First Data Refuses refund, Ate $265 of my money for no services rendered, Can only contact via fax! Boulder Internet

Back in February of 2007, I decided that I would try my hand at an eBay based business. I found First Data through the website www.paypalsucks.com, and thought I would give them a try.

I went through the initial set-up process, but in the midst of it, decided against using their services. I contacted them via email immediately to cancel my initial requests, and to please contact me (I gave several avenues) if there was a problem.

A week later, I called to make sure everything had gone as I thought, considering I had not heard from anyone. I spoke with a Lori in customer service, who told me that my account indeed had been opened, but if I would please fax her my initial email, she would take care of closing my account and seeing that no fees were assessed.

Months later, after doing some research, I realized where a monthly charge of $54.95 was coming from -- First Data. I was outraged. I called them immediately, and was given the runaround in customer service. I was told to fax my email AGAIN, and to call back in 24 hours to make sure things had gone through. I did that.

Wouldn't you know, my account was still not closed! I was finally transfered to a woman in their Maryland office, who gave me her direct fax line. I faxed all my information to her, and she called me back a few hours later to tell me that the reason my account had not been closed, was because a.) I had contacted the wrong department the first time, and b.) I did not sign my second and third faxes. Apparently they are not authorized to close accounts unless signed by the account holder, which I was never told.

As a side note, I faxed the exact number Lori in customer service had given me back in February (this is June, now).

I faxed (for the fourth time), all my information, and signed the paper at the bottom. I was told to call back again. I did in 24 hours, and my account had thankfully been closed. But here was the catch. I had been charged $230 at this point for a service I never used, and could not cancel, because I was never given the correct information.

When I called back, I spoke to the same woman (her name was Beverly H), who told me her boss said they would NOT refund my money because I had faxed the wrong number. The number which HIS customer service employee gave me! So because of their error, I was not permitted by $230 dollars back.

To add insult to injury, I was charged an additional $35 for closing my account early.

I am now out $265 because this company fed me the wrong information for months, and then turned around and blamed me for it. When I asked to speak to someone above the manager about getting my money back, I was given their disputes fax line. NOT a phone number. You cannot call this company! You have to fax! I faxed several times, and finally received a letter in the mail weeks later stating that I would not get my money back, due to what I had been told earlier in the month.

No one called me from disputes. No one contacted me for my information and story. They merely went by what had been entered in my account, and based their decision solely on their employees response.

I'm SURE there wasn't a note in my account regarding their faulty information that cost me $265.

Beware of this company! Paypal is a MUCH better choice!

Paconsumer
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.