US Federal Trade Commission Customer Service Issues

I am seeking assistance regarding a concerning issue with W. Bellfort self storage. The previous onsite manager Randy, who sadly passed away in April [redacted], reportedly auctioned off my stored items without my knowledge in November [redacted]. Despite paying for storage from January [redacted] to March [redacted], I have been unable to confirm if my belongings are still in unit [redacted]. There are discrepancies in my account and missing money orders totaling $[redacted] from November to March. I have been in communication with Julie, who mentioned the possibility of reaching out to the auctioneer and buyer of my unit. I received a letter offering an incorrect refund amount of $[redacted] instead of the rightful $[redacted] to terminate the contract and absolve W. Bellfort storage of responsibility for Randy's actions. I am distressed by the lack of concern for my stolen items, which hold sentimental value beyond monetary compensation. I urge for a resolution and proper handling of this matter. Thank you, Teresa M.

I bought a smokeless grill from Copper Chef, with a promised gift of three frying pans, just paying for shipping charges. However, they have now informed me that the pan set is no longer available. I requested the advertised air fryer as a replacement, but they refused to provide any compensation. This situation is unfair as the free items influenced my decision to purchase the grill. Can anyone assist with this issue? Violet S.

On September 4, [redacted], I had an encounter on Facebook with someone claiming to be Christiana Beth Wilson from Australia. She mentioned having cancer and just wanted to be friends. After agreeing to be there for her, she insisted on moving our conversation to a private setting. She then disclosed having $5,[redacted],[redacted] in a savings account with no heir, asking for help in distributing it to the less fortunate. To facilitate the transfer, she directed me to her lawyer, Barrister Shawn Dawson. Upon contacting him via email, he requested all my personal details, which I refrained from sharing. The individual, going by Christiana Beth Wilson, is supposedly bedridden due to stage four cancer, born on May 1, [redacted]. The address for the lawyer provided is Suite [redacted], Level 3 Equus Building, [redacted] Hay St, Perth, Western Australia [redacted]. Although I have omitted some parts, I felt compelled to notify others before the scammers caught on. If needed, you can reach me at [redacted]. It's unsettling to consider how many seniors might have fallen victim to this deceitful scheme.

I recently discovered a stale-dated state tax return check from [redacted] issued to me. Initially, I was advised to send it to the returned warrant desk with a note explaining the situation. However, I later found information stating that a re-issue request for any stale-dated warrant over 3 years requires the "business entity replacement warrant claim" form. Despite calling the business line on 9/28/18 at 4:30 PM with a long wait and being directed to call back, I am unsure of the appropriate steps to take now. The check, issued by John Chiang, State Controller, was for $[redacted]. Unfortunately, I did not capture a photo of it before sending to the warrant desk. Do I still need to contact the business line, submit the form, or reach out to customer service for the re-issuance of the check? I appreciate any guidance on this matter.

I received a text from someone claiming to be a manager at Budweiser offering to pay me $[redacted] a week to put a decal on my truck. They sent me a check for $1,[redacted], asked me to keep $1,[redacted] for myself, and send the rest to someone in Queenstate. My bank flagged the check for insufficient funds, and it got returned. The person goes by Timothy M Cook, claiming to be the Budweiser manager, and the recipient was named Danielle Nicolette Lee in [redacted]st. St. Albons City, Queenstate, NY [redacted]. When he mentioned transferring money at Walmart, I got suspicious. He requested a picture of the deposit, and I accidentally showed my bank account number. I'm working on getting a new account. I fear this might be a scam as others have received similar texts. My phone number is [redacted]. Thank you. - Francisco Lucero

In June [redacted], I searched online for a car and was approved. The internet department contacted me due to my fixed income. They mentioned two programs I qualify for, but I declined having a cosigner. I spoke with Cathy at the dealership, Nissan of Duarte, located at [redacted] Buena Vista St. in Duarte, CA, with Dealer Eric Johnson. They inaccurately put the purchase in my fiancé's name despite my income being used. I raised this issue with Santander Consumer USA. They couldn't find any record of a $1,[redacted] deposit from my card or my name on the paperwork. I'm troubled by this situation and need assistance as my fiancé's income, not mine, is being considered for the car. I seek clarification and resolution. Thank you, Ms. Robyn M. J.

I apologize for the inconvenience, but my cell phone is not working properly, so I have provided my home number for your call. I realize you are busy, but I hadn't considered that when sharing my situation. I am currently dealing with being a victim of bank fraud, a serious issue. My bank of 22 years has been supportive in addressing this, as they have also helped me in the past with cases of identity theft which occur far too frequently. During a recent call to close my account due to identity theft, a high-ranking supervisor engaged in a lengthy conversation about the prevalence of this crime and how sophisticated thieves have become. It's alarming to see how our personal information is being sold for mere cents on the dark web. The supervisor mentioned the advanced hacking capabilities of our government and other countries, highlighting the need for heightened cybersecurity measures. It's disheartening to feel mistreated by those meant to protect us as victims of such crimes are often left vulnerable. Despite these challenges, I remain engaged in volunteering in my community, interacting with a diverse range of individuals from the homeless to city officials. I believe in the resilience of our country and the importance of moral integrity to combat the actions of those who seek to harm others through identity theft.

I apologize but I want to clarify how the FTC can help me. I have fallen victim to identity theft which has caused great confusion and distress. Prior to this, I was an asset to my city. I find it unfair that I am now being treated as though I am at fault and facing threats of investigation. I always believed the FTC was there to protect and support consumers like me who have been taken advantage of. I have heard of many individuals receiving guidance from the FTC on stopping debt collectors from harassing them. This valuable information has even inspired people to write books on the subject.

My father almost fell victim to a scam where he was asked for $2,[redacted]. He received a call claiming Mike had a car accident, was arrested, and needed bail for being caught driving under the influence on the way to a wedding in New York. Initially, it was unclear if it was for Mike Mandigo's grandson in CT or Mike Vogel in Minnesota. The caller posed as a lawyer or bail bondsman, instructing my father to withdraw money and call a specific number for further instructions. Upset and worried, my 88-year-old father drove 45 miles to Winona, MN, from La Crosse, WI. At the bank, a vigilant teller asked the right questions, leading to my father realizing it was a scam. He later discovered that both Mikes were safe and working. Thankfully, no money was wired. The scammer's name was Jasen Cooper at [redacted], waiting for a call to send money.

I came across an advertisement and visited the Lipozene website. I intended to purchase 2 bottles, along with a free bottle of Metabo and free shipping for $59.95. However, upon receiving my email, I was billed $[redacted].15, including charges for multiple bottles I did not intend to order. To rectify this, they issued a credit of $[redacted].49 but had still charged for the shipping. I declined the product at the post office. This situation requires further investigation. Thank you in advance, Mark Callahan

I am writing about my mother's accounts at Merrill Edge and Bank of America. She is a senior citizen and was trying to convert her stocks into cash. We had to attempt this transaction multiple times until it was finally transferred to Bank of America. There was an issue with the different names on the account, her maiden and married names. They asked for her marriage license to verify her identity, which we found intrusive given her long-standing account history. After receiving mail indicating the money was returned to Merrill Edge, I called at 10 am today to request a check be mailed to us via certified express mail. The representative said they could only send it via regular mail in 3-5 days and not the full amount to close the account. This experience, coupled with prior requests for tax information, reflects their ongoing reluctance to provide timely access to funds, especially for senior clients.

I am a single elderly woman currently in the process of replacing three meters on my property with one residential meter. Despite my property being classified as residential on council rates and other documents, Energy Australia has mistakenly put me on an energy plan using a bogus address of Flat 5, which suggests there may be a commercial address involved. I have contacted Ausgrid to assist in reclassifying my property from commercial to residential, but Energy Australia is trying to avoid this by keeping the multiple meters. I urgently need help to ensure Energy Australia replaces the three meters with one residential meter as requested.

I subscribed to EVO-TECH for computer assistance around 2 years ago. I ended the service due to concerns about potential computer infections. Despite paying for "lifetime" support, they requested additional payments. I reached out to Microsoft directly when I realized they might be a scam, as EVO-TECH claimed Microsoft affiliation. Recently, EVO-TECH contacted me to provide a refund, claiming they are closing down under BBB and FTC requirements. To process the refund, "David" insists on an online form submission for a bank transfer. I am wary of this procedure as it seems suspicious and not widely publicized. I recommend caution regarding this situation, especially if it turns out to be another scam. EVO-TECH's contact number for callbacks is [redacted], and they have made multiple calls in the past 2 months. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Susan M. from San Diego, California.

I received a call from EVO-TECH claiming they are going out of business and offering a refund for lifetime care. Initially, they mentioned being affiliated with Microsoft. They requested I complete an online form for the refund to be deposited into my bank account. I am hesitant to proceed without confirmation that this is legitimate. If it's a scam, it's important to warn others.

I am concerned about the practices of SNAP RTO, LLC and SNAP Finance regarding my rental-purchase agreement for a Revive Queen Mattress Set. Despite the items never being in my possession, SNAP Finance has made unauthorized withdrawals from my bank account, refusing to refund $[redacted].26 and pressuring me to cancel the order with their retailer. I was misled during the signing of the financial agreement, as the interest rate was not disclosed, and their summary document indicates a total of $1,[redacted].03 for twelve months of ownership without specifying the interest rate. SNAP Finance claims they do not work with an interest rate. This behavior by SNAP Finance is concerning and I believe it warrants an investigation into their unfair credit practices. I am demanding the return of my funds, as they continue to withdraw from my bank account despite my efforts to stop payments. This situation is unacceptable, and I seek assistance in resolving this matter and exposing what I perceive to be fraudulent actions by SNAP Finance.

I received an email from someone claiming to be with ACSincorporad, named Paul Anderson, regarding a debt of $[redacted].86 that I do not recognize. They are insisting on a settlement of $[redacted].00 within 48 hours or threaten legal action. I looked up the company on the BBB and found it listed as fraudulent. They are accusing me of violating Federal banking Regulations, Collateral check fraud, and Theft by deception, but I have never taken out a cash advance for that amount. I do not have any associated checking accounts with cash advances, and I have not received any letters or emails from a cash advance company prior to this. I responded requesting a phone number, but I doubt they will provide one.

I purchased a product with a 30-day money-back guarantee but have yet to see any results after almost the entire period had passed. I received the order on 11/16 and reached out to the company on 12/9, which falls well within the 30-day timeframe. I possess email evidence to support my claim. Despite multiple attempts to contact them, I haven't received any resolution. I am currently out of $[redacted].95 due to this purchase. Admittedly, this may not have been the most prudent decision on my part, especially considering my age of 62. The product was aimed at skin tightening, a purchase made while being single - I now realize it was not the wisest choice.

Subject: Urgent Call for Action to Protect First Amendment Rights Dear Federal Communications Commission, I am writing to bring to your attention my concerns regarding tech giants like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Squarespace. Recent evidence has shown that Google's CEO lied to Congress about search result manipulation. These companies are stifling free speech by promoting their own views and censoring contrary opinions. The ambiguity of these companies claiming to be both private entities and public utilities is endangering our First Amendment rights. I implore Congress to revoke Section [redacted], which grants private internet companies legal immunity. Furthermore, I urge the FCC to regulate and uphold our constitutional freedoms. It is crucial that our freedom of speech remains independent of personal biases. I urge swift action to protect our rights against unchecked bias in tech corporations. Sincerely, A Concerned Citizen

I recently started working at a lending firm called "Funder Hunt" but I couldn't find any official registration for the business. During my week there as a sales rep, we were selling "Merchant Cash Advances." Management instructed us to lie to potential clients by claiming to be direct lenders associated with a bank, having in-house underwriters, and owning a $50 million credit line for small businesses, which were all false statements they were aware of. Clients would provide bank statements and complete online applications, which we would pass on to contacts in New York. These contacts would then sell the information for leads and find a lender to make an offer. The interest rates and penalties we charged were exorbitant, and we were asked to conceal this information because of the desperation caused by the pandemic. The company withheld commissions until the merchant fully paid their contract, which not only violated consumer lending laws but also civil theft laws. The CEO instructed us to advise clients to lie about their default status to secure funding. The company's deceptive practices were evident, with fake phone numbers, websites, and addresses in place. The entire situation felt unethical and misleading to me.

I need to report a fraud alert. I received a call, supposedly from Amazon, stating someone charged my account $[redacted].99. They asked for my checking account number, telephone number, cell number, and SS number, claiming they needed it to transfer $[redacted].99 back. I promptly reported this to the bank, who stopped the online transaction and canceled the credit card the scammers were using. I don't do online banking and will get a new credit card. The individuals claiming to be Amazon Managers were Michael Howard and James Morgan, with phone numbers [redacted] and [redacted], respectively.