Medical Discount Direct, Medical Discounts Direct gave a quote for a service, charged a deposit, then denied the service and kept the deposit. Newport Beach, California

I contacted Medical Discounts Direct for an advertised medical procedure. The advertised price was exactly $3,960. Gloria Sceberras responded to me and sent a questionnaire by e-mail. I filled it out and sent it back. At the top of the form I listed the procedure as Cosmetic in bold. The questionnaire explained that my best quote so far was for $12,000 for a specialist.

Gloria calls me and tells me that it's my lucky day - she can arrange the surgery for me for between $5,500 and $6,000. She says she just needs a $1,500 deposit to start things moving. She told me that I would have the deposit returned if the surgeons could not accommodate me, saying "You won't have to pay for something you're not getting".

Later, I get a call saying that the surgeons for the $6,000 quote did not do cosmetic procedures, but Gloria from Medical Discounts Direct has already sent my info to a team of surgeons that charge $17,000 (and are not, in my opinion, specialized or competent in the procedure I wanted).

She said that approximately $800 of my deposit had been used by surgeons looking at my questionnaire and 6 photos of my legs. No physical consultation ever took place.

I sent two e-mails asking for my deposit back, or for the promised service to be provided. She has stopped responding to me.

Please be warned about Gloria Sceberras from Medical Discounts Direct, I believe they scammed me.