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Palusko

This is not a typical payday nightmare, but the story shows that payday companies have no problem to get their cash from anywhere, and anyhow.

I applied for a loan with paychecktoday July 20/2008. Right before submitting the application, I noticed that their check box for 'agreeing to the terms and condition' contained some other information too. It included a statement, that by checking the checkbox, not only do I agree to terms and conditions, but also to be charged $19.95 by Authority ID for their identity protection program. Well, I didn't check the check box, just clicked continue. One would think you have to agree to terms and condition, but not in this case. The application simply continued.

I filled out the required info, but then, when it was time to sign the application, I didn't. Just changed my mind. I closed the browser, and thought that was it.

But next day I received an email, saying that the money I requested will be deposited the next business day. I called paychecktoday, and canceled the loan (even though I didn't take any loan). They argued that I have signed the documents and they need at least 2 day notice before.

After some arguing and faxing a document they sent me, the loan was canceled. But obviously, it didn't stop Authority ID from charging me $19.95 for their 'services'. They would not issue a refund, and after being asked how did I actually signed up for their services, they admitted that I probably overlooked a check box. But I didn't, I know I didn't click the box. They would not do anything about it, even though they didn't even know, on what web site I supposedly clicked the box. They just said 'You probably applied for a loan'. I told them I did but did not complete the approval process, they said, that I don't have to get a loan, that I signed up just by applying for the loan. Go figure.

So beware! This is a SCAM, nothing else, no matter what you sign or click (or don't click), once they have your banking info, they consider it 'open for business'.
BTW, I could not find anything on the web about Authority ID. I only got their phone # from the bank statement. It's 1-800-418-4817.
So be careful, it seems the scams are getting more and more aggressive.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:03 pm Subject:

It's scary the things that some of these companies do!

Guest · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:07 pm Subject:

Not to mention that now I get 50-60 payday loan offers a day.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:09 pm Subject:

Oh my gosh! How do they contact you? Can you change your email address or something? That's ridiculous!

Guest · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:17 pm Subject:

Well, I guess it's the same with most of these applications. You write your name and email address, and give them your account # so they can deposit the money. Then I clicked "continue", where they asked about housing, work etc, and then, after clicking "submit" the page where you supposed to e-sign the documents appear. So basically they had all the info (that is my email and account #) before I even got to the second page of the application. But as I said, I did not check the "agree to terms and condition" check box, because I actually read what it said! Yet, after clicking continue, the application just - continued. And then again, I did not e-sign it, yet they were going to deposit the loan anyway. I feel little worried about my checking account, because they may do something nasty in the future, when all dust settles. I sure will watch my account very closely now.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:20 pm Subject:

it's horrifying whats going on anymore. It truly is.

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:54 pm Subject:

I agree! Scary!!!

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:46 am Subject:

I am curious to know how you were charged the $19.95? Was it included in your payment to the PDL? The reason I ask is that I found out, quite by accident, and from the phone company, that I had something similiar attached to my home phone bill. I never knew how it got there but they insisted I had signed up for the service. The phone company called them while I was on line and read the riot act. They agreed to cancel the contract and refund the 3 months worth of charges on my phone bill. Can't be too careful when dealing with anyone these days.

Guest · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:21 am Subject:

No, there was no payment to PDL. They never deposited the money, because I called them and then faxed sign document they emailed me before. So there was never a loan. Authority ID simply debited my checking account. The account showed their phone number, so I called them. I tried to search the Internet, but there's NOTHING on them. I don't think they have a web site or anything. Now, after I called Authority ID, they immediately offered to cancel the service (duh...) but no refunds. If I didn't cancel they'd charge $19.95 every month. Yet, there was no signature, no contract, no confirmation - just a little checkbox on a loan application from a different company - which still, I left blank! The economy is having problems, so most people who have to work for their money are having problems = field day for loan sharks and scammers (which to me are pretty much the same breed of people). I just don't understand how some people can feed on problems and misery of others. I mean, the natural feeling I have when I see people in need is to help them if I can, not to push them down even more and make their problems even worse. If someone is applying for a payday loan, than it is clear he or she is having financial problems and paying additional money for a service (if I can call it a service) they don't need is out of question. Yet, these people don't mind to take the shirt off your back. Family, your life, your dreams - that is nothing to them. You are just an easy access to money they would never be able to earn with a regular hard work. Sorry for the rant, I just truly HATE people like these. To call them bottom feeders would be an insult to all bottom feeders everywhere.

Palusko · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:31 am Subject:

The post above is mine, forgot to sign my name

To clarify - the Autority ID check box was not on paychecktoday web site, it was on a 'payday loan matching site'. Unfortunately I do not remember the name of it. I don't know if this matching site, paychecktoday and Authority ID are somehow affiliated, but given that they tried to in fact go through the loan with my signature seems to be the same tactic that Authority ID used. So I guess, it is the same entity, hiding behind three different services - matching site, payday site and ID protection site. Well, I hope they are the same, otherwise it would mean, that this scheme is even more common than it would seem.....

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:06 am Subject:

I would dispute the charge with your bank and get them to reverse the charge.

Also, file a report with the FTC, AG and BBB. They'll put an end to this scam!

Palusko · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:04 am Subject:

I did call the bank, they kind washed their hands off it. But, I JUST called them again, this time (I talked to someone else), they are sending me a dispute form and I will fight it! Thanks for encouraging me.

Jasonn

I just don't get it.

What you are saying sounds like you signed up for a loan and accepted some offers that came along with it.

So now you are upset that you accepted certain offers at the time you signed up for a loan?

It is not your fault? Give me a break! You did it all yourself.

Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 4:19 pm Subject:

I think if you read the post again, what was stated is that the offers were NOT accepted but were billed anyway.

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