logo

Debtconsolidationcare.com - the USA consumer forum

Geneva Roth Ventures - Illegal Activity?

Date: Fri, 10/12/2007 - 10:59

Submitted by anonymous
on Fri, 10/12/2007 - 10:59

Posts: 202330 Credits: [Donate]

Total Replies: 43


I took out at PDL with the above as the creditor (apparently). I disputed the validity of the loan as they are not licensed to do business in my state (IA). Eventually, I closed the checking account I used to open many, many PDLs with (all are resolved except, apparently this one). Lo and behold, today I find out that they have debited my NEW checking account for the full amount of the loan plus fees and interest. I have NO idea how they got ahold of my new information (I have no PDLs on this new account) and I can't imagine it's legal for them to do so. My bank is returning the unauthorized debit, but does anyone have thoughts on how to proceed? What do I say to them about what they've done? Is this in fact illegal?

Thanks for all your help!


I'm sure someone will be along shortly, who is more knowledgeable than myself. But I would have to say it isn't legal for them to debit an account, that they were never authorized by you to debit. I would file complaints with the FTC, the BBB and your states AG. These places are just evil, they seem to think they don't need to follow the laws.


lrhall41

Submitted by Punkteri on Fri, 10/12/2007 - 11:13

( Posts: 202 | Credits: )


How on earth are they doing this??? I work for a bank and I know that account info is closely guarded and not shared or made matter of public record.

As a matter of fact, the bank has a duty to safeguard this info.

I need to look further into this....

I would also contact the OCC...Office of the Comptroller of Currency. If there is one thing private, its your banking info.


lrhall41

Submitted by volleyballmom on Fri, 10/12/2007 - 11:36

( Posts: 4143 | Credits: )


Jen, what scares me is if one PDL does it they can all eventually do it.Apparently it is not too hard to do, as this is about the 5th time this week i have heard it done. Yes, they are an illegal co, so anything they do is illegal but, IF Matt signed the stupid thing that gave them authorization to debit any and all accounts he may have they figured why noy give it a try


lrhall41

Submitted by kashzan on Fri, 10/12/2007 - 11:37

( Posts: 5401 | Credits: )


Kash, what other companies have you heard doing this? I've only heard of Geneva Roth. Goudah even said it's pretty rare for this to happen. And I agree with Volley, our account information should be guarded with the utmost security. What the heck is going on there that they are able to do this?? Are they using some kind of illegal program that allows them to hack into bank information.


lrhall41

Submitted by on Fri, 10/12/2007 - 11:41

( Posts: | Credits: )


Geneva Roth is known for doing this . . . .

With the databases of information nowdays, it is not hard for a company to find out what bank you may use. They can pull your Chexsystem report, and see any recent inquiries on it. That could tell them what bank you've opened a new account at. Then they can hit the account. Some banks will allow a business with a contract to debit an account with a ss#.

What bank you use isn't really confidential information, only your account info is. Banks can sell your name for marketing purposes. Therefore that same info could be in any number of databases.


lrhall41

Submitted by goudah2424 on Fri, 10/12/2007 - 11:49

( Posts: 7935 | Credits: )


Ok someone help me out. Im confused and, paranoid Goudah , dont kill me i am always on you about this.I understand they can find out your new bank. Ok that being said, dont they also need your account # to debit. Can a bank really just accept a ssn .Sorry guys , but this is the one topic that gets me crazy.


lrhall41

Submitted by kashzan on Fri, 10/12/2007 - 11:57

( Posts: 5401 | Credits: )


With the "information age" being how it is, information is all over the place. There are huge databases that collect info everyday. There are businesses that do "skip tracing", a process used to find out information about someone. While it shouldn't be possible to get someone's account info, it isn't that hard, or else ID theft would not be such a huge problem.

Without knowing much more information, there is no way to say for sure how Geneva got your account info.

But- As Kashzan said, the bank will reverse these charges 100% of the time, because they are not authorized. It's just the same as some person on the street getting your account info.


lrhall41

Submitted by goudah2424 on Fri, 10/12/2007 - 12:04

( Posts: 7935 | Credits: )


Matt, just know that it isn't really a common thing for this to happen, (knock on wood) and Geneva Roth just happens to be one of the really illegal companies that attempts to do this. They are probably using some kind of illegal program to hack into the bank system..at least that's my guess. At least your bank is helping you out and that's great!


lrhall41

Submitted by JEN5276 on Fri, 10/12/2007 - 12:25

( Posts: 394 | Credits: )


This happened to me. Geneva Roth took money out of my old checking account numerous times, using various company names

They were able to get the info because I was stupid and applied for another PDL in a moment of desperation and it was with one of their sister companies.

However, I have a new checking account (I moved to FL, and got a new bank down here) and the only people who have my info are my employer (direct deposit), my car insurance company (direct debit of payment) and that is it. I use a debit card to pay for everything.

GR has something in the agreement that says "they are authorized to debit any account you have in your name if you still owe them money". Knock on wood they haven't tried anything with my new account. They are the worst company to deal with...good luck!


lrhall41

Submitted by on Fri, 10/12/2007 - 12:36

( Posts: | Credits: )


I'm sorry, I should've mentioned that in my earlier post. The reason that they are able to debit with you ss# and a contract is because in that contract it state that you give them permission to debit any account you may have if you default. So it's not like the bank is just giving them the info, they are showing proof to the bank that you've "authorized" the transaction.


lrhall41

Submitted by goudah2424 on Fri, 10/12/2007 - 12:44

( Posts: 7935 | Credits: )


This happened to me with a different payday loan.They accessed my new account. My bank returned it. the pdl company (express cash) called me and said they got my new acct number with my ss number which is bs. none of us would be safe from anything if they could do that. I read my bank the riot act and it hasn't happened again


lrhall41

Submitted by on Sat, 10/13/2007 - 11:13

( Posts: | Credits: )


Matt the same happened to me. Only difference was that I tried to apply for a new PDL online with my new bank account. I was approved, so it said. I supplied my account info for them to deposit the money into my account and the next thing I know Geneva Roth has been trying to get the money. It is listed as an ACH; they make it seem like you have authorized them to deduct the money from your account. Is it possible that you did what I did? I live in TX. I think I am just going to close this account like I did the first.


lrhall41

Submitted by on Sun, 02/10/2008 - 01:50

( Posts: | Credits: )