On March 29, 2009 after having a representative from TransTech Merchants Group (Mrs. Lady Lamas) reviewed my bank statements as to charges for services of my credit cards and having Mrs. Lamas explained to me in details, how much money I could be saving each and every months compared to my then, existing account for years with Ocean Bank Merchants Services. I decided, based of her verbal information, to sign an agreement with the above mentioned company.
The agreement was:
1 - That TransTech Merchants Group, at no charge to me or my business, will "have to exchange" my current credit card machine, since mine, wasn't capable to add a pin pad for debit transactions. (First lye) it does accepted a pin pad for debit charges. $85.00 paid and currently using it.
2 - That their transactions charges will be 50% less in all aspects compare too my Ocean Bank Merchants Services Acct. (2nd lye)
3 - That she (Mrs. Lamas) will sent me a new machine "at no charge) {even exchange} with a written document disclosing the serial numbers of both machines, accepting & delivering date. Never happened (3rd lye)
On april 2, three days after signing the contract I received the machine from transtech. I contacted her via cellular phone and she came within minutes to set up the machine. Within few days, one statement (first) came in to my business. In said statement, I was been charge for March services, which they were not one charge, since their machine was even in my business. During the first few days from the installation of their machine, I noticed her "urgency" to pick up my old one. That raised a doubt as to the honesty of the transaction. I clearly requested from her in person (witnesses available) and over the telephone, a letterhead from TransTech Merchants Group, detailing the (?) even exhange of the machine, which she failed to do so. On april 26, she left with my receptionist (wife) a home typed piece of paper, not even signed by her (Mrs Lamas) reflecting an even exchange and by passing the requested serial and model # of both machines. (Letter available)
I, Suspecting already of the fraudulent transaction, on 4/29/2009 disconnected their machine and reconnected my old one and kept on dialing with my old acct. With Ocean Bank. I, on 4/29/2009 contacted via telephone, their Customer Merchant Services Representative, and clearly told them, to cancell my acct. Within the firts 30 days allowed by their contract. They told me, that I should send their machine back, and a final bill will be send to me. They also waived their charges for the month of March which I signed the contract on the 29th and had no way of doing any transactions because their machine didn't arrive until 4/02/09. Their machine was send via UPS (proof available)
Never the less, this people had no knowledge of any representative name Lady Lamas in Miami. She never answer any of my numerous messages left in her cellular voice mail. (Still have her old number available)
This TransTech Merchant Group from Ft Worth, Texas, kept billing and drawing money from my Ocean Bank Acct., for almost 5 months. They even withdrew $493.00 for the cost of the machine and had the ordacity, to sent me a breached contratc bill, which they placed on Collection from First American Payment Systems, representing them are Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller - Attorneys at Law on their last final attemp to collect from me $694.50 dated 09/28/09. Under Final DeMand-Loc 5305683.
If you wonder why I have waited so long to act on this collection and rip off issue is simple. Unfortunately, on June 15th 2009 after finding out of my wife's colon cancer, she went for surgery, on June 15th and came out fine however, she then, started a chemotherapy treatments for 8 sessions every other week, therefore, I had no time tO deal with anything but my personal life.
As I see it, with the exception of the few days services reendered within the cancellation time granted in their own contract, they owed me each and every month of charges and money taken from my closed acct. now at Ocean Bank, plus the money extracted without warning, letters or even a phone call, for their machine, which it clearly shows, received at the address given to me by them.
While I don't really know, what you will be able to do for me, I will appreciate greatly, if you could forward me a copy of this complaint to my e-mail address:
[email protected].
It is my intention to file a law suit in the small claim court and represent myself per said, since all my proof and witnesses are available, I don't believe any judge will not grant me a veredict/judgement to me. I can track down her phone number even though is a cellular, and get her current home address and suppened her with the sheriff dept. In addition to all of the above, I will send a letter to the Latin Chamber of Commerce in Miami, and advise them to report to all memebers my experiences with this TransTech Merchants Group out of Ft. Worth, TX. I will also, contact all chamber of commerce in Miami, Ft lauderdale and others. I will do my best to expose this experience with all media, TV, Radio and New Papers. These last actions are for free and to prevent any future victims of these people doing business (?) In my surroundings.
Truly,
Jorge Francisco Sr.
