MBF Leasing Ripoff is right! Charging card when unauthorized Sioux Falls South Dakota *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!

I am a working student opening an online business. My small business Native Hands United joined MBF Leasing LLC on 11/28/06 through a company called First Capitol Merchant Services, Inc. I was told to hand over a voided check that was directly linked to my bank account so that MBF Leasing could debit $62.13 from my small business account beginning in January of 2007. The reason for this was because I pushed the opening date for my business to January 2007. First Capitol Merchant put it in writing that my payments would be waived until January 2007.

Come to find out MBF Leasing began debiting my account starting in November of 2006. By January of 2007 3 payments were debited from my account and I only had $150.00 opening this account. So by Febuary 2007 my account was in negative balance. Assured that my account covered the debited expenses for January 2007 I was happy to look into my account. To my surprise my account was in the negative balance for $-98.52 and went into collections as MBF Leasing kept debiting against it. Being a student I could not pay this amount right away, so I waited to pay this amount in the mean time I tried to get a hold of MBF Leasing and First Capitol Merchant Services.

I did not have any information on how to get a hold of either of these companies so could not fend for myself and the situation I was in. I was never given a copy of my contract nor given any phone numbers, so I could not contact either MBF Leasing nor First Capitol Merchant Services. So I ended up closing my small business account, MBF Leasing was not getting paid so consorted to contact me by my cell phone number, which is how I finally got a hold of how to contact them.

Since, I was not paying them for a couple of months I owed them. I explained to them that they were not suppose to debit my account until January 2007 and that they caused my account to close by debiting without my knowledge. They did not give me no sympathy or repayment and told me that when I signed my contract is when my payments began. Right then and there, they were requesting for another account number, I only have my personal account number and I did not give it to them for fear that they would continue to debit my account uncontrollably. So I agreed to pay an extra $5 to receive a paper statement that would give me the opportunity to pay them by check. In the mean time since I owed them I would pay the amount I owed by debit/credit card. So in May of 2007, I gave them my information and ok to use my debit card to catch me up with payments, until I received my first statement from them and was then able make online electronic payments directly from my account.

I believed that everything was cleared and that we had an understanding. Unfortunately, that was not the case. June 2007, MBF Leasing charged my Debit/Credit card for $72.08. I already set up an electronic payment that would go directly to them, which I was fortunate enough to cancel. I called MBF Leasing and told them that they were not authorized to charge my debit/credit card. They told me that it was what they had on file for me so therefore it gave them the right to use it. I told them No it is not especially since I had payments set up for them through my account. I believed that this was the last of it, but it was not.

On October 3, 2007, MBF Leasing once more charged my debit/credit card without my permission. Even when they had on file "not to charge my card", which I found out by talking to various customer service representatives. I watch my expenses carefully and determined that I could make a payment to MBF Leasing on October 5, 2007. Which I did, but their impatience with my ability to make payments caused my account to go into negative balance and costed me $105.00 in overdraft fees. Even though I begged and pleated with them to credit my debit/credit card back that same day, so that I could avoid these fees.

I also reminded them that I pay an extra $5 to receive a monthly paper statement so that I could pay them by check. The customer representative I was talking to said that they would issue me a refund check which I would receive by mail, I refused and said I want you to credit my card back, just the way that you charged it. The lady said okay and that it would happen that very same day. I called back the next day, another customer representative heard my story and asked for my phone number and then hung up on me. October 5th rolled around and still nothing. I was caught paying MBF Leasing twice and paying overdraft fees to my bank.

I do not want to do business with this company any more. When I called them today 10/9/07 and told them that, they refused and told me that no matter what that I would have to continue to pay them for the full 48 months like a "car payment" I was told. At least with a car, you are given so much time to return it, with MBF Leasing you can't return anything. I have suffered and endured so much grief from this company and if there is a way I could get out of this contract I would do it. Besides I have not used the equipment at all since it was issued to me, and I was told that it would help me with my online business which is why I agreed to it in the first place, up to this point that is not the case.

Shannon
Albuquqerque, New Mexico
U.S.A.

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

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