First American Payment Systems Locked into a long term contract Nationwide

After using this company for a couple of years, we decided we no longer needed their services.  But I realized I had one year left on my three year contract.  We continued to pay the monthly service fee of about $40 by bank draft.  Some time after the last year had passed, I called to cancel the account, they said I missed the 30 day notice before the renewal date and was now locked in for another 3 years.  So I continued to pay while not using the service.  I put it on my calendar to cancel before the next renewal date.  At the appointed time, I was instructed to fax a letter of cancellation, which I did.  The charges continued for several more months.  When I called to ask why the account didn't cancel, I was told they never received the fax.  I explained the situation but they said I'd have to pay a hefty cancellation fee if I now cancelled.  I waited another year or so and finally cancelled and paid their fee.  I threatened to not pay, but since I signed a personal guaranty, they would hit my credit score.  She even quoted my current credit score.  She saw there was no use of the product for a number of years, but only quoted the terms of the contract.  

I can't say this was a scam exactly.  But I can say that the company is heartless, ruthless, and offers no customer service.  If you sign one of their contracts, be sure to put the cancellation date on your calendar and if you fax a cancellation letter in, call to verify it was recieved.