United Payment Services Mis-leading, dishonest, SCAM artist Westlake Village, California

Do not let happen to you what has just happened to me and from what I have read, countless others who have fallen victim to this pit of venomous snakes.

I called on a Tuesday (7/24) to inquire about rates after having just seen their ad on Facebook.  I nice well spoken rep (snake #1) answered all of my questions regarding rates for processing credit cards.  He sweetly encouraged me to complete an application over the phone including my banking account info.  I was reluctant and asked why he needed my banking #'s  and said that by having all of the necessary information approval would go much faster.  While still on the phone with him, he asked me to review over the website the information we had just been discussing.  Still thinking I was only agreeing to an application, he quickly encouraged me to scroll to the bottom of the page for my electronic signature.  All the while, by distracting me with comments like, "my supervisor will probably give you better rates, because he hates to lose a client."  

Also during this conversation I did express interest in the free credit card machine that their website offered (never received) and told me that the $399 cancellation fee was only for merchants with the free machines in case they cancelled.  "These machines are expensive, you know."

Of course, I was instantly approved.  Still not realizing that I had been charmed into signing a contract.  He was to call me by Friday to discuss credit card machines that was best suited for me.

Never heard from him.  On Friday, out of curiosity I googled their company name and boy was I in for a rude awakening.  I too had fallen fictim.

I immediately sent him 2 emails wishing to cancel my "application."  Never heard a word from him.

I left two phone messages on Monday, (7/30) no reply.  On Tuesday, I guess he was caught off guard by his caller id and answered the phone.  I expressed my concern of their company negative press and wanted to cancel my application and he said I would have to talk to customer service.

Well, that was a nightmare.  I don't recall her name, (snake #2).  She was rude, hatefull and extremely cocky.  She flat out told me that I had indeed signed a binding legal contract.  The most of you know the rest of this story, that the early cancellation fee was $399 or a collection agency.  To rub salt in my wounds, she boldy stated that she would have never signed a contract without reading it first.

To date, I have not received a written copy of such contract, or an email version.  All I have received is an account #, a metal plate for an old slide credit card imprinter (a long way from a nurit 8020).

I had to fax a cancellation letter to them which did that day (7/31), and by Friday (8/3) they had attempted to debit my account (without any notification or permission) $399 and $63.44.

After having been able to stop payment, I have now received my first voice mail call from an collection agency.  I'll have to report back how that goes when I return that call tomorrow.

Also I just receive my first piece of mail from United Payment Services for my July statement.  Monthy minium $25, Regulatory product $3.95, Wireless access $19.95 (remember, I never received a credit card machine, or ever processed any transactions), customer support, $7.50 (tip money for the rude customer service lady), and PCI compliance $7.00.  Total $63.44 for nothing.

Any suggestions or recommendations on how to get rid of this poisonous bite?  I am a small business owner trying to make a living, and this is how we are treated by the corporate world of thieves and snakes.