Claims & Benefit Management, Inc., Association For Lifestyle Reform, ALR Association for Lifestyle Reform Bait and Switch Tactics Alive and Well Ontario, California

I too have been scammed by this Claims and Benefit Management Inc. company!!

I too believe I am an intelligent and circumspect (unfortunately, in this case, trusting) individual.  But that did not stop this Claims and Benefit Management Inc. company from telling me one thing and then a 3-party verifier (a recording only set-up) posting that I knew full-well that I would not be refunded my "inquiry only" money. 

I never asked to be signed up for the policy.  I was told by a live representative, Chris, that in order to see and read the policy they were offering, I had to pay up front my first month's premium ($199) and an administrative fee of $125.  I asked that if I found the policy to be inadequate, could I get a full-refund.  He said YES.  So I give him my ACH information and my check number that I was going to use for payment.  

Then he transfers me to a 3-party verifier (only a recording mind you) and it asks me all these questions and I press the buttons knowing that the live representative told me I would get a full refund if I called and cancelled before the policy starting date.

The next day, my friend's husband has a heart attack and was telling me his first night stay in the hospital cost $39,000.  I am thinking the policy I just inquired about is offering only $70,000 up front and $500 per day after that.  Well, at my age, that is truly inadequate.  So I call to cancel the whole thing.

I not only was treated rudely since the live representative (can't remember his name) was telling me the 3-party verifier posted that I was well aware of the nonrefundable policy.  However, he tells me that the policy had not been processed and that was good since he could cancel it since no processing had ever been started.

I asked, "Are you sure since your live representative told me I would get a refund and now your are telling me I can't but that since the processing has not started that I can."  He says to "move on" and that "he's stopped it" and that "nothings happened." I was shocked at his dismissive rudeness to tell me to "move on" (i.e., get over it) since my gut was tell me I was screwed by this misrepresentation happening to me right before my eyes. 

So I call my bank and tell them what happened and we put a stop on my check number.  I think "whew" that's over.

It was not over when I found out I was overdrawn by $331.00 and that I was charged $60 in overdraft fees by my bank.  These sheisters took the money out anyway as a debit without using this check number.  My issuing a check number had nothing to do with them having access to my checking account.  Beware of that too.  I did not know that.

Again, this live representative tells me one thing and does another.  Total misrepresentation of his future actions.  But I cannot DO a thing since I do not realize these overdrafts until the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.

On this same Saturday I get my INSF notification in the mail, I also receive this policy information in the mail (as if I were still interested and signed up) and the return address reads "Fullfillment Center".  Now what kind of legitimate health insurance company's return address says "Fullfillment Center"?  I open it up and the company is called "Association for Lifestyle Reform."  There is not even a whisper or a hint that these companies are in the health insurance industry.  More vague, misrepresentation business practices.  Now I am flipped out and won't know a thing until I contact my bank on Tuesday.

Today is Tuesday.  I have contacted my bank and they are going to try and help me get my money back.  However, they said that I need to contact the phone number listed on the ACH debit posting and see what they say.

So I call and now a Kelvin (another live representative) informs me that since my policy does not go in effect until October 1, 2009, that all I needed to do is send in writing to cancel my policy and that "after they review my account," I would be receiving a full refund within 7 to 10 days.  What is there to review, I say.  He starts stammering and blathering on about making sure that both the bank and his company do not refund my $324 twice!  Note he never says anything about this 3-party verifier recording.  More B.S.

What is really scary is that they have all my personal information that they can go on an identify theft spree.  If they can work at a company and misrepresent that company for a living, think what they can do with all our personal information after hours?  I have to cancel my credit cards, call Social Security to red-flag my number, change my checking account and savings accounts.

In the meantime, I have emailed this Claims and Benefit Management company to cancel this policy in writing.  I have also threatened them that I will file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office, the Illinois States Attorney's Office and the Better Business Bureau if my money is not fully refunded based on BAIT AND SWITCH and live-misrepresentation sales and business practices.

Has anybody actually filed formal complaints against these people so that they can be investigated and shutdown?  I am hoping enough people have because these companies are laughing all the way to bank, my friends.  This experience has shaken me to the core.  Even if I get my money back, these past 2 weeks have been a nightmare, not to mention identity theft nightmares that will continue for a very long time.

I will keep you all posted.  You all are in my heart and my prayers.  We live in a very greedy world with no conscience toward those believing help is but a phone call away.  If it's too good to be true, then it is.