Valley Yellow Pages Deceptive Billing and Loan Shark Tactict Fresno California

I left the California area along with my business. I notified Valley Yellow Pages that I moved. The receptionist claimed that they had this "debt forgiveness" program if a phone number in the ad is no longer viable. I claimed mine was changed to a Arizona number and the one for CA. was no longer in use. I also called her on that phone number.

She said she would mail me an application for the "debt forgiveness" program and once they received the information from me they would discontinue the billing for the advertisements. I agreed.

I got the application a few days later on the 4/7/2009 i received the application. I then called the phone company and was told I had to wait for the end of the billing cycle to get a statement that shows I changed the Ca. number to a AZ number. I then called Michael Pettigrew and informed him there was no way to get a copy of the bill until they actually make the bill. He said no worries he would extend my request for another 30 days.

April 19, I received my statement from Verizon with the showing of the change of discontinued services to the billing phone number in question. I then packaged up the application, phone bill and mailed off the materials in their envelope with their printed address. Assuming all was good and the debt was gone. April 20, 2009 the envelope was carried to the post office and deposited into their "in office" mailbox.

May 12, I received a letter from Michael Pettigrew stating that I was denied the "debt forgiveness" because they have not received my paperwork. This came in a certified letter where I had to sign for it. The signature was taken in Arizona. Obviously demonstrating I no longer lived in California.

When I called Michael he stated he didn't know where my letter was. I explained that I mailed the products on April 20th. He said he would check with his colleagues to see if they could find my application. He would call me back.

Two days later I received a statement from Valley Yellow Pages claiming that I now owed them 485.90 for a 62.00 bill due to late fees and interest payments! This is a scam and fraud!!!

They are misleading the public thinking they are going to get this debt forgiveness and then you don't send a payment due to the fact you think the debt is forgiven and they are now charging unethically huge fees!

Someone needs to stop them. They are doing this more and more and it is a crime that businesses are being gouged like this in such an obvious unethical manner.

Do not advertise with this company. They are loan sharks and frauds. No wonder businesses are leaving Fresno California. You can't afford to stay in business when you are always being hit with these exaggerated fees.

Pamela
fresno, California
U.S.A.