this situation, to definitely get a refund from these sort of companies, is to first dispute it with the CC company (obviously). Then call the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and make a formal complaint against the company. When their rating deceases, on the BBB website, they are not able to scam as many people and will probably be forced to shut down or change names in most cases.
I will be checking back in on this thread later if you have any specific questions for a insider...