About the Children.org Smooth talking scam artists About the Children took my money and ditched us! Goleta Internet

I should have listenned to my gut feeling when, at my god-son's request, I spoke with a representative from About the Children.  The guy just sounded too much like a salesman to be a real parental advocate.  I don't know how my god-son came to be talking to ATC, but Brian, the ATC rep, was very dilligent about returning our call--untill he had my debit card number.  From that point on, neither my god-son nor I could get a call back from anyone at any number at ATC.

Brian told us that $98 would register my god-son and get him started.  ATC would have him fill out a plan for his case, and they would send him the correct paperwork, and assist him in filling it out and filing it with the court to achieve the best out come, without the expense of a lawyer.  The web site had numerous testimonials about how ATC had helped parents with the family court process.  So I gave Brian the $98 on my debit card to register my god-son for help.  At least four times I asked him, "That's all it costs?  $98 and he pays his own court filing fees?" And everytime Brian answered, "Yes, and we will help him find discounted court fees.....blah blah blah"

Then my god-son recieves and email confirmation, which he forwarded to me, stating that I was in fact supporting the member named (my god-son's name) and agree to pay $24.99 a month by automatic withdrawl untill his case is resolved.  Said form needed to be signed in hard copy and faxed back to ATC, or scanned and emailed back. Failure to do so would delay the process.  Well no one at any time in any of our conversations had mentioned a $24.99 monthly fee to either of us, and I did not sign nor return the form.  I attempted to contact ATC to ask why no one had mentioned this, but was never able to reach a live person. Both my god-son and I left numerous messages, but never received a call back. 

I kissed the $98 good-bye and chalked it up to experience, but then today noticed that ATC had taken $24.99 out of my checking account without me ever having signed the document giving them permission!!  I had to close out that debit card.  They did send my god-son the first round of paper work, but the case workers who were supposed to assist him never answered his calls from that point on.

ATC took my money, was planning to continue to take my money without authorization, and never do the job they said they would do, never answered another phone call once they had my debit card number.  They are scammers who prey on distressed parents, and I wish I had known about Ripoff Report before I gave them my money!