Complaint Review: Cyber Financial Network - Syosset New York

Here's one letter I sent to my CC company:

Thank you for listening patiently to my complaints regarding my dispute with Cyber Financial Network. I continue to hold my position in this dispute that CFN, and namely their Sales Representative, Greg Morgan, had misrepresented documents knowingly made statements under false pretenses and in turn, charged my account without approval. With this being said, and based on our conversation, I want to continue to dispute both charges made by CFN both February and May of 2003 in the total amount of $7000.

I admit that my main fault in this case (as hindsight is 20/20) is that I trusted a business and an individual to have my best interest, as a client, in mind. As a representative in the insurance and investment industry I work under a strict set of laws and ethics and I guess unfortunately that I expect that others act in a similar manner. CFN and Greg Morgan have been less than honorable and have acted with little integrity. I plan to outline my position in this case and make some very valid points as to why these charges were fraudulent.

To summarize how this complaint came about, I'll outline my business dealings with CFN a web-based, lead generating company: In May of 2002, after several conversations with CFN sales rep, Greg Morgan, I decided to purchase zip codes with CFN in an effort to generate more insurance business. Based on the statistics Greg said he had regarding the zip codes I was interested in, he told me I could expect 40-60 leads per month. This scenario was never realized. I received on average roughly 30 leads a month.

This brings us to February of 2003. During a discussion with Greg Morgan regarding, among other things, my decision to not renew my zip codes in May, Greg said he could make some changes to my account that could increase the activity and that he would send over the necessary paperwork. He made no mention of charges just changes, so I signed the paperwork and faxed it back.

As I was checking my CFN account a day or two later, I noticed that my cyber points had increased (cyber points are points you gain by buying more zip codes to redeem for gifts) so I immediately called Bank One to see if I had been charged by CFN. I had been in the amount of $3,000.

This is point one for my case. I had asked during that phone call to Bank One to make a note in my account that I had not authorized this charge. I then asked the Bank One rep what my options were. She told me that if it is a mistake, that I should just try to work it out with the company and then if I couldn't resolve it, then file a dispute. This is noted in my Bank One account history. This is also to counter Mr. Greenberg's statement that the charge was, processed without any issue whatsoever. Mr. Greenberg and CFN have done a fantastic job of not researching or understanding the facts of this case.

At CFN, Greg Morgan has assured me that this charge was, in fact, a mistake and he was working to have the charge removed. He seemed to be doing what he could to keep me as a client. I was unaware that he was working against me.

Over the next two months, I was told numerous times that the accounting department was reversing the charge. In fact I was told on several occasions that it was reversed and should show up any day. Again, I called Bank One to find out if the reversal had been applied and still nothing. On the occasions that I spoke with representatives, I had again asked that they make notes to my account regarding this charge. Still part of my first point I had made many efforts to have statements recorded on my account should we have to dispute this case.

The last charge made in May in the amount of $3500.00 was again, under the ruse that Greg would make one last ditch effort to maintain my status as a client. Changes again turned into charges. This was twice now I had fallen for the same thing and I had reached the end of my rope. It was at this time that I immediately filed a dispute against CFN. I had presented my case to a Bank One rep who then helped me to place the entire $7,000 in dispute. We have been going back and fourth ever since.

I want to also outline further details that should raise red flags regarding CFN, their representative and their practices:

The contract form that was sent over has the heading Zip Code Lock-in Agreement. As presented to me by Greg Morgan, this form was necessary to make the changes he suggested to my account.

Greg Morgan no longer works for CFN as he left to start a business in the same manner as CFN. The impression I got from CFN is that he did not leave on good terms.

Efforts to contact a billing or accounting department were unsuccessful. I was never able to contact anyone that could assist me. I was also never able to directly contact a supervisor. The messages I left were never returned.

While trying to work out a mutually agreeable compromise at CFN with someone named Jordan, he basically suggested he doesn't care how I was charged, just that that he had contracts signed by me and that what ever Greg Morgan told me didn't matter because he no longer worked for the company.

o Bank One should know if Greg was fired, did he have other client complaints regarding his sales practices and unauthorized charges

My Bank One account should have notes from each call I have made from February forward. Please research all the notes and how they pertain to this case.

While researching complaints about CFN I found that there have been complaints against the company for similar issues. In fact, many of the customers were not satisfied with the businesses ability to resolve the issues. I have attached documentation from the Better Business Bureau.

o Furthermore, in a letter received from the BBB, CFN stated that I had only been charged $3500.00 and no other money had been received. More proof they will say what they need to in order to keep my money.

o CFN has two listing's on the BBB New York website Cyber Media Group Inc, and Cyber Financial Network Inc. both listing recent complaints in the same order as mine.

Also, I have some further documentation showing, among the zip codes charged to my account on the two separate occasions in February and May 2003, that I was charged for zip codes I had already purchased! Bank One should also request that all dated, account activity charges, changes, etc. corroborate the charges and statements made by CFN.

Now, December 2003, one dispute in the amount of $3500 has been charged back to me. VISA had said the reason for the charge back was, because the zip codes weren't free. I don't even understand what that means! Furthermore, CFN has that money now and refuses to provide services for monies received.

My history with Bank One/First USA has been long and harmonious. I have always paid my bills and I have always paid on time. I have never abused my credit and never assumed more liability than I could take on. I can't now nor could I take it on then, $7,000 worth of services.

Please refer to attached documents:

CFN Lock-in agreements, Zip Code Change Forms, BBB letter and CFN Profile, Previous letters to Bank One

Thank you for your time and consideration with this incredibly important issue. Please contact me directly if I can be of assistance with anything at all involving this case.

Tom

San Diego, California
U.S.A.

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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