Complaint Review: US Benefits - New Hartford New York

To Nafeesah & to ALL who have concerns regarding the company that ripped you off, vs. the very LEGITIMATE business entity, U.S. Benefits, Inc. - I am trying to help you (and every jilted/ripped-off consumer who has telephoned us), and to educate you in order to remedy the misconception that OUR company is associated with a bogus company -- because this matter has affected OUR legitimate company's operations, simply by association and by having a similar company name. Because of this association, we now have grounds for a class-action lawsuit against the company that ripped you off (and ANY other entity associated with or promoting them), and we WILL be contacting the offices of the attorney Robert Maranto (thank you for providing his name to me) and the National BAR Association to file a formal complaint against him and his practice. This effort is a mere start to how far we are prepared to pursue this matter to the fullest extent. First, and in order to reinforce that OUR company is NOT, nor has EVER been, associated with the company that ripped you off - I invite you to perform your own search engine search in order to reinforce with you the legitimacy of OUR company, by typing in the words: "US Benefits cards". By doing so, you will be presented with a link to OUR LEGITIMATE company's website. Our company is U.S. Benefits, Inc. registered in Florida - and NOT the one that ripped off consumers in New York, that operates or operated with a similar name. I wish to reiterate (in direct response to Nafeesh's comment using the words "bogus" and the term "BS") that we (U.S. Benefits, Inc.) DO offer and sell health-care discount memberships, that are 100% valuable, and 100% legitimate. We have NEVER processed nor would we EVER process a charge for a membership to any enrollee's credit card without their complete and ADVANCE authorization, and all credit card transactions can only be performed by the enrollee electively. In addition, EVERY enrolled member, once that member enrolls and after their credit card transaction is approved (by the foremost credit card processing merchant bank in the USA), the new member receives an email receipt that is sent to them not only from our server but also an email reciept from the credit card merchant processor - and both emails are specifically addressed to them. We also offer a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee, and we offer rebates on several of our memberships. We are a physical business, with physical offices, and we are listed in the white and yellow pages with working telephone numbers. Our website is very detailed about the 5 membership products that we sell - NONE of which are associated with any type of credit card product "for sale", period. We are fully compliant with ALL Federal and State laws governing health care benefits programs, and have NEVER had ONE complaint filed against us because our reputation is 100% sterling in operations and compliance as a Discount Medical Plan Organization (a "DMPO"). We DO NOT know, nor have we EVER had or known or had any person employed by our company by the name of Eve Lake (as mentioned in Nafeesha's rebuttal). I am the founder, President & CEO of our company, and guard our reputation for honesty and excellence - with fierce conviction. While I can certainly understand and comprehend that Nafeesha is viably upset (as I would be, had I been a victim of credit card fraud) - to slam OUR company simply because OUR company has a SIMILAR name to the one that has victimized so many seems to be occurring because of the high-level of emotion surrounding this entire matter. Again - I reiterate - we are doing everything possible to aid and assist all consumers who have been ripped off by the "bad" US Benefits. I am an advocate for injustice. We have hired a Private Investigator and will soon have a team of lawyers involved as well. I invite and welcome your comments and specific concerns, as I am trying to help you - and to clear our company's good name, which, AGAIN, is NOT the company who charged your credit card EVER, nor are we the company who ripped you off. Most Sincerely, and with conviction to "right" this wrong that has affected so many, I remain, Andrea Sass, President & CEO of U.S. Benefits, Inc. OF FLORIDA

Andrea's response to the accusations against US BENEFITS is irrelevant because the issue I have against US BENEFITS is having to do with a credit card. I didnt pay close to $300 to get a credit card only to get an envelope full of stuff for pre paid cell phones, satellite dishes, and forms to fill out for a credit card that you have to put a deposit down for. All I want is my money back because they were taking money for goods and services and misrepresenting what they advertised to customers and sending them things that they darn sure didnt pay for which is pre paid phones to other items that require hefty deposits and customers didnt pay $300 for these things when they paid for a credit card to get their financial situations in order only to lose money after being promised a credit card to not getting what they paid for. I just want my money back since it's clear Andrea's response is a crock of BS because the US Benefits office I talked to had an 800 with a nasty assistant who answered to Eve Lake who's the manager at the company and the assistant makes it her job to stall people when they call to ask questions or for a refund. They don't even have a real address since they want the mail that comes to them directed to a post office box and I checked with the state about incorporation status and according to their records the status for US BENEFITS has been inactive for quite some time and I even contacted the lawyer named Robert Maranto who handled the details around US BENEFITS incorporation and got no response. US BENEFITS has their butt nailed to the wall of people who want their money back. Andrea saying that they do health membership deals that's crap I was told I would get a credit card instead I was railroaded with crap I didnt need since I own a cell phone, Satellite dish, and other services. First Premier Bank, Clout.com, and MBNA is reputable for getting a credit card that doesnt require you to put down a deposit ahead of time before the card is issued. I just want my money back plain and simple. US BENFITS is a joke as far as getting a refund is concerned.

As the President and CEO of the legitimate business entity, U.S. Benefits, Inc. that is located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL - I and our R&D team are fervently trying to aid and assist the MANY consumers who have contacted our company seeking resolution to the fraudulent dealings of the company that charged them the $288.88 amount. The fraudulent "US Benefits" from Howard, NY is NOT our company, and we want to help consumers get through this in order to aid them, and to maintain our company's sterling reputation. We are now actively involved in remedying the situation because as recently as June 2, 2006, they are apparently still "at it". We - U.S. Benefits, Inc. - are in no way presently, nor have ever been, affiliated with the fraudulent business entity that has been ripping people off (charging credit cards without authorization) and that is the same which is presently under investigation. Our company can be found online at usbenefitscards.com where you can read about us and our company's values. After receiving several telephone calls from angry consumers over the last week, we are now a concern to be reckoned with to ameliorate this matter, and we are 100% on the consumers' "side" to help put this matter to bed once and for all. It will probably take some time, however our investigators are working on tracking down every pointed source to shut the fraudulent company and its' "principals" down once and for all. We at U.S. Benefits, Inc. are a real bricks-and-mortar business entity and we do NOT offer any type of credit card or credit "repair" product. We do not sell (nor have we ever sold) any product that costs over $145.99. We provide membership-based helath-care discount plans only - enrollment for same are done on our website by each enrolling member. Plus, we have a 100% satisfied customer/member base, and we offer a 100% money-back guarantee. We deliver our products and services with a 100% record of satisfaction, and have never had ONE complaint. We are now involved in this very educational Rip-Off Report string simply because our company name is similar to that of the company that has been taking advantage of so many consumers. We want to help you - and our reputation as well - and hope that we can do so together, to put an end to the illegitimate dealings of the "bad guys" in question.

I recieved a letter from the IL and they had contacted US Benefits. The letter they wrote sounded like they had written it as a first draft where they didnt check for any kind of errors. They addressed me as Mr. Muller at the end not reading the error so the letter proved they didnt bother to proofread. Plus a lot of what was said in there was not true and it was Eve Lake who signed the letter so you could tell the letter wasnt written by a secretary who really had no experience in typing. She then said that it wasnt necessary to refund my money when the package sent was full of items that I had to pay out money for including the credit card and she claimed that US Benefits wasnt misrepresenting when in fact they have been misrepresenting people telling them they will get a credit card when they have to fill out an application and pay out more money. I have sent a response back to the State's Attorney's office letting them know what is and what is not true with this company. Ms.Lake knows there's complaints riding here and on the better business bureau websites. I will post any future rebuttals since there's going to be more I guarantee you that.

Just yesterday I came on here and saw that some guy named Ray from California posted that he too was taken for a spin by US Benefits. I havent heard back from the NY and IL State's Attorney's offices on my case that I filed with them about US Benefits so apparently they're still sorting through all the stuff I sent them. If Ray is reading I suggest he files not only a report with the Champlain police department, but he should file with the following agencies: Federal Trade Commission(either by phone or online)Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York(report can be filed online)web address www.FTC.gov Internet Fraud Complaint Center-this is the FBI fraud division and the report can be filed online(web address is www.ifccfbi.org and when you file they will require a password to access if you need to add to your report so keep that handy) File reports with the state's attorney in your home state and with the State's Attorney of New York and make xerox copies of the package from US Benefits and send it to both State's Attorney's offices. National Fraud Information Center is a good place to file a report with at www.Fraud.org for their online complaint form. Make copies of any written correspondence including the entire contents of package because it's considered advertisements and can be used against them if a criminal investigation is launched. If you choose to obtain a lawyer contact someone who specializes in class action so that if a suit is brought on there's enough information to be submitted to make US Benefits accountable for misleading buisness practices and to pay restitution to customers they took money from and presented them with goods that was not what was told to the customer prior to them paying $329(in Ray's case $389.00). It seems they change the price on people and Ray listed an address in Champlain when he posted his complaint because before they were using an address in New Hartford and a PO Box in Champlain. When Ray explained that the rude assistant who he got responded when he said that US Benefits is a scam and she said 'So what' she's essentially admitted that the company is doing illegal buisness especially since they're not registered in NY with the Department of Corporations as a legally established buisness and Robert Maranto is the attorney who handled their case and I had sent a letter to him requesting information on the legality of their incorporation status and recieved no reply and he's based out of Buffalo if you feel the need to contact him. Anyone who's been jipped keep a list of all of US Benefit's known addresses and phone numbers because that will give light to how many times they've moved. I filed a report with the New Hartford PD so they're already on report there, but if the address Ray listed was in Champlain file with their police department. Anyone filing a complaint with the State's Attorney office in their home state make a copy of Ray's complaint because by the assistant saying 'so what' after he said the company was a fraud should constitute them admitting that they are in the buisness of running a scam. Anyone and everyone who's been taken for a ride by this company needs to be on top of things because if a class action suit is launched the folks who work for this company are going to pay legally for this and send a clear message to others that you can't take advantage of those who are honestly trying to get their financial situations straightened out to only get taken out of their hard earned money by a company promising them a second chance at getting a credit card and only sending them forms to send off for a card and having to pay a $40 handling fee. We deserve better treatment than this.

The State's Attorney in New York and IL had sent me letters stating they have sent a copy of the complaint to US Benefits so right now they're waiting to hear back from them. I've already filed a report with the New Hartford Police Department since the company has their office there after having moved several times over the years. I sent copies of the complaints filed on them from everyone who filed a complaint here along with copies of the actual package that came from US Benefits from the booklet to all the forms for credit cards that you had to put a security fee for,pre-paid legal services, cellular phones, and other services to show they were misleading when they had callers to believe that they were getting a credit card when they had to apply for cards that required security fees. I think they know they're not going to get away with this since I sent copies of all the complaints made from Ripoffreport.com and the BBB's record of complaints they have against US Benefits. Hopefully this will be settled soon.

The State's Attorney in New York and IL had sent me letters stating they have sent a copy of the complaint to US Benefits so right now they're waiting to hear back from them. I've already filed a report with the New Hartford Police Department since the company has their office there after having moved several times over the years. I sent copies of the complaints filed on them from everyone who filed a complaint here along with copies of the actual package that came from US Benefits from the booklet to all the forms for credit cards that you had to put a security fee for,pre-paid legal services, cellular phones, and other services to show they were misleading when they had callers to believe that they were getting a credit card when they had to apply for cards that required security fees. I think they know they're not going to get away with this since I sent copies of all the complaints made from Ripoffreport.com and the BBB's record of complaints they have against US Benefits. Hopefully this will be settled soon.

The State's Attorney in New York and IL had sent me letters stating they have sent a copy of the complaint to US Benefits so right now they're waiting to hear back from them. I've already filed a report with the New Hartford Police Department since the company has their office there after having moved several times over the years. I sent copies of the complaints filed on them from everyone who filed a complaint here along with copies of the actual package that came from US Benefits from the booklet to all the forms for credit cards that you had to put a security fee for,pre-paid legal services, cellular phones, and other services to show they were misleading when they had callers to believe that they were getting a credit card when they had to apply for cards that required security fees. I think they know they're not going to get away with this since I sent copies of all the complaints made from Ripoffreport.com and the BBB's record of complaints they have against US Benefits. Hopefully this will be settled soon.

The State's Attorney in New York and IL had sent me letters stating they have sent a copy of the complaint to US Benefits so right now they're waiting to hear back from them. I've already filed a report with the New Hartford Police Department since the company has their office there after having moved several times over the years. I sent copies of the complaints filed on them from everyone who filed a complaint here along with copies of the actual package that came from US Benefits from the booklet to all the forms for credit cards that you had to put a security fee for,pre-paid legal services, cellular phones, and other services to show they were misleading when they had callers to believe that they were getting a credit card when they had to apply for cards that required security fees. I think they know they're not going to get away with this since I sent copies of all the complaints made from Ripoffreport.com and the BBB's record of complaints they have against US Benefits. Hopefully this will be settled soon.

I got an email back from NYS Division of Corporations and they gave me the address of the lawyer who handled the dissolution of US Benefits(aka Eclipse Products Inc.)incorporation status the lawyer's name is Robert J. Maranto, Jr. and he's a laywer out of Buffalo which is 3 hours away and originally they were on file for assumed names in Erie County, but then 'relocated' to New Hartford in Oneida County and re-established themselves, but are operating without a license in NYS. Contact the county for copies of their documentation it's only $5 for a copy of the document, but it will help your case with the state's attorney to see where this so called company is leaving a paper trail and have put themselves out there since US Benefits has a listed address in the White Pages.

I just called the IL State's attorney's office and they told me if you have any advertisements for this company which the items that YOU paid $329 for qualifies as advertisements so make copies of the entire package and send it with your complaint so that they can see that this company was not truthful in what they said about credit cards and that the information sent is stuff you could have easily found online from a search engine like Google, Yahoo, Webcrawler, and others. I got my package today and it was full of the same stuff people on here complained about and the lady on the phone who I spoke to at the State's Attorney's office said to make copies and send them with the complaint as evidence of fraudulent and misleading sales information. I've already reported US Benefits to the FBI's fraud division and they're on report with every consumer fraud bureau I can look up,call,and email and even sending the copies of the report to. Since US Benefits(aka Eclipse Products Inc.) is NO longer a registered buisness in the state of New York this warrants legal action since I looked up Eclipse Products Inc. and their incorporation status is not valid and hasnt been since 2003 so they're operating an illegal buisness since they don't have a license anymore to operate a buisness. I don't know how they're still in buisness since their physical address is out of New Hartford and their current mailing address is 4 hours away north in Champlain. They're not fooling anyone with this nonsense and I am making copies of the documents they sent and including them in the report along with the statements of those who posted their results of dealing with this company as well so they can see that I am not the only one who was taken for a spin by this "company". I even contacted Bank of America who has been clearing payments for Eclipse Products Inc. informing them that they are clearing money for a buisness that has established a merchant account without any documentation that they're a legal business since their status at the NYS Division of Corporations is no longer active and hasnt been since 2003 due to a judgement that was taken out on them.

Is no longer a registered buisness with the state of NY as of 2003 because the person on the phone had told me their incorporation status went from 1999-2003. So apparently they're running a buisness illegally since you have to be registered with the Division of Corporations to be able to declare yourself a business.If you need to find out if a particular business is registered with the state and has applied for incorporation check on that state's website for the Division of Corporations and they can tell you by email or regular mail whether a business is still active or inactive. I've already started the paper work for a police report in New Hartford since I tracked the US Benefit's physical address to New Hartford since their buisness mail is going to Champlain which is located by the Canadian border because if you look at a map of New York State the town of Champlain is a spit town near the Canadian border entering into Quebec. They must think we're stupid because I've already documented every single address they've used and I am going to be filling out police report in New Hartford. If you look at the Better Buisness Bureau Website it says Champlain, but if you put in a search under buisness in sites like Yahoo and Address.com they list US Benefits as having a physical address in New Hartford and Champlain is further north which is a 4 hour and 1 minute drive which explains how the manager called me back like 2 weeks after getting the letter they have to drive all the way up there to pick up the business mail which apparently is only like once a week. They are not fooling anyone since I am going to keep listing everyting I find on these clowns and make sure that everyone who was jipped by this company uses this information to get their money back.

I filed a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and if you've been jipped by US Benefits please contact the FBI and file a report online and make sure you give them full and exact details because this is important if a criminal investigation is launched as a result of the complaints coming in and make sure you have all your paperwork (COPIES ONLY) so in case you have to submit hard copies of documents you're prepared. Contact the FBI on their fraud website at www.IFCCFBI.gov and you can fill out a report online. File with as many consumer fraud divisions as possible because this will force an investigation to be launched and possible criminal charges to be filed against the companies and individuals responsible.

US Benefits was listed with several other companies for fraud brought on by the Federal Trade Commission in July of 2004. They were listed as taking money and telling consumers that they would get a credit card instead they were sending them stuff that was coupons for discounted cell phones to low cost legal services. The ruling came when US Benefits had violated a rule that was strictly enforced to Telemarketers about misleading purchasing information to consumers. The article can be found on the Federal Trade Commission's website at www.FTC.gov and go to the search box and type in US Benefits and it's the first article in a list of articles issued by the FTC.

I just recieved a call from Eve and she was telling me that the letter I sent her was pointless when in fact she was saying they sent my stuff out and what was funny was that she said a bank sends the cards. I told her on the phone that your company took entirely too long because I made the payments in June and August and here it is now December and that was 7 months from the first installment payment was made in June and 5 months since the second payment was made in August which tells me they are doing something illegal because the AVERAGE credit card comes within 25-30 days of the application being accepted. She was telling me that her receptionist left a note that I was rude when she was rude to me for calling a WHOLE month later asking where my stuff was that I paid for. I swear these people honestly think that they have a right to take money from people and keep them waiting in the manner that they did to me. I should not have to wait over 6 months for a card to come in the mail. Either way the company has a lot of complaints against them so they'll have to take it up with the Attorney General since I filed with them. When I've gotten cards in the past before my credit got screwed up the cards came exactly 25-30 days after the application was recieved and accepted, but NOT close to a year after having paid the $329.00. Eve had the nerve to tell me the letter I wrote them was pointless when she knows full well what I said in that letter was the hard core truth they took money and had wasted close to a year to complete a simple transaction that could have been done in 3 months or less. Eve must know that there's complaints against the company for their conduct. If they were legit they would be registered with the Better Business Bureau and have ZERO complaints against them and would be on the list for the most recommended company to do business with. I am still going through with the forgery report since that bank draft should have never been altered because this company can come up with some tricks, but they're getting caught up that's why the receptionist is rude and if Eve calls someone back I know she's trying to make things sound OK which is a crock in it's own right, but she better take that up when they're approached with all the proof I printed from this site to send to the State's Attorney General's office of how this company guarateed people cards and didnt produce anything telling them when exactly they would recieve their stuff so that should be proof for the state to possibly run an investigation on them since the people who posted on here are proof that they too were jipped by this company as well.