Gibson Trust - poor credit card consolidation experience

# 10 for February 27, 2002

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on February 26, 2002:

From: Deb [Email User]

Gibson Trust - poor credit card consolidation experience To Whom It May Concern,

I would also like to submit a complaint about credit card consolidation, naming the company which is Gibson trust.

In November of 2001, I had decided to consolidate three of my high balance credit cards, which were First USA, Sears and Discover card. I searched the internet and submitted 4 applications to different consolidation companies.

They all reported back to me, however Gibson Trust had the best offer. The other three offers were higher on their monthly payments.I decided to continue with Gibson Trust.I spoke to one of the Reps who called himself Bryon, in which he had contacted me briefly after the submittal of my online applications. I had requested he email me the contract.

Bryon told me to read it, sign pages 4,5 and 9 and fax it back to him. I read the contract thoroughly and it appeared to be real. I continued and faxed the information over to him. As he dictated my payments would be $245.00 for 72 months.This was also noted on my contract that he had calculated. He was a very good con artist.

The contract was suppose to be in effect as of November 15th, I told Bryon my Credit card due dates were due the 17th of November, he told me not to worry about it as he would take care of it.The contract also noted that there was a 5 day cancellation in the event the customer changes their mind from the date the contract was started. Bryon encouraged me to send a payment Western Union to Gibson Trust which was on a Friday, I decided to send the money via Western Union.

He called Friday evening to tell me he received the check for $245.00, however he did not receive all of the information for those 3 credit cards and he needed me to fax them over. I asked him how could that be, especially when all the information was on the online application? He said they got lost. I did refax the 3 statements. On Monday he calls me back 4 times and leaves a message on my answered machine. I did return he telephone call, now he says he needs my S.S.Number. I asked what the problem was, as all the required information was on the online application.

He gave me some bogus excuse. Tuesday he calls me again, now he says he was new with the company and he only consolidated 2 of the 3 credit cards because when I faxed them over, he said he did not realize one statement was on the other side. I asked if he thought I was stupid, and since when are there are two sided faxes?Wednesday the day before Thanksgiving he calls me back, to say he miscalculated those figures and he needs more money to continue this consolidation.

This is when I realized this company is a scam. I told him what I thought and I am submitting my cancellation immediately, as I was still in the 5 day cancellation period. I faxed it over soon as I had gotten off the phone with Bryon.I also followed up with a phone call and left a message in there general mail box system. Bryon said I would be getting a refund shortly.I called the following business day to inquire when this check would be sent. Byron never did call me back.

A few days later I called back, I spoke with someone who called himself David Clayton who is the advisor. He said he would investigate this matter and get back to me. A few days passed, I called him. He said a check would be sent promptly. That was the same old story that went on for 5 weeks. . The day Bryon called to say Gibson Trust needed more money was the day I realized this company was not on the straight. I did research the company with the BBB of Southeast Florida,actually I wish I had done this prior to agreeing to do business with them.

According to the BBB , this company doesn't have a satisfactory report, they do business under different names also known as Financial Services,Goldstar Financial Systems, Gibson Trust and Michael J. Mella Esquire. According to the BBB report they don't answered any phone calls. I also contacted the Attorney General's Office of Southeast Florida, The woman I spoke to was helpful and told me I would need to file a complaint, as there is a ongoing investigation with Gibson Trust for operating under deceptive practices.

She sent me information in the mail, I forwarded my complaint to her with my complaint intact and notarized. I called her back a month later to inquire what the status was on my refund.

She told me there was a meeting between attorneys and to call her back in a month. It has been 3 months and it appears this is at a stand still. I also submitted a letter to the Worcester Telegram to print a page about these so called companies who take your money and don't follow through on what they propose. These companies should be shut down forever.I donot understand how the Federal Trade Commission can let these companies continue to do this.

Worcester Telegram never printed my article either. I submitted my letter to them in good faith so someone else would not make the same mistake I did. Getting back to Gibson Trust, in January I get a telephone call from this person who calls himself Conrad, he says he is newly assigned to this case and it is in review.

He tells me a check is going to be sent soon and to wait 5 days, and if I do not receive this check for $245.00 to call him and he will issue and stop payment order and send another out certified. I told he I did not believe him and I was right, because the lame story he gave me was as I figured, there was no check. When I called Conrad he said they put a stop order on it. Pretty ironic isn't it?

I did the best I could to retrieve my money, from continuous telephone calls, emails and it appears to be of no avail. I did learn a lesson from this and as I am out of $245.00 which I will probably never see, to certainly call the BBB beforehand and especially if it is a out of state business. As for my credit cards they all had a late charge incurred and the credit reports now do have blemish on them.

Deb Roberts.