If you get a call asking for your credit card number to lower your interest rate, it is probably a scam.
Cheap long distance, the ability to spoof caller ID and the credit crisis are being used to facilitate a scam called vishing. Although telephone (telemarketing) scams are nothing new, the term vishing probably came about because advances in telephone technology are being used to depart unsuspecting people of their hard-earned money.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Chrissy
I too recieve this call on a daily basis. I asked to not to be called anymore (after pressing 1) and the lady was a complete BITCH. hung up on me. the next day i asked for a supervisor, and got hung up on again. Today i tried asking nicely not to call, and still got hung up on. I called the number back on my call display which doesnt seem to exist, i used reverse search, and it just doesnt seem to exist. the number comeing up on my phone is 1 929 200 9110 and its the same every time they call. I hope someone finds out who these people are because im very angry, i dont appreciate annoying phone calls, especially from RUDE bitches. If anyone has any info on this like the company name or where i can find theese people let me know please banditqween@hotmail.com
27 - Chrissy
....and Linda? change your fucking tampon, if you like being harassed, good for you, but the rest of the normal population is fed up!
28 - skeeter
I talked to the company and they sent me the info. They told me all fees had been waived. They charged my credit card 990.00.
their address is: Freedom Choice Financial
4885-A McKnight Road, Suite # 200
Pittsburg, PA 15237
888-385-4030
When they called me they told me they were card services, which I thought was the credit card company card services. When I received the info it was Freedom Choice. The charge on my credit card is Freedom Direct. I called and they said they would give me a complete refund. I contacted my credit card company and disputed the charge. Don't know if anything has been done yet because of the holidays.
29 - Chris
Sucker born everyday. Why don't you people just call your credit card company and ask them to lower your interest rate?? They have always complied when I asked.
30 - angrycitizen
I got a similar type phone call this afternoon with several mentions of Obama this and Obama that for reducing my credit card rate and credit card debt with some generic name like Rate Reduction Department and press 1. For the heck of it I pressed one to talk to a person and they said they were so busy for me to leave my name and phone number. Like Hell I WILL! It is against FTC policy for telemarketers to not have their REAL BUSINESS NAME in a prerecorded message as well as a real phone number. If you are on the no call list $11,000 per CALL penalty. This is clearly a scam. The key to eliminating this problem is to LICENSE autodialers, and to make laws that the use of autodialers, prerecorded messages, etc should be a FELONY and say $10,000 FINE per PHONE CALL. We need to make obscuring the phone number on caller ID illegal and when used in the course of a felony and it should be an additional charge and say another five years in the pen. Only when citizens get mad enough to tell those idiots in Congress and State Legislatures that we have had enough, will anything ever get done.
31 - angrycitizen
Did some more research. Freedom Choice Services aka Freedom Choice Financial no longer has a functional webpage. I hope their corporate officers go to jail. They only way to stop this type of crime if HARD TIME and BIG BIG FINES. Barnum was right, Chris and so are you.
32 - Charged!
Freedom Choice Services/Financial is absolutely a scam. Our card was charged $995 with no previous authorization. In fact, the charge was made on our card at least two days before they made contact with us by telephone. The scam is to follow up the initial call with a letter and an authorization form to "permit" them to charge the credit card. However, if you look closely, the authorization form is actually a receipt and payment confirmation. Please beware of these scam artists. We are all targets; not just the elderly and unwary!
33 - 78yearsoldgrandmother
In October of 2009, I received a call from this Freedom Choice Financal, asking me if I wanted to lower my interest rate on my cc, I said yes, they went through this spil about how they could help me and ask me for my Sears Discovery card# and expiration date the last 3 digit on the back which I gave with the understanding that its was for verification purpose. At that time I did not agree for them to charge my cc. When I received the information in the mail I didn't sign and send it back to them, I tried to call the number that was on the information, but couldn't get an answer, I made serveral attempts to reach them, each time to n avail. When I received my bill from Sears their was a charge on there for 900.00 for Freedom Choice. I called Sears and disputed the charge, Sears said they would remove the charge and investigate the charge. Sears removed the charge as they said, but when I received my statement for the month of Dec 2009 the charge had been recharged to my account. I'm in the process now of disputing the charge over again. I've learned a valuable lesson."NEVER GIVE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION TO ANYONE OVER THE PHONE". I hope this help to not make the same mistake I did.
34 - Sam C.
I got as much info as I could get out of "Junior Johnston" who said he was from Card Services in California. I asked for a phone number so I could call back but he wouldn't give me one. This is definitely a scam and they should be reported to the FTC if the company even exists at all. Nice try "Junior."
35 - Amy C
I pressed 1 as well to see what this call was all about. The lady was very nice and stated several privacy acts when I let her know that I wasn't comfortable giving her my info. I gave her my account number and the toll free number on my Citi card so she could locate the branch. Then all the sudden DUH! She is calling to get my balance and last payment info to gain my trust. I am going to report this and hopefully we can get this horrible person in jail. The police are already onto them from what they said-how often they change numbers and their location. Its only a matter of time. TIC TOC TIC TOC TIC TOC.
36 - JJHH
Oh! you guys are nice, I flat out told the person who responded to my "press 1" option to f*ck off and stop calling my number(obviously this was not the first time they called). After which, I got a call from a blocked number (it was the same operator) leaving me a message on my answering machine stating "f*uck you, f my wife, f my friends, f my kids, I hope you all get shot in the head...so f*ck me!" Does that sound like a legit company?? So I filed a police report using their threatening message. Gosh...not too bright are they?
37 - Aye Rolle
Same thing happened to me tonight. Call from "Card Services". Press 9 to see what the game is. What was disturbing is that he asked me which card rate I wanted to lower, and proceeded to name the banks I have cards with. When I asked if this was a sales call he said "no, we're not trying to sell you anything" and the line went dead.
38 - steve
Been getting this call about once a day for the past two weeks. I press 9 to try to tell them not to call me anymore. They hang up immediately. One time I asked them who they worked with, the guy says Visa Mastercard. I've had the number [edited] blocked through my phone company. I even called this phone number and someone that is very sleepy answered. I told them that they have been calling me every day. She said that it is an accident.
39 - Debbie
Well I was one person that was stupid enough to get scammmed by this Freedom Choice in Nov 09. They charged me $995 and then callled me a month later and told me they could not get my rates for less. I asked for my money back and was told that I had to talk with soneone else. They then tried to talk me into some other programs which I refused. I then was stupid enough to wait until February to ask for a refund and was told ok-when I called to check on it, I was told it was being processed. I called again and was told it was submitted Mar 18 and took 30 days. I called today and was told to have my credit card company fight for it. Of course my credit card company told me they can put it in a complaint, but should had done it within 60 days. I really got screwed
40 - retiresoon
Hey Linda. I fully understand all the other peoples comments. I was contacted by Freedom Choice Financial from Pittsburgh, PA. and went with this. Was told the same thing. I now have lost 990 and the credit card company will not help me. This company individuals told me they approved and refunded my money to my credit card 2/23/2010 but nothing has appeared yet as a credit. Nothing but a SCAM. I have contacted my State Attorney General office, the PA Attorney General Office and the BBB.
41 - So upset
I'm so happy I found this blog! I just received a call today from "Visa Global Customer Care Services" offering to lower my credit card rates on all of my cards - including Amex & Discover - which I thought was strange since they are competing companies to Visa. "Rebecca" was very nice and asked for information like expiration dates, balances on my cards, etc. to verify my identity. I was suspicious and asked for her name, telephone number etc. which she gave to me after I said that I was being cautious since there is so much fraud out there. She assured me she udnerstood and I was in no way liable for fraudulent charges etc. I am such a dope, but I ended up giving her one my credit card numbers. While doing so, I searched online for info on possible scams and came across this one. When she put me on hold to transfer me to an "account rep" I immediately hung up. I called the credit card company which immediately cancelled my account. I've then spent all morning calling all my other cards. Beware and don't go through the hassle like I had to!
42 - So upset
By the way, the number she gave me to her "direct line" was 800-847-2911. If you google it, you'll find it is a scam based in Fort Meyers, FL. She has since called back and left messages from 425-484-1814 which is in Bellevue, WA - also related the same scam.
43 - Ann
If these people were trying to help, how could they know they can lower the interest rate. All they want is access to your personal financial info. They don't seem to know anything about you but they sure would like to.
I want to know how to stop the calls. I've tried profanity and a very loud whistle, but they keep calling back.
44 - Ann
The only reason for these calls is to gain information about a person's private finances.
I want to know how to stop them. I've tried profanity and a very loud whistle and yet the calls keep coming.
Speaking of profanity, whoever edits these pages really missed one, the second comment from Chrissy on the next page of comments. It certainly is insulting and profane to anyone who reads it.
45 - Laura
I received a call [Edited]. It came in on my second line at work that is not published for the public, so I pushed 9 to be connected with someone. When the guys answered he said "Card member services, are you calling regarding the offer to lower your interest rate?" I said, "Yes, I am replying to that and would like you to remove my number from your call list." He said "I'm sure you would, but it's not going to happen so have yourself a nice day." He then hung up on me.
46 - So upset
Immediately after my experience, I re-entered my number on the government "Do Not Call List". (I'm sure I had signed up before, but some say to do it again.)I then filed a complaint with the FCC online. After they attempted to call back a few times after I hung up on them, they have not since called.
47 - lisa
I went threw the whole process and they could not help me their payment was to high for me so i asked about a refund they sent me directly to processing. then proceccing would refund my account in 30 days did not happen so Icalled again said they would repross my refund never did. called freedom choice they had a number for processing, but when Icalled they said they were closed. So I now pay on my credit card for services not recieved. Credit card company tried to contact this company but no responce. Need prof that i was intitled to a refund but would not give me the things I needed.NOW WHAT SHOULD I DO>
48 - Marcy
Freedom Financial offered to lower my credit card interest rate to 6.99% - I asked which card they were referring to and was hung up on
49 - william
i think anyone involved with freedom financial should file a complaint with the attorney general for PA online and wait as i have done.i think the more complaints filed may help in generating a response from them
50 - mike
I got screwed for $990.00,but i called my bank.The bank credited me on my visa.then i got all the paper work from freedom choice,it looked perfessional,so i called the bank and talked to a lady that i trusted,she said that sounds pretty good maybe you sound try it.I was stupid and did what she subjested.They couldnt help me and said that my card would get credited back.That has been going on for months.2 different people from freedom choice told me that i was credited,i told them no that hasnt happened.I get hung up on now.I filed a complaint with bbb.Then i paid the attorney general to help me get my money back and maybe take legal actions on them.They said i was scamed,but i dont think they are doing anything more about it.Now freedom choice doesnt answer when i call,just a recording. I have lots of names wrote down.I wish they will all be arrested.Im PISSED OFF!!!
51 - Jessica Clark
Just got the call today after spending all day yesterday of all things trying to reduce my interest rates. I did so by calling the individual banks and not one was ready to do it. SO imagine my surprise when I got someone calling me with this incredible offer! Of course- the "deal" was that the credit card could NOT be maxed out and in good standing. Then even more interesting it had to have at least $1000 of good credit left on it. I still was searching for my cards not thinking real hard and they hung up. I was pissed and anxious to find out more so I called back the number and of course- mail box was full. As I thought about it for a minute or so- I thought THANK GOD I didn't give them my numbers. They could have easily caught me at a weak moment since the whole subject was at hand the day before.
52 - real live victim
I was taken in Oct 2009 for $995. They contacted me over & over again and convinced me they were real. They even established a website. I kept notes & phone numbers and dates of each call & person & what was discussed. They charged my credit card. I just got a letter marked REFUSED when I tried to contact them by mail this week. I will have to report this as a crime. So now you know, the article is not just to stir up comments. It happens to real people who cannot afford it. I am typically a very cautious person. It was a very convincing job. I continue to get calls from other companies who say there is a very important or urgent message from credit card services. I've learned this is the same sell of reducing interest rates.
Does anyone know what I can do? I won't trust anything again & I never thought this would happen to me.
53 - Joyce
Well here I am I made a big mistake they chared $ 750.00 on one of my cards. I am stuck, they did not help in any way an i m out 750.00 yes call me Stupid big time.If anyone could help me please do so you cant call me any thing i havent called myself.
54 - sara
I read all of your post, and this company didn't do there job. But just so you know there are companies out there that do help alot of people.I paid $995.00 to one company, i had 67,000.00 in debt and my rates were all over 15%. it took them about 60 days to help me they lower my chase from 22% to 4% in a hardship program.I am sorry to hear that you all got taken for your money. But i did realize that i could have done it myself.
55 - Russ
they call everyone. Even if you don't have a credit card or you never even own a credit card. They just call phone. I use to play jokes on then. when they call. They always ask whats the credit card number and credit card company's phone number. I just give them random numbers. For phone number i give them sex line phone number chat. They never call back or they call back yelling at me. I Still get calls. Okay i don't know any thing about this credit card stuff but the only person that can lower Interest Rate is you. Just pay your bill and it will go down by itself.
56 - Sherry
Just like everyone else, I did the same thing and paid $990 October 09 of last year and have gotten very little. I did set up phone conferences and talked wtih the credit card companies along with the rep I was given and they did help lower two cards but savings were very minimal. I have not had contact in over 3 months now and 1 yr limit is over. I want a full refund (yeah I'm that crazy). I tried to reach someone and phone, email and online service is gone.
57 - Stephanie
I have been receiving these calls for months now. When I tell them I have no credit cards that I only have a debit card and that I wish for my name to be removed from the list they have ALL hung up on me including the one that called me this morning even after I asked him to hear me out and NOT hang up.
So being feed up I called my bank :-)
If you are on the Do Not Call List go to their website and file a complaint, if you are not get registered!
You may also file a complaint if you received a call that used a recorded message instead of a live person (whether or not your number was on the Registry).
National Do Not Call Registry
Consumer Fraud Reporting
Good Luck ALL
58 - Winnie
Get these calls every few weeks or so. Latest was today. Spoke to representative who said the company was Financial Services and they are able to lower my interest rate with whichever credit card company I deal with. I hung up and dialed *69 to get their number (416) 333-4444 but this is probably a number they can change at will to keep from getting caught. I wonder if the TV investigative report shows can track these people down and shed some light on their operation?
59 - Jim
I got A call form someone who didnt want to say where she was calling from, then I insisted so shse said "Universal card interest" lol she sounded unprofessional and with a bit harsh voice, she wanted me to give her my information faster than speed of light, the minute I said no she hung up so fast. I believe it is scam.
60 - Melvin
I got one these calls yesterday .. [Edited] from Las Vegas .. sounded like a scam, he hung up on me quickly because I said lowering percentage rate didn't sound normal. Click.
61 - Sharon
I too got one of these calls today, from 416-333-4444 and the caller identified herself as calling from "Credit Services" with the spin about lower interest rates. Now my bank/credit card company call from time to time with some offer (legit, but usually something that I don't want) but when they do, they *always* identify themselves -- "My name is Rosemary, I am calling from Bleep Blanp Bank to inform you that as a such-and-such cardholder, you are eligible for...."
I am usually not interested, but they will oblige by mailing information on request, and they know my mailing address and ask certain security question to verify that I am the actual card holder.
This company did nothing of the sort, so I knew right away it was a scam.
When in doubt, ask them to mail you info and don't give your mailing address. If it is a company you deal with in fact, they already *know* your address and do not need to ask you for it. They also know your account info and should be asking you the security questions.
62 - keewee
These morons have scammed us and thousands with lies and get away with it. Some of these idiots that posted messages defending scammers probably didn't lose there money with no service rendered,
63 - keewee
We were promised a full refund after supposed managers agreed that we were mislead,we never got any thing. I am going to send a letter to Obama just to see if would look into this, but I know that probably won't happen, although we are supposed to be protected by his new policies against things like this. Just to let These scammers know from Freedom Choice Financial - They will be investigated as I am licensed in the financial and insurance industry and I will make it happen so that more hard working americans are not scammed.
64 - Eric
I have gotten two calls a day from this company. Always a spoofed local number from my town. As soon as I question them as to who they are and to stop calling me, they hang up without a word. How come they can ssnd billions to bail out everyone but no one cares that this crap is going on? from now on I am going to hold them on the phone and waste their time, maybe get a whistle or air horn :)
65 - Macy
Freedom Choices Financial scamed me to in October 2009 and charge a 990 to my cc. It got into work in March and in April I call them back after they taken the first payment from my checking account.They rejected me after viewing my credit. So I ask to get my refund that was taken from my checking account and the charge that was made to my cc. They said it will take 3-4 weeks to get it credited back to me. In June 2010 got credited from the from checking account, but nothing from the cc. I follow up with them, but that number don't existed. Try calling my cc company to dispute that charge but nothing, they transfer me to the fraud protection agency. They will investing it.
66 - Macy
Do you guys think would we ever get our refund back from this scammed. Would my cc dispute this charge if I talk to them or is it too late?
67 - MMD
I just received a phone call from a local cell phone number. When I answered it was a digital recording asking me to press 1 to get my interest rates lowered. Once I did so a man came on the line and said he was with card services. I tried to ask specifically which credit he was calling in reference too and he could not tell me. He kept repeating the same story that he was calling from Card Member Services. He wanted to verify some information so I led him on for a few minutes until he wanted the last 4 of my social. I asked him if there was a phone number that I could call to verify what company he is representing and this is the # I was given (1800VISA911). He then again began repeating himself about what department he worked in and asking for personal information! IDIOT....No one in their right mind is going to give someone even the last 4 of their social. I eventually was hung up because the guy ran out of stories to tell me!!! Just watch out because they are now calling with local numbers attached to their lines so you think it may be someone you know! They are also being very sly in the ways they ask questions....DO NOT ANSWER ANYTHING!!! Hang up and report them
68 - Tim Hickey
I just got a call that went exactly the same way you said it went- push '1' to lower your rate! As the guy was bumbling talking to me I was looking them up on the computer.
I told him I have had credit cards for many years and all of a sudden they are calling me and wanting to lower my rate. He gave me some B.S.about last February and they review every six months.
I got the guy flustered and HE offered to put someone else on the phone- just after mentioning that as long as you were not late and over the credit limit they could help you. I told him I am over on one card to see what he would say and he said 'no problem sir, that's okay.' I said 'you just said over the limit was a problem' and he said ' no, we can make exceptions.' lol
Anyway, his 'supervisor' got on the phone, which by the way sounded like he was half the age of the first guy, and once he asked if I was over the limit I told him the same thing as the first guy, on one card, and he hung up on me!
Oh, the first guy told me the name of the company was 'Card Services' and he was a department of Card Services and their sister company is Visa and MasterCard, which is weird because I thought Visa and MasterCard were separate companies.
Be careful out there- if it sounds too good to be true it usually is..and never give your personal info out on an incoming call, you never know if they say who they are.
A few weeks ago I got a call from a supposed State Trooper asking for a donation. It may have been legit because I did get something in the mail, but I never responded because I heard on the news there was a scam going on like that. It sucks because I did want to donate.
69 - Janet Smith
My elderely mother eceived a call from a group called "RP Group" asking if she wished to lower her interest rates on all her cards. Was very convincing and she gave them here 3 card numbers. There is now a 695.00 charge with a U.S. conversion to $703.00 Canadian on her VISA. I called the company on her behalf to enquire what service they had provided. Their comments were "did you no receive the lower interest rates?". When I said, no, the service was not provided, he instructed me to call her bank and tell her to reverse the charges???? Banks can't do this and I knew that. I did call her credit card company and they have put in a case file to reasess this company. She has to wait 30 days until the company fails to provide a statement as to what purchases were offered. If they fail to respond, the Visa company will deal with the scam (I hope). Really irritates me to see scam artists going after elderly people like this. When I called I could hear a high volume of calls in the background so this is obviously a very large operation. Beware!!!!
70 - out of hand
go to anywho.com and click on reverse lookup
71 - out of hand
or msn white pages
72 - peg
I've received several calls from "credit services." Today,when I again asked to be removed from their call list the"rep" sang London Bridges to me for five minutes. Infuriating!I've also been told to f@#@ off on a previous call. The Ohio Ag's office says they need more info to take a report. If all the phone numbers are bogus,how can this be stopped?
73 - Just another nice person
Oh these blogs were somewhat helpful and so disturbing all the same. The sad part is how far back they go and that the stuff still continues. I unfortunely was dealing with a not clear head (migraine) two screaming kids and just wanted the phone to stop pressed the 1 and got a person who was "empathetic". Should have known...Got the uncomfortable feeling that something didn't seem right and immediately called Capital One. They said to monitor our statements and the minute we see something that isn't right, dispute it on line and they will refund us and go after whoever. YEAH Capital One for being on our side.
74 - george
I got the same scam call today.
I'm on kidney dialysis so I told him to call me back in a half hour. I also told him that I was carrying $25,000.00 in credit card debt. He called back a half an hour later as requested. That gave me enough time to google 'lower your interest rates'. What an eye opener! Too think that this seemingly proper young man on the phone would rub a 995.00 insult of salt in the wounds of a man on kidney dialysis with massive credit card debt! And not think twice about the possible damage done.
I did get a chance to insult him (like a child, I know) before he hung up on me when I called him a " _ucking fraud."
75 - cug
I receive this call from a private number, they said they have contacted me numerous times via mail and phone...they had no idea what my address was, I told her if she called again, I will be contacting people of higher powers and report you! hung up! Guess they are still playing the games!