Pitney Bowes Scam

Pitney Bowes Scam - Beware

August 27, 2009 Received email promotion: States first 60 days free, Monthly fee of $17.95 $75.00 Free postage Initial phone conversation with Sandra Kassar: Monthly fee $19.75, instead of $17.95. No reason was provided Sandra confirmed, when questioned about promotion including envelope sealing capability, which she said it did. Supervisor, Paula, then came on the line and, initially said Sandra was new and incorrect and the unit did not include envelope sealing capability. When told we were no longer interested, Paula then rescinded and approved the sealer at no charge. It was stated that it would be a monthly billing, the first two months free and that we would be invoiced for cheque payment. The conversation was turned over to a person who stated that he was confirming the details. He suddenly disclosed, for the first time, that we were required by the Canadian government to purchase $25 worth of postage, on a credit card, in order to qualify for the $75 free postage. He said he would have to get back to me on the envelope sealer being included, but if Paula had agreed then it would be no problem. He also stated that we would not be able to purchase postage online via credit card. He confirmed that monthly charges would be invoiced for payment by cheque. No authorization was given for charges on my credit card, except the $25 for the government require purchase. Sep 14, 2009 Credit card charges appeared for $26.25 Sep 18, 2009 Credit card charges appeared for $30.93 Sep 24, 2009 Contacted VISA and had charges reversed due to breach of agreement Sep 24, 2009 I emailed customer service describing the credit card charges and that we were no longer interested in the machine due to too many conflicts in their statements. Sep 30, 2009 I received an invoice from PB stating that, the first month payment, for three months down the road, was now due and that 8.98% interest would apply in 30 days from invoice date of Sep 16th. The charge was for $19.75 instead of $17.95 as agreed. An additional charge of 7.62 for a scale showed up for which we had not been told. Sep 30, 2009 I tried to call Paula again, and her extension repeatedly went to general delivery mailbox. I finally reached Paula and stated that we were no longer interested and that they should send a courier to retrieve their equipment. I told her that I had been trying to reach her by phone but her extension went to general delivery mailbox. I explained that I had found multiple complaints about PB on scam disclosing web sites. She stated that she hears all the time about improper charges being applied to credit cards, but that these could be reversed. She was unable to explain why her extension goes to general mailbox. She stated that it was up to me to contact another department regarding the unauthorized credit card charges. She stated that this was not a scam to get my credit card and start charging unauthorized fees. She said PB was a big company and would not do that. I reminded her of Bernie Madoff stealing 50 billion dollars and that he had a big company. Paula stated that she would get back to me with the 800 number for the department regarding false credit card charges being made, because she did not have their number. She is the customer service supervisor, who doesn’t have that number??? She never called back. Sep 30, 2009 I emailed PB Canada again and stated we were no longer interested in the equipment and to schedule a pick up of their equipment. October 14, 2009 Jacklin called from the “Retention Group” to try to “undo the negativity”. She was told to have the equipment picked up. Why do they need an entire department for retention? October 26, 2009 Unauthorized charge to credit card for $22.07, $17.95, plus taxes, AND, credit to credit card for $30.93?? The $22.07 was never authorized to be on credit card, and invoice says in one place to pay upon receipt, and hand written, it says applied to credit card October 27, 2009 Received credit note and invoice for above charges. October 28, 2009 Contacted VISA to reverse all charges to credit card and asked for procedures to eliminate all further PB charges to my credit card.