- Report: #257156
Complaint Review: Seventh Avenue
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| Seventh Avenue 1112 7th Ave
Monrow, Wisconsin U.S.A. |
|
Seventh Avenue Choose 'N Charge Someone Else Scam! Monroe Wisconsin
*Consumer Comment: Unusual Amount
*Consumer Comment: Not a Scam!
*General Comment: Seventh Avenue Legitimate Business
*Consumer Comment: A Great Family of Online/Mail Order Stores
*Consumer Comment: Not a rip off!
*Consumer Comment: NOT SCAM
*Consumer Comment: I've had Choose and Charge accounts for years with....
*Consumer Comment: Does not build credit
*Consumer Comment: Choose N Charge, also known as Direct Charge, is a very honest business with a good reputation
*Consumer Comment: Choose n' Charge shouldn't be condemned for identity theft
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Imagine my surprise when I received an Order Acknowledgment letter from a company I had never heard of. In March07 I received a letter from a mail order company named Seventh Avenue confirming an order for 4 household items totaling $1,564.90!
I called their customer service number and was informed that a Karen Campbell from the Bronx, NY had placed the order and used Seventh Avenue's payment option called,Choose N Charge. I asked, What's that and how does it work? The cheery person told me that anyone can place an order as long as they can give a Social Security number and a name that matches!
That means that if I have someon's Social Security number and a matching name, Seventh Avenue will allow me to go shopping either through their call-in number or online and CHARGE SOMEONE ELSE! This someone els is now Me, or it could be YOU!
Such a deal!
The cheery person told me that since I was disputing the bill, all I had to do was fill out their ID Theft Affidavit. But here's the kicker.
On the affidavit I m supposed to give them the following: my name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number, how long I have lived at my current address, and phone number!
This is all the information any criminal needs to commit ID theft. I guess we're supposed to trust them with our vital information. According to my lawyer, I DO NOT have to give them my personal information and to tell them that under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, they should STOP harassing me. They are now calling me in the evening and early in the morning.
Now have a LONG shopping list of things to do to fix this. Why? Two reasons: 1. Seventh Avenue has their Choose n Charge (Someone else) payment policy, and 2. Some criminal got a hold of my Social Security number and name. It's THAT EASY! Now, Seventh Avenue is harassing me for payment. Only in America, friends.
Also, my lawyer told me that he's never heard of such a payment practice. A friend that works at a collections agency told me that they had never heard of Choose N Charge. Seventh Avenue is acting like this is a perfectly normal and legitimate business practice.
I also what to add that Seventh Avenue operates under several other names, including: Fingerhut, Swiss Colony, Associates Finance (formerly Kentucky Finance), Midnight Velvet, Through the Country Door, The Tender Filet, Honey Creek Marketplace, Monroe & Main, Grandpointe, Palm Beach Jewelry, Ashro, and Coppel Internet.
According to the Better Business Bureau, Swiss Colony is not a member of the BBB and to quote their online information, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to failure to respond to one or more complaints and two or more otherwise unresolved complaints. However, the business has resolved most complaints presented to the bureau.
We hear about identity theft all the time and I now know that it can simply arrive in your mailbox as a demand for payment. The crime of fraud has been committed by some CREEP and Seventh Avenue wants me to pay the bill, thanks to their UNBELIEVABLE payment policy. No business should be allowed to use this kind of scam.
They have angered the wrong Scotsman, and I intend to make a really BIG stink!
Scott
Medford, New Jersey
U.S.A.
I called their customer service number and was informed that a Karen Campbell from the Bronx, NY had placed the order and used Seventh Avenue's payment option called,Choose N Charge. I asked, What's that and how does it work? The cheery person told me that anyone can place an order as long as they can give a Social Security number and a name that matches!
That means that if I have someon's Social Security number and a matching name, Seventh Avenue will allow me to go shopping either through their call-in number or online and CHARGE SOMEONE ELSE! This someone els is now Me, or it could be YOU!
Such a deal!
The cheery person told me that since I was disputing the bill, all I had to do was fill out their ID Theft Affidavit. But here's the kicker.
On the affidavit I m supposed to give them the following: my name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number, how long I have lived at my current address, and phone number!
This is all the information any criminal needs to commit ID theft. I guess we're supposed to trust them with our vital information. According to my lawyer, I DO NOT have to give them my personal information and to tell them that under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, they should STOP harassing me. They are now calling me in the evening and early in the morning.
Now have a LONG shopping list of things to do to fix this. Why? Two reasons: 1. Seventh Avenue has their Choose n Charge (Someone else) payment policy, and 2. Some criminal got a hold of my Social Security number and name. It's THAT EASY! Now, Seventh Avenue is harassing me for payment. Only in America, friends.
Also, my lawyer told me that he's never heard of such a payment practice. A friend that works at a collections agency told me that they had never heard of Choose N Charge. Seventh Avenue is acting like this is a perfectly normal and legitimate business practice.
I also what to add that Seventh Avenue operates under several other names, including: Fingerhut, Swiss Colony, Associates Finance (formerly Kentucky Finance), Midnight Velvet, Through the Country Door, The Tender Filet, Honey Creek Marketplace, Monroe & Main, Grandpointe, Palm Beach Jewelry, Ashro, and Coppel Internet.
According to the Better Business Bureau, Swiss Colony is not a member of the BBB and to quote their online information, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to failure to respond to one or more complaints and two or more otherwise unresolved complaints. However, the business has resolved most complaints presented to the bureau.
We hear about identity theft all the time and I now know that it can simply arrive in your mailbox as a demand for payment. The crime of fraud has been committed by some CREEP and Seventh Avenue wants me to pay the bill, thanks to their UNBELIEVABLE payment policy. No business should be allowed to use this kind of scam.
They have angered the wrong Scotsman, and I intend to make a really BIG stink!
Scott
Medford, New Jersey
U.S.A.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 06/27/2007 09:08 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Seventh-Avenue/Monrow-Wisconsin-53566-1364/Seventh-Avenue-Choose-N-Charge-Someone-Else-Scam-Monroe-Wisconsin-257156. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
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Search Tips#1 Consumer Comment
Unusual Amount
AUTHOR: Terri_Cyrgalis - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, January 24, 2013
Seventh Avenue starts you off with a $400 credit limit after several months of paying on time they up your credit to $600. I don't think they would allow $1500+ charge on a first order on choose and charge.
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What's this? #2 Consumer Comment
Not a Scam!
AUTHOR: Ddepofe - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, January 22, 2013
I know this is a late comment, but fingerhut is NOT a scam. I have been ordering there for years and have never once had a problem with anything. If fingerhut is a sister of seventh ave then i will definitly do buisness with them! I was checking reviews to make sure it was legitimate and just the fact that you said they were sister with fingerhut makes up my mind :) Happy Shopping!
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What's this? #3 General Comment
Seventh Avenue Legitimate Business
AUTHOR: Terri_Cyrgalis - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, September 09, 2012
I also have a Seventh Avenue Account, as well as two others from the sister companies one from Ginnys.com and Midnight Velvet. I purchased a pool with a ladder and it was leaking almost a month after I purchased it they took it back without the original box and credited the entire balance back to my account. I have purchased a gorgeous comforter set which is very good quality. Midnight velvet I purchased a pair of pants they were too big I contacted them and they are currently on their way back for an exchange.
I have found them to be very good both in their merchandise and their customer service.
Obviously someone else is the blame for letter information fall into the wrong hands you can't expect the company to know it's fraud if the person knows all your information. Where were the items delivered? That should tell you who the culprit is.
I have found them to be very good both in their merchandise and their customer service.
Obviously someone else is the blame for letter information fall into the wrong hands you can't expect the company to know it's fraud if the person knows all your information. Where were the items delivered? That should tell you who the culprit is.
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What's this? #4 Consumer Comment
A Great Family of Online/Mail Order Stores
AUTHOR: Nancy - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Friday, February 12, 2010
I have done business with 7th Avenue and the other stores in this group for over 15 years. I have always been satisfied with their service and products. There is no way a stranger could have opened an account with your SSN, name and address without also giving the store a delivery address in order to receive their merchandise. All the Store would have had to do was verify where the items had been delivered and go there to apprehend the thief. Why in the world would someone order $1,564.90 worth of merchandise and have it delivered to you? That would totally defeat the purpose of stealing your information in the first place. If you had cooperated with Seventh Avenue by giving them your information for the fraud affidavit, everything could have been taken care of. You also could have easily gone online and checked out the websites to see that they are in fact a reputable family of online/mail order stores.
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What's this?
I have been a customer of Seventh Avenue and a couple of it's sister companies for several years. I have choose and charge accounts with each and my personal experiences with them have been nothing but positive. However, I am very careful to remove and shred all choose and charge info cards that are included in each catelog prior to disposing of the catelogs. These cards usually state your name, account number and credit limits. Other companies that offer choose and charge accounts also have a page or insert card somewhere within the catelog that may state your pre-approval amount, account number and credit limit. It is very important to take the necessary steps to protect your identity and credit and one of those steps you can take is doing as I do and destroying any such information included with these catelogs prior to throwing out the catelogs. If you do not take this step, anyone finding one of your catelogs may be able to use that information to place orders with your name.
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What's this?
I am a member to most of these companies and I ordered from them, I didn't experience any problems. Seventh Avenue and some other companies shouldn't have receive complaints. If anyone ordered items from these companies didn't give out their precious info and if thieves don't have any way to get the info, then it shouldn't have a problem shopping with these companies. All these companies are honest and legit business if people are careful with their info. All I can say is I have accounts with them and I didn't experience any problems with them.
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What's this? #7 Consumer Comment
I've had Choose and Charge accounts for years with....
AUTHOR: Scott2009 - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, February 09, 2009
several of these companies and also Seventh Avenue. They are a reputable company. Have always experienced Great Customer service from them as well. I think you are barking up the wrong tree with this!
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What's this?
Patsi made the comment that these companies offer consumers a way to build credit. This is not true. While these companies do offer a method to allow consumers to purchase average quality merchandise on credit, the consumer's payment history is not reported to any of the credit bureaus. The only time a report is made to the credit bureaus is to report negative payment history. Any monthly on-time payments are not reported; therefore, credit is not improved.
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What's this? #9 Consumer Comment
Choose N Charge, also known as Direct Charge, is a very honest business with a good reputation
AUTHOR: Patsi - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, February 06, 2008
This company is a well known and well respected business that supplys charge accounts for many online, catalog and mail order businesses. Although i do not work directly for this company, i am an account representative for a company that does do business with them. i also have a personal charge account with them and with that account am able to order from many businesses and make monthly payments just as i would with a Visa and/or Master Card.
When i chose to open a charge account with them i had to supply all of the normal information that i have always had to supply for any other of my credit accounts. i was interviewed by a representative prior to my account being approved. Just like any other charge account, if a theif was to be able to access my vital information, they would be able to open an account in my name and charge items by phone, mail and/or online. It is no different than someone opening a Visa, Master Card, AmEx or other account erroneously through identity theft.
They also are well known for helping people that do not have a credit history, such as young adults newly on their own, be able to start a charge account with them and build their credit for the future. i am certain there are times when mistakes are made and/or a criminal gets hold of information that they then use to illeagally open an account and steal but this is not any different than a criminal stealing and using a person's charge card until they are caught and hopefully prosecuted. It sounds like this company is being blamed for identity theft committed by someone else.
When i chose to open a charge account with them i had to supply all of the normal information that i have always had to supply for any other of my credit accounts. i was interviewed by a representative prior to my account being approved. Just like any other charge account, if a theif was to be able to access my vital information, they would be able to open an account in my name and charge items by phone, mail and/or online. It is no different than someone opening a Visa, Master Card, AmEx or other account erroneously through identity theft.
They also are well known for helping people that do not have a credit history, such as young adults newly on their own, be able to start a charge account with them and build their credit for the future. i am certain there are times when mistakes are made and/or a criminal gets hold of information that they then use to illeagally open an account and steal but this is not any different than a criminal stealing and using a person's charge card until they are caught and hopefully prosecuted. It sounds like this company is being blamed for identity theft committed by someone else.
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What's this? #10 Consumer Comment
Choose n' Charge shouldn't be condemned for identity theft
AUTHOR: Sbj1104 - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, January 25, 2008
I have Choose N' Charge accounts with about 8 different companies and LOVE IT. All merchandise I received has been of good or better quality.
You have to apply for it, just like with any other credit card. Once approved, you can charge up to your credit limit and pay it off just as you would a credit card. It has a grace period, minimum payment due, finance charges and credit limit increases just like a credit card (accounts in good standing). The only difference, is that you have 'available store credit' and not an actual card.
Other reputable places, such as Montgomery Ward, also has this or something similar in place. It seems to be common in retailers where the corporate office is in Maine or Wisconsin.
Choose N' Charge and Seventh Avenue or other places who have such credit/pay plans should not be condemned because of one person stealing another's identity.
Overall, I have had no prolems with any of my Choose N' Charge accounts or their companies. I've had a return or two, even had disagreements with employees there, but any disputes or returns I've had were processed timely without fuss or resistence.
You have to apply for it, just like with any other credit card. Once approved, you can charge up to your credit limit and pay it off just as you would a credit card. It has a grace period, minimum payment due, finance charges and credit limit increases just like a credit card (accounts in good standing). The only difference, is that you have 'available store credit' and not an actual card.
Other reputable places, such as Montgomery Ward, also has this or something similar in place. It seems to be common in retailers where the corporate office is in Maine or Wisconsin.
Choose N' Charge and Seventh Avenue or other places who have such credit/pay plans should not be condemned because of one person stealing another's identity.
Overall, I have had no prolems with any of my Choose N' Charge accounts or their companies. I've had a return or two, even had disagreements with employees there, but any disputes or returns I've had were processed timely without fuss or resistence.
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What's this? 
