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Becky of Clifton LA (01/13/08)
My mother got received a phone call from 703-547-6545; the person on the phone she could not understand, so she said so, and then the person hung up on her. She thought nothing of the call until I called and checked her account before paying a bill for her. I found out she was missing $49.99 from her account; this was said to be a card purchase authorization from the day before at 3:03 pm--and this was the same time my mother answered the phone to Commonwealth's call. I called the bank, and they told me that the company that withdrew the funds was called HCP Gold Edge; they are under the Commonwealth program. We had never heard of this and did not give anybody her account number. How did they get it? Well when she answered the phone they received a response, and that is all they needed.
When I called back the number that had called, I received a notice from a company that said: we are not a marketing company and have been a victim of spoofing--which is when someone takes their caller id name and uses it to pretend to be someone they are not--and that is why you cannot trace the call. So now we are waiting to see if our bank can get our money back. If you see this number appear on your caller id, it may say VSLRL AMERICA, INC. Don't answer.
My mother has to take money she did not have to pay her bills; they are on a minimum income. Now they have $44.00 left in their account; this is so sad. They cannot afford to have people take money from them like this.
Sharon of Enid OK (10/09/07)
Emick called our home phone 10/05/07 in the afternoon. He talked to my husband, Al, and told him about a great health plan. I was not home, so Emick called back around 4 or 4:30. Emick told me about how great this plan is. Prescriptions only $10 for generic, and $25 to $50 for name brands. No pre-existing, no nothing. It was called an hybird plan. $15,000 accidental death, vision, dental. He told me if I went to the ER room for a cut finger and the cost was $3,000 my cost would only be $100. I asked what Doctors took this ? If they do not then you can appoint them to the plan. If I had to pay the full amount, then New Health Choice would reinburse me. I told Emick this was too good to be true. He said everyone said the same thing. But it is true. I kept telling Emick I do not understand some of this, and he told me I was making it harder than it should be. I really felt pressured, because this was the only open enrollment for my area, or at least that is what he said. I kept looking at my husband asking what to do, he said to go ahead and get it, because it is $166 per month cheaper than what we are paying for me. My husband is 68 and on SS and I am 56 and do not work. we are on an limited income. Emick took all the info for the bank, then he transferred me to another line to verify everything. But it was Emick again. He had me repeat things he said, like we cannot get the deposit or any money back, and that I understand everything. Stupid me I was told I would receive an e-mail within the hour. Now I got really nervous I found the number 1-877-215-2071 on their web page and called and talked to some lady. I told her I was very upset as I have not received my e-mail. Oh do not worry we are the 2nd greatest health care in the US. Florida has storms now so maybe the computer is down. I told her I was going to the bank Saturday morning and having the draft stopped. No we are good. You will get the e-mail Stupid me.We went to our bank by 9:30 and the money was already taken out. I did get a number for someone named John, he called me Saturday Oct 6th while we were out. I did finally get my e-mail but the membership number would not work. called john again and only got message, and told him what is going on now. No reply.
I am just so angry that this happens. $239 will not make or break us. But it can ruin many people. For 4 days I have been on the computer, to check my member benefits. This company should not be allowed to do this to people
Matt of Covington LA (09/26/07)
This company sells their healthcare service through a telemarketer out of Tampa Bay Florida called Quality Resourses. These high pressure marketers have your credit card number on file and are calling to charge your credit card 9.95 then 49.95 every subsiquent month if you do not cancel. They will not take (no) for an answer. If you accept the service in any way at all, they will charge your card. They tape the acceptance of the service and if disputed will play the tape for the customer, BBB, ect.
According to BBB reports, they have charged customers after a refusal of the service and caused overdraft fees. The Commonwealth Benefit Plan makes the dispute procees very difficult hoping the customer will give up or settle for a partial refund. To get your money back, you will need to make a threat to report them to the BBB and/or your state attorney general.
Alfred of Elizabeth City NC (09/21/07)
I noticed three suspect charges against my Visa Card. All of them identified the payee as HCP.Gold followed by different toll-free telephone numbers. I called each and was not able to reach a human being. I searched for the company on the Internet and I came across your web site where somebody was apparently scammed by this same company. I located the physical address of the company through the online white pages and visited the company on September 17, 2007. The name on the building was Kuriloff & something, LLC. I had to speak through an intercom for access to the building. I identified myself as a subscriber to HealthCare Privileges, the Commonwealth Benefit Plan health service. After much delay, I was met at the door by three representatives. I was invited in and asked what I wanted. I said that I would like to have my money back, that three unauthorized debits were made against my account for a total of over $100. The three returned to their offices with my health privileges card and returned after much delay saying that the charges were authorized by my wife and that they have the recording to substantiate it. The card was in my wife's name and she previously told me that she did not authorize it and never heard of the company. The representatives offered me a copy of the recording. I refused (I probably should have taken it) and said that I just wanted my money back. They said that they would credit my card back. As of today, September 21, 2007, I have received credit for about 1/2 of the money that was debited. I plan to call them after several more days if I do not receive the balance. The receiving area of the building was very bland. There was a receptionist/secretary. On the wall were framed titles of about nine companies that I assume are daughter companies of Kuriloff...,LLC. Commonwealth Benefit Plan, Inc. was one of the companies. HCP.Gold apparently is the HealthCare Privilege card offered by Commonwealth Benefit Plan, Inc.
I have spent much time investigating and visiting this company trying to rectify this problem. To date, I have not received full reimbursement.
Elizabeth of Muskogee OK (08/07/07)
Commonwealth Benefit Plan, Inc. of Virginia Beach, VA called me one morning to ask if I was still at my current address. I said yes and that was it. They claimed they sent me a letter and because I didn't respond they somehow were able to bill my checking account for $49.95. How they got my account number I don't know. If they did send me anything in the mail it was probably thrown shredded and thrown away as all other junk mail is at my house. Is this sort of thing even legal? Oh by the way, I'm a minor.
$49.95 debit from my checking account.
Tessie of Oakland CA (08/01/07)
I have similar experiences as Concetta regarding unauthorized charges made to my account of $49.95 per month by Commonwealth Benefits Plan Healthcare Privileges I had never heard of this company nor use their services. They have been charging my account for the last 4 months. I informed my Bank and they told me they are only eligible to refund $49.95 since there is a 60day limit warranty. Commonwealth Benefits Plan is saying that they have a voice record of my authorization. The unusual thing is that I was out of the country when they claim I signed for the services.
Linda Wallace of Marietta GA (03/07/07)
I received a call offerring a medical insurance plan for 30 day trial. This trial was first offerred for $1.00. They had the last 4 digits of my card and I ask how did they get my number. I was told they only have the last 4 digits. I told the CSR I would not give my credit card out over the telephone to mail me the information. A day later, I received a call from the same company offering again and said they would mail the trail out. After checking my account, I noted this company had, without my permission, nor did I give out my number debit my account.
My account will not be able to cover debts I have paid out during this period. It will cause a $200 or more deficiency in my account.
Suzanne of Decatur GA (03/15/06)
I was contacted by phone and asked if I'd like 3 months of free insurance for accidental injury. I asked what happened at the end of the 3 months and was told my credit card would be charged automatically. I guess I decided to do it because I was told I could cancel the insurance by telephone before the end of the 3 months free period and there would be no charge. I got some paperwork from the company in the mail, made a note to cancel it and cancelled it by telephone within the 3 month free period. When the charge appeared on my credit card as Shoppers Edge, I didn't pay any attention to it. Since I don't use that particular credit card except for regular monthly donations to charities and my newspaper, I confess that I didn't notice the extra $19.25 charge each month. (The amount of my statement is the same every month.) Recently, however, I decided to call the phone number for Shoppers Edge, which is how the charge was entered on my statement and see what it was for. I called the number for Shoppers Edge (866-209-9734) and got a company called Commonwealth Benefits Plan (Shoppers Edge???). After many frustrating tries and long period of holding, I gave up trying to talk to a person or leave a message and called my credit card company to dispute the charge. Since I have no address for the company and no name of a person to reach on the company's directory (and believe me, I tried the JOH for John and the DAV for David and many other three letter combinations for anyone who might work there and answer the phone), I remain unable to contact the company to get someone to acknowledge my cancellation.
Wallace of Santa Rosa CA (07/30/03)
Open up my Visa Bill, and found a charged of $38.95 charge. Did not recognize charge. I disputed charge , thinking maybe its a mistake. Next month , got another charge , same amount same company . Called them . Apparantly , they called while I was no home . Spoke with my son , who does not have my credit card. Told him that they were going to send his dad something for free , and my inexperience son said sure. Found out it was some benefit insureranc eplan that I or my wife did not authorize .
How did they get my Credit card Number ???? I call to cancel , but they will not reverse previous charges. How can they release produc to someone other than the holders of the credit card?
Edi Ibok of Gaithersburg MD (07/12/03)
I looked at my bank statement and found that I was being charged $19.95 per month for a service that I have never heard of nor ordered. I can't seem to get an address for them (the billing service they use only has a 1-800 number and the state is not identified on the billing unlike other transactions). I call and I never get anyone. Cancelled through the billing service's website but no confirmation received nor any action taken.
I have $19.95 being drafted out of my account that I can not afford. As a student, I would part-time and that is almost 3 hours of work after taxes.
Lillia of Martinsburg WV (06/11/03)
I have no idea what happend but I have been chaged on my credit card twice the amount of 38.95 and I have no way of contacting them to have them stop this.
Ray of Vineland NJ (12/18/01)
Commonwealth Benefit Plan accessed my checking account without authorization. I never heard of this company before I noticed a withdraw from my checking account. When I called them they immediately offered a refund. When I asked them how they obtained my checking account info the rep stated that it was an online transaction and that I signed up on the cbplan.com website. Which I never heard of before. When I stated this the rep said the information must have come from my ISP. Which is impossible as I use a corporate ISP that is in no way attached to my personal checking account.
I had to close my checking account and get new check cards. New checks had to be printed and a new card mailed to me. This was a major inconvienence. I work in Merchant Services processing credit cards for a mid sized bank in South Jersey. I find it truly ironic that with all of my contacts in the industry I cannot find a single person at the associations that will do anything. Basically I have gotten advice to charge it back and close my accounts. Apparently Visa is willing to take a loss rather than admit fraud ever happens. The Police say since Im being re-imbursed by Visa I have no losses therefore I dont have a complaint.
Karen of Tulsa OK (08/03/01)
Was charged &18.95 on credit card without our knowledge or permission. Your website on this co. is not good enough. This is happening to thousands of people across the US and the State ov Vir. lets it continue. People that work at that co. say they get numerous calls all day long from people saying they didn't order etc. The consumer affairs dept in that state says they blame the telemarketers and therefore the owners of the company are innocent. I say HOGWASH.
Lois of Bloomingdale NJ (05/28/01)
I signed up for this inexpensive plan because in reviewing it on the internet, I saw all my drs. listed.This was 3/1/01. When I went to my chiropractor it was supposed to be 35% off usual bill. His name was in a pull down menu under physicians providers, chiro. I was told it could only be UHS which would be $2. off bill It took a few days to get through to anyone. Next I went to my ear,nose and throat dr. After a few days that office finally got through and was told to bill me $75. which is his usual charge. For pharmacy, my AArp is less. Where am I saving any money?
After many phone calls where no one would give me an answer just we`ll call you back and they don`t I`m not getting anywhere. At $18.95 a month for three months I asked for my money back because of poor service or no service. Also, if so many people paid for this and didn`t get anything for it, thats a nice money making racket.
Lorie of San Jose CA (04/09/01)
In December of 2000, I received a charge to my check card for $19.95 from Commonwealth Benefits. I have in no way shape or form consented to purchase any outside benefits. I am fully covered by the company I am employed by. I have no idea how they had access to my personal information let alone my check card information. This was already odd to me. So I made a few calls into the customer service line. This however has been all automated. One of the options on the line is to cancel your membership and have that amount reimbursed. Of course I opted for that. And of course it didn't happen as I saw in my next month's statement. I then left many a messages with the automated service without a return call. And now I'm at a point where I consulted with my bank. I mentioned I wanted to close my account and file for fraudulent charges. He suggested I did otherwise like contact the District Attorney's office and the Better Business Bureau. I will be doing this shortly. He also recommended I not close my acct without proof that I've tried to contact these companies in case they report me to the Credit Bureau for negligent payments. So I will contact these offices before closing my account.
Linda of Paw Paw MI (03/07/01)
i just found out that they allowed my son whose last name is different from nmine use my credit card, which is in my name to sign up for a benefit plan, which i had no knowledge about,
i was basically just shocked that they did that, the amount charged to my account is small around 18.75, but i have no way to contact them, by phone to cancel this account, and it put the credit card over limit so i was charged the fee for it, and it will charge it again soon.
Ruth Clark of Mentor OH (09/22/00)
Unauthorized charge of $129.95 showed up on my credit card. I will not pay this bill.
Donald VA (08/29/00)
This company has charged my credit card for $96.00 without authorzation.I have never heard of this company, and at no time did I ever sign up for services I don't need.
I am greatly upset with the added burden of paying for something I did not order and my wife became psysically ill thinking about how we are totaally vulnerable to someone being able to access my credit card without authorization. I must now cancel my credit card for fear of other charges being added on withot our knowledge. We are senior citizens and don't need this added stress.
Concetta of Sidney, NE, writes:
This company has charged my credit card $95.40 without authorization. I DID NOT give verbal or written consent at any time to sign me up for any membership nor to charge my credit card the membership fee. In fact, I had never heard of this company before it showed up on my credit card statement. I do not believe that it is legal to charge my credit card without my knowledge.
Three additional charges from HOUSEHOLD PROTECTION for $99.95, DISCOUNT USA for $96.00, and PROMENADE for $96.00 have also appeared on my credit card statements all within the last month. As with the first company, I have not heard of any of these companies.
I am very upset that this was done without my knowledge. It is very disturbing that so many people have access to my personal information, including my credit card number, when I have never purchased anything on line and very few items over the phone and only with reputable companies. I have had to cancel my credit card and have a new one issued to prevent this from happening in the future. I do not know if you are aware that this is happening, but I cannot believe that it is legal!
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