North American Bancard deceptive contract; questionable sales tactics Troy, Michigan

In October of 2008 I made the mistake of believing a charming con-artist named Clinton and signed up for cc processing services with North American Bancard as the processor. My first clue that this may not have been kosher was the fact that the contract, when I finally received my copy months later, had information filled in that hadn't been in there before (I owned 100% and was the president? Really?) and was signed by someone other than the original salesman who, by signing, indicated he'd been to the premises and had verified all the info on the contract as true. Other than their fees and my name, nothing on it was true. This application did NOT included any terms or conditions. I didn't receive those until the machine showed up from the leasing company (leasing company ugh. Another story for another day).

Fast forward to August 2010--the company closed both of their locations and the contract was canceled. End of story since hey, even reading the "contract terms" that showed up AFTER I signed the contract it didn't show that anything would be due beyond the 5.00 per month fee for the remainder of the contract. Okay, 150 bucks for the two locations, I supposed I can bite the bullet and pay it. Didn't hear a word from them and figured it was done.

Now, today, 11-15-11, over a YEAR later with zero contact from them, I'm getting a collections notice from an agency trying to collect $464.95 PER location for cancellation fees. What fees? Even in the crappy contract they sent me after the fact, no where does it stipulate any fees other than what would have been monthly fees for the duration of the contract term, which, according to the paperwork the salesman sent me, is $5 per month, per location. I'll cop to them being owed $150.00 since I was stupid enough to sign the contract but I will not pay fees that aren't stipulated and that are now being pulled out of thin air.

I have learned a valuable lesson in all this---no long term credit card processing contracts. Ever.