Complaint Review: Credit Enhancement Services

I received a post card in the mail, which says in bold You are approved to receive a credit card with a personal limit of $4,000 to $7,000 guaranteed! Regardless of your past credit history. So on Feb 16th of 2001, I called the 1-800 279-9609 number. So they took all my information, and they asked for my checking account number. I asked if they were charging me a fee, and they said it would cost me $219.99 to enroll in the program. I told them I would call them back to think about it.

So I called them back, pretty much considering it, and asked them how long it would be before I received the cards, they told be I would receive a benefit package, which would take 4-6 weeks at most for delivery, and that there would be two cards I would receiving when I got the package.

Note, on the post card it said a Credit Card, which right there is their first proof of false advertisement.

So Skeptically, I asked them if I was my exact credit limit, and they said it would be $4000. And they told me I would be receiving two different cards, equaling the value of $4000. I was under the impression that they cards would have a limit of $2000 each. So I said I'd do it if they guaranteed my package, with my cards, would be at my house within close to the 4-6 weeks range, and they said yes, 8 weeks at most. So about 2 months later, about 8 weeks, I called the 1-800 #, and asked where my package was, and they said they couldn't help me, but they gave me a customer service number, which was 1-877527-4653.

So I tried calling it, and I couldn't get through. I tried again many times on different days, being on hold for any where from 30 minutes to an hour and a half. I would always get cutt off. So I called the 1-800 # telling them that I couldn't get through, so they then told me I'd have to call them early, like around 10 am, which in pacific time, was about 7 am.

So I finally got ahold of a representative, and they told me that they were experiencing some delays because of all the overwhelming request they've received for the program. They pretty much kept giving me the run around saying it should only be a couple more weeks.

And another time, they told me that I wouldn't be receiving actual cards, that I would be receiving applications for the card from different issuing banks. Once again, another lie.

Well I finally received the package back in either May or June, don't remember which month exactly, and I got a bunch of paper work, some brochures for hotel stays, a catologue for ordering household products, free satellite coupons, and so on. But the applications were not with the package. I received a welcoming letter, and one of the sentences stated this: If it has not already arrived, within a few days, you will be receiving your application for an unsecured major credit card, directly from the issuing bank. Should it not arrive shortly, please advise our customer service department. And at the bottom, it said If after receiving your Benefits Package, and it doesn't clearly state everything talked about on the initial call, you are entitled to a complete refund within 30 days.

Well I was under the impression that I would be receiving the applications within the 30 days, if not sooner, so why would I request a refund during that time. I still at the time wanted the cards. So once again, I've repeatedly called the customer service number, asking when I'd get my applications, and the same old story, You should receive them in a couple weeks. So finally I got fed up, and called the 1-880 # and asked them who the supervisor, was, and they said to ask for a girl named Agnes Hurry.

So I then called the customer service #, asking for Agnes. And they rudely asked how I got her name, and that she's too busy to deal with customer complaints, and the only way I could talk to her is if she happened to answer the phone when I called. Another flaw, there should always be some kind of head supervisor to be able to handle complaints from customers. I've also asked which banks would be sending me the applications, and their phone numbers and/or addresses. They said they didn't know the phone number or addresses, and they could only give me the name of the banks.

There were 3 bank names they gave me. I don't remember the exact names of the banks, but they said that two of the three banks would send me a card. I must have called the customer service center over 20 times, and they would keep telling me, We'll put you on the priority list. One time I finally told them I wanted a refund and they said I couldn't get one because it had to be done within the 30 days I received the package, which was pointless because I thought I would receive the applications shortly, like I stated earlier. She also told me that I had to fill out this form that came with the package, before they would send out the applications.

Well they never told me that over the phone all those times I called them, and the welcoming letter didn't say I had to send the form, because it said they were already on their way, if I haven't received them already. And besides, they already had all of my personal info, so I felt there was no need to fiil out that form and sent it to them. It took them till about August to tell me this. So I filled it out, and mailed it in.

So in Dec of 2001, almost a year now, I told them I still haven't received my applications,the lady told me something different, Oh you've never received them, well I'll get them sent out to you, you should receive them within 4 days. Well I actually did get them, right at the beginning of January, but she did say over the phone There would be 4 different applications, and two of the banks will send you a card Once again the story got changed.

First went from a credit card ranging from $4000 to $7000, then it went to two different credit cards from 2 different banks, equaling $4000, then it went from 2 out 3 issuing banks would send you two credit cards, now it's 4 different banks, and once again two of them will send you a credit card.

Well what I did get was the following: 1. A document from First Consumers National Bank, not an application, asking you to call a 1-800 # to apply. I called it and they required a $100 security deposit, where my credit would only be tripled (so about $300). Note on the post card it said unsecured.

The next paper I got was actually an application, from CCPC, but required a $16.95 processing fee, and they didn't have a 1-800 #, so who knows what other fees they may charge me once they send me the card.

The third piece of paper I got was from First Premier Bank, which had a 1-800 # as well. So I called it, and not only did they say that I wasn't guaranteed approval, but there would be a $29 processing fee, a $95 fee to enroll in the program, a $48 annual fee, and a $3 a month fee for participating in the program. And they said my credit limit would only be fron $250 to $1000.

And the forth piece of paper I got was another 1-800 # to call and apply. But it was from Cross Country Bank, which I already have a card through them. So why would I apply through them when I already have a card from them, nor why would they want to send me another one when they already have my business. So pretty much, the $219.99 I payed back in February was basically for them to send me paper work to contact banks, just so they could charge me their own fees as well.

Well I get offer like that by mail, over the phone, through emails, free. Even when I called First Consumer National Bank, and told them about the $219.99 I payed through the Credit Enhancement Services, they said that they never heard of them and they are not at all affiliated with them, and I should have not had to pay to get their information.

So I called the customer service and requested a refund again, and they denied me a refund, once again. And once again, they wouldn't let me speak to Agnes. I told them that they haven't done everything they promised, and I was entitled to my money back, considering they haven't even gave me what they promised to give me yet, in the first place. I told them about the banks, and what happened when I called the banks and the fees. They said I would only be refunded if I sent them a letter from being denied from the banks.

Well I told them I wasn't going to apply because of the outrageous fees, which they never mentioned, because I felt they were representing these banks, and they claimed they represented them and guaranteed the $4000 credit cards (or cards), but they seem to play dumb and not know much about the banks. In fact, the lady over the phone, said that they didn't know that some of the banks charged fees.

Well don't you think for $219.99, they should find that kind of stuff out for you. She also said that they have sent the applications out to me over 4 times over the year, which is a lie, because they knew at the time they didn't, and kept giving me the run around, saying they will be their shortly. Another bold faced lie.

So I told her my father, who was an attorney, would be in contact with her. I told her to make a note of that, and she said I will, and then rudely hung up on me. It seems like I keep talking to the exact same lady everytime. Because earlier in the year, I threatened to report them to the Attroney General, and the Better Business Bereau. Which I did, and as the letter states, they have had many complaints filed against them. Once again the lady on the phone rudely hung up on me.

anthony
modesto, California

STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!

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