Mcfarland Group ripoff Champlain New York

I discovered a site via the web (governmentgrants), and a few days later recieved a phone call from a man at "Mcfarland Group". Mcfarland Group promised me a mininum of $5,000.00 fom governmnet grants if I payed them $289.00, and I was DUMB and gave them the routing # to my checking account. The money was taken out on March 31, 2006.

I called asking about the "package" that was supposed to be sent. Eventually, I recieved it and filled it out. (stupid me!) I gave a lot of personal info. I called and the lady said it would take up to 12 weeks to recieve my money.

I continuously tried to call (866)667-0275 "during office hours" (8-4), but they were closed. Eventually, I could no longer contact a person calling the #. Instead, I got, " You have entered a number that cannot be reached from your calling area."

So I looked up Mcfarland Group on the internat and there was a question, "Does anyone know how to contact Mcfarland Group?" I realized that I was "ripped off".

A few days ago, I went to my bank (Navy Federal Credit Union) and stated what had happened. She said that because it had passed 60 days, I can't get my money back. She looked up the transaction, and the name that took out the money was "Customer Care Relations (CCR)". The phone # is (866)667-1891.

I called the number to CCR and they asked my name and brought up my account. They claimed that they were supposed to have a contract w/ Mcfarland Group, but it fell through. However, he had all of my information from Mcfarland (the tracking # to the package-9102251460176003474590)I said, "YOUR routing # was on the transaction!" The man got angry, and told me to report a "fraud affidavid" with my bank. When I asked where CCR was located, he said, "Canada", and hung up.

My bank called me and gave me the number to the FTC (202)326-2222 or (877)FTCHELP to report what had happened. I recommend calling them. they told me to call Equifax to place a fraud report ((800)525-6285.

I recommend closing the account that money was taken from, and contact the Social Security office to protect your identity. I doubt I will get my money back.

Lydia
Corpus Christi, Texas
U.S.A.