OT - Advice from Financial people - ThinnerTimes

bloomer001 · 03-31-2007, 09:35 AM

About 2 weeks ago a company called "Express Cash" took $30.00 out of my checking account. I had never heard of this company. I called the 800 # the bank had on the withdrawl. The woman I talked to told me I owed them over $600 from some loan I got 3 years ago! I was busy at work and she kept telling me about this "Fantastic" settlement offer she could give me. I could settle the debt for just $390. I told her I did not have that much money right now. She said "No problem, can you call me back with dates we can get the payments out of your account". I told her I would call her back. The next day I hadn't called her yet, as I said I was busy at work. She called me twice, I called her back, told her I didn't remember getting a loan from her company. She assured me I had, now I admit I have done some stupid financial things, so I thought maybe I did. I agreed to let them take money out of my account on April 13 and the 30. She again insisted on the "great settlement offer" she was giving me and said she needed to have a payment of at least $50 before the end of March. I told her there was no way I would be able to do that. (I have to pay my rent and a car payment, but I didn't think she needed to know that). She kept insisting she needed that payment. I told here if I found a way to make that payment I would call here, but at this time I would only be able to make payments on April 13 and 30. Well, last night (March 30) I logged onto my bank account to balance my checkbook and...She took out $50 from my account!!!

Now what do I do?? That money was to pay my rent! I'm livid at this point! I went to the bank (I have a great small town bank) and the girl their said I should call them on Monday, demand proof that the debt is mine, and if they won't provide it, I should go to the police and file fraud charges. I have asked this woman a few times for the name of the company that I am supposed to have borrowed this money from, because this 'Express Cash' is a group of companies. She has never given me that. She will also not provide me with an address for the company, she says "We don't accept mail in payments" and then goes back into her "Great settlement offer" speach. She say they are able to get this money out of my account because when I signed the contract for this 'loan' it said that if I ever applied for another loan from any of their companies they cound use the bank account information I provided to make good on the old loan. See 3 years ago I had an account at a very large bank and just didn't like the service so I switched to the little 'hometown' bank that I am with now. So 3 years ago I didn't even have the same bank account information.

Sorry for the long post, I just needed to get it off my chest and see if anyone had any idea's on what I could do, besides scream, cry, and throw a hissy fit!

Thanks!!

ceekerr · 03-31-2007, 10:39 AM

Sounds like fraud to me. I would do as your bank suggests, but record everything and CALL THE POLICE! Call the better business bureau - change banks again. I bet you never borrowed that money in the first place. Don't let her bully you into making payments that you don't owe! Demand proof that you owe the money. Sorry you're having to go throught this - it's just not right! Good Luck!

lealphachienne · 03-31-2007, 10:57 AM

I was just reading on MSN about telephone fraud calls about bogus loans. A legitimate company has an address and you have the right to have everything in writing and demand proof of the debt. If you have unpaid debt, it would be on you credit report. Get a copy of your credit report. You get one free every year plus, if you're reporting fraud, they send you a free one too.

Cinerbelle · 03-31-2007, 11:46 AM

That is TOTAL CRAP. I am SOOOOO sick of shitty people...sorry for the language, but hubby's identity got stolen last year and it has put a real hurt on his credit. It is total BS the hoops he has had to jump through to prove that we didn't charge $14,000 on our credit cards over 3000 miles from our home.

JenBear7 · 03-31-2007, 12:23 PM

I had the same issues when I was stupid and borrowed from Ameriloan (yah I was STUPID!!) anyway... I told them I got paid on thursdays, and they kept taking the money on wednesdays... it bounced, they charged me another 30 bucks, and the bank charged me 35.. lol.. I closed the account and told them in my most pleasant NY Attitude to eff off.. they wouldnt give me a physical address to send anything too.. they keep calling and threatening to send me to jail.. and I keep telling them to eff off *laughs* this has been going on for 2 years.

People suck... try not to let them get to you.. and dont let them win!

Duckie · 03-31-2007, 03:35 PM

Yep, you've been had hon. I'd close that account and open a new one if I were you.

twodogsmom · 03-31-2007, 04:40 PM

The very first thing to do is close the account and open one elsewhere. No one can access your account and help themselves to money unless you have authorized them to do so, and this sounds like fraud. The bank is guilty of allowing this fraud unless you have authorized this withrawal. Contact police as well, but first off, get whatever money is left in any account at this bank out of there, and inform them in wriring as well as phone of what is going on.

Luna Lurker · 03-31-2007, 04:44 PM

Plus what Dave Ramsey says: NEVER EVER give any collection agency access to your checking or savngs account. If you did owe the money and they took every sent they were owed, leavig you penniless the courts would back them up 'cuz 1. you did owe the money and 2. you gave them permission to electronicly remove it from your account. Collection companies are scum-lieing snakes.

mauldinmama · 03-31-2007, 05:46 PM

that is so wrong...How do people sleep at night....I agree with board...........close the account!

bloomer001 · 03-31-2007, 05:52 PM

I called my bank this afternoon (This morning I had went in to see them). The girl I talked to this afternoon, she put a hold on the account, and told me to stop in Monday. She will have a new account ready for me. They have did whatever they do (I didn't understand part of it) to get the money back, although she said it may take some time, but with a new account, they won't have access to it. She also said I should go to the police because they won't provide me with a mailing address or proof of the debt.

Thanks so much you guys!! Sometimes I just turn to you guys for everything, it's great that everyone is here for each other (and me) so much

I love you all!!