Check Fee, Liberty benefits, Credit Enhancement Titanium Blue, LLC ripoff fraudulent ripoff business Cherry Hill, New Jersey United Capturdyne royal star Benefits *Rip-off Report Investigation

THIS LEADS UP TO IMPORTANT INFO:
PLEASE READ THIS IN FULL!!!

In may, 2001 I received a postcard from Credit Enhancement Services, so I called to inquire. When I called I was told that for a fee of $219.99 I would receive 2 unsecured credit cards, and many coupons, as well as numerous discount offers, and a free trip.

I was also told that 1 card would be a mastercard w/ a $3,000 limit, and that the other would be an unsecured catalog credit card w/ a $4,000 limit that could be used to purchase items from the catalog I would receive w/ my package. They explained that I would be

Being that I am currently employed only part time, it is very difficult for me to obtain credit. So, this program sounded exactly what I needed, a great way to establish a good credit history. After asking the representative many questions, I decided to enroll. The first thing I asked was if there was a money back guarantee, and I was told yes. It was my understanding that If I was not 100% satisfied, I would receive a full refund.

Second, I asked if I would have to make a down payment on items purchased w/ the catalog card (very common w/ these programs), and I was told "absolutely not". Third, I asked how long it would take to receive my package and I was told "6 weeks at the very most".

Finally, I was informed that I could pay via a "check by phone" and schedule the debit 30 days in advance. So, I asked if I could cancel before the debit date and I was told "yes". After all my questions were answered, I figured that this was for me, so I gave them my personal checking account #, and set the debit date for 06/01/2001 (30 days in advance).

Credit Enhancement processed my order and said "be sure to void out your check". After 3 weeks of giving my decision serious thought, I decided to cancel my order, so I called the customer service # to inform them of my decision. After hitting re-dial for several hours, I finally got through to them, and they agreed to cancel my order.

I even stopped payment on the check # I authorized them to debit my account with to be absolutely sure. However, to my amazement, on 06/01/2001, Credit Enhancement debited my account w/ out my permission via an "ach" transaction, a type of transaction I NEVER authorized. At that time, I called customer service at 1-877-527-4653, and told them that my account was debited w/ out my permission. They then apologized and assured me that it was a mistake, but they also said that they could not cancel my order after my account was debited. I was very upset but they reassured me that I would receive a package very soon, and that if I didnt like it I could get my refund.

At that point, I decided to wait and see what the package was like, but unfortunately it did not arrive until 11/10/2001 (4 months later than they told me, and 5 and a half months after my account was debited). During these months of waiting, I called customer service several times and I was given nothing but excuses (the 9/11 incident, a strike, anthrax, etc.). On the day the package finally arrived, I opened it, and was immediately shocked.

The only thing in the folder were a few "secured" credit card applications (all requiring excessive start up fees, and 1 didnt even have a bank name on it), a catalog (approx 15-20 pages containing mostly cookware/leather clothing, and requiring a 33% down payment), and pcs prescription discount card enrollment forms. There were no credit cards included, not even a card to use with the catalog.

Nothing I was told would be included by the phone rep on 05/01/2001 was to be found. So, at least I had the money back guarantee, right...no! After reviewing this pile of garbage I could have gotten on my own for free, I called customer service and asked to execute my money back guarantee, but again, to my shock, I was informed that "Credit Enhancement Services, LLC (not their real name), did not offer refunds under any circumstance.

I then looked at my $219.99 pile of $hit, and got even more mad, so I decided that I had to do something to prevent this from happening to other innocent consumers. I set off to file a civil claim as well as put my knowledge and the legal system to the test.

However, I had a hard time finding a physical address for Credit Enhancement so that I could serve them w/ the civil action. I searched the NJ state datbase for the name and address of Credit Enhancement's registered agent (who you serve w/ the civil claim) but NJ had no records of such a compnay. That is because no such company exists. During my search I was able to immediately find info on United Capturdyne Technologies in FL., and Pacific Mercantile Bank in CA. These are the companies that process the bank debits for Credit Enhancement. I called United Capturdyne and they were very cooperative (or at least pretended to be) but they said that they could not help me.

So I kept searching, and as a long shot, I entered the name Titanium Blue (the name on the package I received from Credit Enhancement)into the database. BINGO...This name came up as a fictitious name for a company called Check Fee, LLC. After reveiwing the report there is no doubt that Credit Enhancement is really Check Fee, LLC. This is why Credit Enhancement didnt seem to care when people filed complaints against them w/ the BBB and the Dept of Consumer Affairs.

Armed w/ my new information, I called United Capturdyne, and we engaged in a 3 way call w/ Credit Enhancement. The Credit Enhancement rep seemed very upset and I was finally told that my money would be refuned (plus interest) w/in a few days. I am now waiting for my money back, but even if I dont get it back, I now the the information necessary to successfully file a civil claim.

At this moment, I am debating whether or not I should continue w/ the civil action after/if I get my money back. Now, to protect all of you who have been scammed by this "corrupt operation" (to use the words of NJ consumer Affairs), I am passing on every bit of info I have. So if you decide to file a lawsuit against Credit Enhancement, name the defendant as: Check Fee LLC, c/o Ronald J. Cappuccio Esq "registered agent", 1800 Chapel Avenue, Cherry Hill, NJ. 08003-0000. And remember, if you file, file in your home state (if possible), and drag their asses all the way to you!!

Also, some people may beleive that the companies who process the debits for Credit Enhancement aka Check Fee, are just as bad and just as much to blame (and I wouldnt necessarily disagree). Therefore, if you would like info on those companies as well, please do not hesitate to contact me. I sincerely hope I was of some help to all of you!!

Thanks for reading!!


UPDATE: Names, Addresses, & Phone #'s.

Get your money back!!!

I just wanted to give everyone an update regarding the Credit Enhancement/Check Fee situation. After my 3 way phone call with United Capturdyne Technologies (the company that processes the debits for Credit Enhancement), I was told that my money would be returned to my account by the next afternoon. The next day I checked my account, and my money was returned as promised. Even though I got my money back, I still plan to file an $8,000 civil claim in a PA court in order to help protect other innocent consumers. However, since United Capturdyne was somewhat helpful, I did not name them as a co-defendant. If you are looking to get your money back, get in touch with United Capturdyne (name, address and # below), and if they don't help you, name them along with Check Fee, LLC as a co-defendant in your civil claim. They should be able to help most of you get your money back though. Ask for Jeff Korbin or Chris. Here are the names, phone #'s, comany ID #'s, partial stautus reports, and physical deliverable addresses for all the companies and agents involved:

***Note: When you file your claim, file against the company, but serve the registered agent with the lawsuit.

#1.) Check Fee, LLC (aka Credit Enhancement),
P.O. Box 237, Collingswood, NJ. 08108
1-877-527-4653, 1-800-279-9609, 1-800-991-8241
Fictitious name listed with NJ Dept of Coporations:
"Titanium Blue, LLC"
NJ Business ID # 0600117616
Director: Agnus Hurey (Magnolia, NJ)
President: Fredrick d**k
Home Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Domestic Limited Liability Company
Status: Active
****************************
Check Fee, LLC's Registered Agent for service of process:
Ronald J. Cappuccio, Esq.
Deliverable physical address:
1800 Chapel Avenue, Suite 128
Cherry Hill, NJ. 08003-0000
Verified Phone # = 1-856-665-2121


#2.)Liberty Benefits Package, LLC (aka Credit Enhancement)
"Same company as Check Fee, LLC but operating under a different name and address" Fictitious names: Titanium Blue, LLC
P.O. Box 231 Gloucester, NJ. 08030
1-877-527-4653, 1-800-279-9609, 1-800-991-8241
NJ Business ID # 0600114470
Director: Agnus Hurey
President: Fredrick d**k
Home Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Domestic Limited Liabilty Company
Status: Active
****************************
Liberty Benefits LLC's Registered Agent for service of process:
Ronald J. Cappuccio, Esq.
Deliverable physical address:
1800 Chapel Avenue, Suite 128
Cherry Hill, NJ. 08003-0000
Verified Phone # = 1-856-665-2121


#3.) American Credit Source, INC.
"A Florida Profit Corporation that was recently dissolved by the FL Secretary of State for lack of a registered agent. This company MAY now be as known Check Fee, Titanium Blue, Liberty Benefits, Credit Enhancement, ETC. after possibly moving to NJ"
Unconfirmed Address:
460 S. Kirkman Rd, Suite 843, Orlando, FL. 32811-2802
Registered Agent: NONE "Jerry E. Beavers resigned on 04/27/2001"
Director: NONE
Home Jurisdiction: Florida
Florida Profit Corporation
Status: Inactive


#4.) United Capturdyne Technologies, INC. (Processes the ACH bank debits for Check Fee, LLC and all their alias companies by way of Pacific Mercantile Bank)
Confirmed Address:
1001 NW 62nd Street, Suite 407, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 33309
Verified Phone #: 1-800-476-4828
Directors:
CEO = Jeffrey M. Korbin = 721 Lyons Rd. Coconut Creek, FL. 33063
Phone: 1-(954)-970-3022 (Unverified)
D = Hugh Bendit = 3964 W Hillsboro, Deerfield Beach, FL. 33442
SD = Arturo Urgelles = 375 S Royal Poinciana Blvd. PH-3, Miami, Fl. 33166 (Other Contacts/Company Officials = Chris, and Lisa)
Florida Business-FEI ID # = 650184646
Home Jurisdiction: Florida
Florida Profit Corporation
Status: Active
************************
United Capturdyne Technologies, INC's Registered Agent for service of process:
Mark Angert
Phone: 1-(954)-771-1171 OR 1-(954)-384-0900 = UNVERIFIED
Deliverable physiacl address:
2501 East Commercial Blvd, Suite 109,
Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33308

++++ United Capturdyne Technologies recently merged with a company called VFNX, Inc & they now have an additional registered agent listed. If you were not able to successfully serve United Capturdyne by way of Mark Angert, use the information below and try again.

Registered Agent: Robert Kaufman
Principal/Mailing address:
6401 Congress Avenue
Suite 250
Boca Raton, FL. 33487


#5.) Pacific Mercantile Bank, INC (United Capturdyne debits accounts for Credit Enhancement through Pacific Mercantile Bank)
Confirmed Address: 949 S. Coast Dr, 3rd FL, Cosa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: 1-(714)-438-2500 OR 1-(714)-708-7892
California Company ID # = C2125962
Home Jurisdiction: California
California Profit Corporation
Status: Active
***************************
Pacific Mercabtile Bank, INC's Registered Agent for service of process:
Ben A. Frydman
UNVERIFIED phone: 1-(714)-537-8538
Deliverable Physical Address:
660 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1600
Newport Beach, CA. 92660


To get full status reports on these companies go to their state website and do a company (LLC or Corp)search.

For Check Fee, LLC & Liberty Benefits Package LLC,
go to: www.state.nj.us

For American Credit Source, INC & United Capturdyne Technologies,
go to: www.state.fl.us

For Pacific Mercantile Bank, Go to: www.state.ca.us

Or you can call the Office of Commercial Recording, or the Secretary of State in the appropriate state.

Good luck with your lawsuits!! Lets get these guys, they need to be stopped!!!!!

If you have any questions, or additional information, please get in touch.

Thanks for reading

UPDATE: text
Ms. Ronee Steiner, an attorney for United Capturdyne Technologies aka Check Max Service Ms Steiner tried to threaten and bully the Rip-off Report EDitor

Hello, again! First, I thought I would let everyone know that the news story on Credit Enhancement aka Liberty will be airing on January 16th on WSB-TV (ABC) news in Atlanta, GA.

I also want to let everyone know that Ms. Ronee Steiner, an attorney for United Capturdyne Technologies aka Check Max Service recently contacted Maria Speth, Esq, one of the Rip-off Report's U.S. lawyers. Maria Speth is located in Phoenix, Arizona and she gives her time to help the Rip-Off report web site which is located on the Island of Nevis in the West Indies.

Ms Steiner tried to threaten and bully the Rip-off Report EDitor into removing United Capturdyne's company information arguing it was private. She also attempted to argue that her client's information should not be a part of the rip off page because her client was not to blame.

This is obviously not true because even though her client was not the firm actually misleading people, they were however, the company making bank debits for what is a proven scam operation according to the State of New Jersey.

During my phone conversation with the Editor, who is a very nice, smart, and extremely funny person, I was informed that he was considering removing the part of my posting which contained what Ms. Steiner led him to believe was private.

In an effort to keep this information available to everyone, I engaged in further conversations with the EDitor and his extremely intelligent attorney Maria Speth, Esq. When the conversations ended, it was concluded that no laws were broken, and therefore, no information would be removed from the rip off
report. It is clear that United Capturdyne's hands are not completely clean in this matter, and they attempted to bully the EDitor and myself in an effort to cover that up.

During one of our conversations, the EDitor of this Rip-off Report asked me a very good question. He asked, "Now that United Capturdyne Technologies is aware of the scam that is being perpetrated by Credit Enhancement, aka Liberty, will United Capturdyne continue to launder and/or play along with this fraud to consumers?" EDitor also went on to state, "Even if United Capturdyne drops Liberty as a client tomorrow, common sense tells me that they should still be held accountable because they have obviously been well aware of the fraud all along. By having their lawyer try to hide the information in an effort to help continue this rip-off fraud to consumers across the country proves this"

I will update again soon and let all of you know how my case is going.

UPDATE:
Atlanta network affiliate exposes Liberty

Below is a transcript of the consumer alert report that aired in Atlanta, GA. regarding Liberty aka Check Fee.

After Speaking with Mr. Strickland, and sending him tons of info on Liberty, the following report aired in Atlanta. Jimmy Strickland neglected to mention my name, but at least he got the word out, and I am very happy about. He did mention the RipOff Report in the story, as he should have. Without this site, we would have had nowhere else to turn, and Jimmy wouldn't have gotten a story.

Below is the Atlanta TV Station Report.

Good luck everyone!!

::::::::::::::::::::

Bad credit? No credit? No problem! - NOT!

By: Jim Strickland,
Channel 2 wsbtv-Atlanta consumer investigator

January 16, 2002 -- Bad credit? No credit? No problem! You can get a credit card --guaranteed!

The pitch comes on a little yellow post card, mailed coast to coast to people with shaky finances. An Atlantan, who thought she'd be on the road to credit recovery, wants you to know where she wound up instead.

This is a bad deal that's targeted directly at those who can least afford to fall victim. People like 33-year old Shirley Thompson, who is struggling with debt and bad credit. She fell for a postcard with all the promises.

"Well, my credit is not that great," Thompson admits. But that is why she thought this offer was a God send --a pre-approved credit card with a limit between $4,750 guaranteed. The promise, though, came with a price.

"They told me that it was going to be $221.99 to get everything processed and and you were going to get a credit card, basically. And that never happened."

On a consumer bulletin board called Ripp-Off Report, we found dozens of similar complaints lodged against credit issuer Liberty Benefit LLC.

Victims charge Liberty Benefit promised them a credit cared, withdrew roughly$ 200 directly from their checking accounts, then failed to deliver. The New Jersey Office of Consumer Affairs is looking into 170 cases.

Here in Atlanta, the Better Business Bureau has its hands full with business that sell credit cards.

"We received the most complaints about companies that offer advance-fee credit cards, of any company that we track here in the year 2001," said Ed Smith of the BBB.

Smith says some victims get nothing for their money. Others get something they didn't expect.

This is what Liberty Benefits sells: a program called Titanium Blue -- a private credit card good only for buying from a catalog. They pass along a separate application for a master card.

A lawyer for Liberty Benefit claims the company has never had any ties to Georgia, but the Better Business Bureau file contains an address on the company at a Mail Boxes Etc. in Decatur. The phone number in the file is answered by a sales representative selling the Titanium Blue credit package.

Shirley Thompson is forced to live without her $221 whether she can afford it or not.

"Sometimes you lean from your mistakes, and I think I learned a valuable lesson from this one," she said.

Only after we called, did Shirley Thomson finally receive her Titanium Blue catalogue -- three months late.

Thompson says they never explained she wasn't getting a conventional credit card.

Liberty Benefits' attorney claims the company has thousands of satisfied customers and that the number of complaints is relatively small.

The lawyer refused to divulge the owners, or the exact location of the company. The lawyer also contends they answer all consumer complaints.

The Better Business Bureau in Trenton says the Liberty Benefits has answered none of the complaints the BBB has received.

MSP
::::::::::::::::::::::::

P.S. Don't waste your time filing reports with the Better Business Bureau. They are completely worthless as the above news story has proven. They have helped no one get a refund.

Consumer Advocate/Investigative Reporter, BadBusinessBureau.com

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Credit Enhancement Services Titanium Blue

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports involving United Capturdyne - Voice Flash VFNX - Data Flash as the Credit Carde Processing Company (ACH)