Advantage America - EZ-1Rate.com ripoff Winter Park Florida

Sadly I have the same story as all the others. I was called by a representative from Advantage America and told that I had already been approved for a $12,500 grant. I was immediately skeptical since I was pretty sure that one has to apply for a grant. To convince me, the representative explained that the government had a quota to fill by the end of the year (this was in November), and since I am a taxpayer I was automatically eligible.

She then asked if I would have time to go to the bank that day and open a new account for the money to be deposited. I didn't, and like a sucker, I gave her my current account and routing number. I was told that the next day I would be the receiver of $12,500 with no requirement on how to spend it.

I was also told that I would be receiving grocery coupons and an information packet in the mail as a "thank you." She said it would contain an offer for health insurance, but I was in no way obligated to sign up- I just had to cancel within a short amount of time. She was so nice! She told me that once I got my money, I just needed to make sure that I left $50 in the account as a processing fee. I was given a confirmation number, and felt good about the whole thing.

The next day (Saturday) there was no money put into my account, but since I hadn't been completely cleaned out financially like in my worst fear, they were legitimate, and I would have the money on the next Business day. By Monday the $50 had been deducted, but no additional money, and no welcome packet. I was sure that it would be coming tomorrow.

I called back within the week to inquire about my money and welcome package, as I had not recieved either, but thought it might be due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The foreign gentleman I spoke with pulled up my account and said that the packet had been sent, and would be arriving shortly. I shouldn't call back until I had received it, he told me.

I did receive the packet within another week or so, and called back to make sure to cancel the insurance before being billed. The extremely slow-witted representative who answered my call informed me that I had missed the end of the trial period, and would be billed $300.

I raised a stink because I called earlier, and was sure they had a record of my reporting that I had not yet received the information. She gave in and did say she would note the account for a refund. I then had questions about my money.

In the packet, which did contain $500 of worthless internet grocery coupons, there was some wording that made it sound as if I would still have to apply if I wanted any grant money. The representative said I was correct. Well then, why was I charged $50? A processing fee to have the opportunity to be signed up for the health insurance and the grant application resource guide.

I was livid, and kept having her explain to me over and over again the truth of the situation. I told her exactly what the first woman had told me, and she denied all of my previous understandings. After 10 minutes of arguing with this woman who was not the least bit sympathetic, I demanded to speak with a supervisor. Not surprisingly, there wasn'r one available. I was told to call back the next day.

I gave up on the situation, since you have to wait on hold for at least 10 minutes before talking to anyone who is even remotely human, and even then, that's how one could describe any of the representatives with whom I spoke.

The $300 was withdrawn from my account, and then refunded, although not without me being charged a $30 overdraft fee. I just figured I'd been duped, and there was nothing more that could be done about. It was my own fault, I concluded.

I almost forgot about the situation until today, when I noticed that I had been charged $50 electronically through EZ-1Rate.com. I went to investigate, and found their clear partnership with Advantage America, and this website.

I really don't want to have to get a new bank account number, but I guess that's the only way to make sure that I don't ramdonmly get billed for things such as long-distance phone service (which is apparently what I have signed up for through EZ-1Rate) that I don't want or need- I don't even have a land-line phone.

Please can't someone do something about this? I feel so angry, stupid, and really disheartened by the whole experience. Please. No one should be able to get away with this.

Domenica
Omaha, Nebraska
U.S.A.