Star Communications Half Price TV, Family Fun Pass, $500 Shopping Spree Scammed out of $249.80 plus NSF fees Canoga Park California *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!

I too have fallen for this scam. These people need to be shut down and made to reimburse everyone they have ever taken advantage of. I too, like an idiot, had given them my bank numbers. I have since had 2 drafts placed on my account and the most recent (family fun pass) put my acct. in the negatives. I contacted my bank to place a stop payment on the check # and they presented another check with a different number! I have since been searching t6he web and have came across some interesting findings. I also sent the following email to the above (flagged with a message read flag via Outlook):

"I congratulate you for succeeding in scamming me out of $249.80 thus far. You are very clever in your methods, but you have nonetheless, unbeknownst to you, invited me to play your little game. Again, congratulations to you on exploiting my good faith (or should I say- STUPIDITY!). You have won the first round. Savor the money you have gotten from me, because it will be all the money you receive from me or any others. This money could have been used to feed and clothe my two children. I have since put a hold on my account. Also, being a member of the US Military, I have plenty of federal legal services available to me. Oh, and to mention plenty of TIME to pursue this. You are a business (I use the term loosely), and I assume I paid for a service. I have been charged $249.80 and what have I received from you? NOT A d**n THING! I demand this $249.80 be returned to me, promptly. I am not even concerned with the additional $65 in NSF and Stop payment fees from my bank.

I also want you to know, I am writing this letter as advised by my legal counsel. I have also spoken with the KY State Attorney General's Office, and the United States Secret Service, and this is not the first either has heard of your so called company. I am also scheduled to provide a sworn statement personally to a US Secret Service Rep. tomorrow, Jan. 19, so a timely response to this mail would be advised. Once again, congratulations- and let the games begin! This may be an old clich, but you picked the wrong guy to scam."

Also I am copying a post from another blog by another scammed consumer:

Ok-- here are the facts:

Owner: Brian K. MacGregor
Lives: 5805 FoxView Dr. Malibu, CA 90265
Tel: 310-457-0709 (works for now)
Wife: Christina
GM: Joseph Larosa
Cell: 702-612-3256
Office: 702-853-0800
Fax: 702-853-0830

2 year investigation by the US Secret Service. BIRMINGHAM, AL office 205-731-1144 is doing the investigation.

They want to hear from anyone who's been contacted by any of these companies. The feds have already put one person in federal prison for this scam, and other indictments are pending.

My Dialing.com
Carenetco
American Values
Wellnet
America Continuity Partners, Inc.
Shopping Network, Inc.
Shopping Club
AM Values
CPI (Continuity Partners, Inc.)
Utalk
Blitz Media, Inc.
Integrated Continuity SolutionsInc.
Shoppers Choice
Discount Directory
Wholecare Discount Health Plan
Amazing Washball
. Connect 2 USA

PLEASE CONTACT THE US SECRET SERVICE, so we can all give Star Communications "a little something back"!

Jeff
Ft. Knox, Kentucky
U.S.A.

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.

We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate

WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists

We are a Worldwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...by consumers, for consumers

CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.