Amscot - The Money Superstore

I paid a person for yard work with a check. This person came to my yard and asked if he could do yard work for me. It was a Sunday. He showed me everything he would do, and asked for $75. I refused to pay this much, and we agreed on $50. I supplied bags of leaves a new roll and food, and a gallon of water. Then, I had to leave. He had worked some already. I said I would bring the money when I come back. He convinced me to give him a check. I gave him some cash as a tip. He looked poor and these are bad times. Now, I came back about 1 and 1/2 hours later, and he had cut my bushes in the front, and half filled one bag with weeds, but nothing else was done. Also, half of my $10 roll of leave bags had disappeared with food and drink, but that was fine. I was upset, and thought that the tip of $10 was enough for the work done, and stopped payment on the check.

In the middle of the week, I received a letter from my Credit Union, charging me $15 for stopping payment. I wasn't happy, but thought that was enough payment for my stupidity. Then, a day or two later, I received a phone call from Amscot telling me that they cashed the check, and had to give the money to my bank, and that I was now responsible to give them $50 back. I told them to go after the person that cashed the check, and that it was not my responsibility. After that, I received a letter in the mail from Amscot, asking me to pay $50 and $25 canceled check fee. I have not paid anything, and refused to talk to them, unless they have good news and receive the money from the person that cashed the check. If they cash checks without keeping a record of the person, then they should be liable, if they lose money because of a canceled check. What are my rights in this?

I paid FPL total bill of $72.58 on 6/12/10 at 9:12 am at the above business address of complaint. As of 6/18/10, payment still was not received by FPL. I called Amscot over the telephone and they told me that FPL's transmitters to receive money were down. That was a lie. I called FPL and spoke to Ms. **, a supervisor, and she verified the Amscot statement was untrue. Amscot has brochures they hand out to customers listing FPL as one the clients they receive payment for. I was told by FPL that Amscot is not one of their certified representatives. They have been depositing my money in their account and sending them a 3rd party check for my payments from their account. She suggested I ask for my money back from Amscot. Karen who helped me at the Rockledge Office gave me their main office number upon my request.

I spoke to Joyce, who referred me to Meagan who stated the problem was from their own transmitter and many other of their customers had the same thing happen to them, but she re-transmitted the payment for my FPL payment on 6/17/10 to FPL. This was our last conversation of 6/18/10, whereby I did request for my money back, but Meagan said they (Amscot) could not to this. Then she said the money should get there from one to three days. I would have a disconnect notice by then including a request from FPL for additional deposit, plus late charges are already started for my next bill. Meagan did not know, but I had already spoken to FPL that morning of 6/18/10, so I already knew that no transmission for their company was received from Amscot. She told me to have a good day, but I told her I wasn't having one.I am being treated for cancer, and I have a family member just diagnosed as well. I have a senior plan with FPL that I can possibly lose arrangements with because of Amscot. My family is losing gas and time. And I am emotionally and physically distressed which is not good for my health.

Karen was very nice and kept apologizing for what happened, but I told her I just want this situation to be resolved a soon as possible since I am a senior and do not have money for extra spending. I told them they make me feel they are juggling me around. I want they to pay for any penalties because of this matter, like deposit, late charges, or damages to loss of food, etc. if my lights are shut off. I pray this doesn't happen. I prefer them just taking care of this before it is too late. I just received $14.82 CR for an offset given to me by FPL to all its customer. I have paid my bill on time in the past. Possible consequences, additional larger deposit. My credit history with FPL can change for the bad, no fault of my own. Economically, it could cause me to own hundreds of dollars and additional cause, and I have much pain, not sleep.