My Mother is 79 years old. She gets phone calls all the time from people selling things. We have told her numerous times not to talk to them and do not give out any info. She recently got a call from a company named Consumer Advantage Group Services on Feb.16th. The phone number for this company is 888-297-0316. Of course no one ever answers at that number, only on hold music. The person told her that she had written a check to them a year ago for $397.00 and they would like to refund it to her. They ask for her bank account number, she gave it to them. She then got scared and called me and we had to change her account. Thusrday, Feb.26th,this company tried to take $397.00 out of her old account. It is a terrible shame that people are allowed to pull these kinds of scams on anyone, especially the elderly that are easily confused.
** Disclaimer: This post was written by a guest author. The information contained in this article should not be taken as a fact, but only as an indicator. The story represents the authors individual experience with the subject in question. As such it can be true or misrepresented and in some cases even purely fictional in an attempt to harm the company or individual in question. You are advised to use your own judgment to realize the truth behind the story.
March 10th, 2009 at 6:52 am
I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED KEVIN SWORDS AT PARAMOUNT BANK IN MICHIGAN 1 800 421 2265, PB IS WHERE THE DRAFT CAME FROM. I ALSO REPORTED THIS SCAM TO THE MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE BBB.
I SUGGEST YOU DO THE SAME. MAYBE WE CAN STOP THIS FROM HAPPENNIBG AGAIN.YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT WarMongerUSA@netzero.net IF ANYONE NEEDS ASSISTANCE OR GUIDEANCE IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU. WHAT IRKS ME IS THAT
THE BANKS HAVE NO POLICY IN CONFIRMING ELECTRONIC CHECK DRAFTS AND WILL GIVE YOUR MONEY TO ANYONE THAT ASKS FOR IT.
—————EDDIE————–
June 20th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I have heard of several people here, including my mother that has gotten the same type of calls from Consumer Advantage Group, Consumers First, or any other name claiming that they will sell you a policy to protect your phoneline, your checking account, protection from any type of identity fraud. They are the Crooks, They are Stealing your Money!
PEOPLE!!
There is no such insurance or policy to verify you’ve bought anything. She has also gotten calls from Jamaica claiming she’s won sweepstakes, calls from Canada saying “Grandma I’m in Canada visiting and am having car trouble can you help me?”, Calls from a person saying they work at her bank and want to verify a check they have…they will put a stop on it or they will refund money into your account. None of this is True…
Hang up, change your phone number!
Sweepstakes received from Florida… They all ask for secretecy and money in by means of your routing number and check account number orthey’ll ask that your wire it Western Union.
If you love your elderly parents pay attention to them! Don’t let a crook be the only phone calls they get. Don’t take for granted that they can handle their finances and their health completely on their own.
Protect them, assist them, be their Best Friend.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:58 am
The same thing happend to my mother we only found this out because Consumer Advantage tried withdrawing $398.00 via E Check the phone number for this company is 1 877 785 4521 we stopped the payment going out in time and have filled in a fraud report with her bank and also filed a police report, if you have been affected by this company please do the same as we are in NJ and I’ve read that people have been hit in idaho etc so this is now a federal crime, we have also contacted our New Jersey State Attorney General and we advise other people to contact their State Attorney and report your case to them, the more people who report this company to the proper authorities will ensure a better chance of these people being caught & prosecuted!!
Also I advise you all to contact the Federal Trade Commission Scam Group (1 877 382 4357) and report your individual accounts to them.
This company had phoned my mother and tried to speak to her saying that the Gentleman (who was Indian) was from her bank, I said that she was not available but asked which bank he was phoning from as she has more than one, this guy then put the phone down and I could hear him flicking through paperwork and speaking to someone else in the room he then came back on the phone and gave me her bank name? I asked for his phone number so we could phone him back but he simply just hung up.
Roughly 1 month after this conversation they hit her bank account, now we dont know where they got her account information from but we have also changed her Bank Account as well to make sure this never happens again.
We got their phone number & name from the screen print of the E cheque at the bank and when you phone it and listen to the company information they say that they are Identity Theft Consultants selling insurance policys?
The Name on the E Cheque Was Consumer Advantage but when you phone them up the company name is Express Solutions & Consumer Advantage.
Lets all do our part and report these people to the proper authorities and get these people locked up for a very long time.
Thanks
Sally