Centurion Financial Benefits ripoff scam fleecing consumers with hasty notions and misleading claims Champlain New York

Early November I received a call from a woman said that I was recently approved by Centurion Credit Company to receive a credit card with a limit of $2500. However, this offer had an expiration that was about to end in 10 days. I did not apply for this card. But had recently began cleaning up my credit and was looking for a fresh start.

So I asked them a few questions, thinking that I was being smart, o course common sense says to tell them to send me something in the mail and after I look it over I will get back to them. But instead I instatnly felt the sense of urgency that they wanted me to feel and I gave them my back card numbers and authorized them to remove $249.00 from my account November 8, 2004. The woman told me that I would receive the card in 25 days and that before we hang up she needed me to verify that I was authorizing the transaction. I was asked several questions to verify authorization (on a recorded line).

I was also permitted to ask questions as well. I asked whether the card was secured, and was told that it wasn't, that I would receive $2500 credit limit on a mastercard for a processing fee of $249.00. 25 days came and went and I got ansy looking for my card, when I decided to call the customer service line. I was asked for my verification number and then was told that package had been sent out to me and all that I have to do is sign it and send it back to them and they will send me my card in 7 to 10 business days.

Then finally today I receive the package and hurrily open it searching for the form that I am to sign and send back to them w/o haste...and to my horrifying surprise the box has a single manila envelope with a vacation in Florida brochure, 50000 minute phone card offer flyer, MedisaveAdvantage (Save 80% on prescription drugs) flyer, dishnetwork flyer, national Money Services, Inc. flyer/appl., Autoyes.com, along with a trucredit.com flyer as well. Oh and let's not forget a a small booklet about credit repair and one with information about about identity theft, a letter that instructs me to sign the enclosed application and return it to them. But here's the catch, the application (which I thought I hadcompleted on the phone -- considering the lengthy verification process) cost 4$24.95 to process ("what," said in outrage, "then what was $249.00 paying for") The letter also stated the it would 25 days (not 7 to 10) upon receiving the mastercard. And get a load at this, looking at the small print on the application with the title VelocityMoney, it says that the card is prepaid and is not a credit card--but will only have funds that "I" put on it.

yet they told me that it was not a secured card. needless to say, i was outraged by this and immediately called the 1800#, only to find out that the office is closed at 5PM (when most people get off from work and would have time to call), they also do not open until 9:30AM. So I left several meesages for them to call me and will fill you in and the "what I am suuming will be unfortunate" details. I have read someone else's report and it looks grim. All I can say at this point is, Lesson Learned.

FYI: I also checked the BBB and found nothing negative about them... would reporting them to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) be a better way to approach this situation... how can we clamp down on them and put a stop to this madness? please advise.

Sadfeline
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.