HSBC Watch News Release Forum Index
Forum Name: - Best Buy
Topic Title: Forged Card Application
Wed Mar 02, 2005 8:30 am
E. Price wrote:
I too am being charged with debt Cancellation. I CLEARLY remember telling the Best Buy lady that I did not want to have that insurance, and now I have been getting billed for it. I called Best Buy and low and behold, they told me I had signed for it, when I know I did not. It's a scam and there has to be a lawasuit against it. How have you guys been handling this issue? I do not want to pay for something I did not order.
Report Best Buy to the FTC, report the entire situation to the OCC and attempt to get it reversed, and inform your state attorney general that fraud has been perpetrated by Best Buy. Use the drop down menu in the upper left of this page, called "Regulators"
Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:16 am
I had the same problem and met 2 people at the BestBuy store in Bellevue, WA with the same issue. I didn't cancel w/in 60 days now they won't refund the fees. Their customer service people on the credit and dept insurance lines are not very professional and just justify Household's actions...it's a very poor experience and I won't be going to Best Buy any more.
EH in Ohio wrote:
I applied for a Best Buy card. I remember specifically not wanting the associated Household card. Received a Household card a couple weeks later. Canceled immediately.
Many months went by. I was not watching the statements carefully. They had been charging Debt Cancellation Insurance fees. Called Household customer service just last week. They stated that I must have signed up for the insurance. I requested a copy of the application. Sure enough, there are three signatures on the application on lines for the Best Buy card, the Household card, and the debt insurance. Only one, for the Best Buy card, is my signature. The other two were forged.
We have cancelled the debt insurance and will be calling Household to have all insurance fees refunded. Will also be mailing a complaint to Household, Best Buy's VP Marketing, Customer Service, upper management and board of directors.
Was on cardoffers.com and there are 4 other complaints of mysterious debt insurance fees this year.
Many months went by. I was not watching the statements carefully. They had been charging Debt Cancellation Insurance fees. Called Household customer service just last week. They stated that I must have signed up for the insurance. I requested a copy of the application. Sure enough, there are three signatures on the application on lines for the Best Buy card, the Household card, and the debt insurance. Only one, for the Best Buy card, is my signature. The other two were forged.
We have cancelled the debt insurance and will be calling Household to have all insurance fees refunded. Will also be mailing a complaint to Household, Best Buy's VP Marketing, Customer Service, upper management and board of directors.
Was on cardoffers.com and there are 4 other complaints of mysterious debt insurance fees this year.
Thu Mar 24, 2005 5:59 pm
I'm battling the same issue currently. HSBC refuses to reverse back the entire amount of accrued insurance fees. They'll agree to reverse about 25% off if I end my dispute. Since I'm insisting they produce a copy of the form I allegedly signed, they won't reverse any fees unless their group validates my claim...what a scam. I'll never do business with Best Buy or HSBC again.
Wed Apr 27, 2005 5:24 pm
:shock:
I am in disbelief how my saga with Best Buy continues.
Endless problems since I step foot inside their retail store.
Saturday morning with $2000 in my pocket, a birthday gift, and excited to get my first appliance ever - LG energy efficient washer/dryer.
I researched beforehand, so I proceeded directly to the model, then looked around for assistance. Noticing the 6 mo. deferred interest program, I opted to sign up for financing. (I have 700+ fica score)
I stood at the computer podium (in dept, not cash wrap) and stared at 3 sales assoc. socializing with each other for 20 minutes, before they noticed I wanted to make a purchase. Amongst the 3, no one jumped at opportunity to take the sale. Instead, they claimed it was lunch break, so another young man was called on intercom to help me.
He showed up 10 min later, handed me an application with no instruction or service, told me to fill out and left again.
I filled out app. and another sales person (#4) proceeded to call the bank for approval. Salesperson #3 was called back to help because #4 did not know what to do next. Confusion, then finally I was handed the phone to talk to the bank, "to verify some info" I was told and nothing else. I recall filling out the wrong blanks, then crossing out the info - I only wanted the Best Buy card and not the HSBC visa/mc offer.
My credit app. was denied because I could not confirm 1 of 3 answers regarding my mortgage balances and the banks I owe.
Was told a letter would come in mail explaining why I was denied.
2 weeks passed, I was without my W/D - no word from anyone.
I proactively called Best Buy, rerouted to HSBC, and may Retail Serv --
40 min call -- to discover my app. was on hold not due to bad credit, but because I could not verify info. Acceptable, but when was someone going to contact me? After a series of multiple choice questions (I was prepared this time with my financial info in front of me) - bank finally approved my app.
Next, I received 3 letters: 1 from Best Buy, 1 from HSBC both regarding credit cards, 1 from HSBC regarding "Account Shield".
[url]I did not apply for the credit card OR insurance protection. [/url]I cancelled HSBC card no disputes.
Attempted to cancel Account Shield, the insurance, but no luck. I am beyond the 60 day free trial period, but honestly I did not sign up for it so I thought it was another solicitation.
I was connected to call center in ***INDIA*** didn't know it at the time, but now I understand why all the operators had heavy accents, and I had trouble hearing and raising my voice during work hours, in my cubical.
I asked for names & ID's (ID#HBI482 - Bharethi was her name) allegedly a supervisor who would not reinstate credit for $57 charged for 3 mo. to my account. She gave me Disputes Dept address to write and complain, but after reading these posts, I am not convinced it will make a difference. She told me she will request a review of my original app? yeah, I'd like to see it too!
:shock: WoW. It is no wonder that Best Buy is the most profitable retailer this year, I just read this in business periodical.
I hope this info helps someone. I am willing to forgoe my $57, but I have a feeling this is not the end with HSBC as I still have an open account with them.
SCAM * FORGED SIGNATURES * SCAM
Reviewing what led to this ordeal, I am convinced that something happened at the retail store level.
Why is this so difficult to prosecute? I am not a lawyer, just a hardworking 33 year old, excited to get her first home appliance.
We monitor customer trends for possible violations of Regulation Z and other possible illegal actions.