POLL: Scam or not?

[red-beard]

Wow. I'm going to have to apply. From 1996 to 2006 I've spent an awful lot of money in other countries using credit cards, a lot more than $2500.

[p911dad]

It is legit and has been reported fairly widely in the news. I used to buy plane tickets by cc through a broker in Toronto for overseas travel on Canadian airlines, so who knows, maybe we will see something show up.

[jackpine savage]

Scam. I got one and immediately tossed er when I saw the section on Account #s for my bank. They have my adress, they'd send me a check for payment.

Send them your account #s, you're screwed.

[TerryH]

Paranoia runs rampant.... so many scams out there, that free money will go unclaimed.

[Sonic dB]

I got one of these last Tuesday...and it said that I could get an automatic $25 or try for more...

It is a low priority item on my list of things to look into, but I have been out of the country and used my cards recently so I figured it could be legit.

Thanks for this thread and notice.

[p911dad]

Jackpine, just an fyi, there are 3 options for you to contemplate. The first 2 do not require any acct.# at all. You simply estimate how many days you spent abroad in the period. Option 3 is for veteran travelers that spend a lot of time abroad, and allows corporate card refunds. They only ask for the last 4 digits of your SS#, and no bank acct #, only cc#s. The judge directs payments after the response period ends. By the way, the attorneys only get 27.5% of the$313,000,000. paid in by the not-quite-guilty banks to settle the rip-off of the credit card users(foreign exchange scam by the banks), a modest sum indeed! Glenn

[cool_chick]

I got one too.

Originally Posted by TerryH

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/nothing/ccfsettlement.asp

Thanks for the info!

[jackpine savage]

Originally Posted by gmeteer

They only ask for the last 4 digits of your SS#, and no bank acct #, only cc#s.

The notice I received asked for a bank account # as an option for direct deposit. ANYtime whatsoever ANYbody asks for a bank account #, ANY of your SS#s, or credit card #, it had better be a red flag to you.

There certainly may be a valid class action case somewhere where there is such a payout happening, but would you bet YOUR bank account on it? Your ID?

Just a note of how these things work; These folks empty your checking account/credit card which probably has less than $10,000 in it, or they sell your SS# ID. The feds don't pursue "paper crime" investigations that are less than $10,000 with any vigor. Your state's Attorney General does not have the $$$ resources to pursue such paper crimes across state lines, even if you do get ripped for more than $10K. Your financial institution will very politely let you know that you're on your own.

I have experienced such legal matters with professional cons before. Life is too short to learn everything on our own, so we must learn from other's mistakes.

[pwd72s]

An article in today's OREGONIAN "complaint desk" column says: LEGIT!

but with a caution: "Fraudsters can create copy-cat scams on the heels of such letters, so be sure your letter refers to www.ccfsettlement.com 800-945-9890 or P.O. box 290, Philadelphia, PA 19105-0290.

Also don't trust any such missive coming via email."

(edit) Here's a cut & paste of the entire article:

Complaint Desk
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Help for frustrated consumers


Don't toss this mail offer


Folks have grown so skeptical about mail offers that many may miss out on an early holiday gift delivered in recent days.

Dated Nov. 23, 2007, with an official yet strangely vague letterhead -- "U.S. District Court Settlement Administrator" -- the letter informs Visa, Mastercard or Diners Club credit, debit or ATM cardholders of a $336 million class-action settlement.

It's legit, folks -- get that form mailed before the May 30 deadline.

The suit refunds cardholders nationwide who were overcharged for foreign transactions from Feb. 1, 1996, to Nov. 8, 2006.

Still, skepticism is good -- and some consumers have inquired with authorities about the class-action letter.

Fraudsters can create copy-cat scams on the heels of such letters, so be sure your letter refers to www.ccfsettlement.com, 800-945-9890 or P.O. Box 290, Philadelphia, PA 19105-0290.

Also, don't trust any such a missive coming via e-mail.

-- Laura Gunderson

Have a consumer concern or question? Contact Complaint Desk at 503-221-8378 or complaintdesk@ news.oregonian.com. Check out blog.oregonlive.com/complaintdesk to comment on this issue or research others.

[richde]

Hmmmm, what's the difference between now and then? My cards still charge 3% for foreign transactions.

[RonDent]

Its funny, I travel out of the US all the time and haven't received one. My wife has been outside the US once and did reiceive one.....?