Quest Financial Aka Omega Financial FRAUDELENT COMPANY WHO RIPPED ME OFF Champlain New York

While my boyfriend was attempting to apply for a credit line with USA Shopping, my boyfriend was told to "apply with" Quest Financial for credit. He was told he would soon be contacted by Quest for "account verification."

Quest calls the following day. Having been my boyfriend has never had credit, you can only imagine the questions the Quest / Omega "rep" asked. And yet, my boyfriend DIDN't KNOW what was ok to ask over the phone and what NOT to provide.

Commonly when you apply for a credit card through a web site, you'll receive a call from the company the within 24 hours for VERIFICATION which includes ss# and address. BUT NEVER for checking account, etc. In this case, he didn't apply for anything online. He was simply "told" Quest would call him.

My boyfriend got excited and expected this so-called credit card.

Instead, about $300 was deducted from his CHECKING account weeks later. No card. It's costly to be ignorant.

Here are some pointers before your do any business online or even on the PHONE - all from my customer service call-center and personal experiences:

1) Were you told there are "fees?" Were you told money would be DEDUCTED? Regardless, many "reps" or scam artists WON't tell you - so WHY give out your checking account information? If the reps need it for verification - they lie.

If this happens: CLOSE your bank account IMMEDIATELY if you gave out your checking account number. If you used your Visa/Debit, close/cancel the card's VISA account! Call your bank NOW!

Also, if you discover the deduction out of your account weeks later - go straight to the bank and do NOT admit you gave your info over the phone to some stranger!

Chances banks will do nothing for you 'cos they'll think you approved it and just lying. Just say nothing. Except, provide the bank the date of withdrawal from the checking account. Banks should be able to TRACE THIS. Being that you didn't write a check - more proof you didn't approve the purchase 'cos checks are just excuses for written approval.

If you had money debited on your debit/Visa, you might be able to fill out a form. I've done this before.

2) Did you save/bookmark the web site url, if applicable?

3) Did you see if the company is "legit?" DId you check with Better Business Bureau?

4) Did you get a PHYSICAL ADDRESS and local telephone through the city's own telephone company? All legit businesses have physical locations for head-quarters purposes.

5) *Who* did you speak to? What is their extension? What is their first and last name?

Not all reps will give their last name thanks to all the psychos out there, but they will give an extension, name of supervisor, and general location of call-center.

If ever you must talk to a supervisor, it makes everyone's job easier if you have all this written down.

I work in customer service and it irks me when people say, "I don't know The Man's name, but he told me ..."

So please get a name - do your homework.

6) Did you note the TIME/DATE to when you spoke to someone over the phone? That helps in tracking down calls, esp. those that are recorded and monitored. It also helps lawyers and phone companies for fraudelent cases.

7) Did you get a CONFIRMATION or "control" number from the customer service rep if you placed an order or approved deductions from your account?
You should get something!

Immediately check you bank account the next day!

8) Sad as it sounds these days, but it may pay you to purchase a mini-tape recorder that you can easily connect to your phone. I have one here at work - costs about $40, and I mainly use it in case I deal with "irates" or psychos. My calls are NOT monitored, so I use this device in case our customers lie and say I told them something else.

Also, I use it when I call my landlord, phone company, utilities companies, doctor, etc. I use it for business and when I am dealing with people who aren't my friends and family.

SOunds paranoid? When I had a bad experience with my phone company - I began to record all my calls that I had with them, etc. Result? I was able to be REFUNDED for unnecessary "transactions" fees on my bills!

Disclaimer: By the way, I live in Colorado, and so it LEGAL to record calls without anyone's approval.

9) After you check out Better Business Burea, also read up on ripoffreport.com for complaints and stories of people who have been scammed.

HOpe all this helps. In the meantime, my boyfriend was not able to receive his $300.