December 19, 2004

9:06 AM

Online credit card scams...[+]
posted by ac to (5 comments total)

A friend of mine signed up for this, giving them all his info, ssn, bank info, etc. What in the world is this site? I see ads for this stuff all over the place. What's the catch? How to cancel? They don't respond to e-mails and there is no phone number. He's not received his card yet. How is it a "credit" card if they don't check your credit? And no Visa/MC, etc logo?? thanks.
posted by ac at 9:07 AM on December 19, 2004

Explained here

I'm not sure it's a scam, but "it can only be used for retail purchases through the USA Credit sponsored website and catalogs".
posted by cillit bang at 9:14 AM on December 19, 2004

How do you think this can be cancelled, will they try to take the $150 membership fee from his bank acct? I can't find a phone no. anywhere.
posted by ac at 9:27 AM on December 19, 2004

A bit more info here.

I am not an expert in any sense, but my impression is that this is at best a very inefficent way to build up one's credit and, at worst, a total scam.

The point of this card is not really to make purchases easier, but to help establish a good/better credit history by holding down a credit card and making a few purchases on it. Your friend is basically paying $150 up front to do so, which is pretty steep. As the ftc link above explains, he could do so by applying for a small loan or trying to get a more "legit" credit card from a local bank that is secured by linking it to a checking/savings account.

The fact that its so difficult to get in touch with them is a real red flag that this is probably a scam. I imagine that your friend is out $150, unless he calls his bank immediately and can get them to cancel any transfers to USA Platinum. I would tell your friend to do this, and to send USA Platinum emails saying that he is cancelling.

Good luck.
posted by googly at 10:26 AM on December 19, 2004

shepd@server:~$ whois usaplatinumcreditline.com | todos > blah.txt

Registrant:
Commonwealth Marketing Group (URYEPTAPWD)
1 MILLENNIUM DR
UNIONTOWN, PA 15401-6408
US

Domain Name: USAPLATINUMCREDITLINE.COM

Administrative Contact:
Credit, USA (WGUXOCDOGI) [e-mail]
1 MILLENNIUM DR
UNIONTOWN, PA 15401-6408
US
7244373707

Record expires on 12-Feb-2007.
Record created on 12-Feb-2004.
Database last updated on 19-Dec-2004 14:39:00 EST.
posted by shepd at 11:40 AM on December 19, 2004