Luca Financial Express Benefits Fake Credit Card Offer Kansas City Missouri

On November 14, 2002 I received a call on my cellular phone from a woman named Colleen Watkins (operator # 5006) who represented a company that said they could offer me an unsecured Master Card (value $2000.00 US). The company was identified as Luca Financial.

I was informed that this was a 'real' credit card and not a club card or catalog card. I inquired as to whether it could be used for every day purchases, gasoline, food, etc. I was informed yes. Absolutely yes.

The deal seemd to be very good. Too good it turns out.
Unfortunately for me I agreed to this deal.
I was informed that money would be withdrawn from my bank account and that I would be receiving my card within a few weeks.
This seemed perfect timimg for the holiday season.

On 21 November 2002 my bank account was debited $249.00 US. By the end of November I still had no card. So I called them (1-888-218-1641) and was informed that I would be receiving a letter and package with my card information.

On 16 December 2002 I received a large white envelope postdated 13 December 2002. Inside this envelope I found a single typed sheet welcoming me to Luca Financial Express Benefits and a Discount Savings Brochure with come coupons. (I do not recall discussing travel brochures at the time I took the first call).
The letter stated that I would be receiving my card within 25 BUSINESS DAYS??!!??

Days went by. I eagerly checked the mail box daily. No card!

I called them again. They informed me that due to the holiday season cards were taking longer than usual to process.

More Days went by. Daily I make the eager trip to the mailbox. NO CARD!

I call them multiple times up thru January 2003. Each time It's the same song. Ohh 25 business days.... or Holiday Rush.

So like the patient sucker I continue to listen to their tripe.

Monday, February 3 I call and speak with 'George' and confront them on the lack of delivery. They say that there has been some sort of error and will issue me a new card and that I should have it by next monday... meby even by Saturday.

Saturday comes.. no card. Monday Comes. No CARD!

I call them on Monday 10 February. This time I really lay into them about how this is unacceptable and ask what can be done. 'Fred' informs me that nothing can be done to speed the process up.
So still over the days I check for the card. No card!

Then tonight as I prepare to go to bed it occurs to me that perhaps this is a scam DUUUUUUHHHHH!!!

I did a search on Google.com for "Luca Financial" and got a hit on The Rip Off Report. Do I feel used.

I will be making a trip to my bank tomorrow morning with printouts from this site and the printout from the Better Business Bureau's web site and hopefully will make some progress at getting my money back.

John
Winchester, Virginia
U.S.A.