Prime One Mastercard - Beware Of Credit Card Companies Asking For Money Up Front For Startup Fees Scam ripoff pressuring customer service reps asking for your checking account info to debit startup fees Toronto Ontario

I received a call today that came up on my caller ID as "ID Unavailable". I usually do not answer calls unless I can identify the caller, but today I did.

It was a lady named Gloria who claimed she worked for Prime One Mastercard. She begins telling me that I am pre-approved for a Mastercard with a $2, 000 limit to start, and after 6 months if my account is in good standing I can have my limit increased to $3, 000. I won't lie I have really poor credit with a bankruptcy a few years ago, a recent repossession, and other recent bad credit. What can I say?!? Things happen. I told the lady I was really in shock to hear I was pre-approved for any credit card since my credit was so bad. She told me they know this, but that is what Prime One does is help people like myself get re-establish their credit.

Gloria then asked me a few basic questions about work history and such, and then she tells me since I answered "yes" to those 4 or 5 questions I was approved. I asked what the catch was, what the interest rates were, and what kind of fees they required. The interest rate was around 9% which really shocked me since my last credit card shortly after my bankruptcy was discharged 5 years ago was 23.99%. My credit is worse now, but a creditor will give a $2, 000 limit at 9%? Red flags are popping up! I asked if they would send me literature about this offer in the mail stating what she told me so that I can review it and think about it.

She said I would receive something in the mail, but I needed to give her my information today to get the account set up to receive this special offer. She claimed I didn't need to pay any money today, but the starup fee was a one time fee of $207 and there were no annual fees or anything to pay after that. She wanted my checking account information to debit the $207 from my checking account on May 7, 2004. I'm not a fool, but there was a fleeting thought of how nice it would be to have another chance re-establishing my credit.

I didn't feel comfortable about giving her any further personal information, and until I check a company out I wouldn't do such a thing. I asked her if I could call her back because I had a very important call beeping in on the other line. She gave me her phone number and extension, but sounded reluctant to do so. I then decide to surf the web a little to check this company out.

Big surprise, I find these reports listed warning of ripoofs and scams by this company. I'm glad I looked. I can see how easily people can be tempted and lured into these types of scams. Just remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don't give out your personal information to anyone until you know who they are and that they are ligit. Check on-line or with the Better Business Bureau to verify their legitimicy and that they don't have bad claims and reports against them. There are many scams and ripoffs in this world unfortunately.

People only want your money an will stop at nothing to get it. Don't fall victim to these scams. I'm glad people take the time to warn others of these scams. They really do save people from alot of grief and heartache. It helped me, so I want to help others as well.

Sherrie
Melbourne, Florida
U.S.A.