Complaint Review: Advantage America - Winter Park Florida

Below is a copy of the letter I sent to the Attorney General of Ohio. I have also contacted the Secret Service, World Trade Commissions, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). I had no luck with the BBB, and I'm still waiting on a response from the others.

I am representing my brother, Kyle Harvey, since I had some involvement in his experience with Advantage America. It started when they called me asking for a guy named David. I assume I had David's old phone number. They began asking me questions like, "do you pay your taxes on time every year, and am I a U.S. citizen?" I could barely understand the man on the phone, because of his foreign accent. They told me that I am eligible for a grant in the amount of $12,500. He said his name was ?Frank.? In order to receive the money, I would have to give them the account number to have the money wired within 48 hours. I didn't give it to them right away. They said that when the money was transferred, a processing fee of $49.95 would be deducted...but at the same time that money was deposited. I thought about it for a while, and figured it was too good to be true. I didn't have any money in my account at the time, so I had nothing to lose. I gave them the information to have the money transferred to my account. It included my checking account number and bank routing number. A couple of days later, they called me back stating they had some technical difficulties with my funds transferring. They said they needed another account number. I didn't have another account. They said that a friend or family member's account would work. I called my brother, and he said he'd do it. He gave them his account information, and soon after, my account was overdrawn, because they took $49.95 out of it after they stated they had difficulties. There was still no grant money deposited in my account, nor my brothers. I contacted my bank, and they helped me get my money back and closed my account. Then, they hit my brother's account! A total of 3 times:

* January 11, 2006 for $49.95

* February 2, 2006 for $19.95

* February 16, 2006 for $299.95

A total of $369.85 was wrongfully taken from his account. I tried contacting them, but every time I called them I got someone with a foreign accent. I couldn't understand a word they were saying. In the meantime, I was receiving phone calls from them. They stated that I was still eligible for this grant money. I told them that I wanted my brother's money back, and they said they had no record of an account in his name. Liars! They proceeded to harass me, calling me and lying to me about receiving grant money. They must've thought I was stupid. Perhaps they tried to deduct money from my account, then found out the account was closed. They didn't give up until recently (in August). During the entire summer months, I would get phone calls from someone with a foreign accent. I had a feeling it was them, and I usually hung up on them, because I couldn't understand them. One time, a man with the accent called asking me if my father was still alive. I told him, ?that is none of your business.? He said that if he was alive, I am eligible to receive money in the amount of $7,500. I told him to stop calling me, and hung up the phone. He actually started cussing at me, because I wasn't interested in what he had to say. About a week later, I get another call. It sounded like the same guy. He said he was with Bank of America. I didn't believe him. I asked him what his name was. I cannot remember what name he gave me, but it was an American name, which did not fit his foreign accent. Then I asked for a phone number. He gave me the number, then I told him that if they didn't stop calling me, that there is going to be a legal situation. I haven't heard from them since. The next day I tried to call the number, and it was someone's personal phone number.

Back in February, after the money was taken from my brother, I contacted the Better Business Bureau. The case number is 3E521-BF06F-54498-BACFE-02EC2-8742A-8B. I received a letter from a Crystal Brown stating that my brother was going to get a full refund. A check was supposed to be sent, but there was never a check. I don't know what else to do. I feel horrible that my brother's money was taken without his consent, and it was my fault for getting him involved in this mess. Is there anything you can do to help?

Sincerely,

Sheila

Westerville, Ohio
U.S.A.