by drew on Mon May 15, 2006 10:29 pm
I just obtained a refund form the scammers after much persistence:
I had to contact the department of agriculture and consumer affairs, florida and actionan on-line complaint (Debra J, Lightfoot was the officer who assisted): I copied all correspondence from Summerbay (They are very good at not providing addressess) using an address from the U.K. "Guardian" newspaper of March 5th 2006 which profiles the slugs who run the sleazy outfit:
The prize in my case mysteriously morphed into an "invitation to view investment property": may the anti-scam websites should list the aliases used by the scammers and try to profile them for future litigation: remember these people talk at length on the phone and "spin " pseudo" stories to suck you in: I am happy to relay this info to interested parties or legimate authorities but not in an open webforum.
Don't waste your time on the phone, while on the other end they prentend to speak to their "legal department", you will not get satisfaction: in fact I think they rely on your frustration at hanging up. The dates on the airmails sent me were were dodgy and the 7 day cooling off period does not comply with Florida law which states consumers have 30days from the date of transaction (usually when the money clears your bank.) to claim their money back provided they have received no service or goods.
My HOW TO" suggestions are
1. ACT , don't sit and fret: you'll only get a refund if you are PERSISTENT ( Remember the "little Red Hen"). Write a full account of events in chronological order, try to recall all things said and offered and the circumstances of the phone call: record names used by caller voice quality, background noise etc, terms of address, peculiaries of speech, accent etc
2.Scan/ copy all relevant documents including transactions letters received
3. Include data useful from other sites and give sources as evidence trail for others. I would point out that the documents used by the Scammers very transparent inks designed NOT to be easily copied. There are few clear legal addresses in the their correspondence and there is no complaints process outlined: (Legitimate businesses comply and co-operate with the law and DO have these in easy to find locations: you should not have to spend hours trawling the internet!!)
4 I copied all correspondence from Summerbay (They are very good at not providing addressess) Use the address from the U.K. "Guardian" newspaper of March 5th 2006 which profiles the slugs who run the sleazy outfit. you can check the bona fides by doing a search independently.
search Boakes.com and see further accounts from other scamees: I got my best break from this site reading responses and HOW to advice.
5. Google search for the Department of agriculture and Consumer affairs website and either complete the online form or attach and forward your particulars , they WILL confirm with a follow-up email, but give them ALL useful information.
6.My advice NEVER BELIEVE ANY "prize" won by phone: WARN OTHERS, LOUD AND OFTEN (despite the obvious personal embarassment)
7. Tell your local consumer affairs: these scams are the darkside of globalisation and easy communication. I kept all e-mail communication and contacted my local consumer affairs people: there are investigations under way in several Australian states and one State minister has issued a warning statement about the firm.
8. Contact the U.S. Federal Postal & Communications (Onforward any offending phone details )(maybe you phone system captured their number: these are traceable: that's waht Eliot Ness used!! ) THERE ARE GROUNDS FOR ACTION UNDER U.S. phone & communication F.C.C for phone fraud as wellas consumer action for crank and unsolicited calls.
9. Change your Password to your credit card, or change the card and review your withdrawal limits. Liase with your bank &/ or credit facility on how to avoid this sort of thing happening: ask them to post the details on their site and to investigate the claims/ issues.
10. GO TO IT AND GOOD LUCK
Drew[color=darkblue] [/color]