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PrePaid ATm Scare Tactics

- A few months ago, my darling teenage daughter and her friend had a rip-roaring good time with some of my casino accounts, to the tune of $6200 all together. And before you all say the obvious, no, I'm not some evil "Rhonda" clone - since she is a minor, I do understand that ultimately, this is my responsibility - or so I have been told. I plan to make good on everything she did. Anyway, I have been making arrangements with the various vehicles she used to fund her little party (my credit card, Citadel, etc.) One of the accounts she used was my Prepaid ATM. I have been a customer there for quite awhile, as has my husband, and we've never had any problem with them. We've been playing online for years. I don't have any problem when losing a deposit to a casino, because that's just part of it, but THIS is killing me. Today, in an attempt to work things out with Prepaid atm (my bank returned $1100 in charges she made) I was connected to a "John Keeler" who was in the "Fraud Investigations" dept. I read the earlier posts about John Grey's antics and this guy must be his evil twin....the very first words out of his mouth were," Has the sherrif's office contacted you yet?" He went on to say that this was a "Grand larceny felony" in the state of Nevada and that if I "did not pay the full amount today via MoneyGram, that I would be picked up by the sherrif's department and 'extradited' to Nevada (at my expense) and would have to sit in jail until my case was called." I explained to him that I was TRYING to resolve this with him; I offerred the letter from my bank, signed by the Vice President, confirming that this had been a security breach on my account and had occured while I was not even in town to USE my computer, but that NEVERTHELESS, I was willing to settle it with them. Again, he started with the threats that he had to have it ALL today. No "payment plans" available. Never any mention made as to my letter from the bank and could care less that I didn't initiate the charges. He THEN said he had to ask me some questions for the "authorities"....1.) Would you rather be picked up by the sherrif at home or at work? 2.) Have you ever been arrested before?....and other personal questions designed to scare the shit out of me. (I must admit, he did a pretty good job; I later spoke to my attorney about it, who informed me that this guy was obviously just an "aggressive collector" and to just pay them as soon as I could and have no further dealings with this guy.) Jeez, I TOLD him I would have the entire amount to them by the end of the week, but that was not good enough. Obviously, this is coming out of my pocket, even though I didn't initiate the transactions. You'd think that there would be some SMALL degree of compassion given the circumstances. Every other place was just grateful that I was willing to cover the charges. This guy has got me REALLY worried, despite what my attorney said. Can they prosecute me if I'm making an effort to pay them off?? Has anyone out there had any similar dealings with PrePaid ATM, or specifically, this John Keeler charachter? Thanks!

- Since online gambling is in the grey area. The answer is no, they can't do a thing. They might threat you, but unless they send their hitman out of their own pocket there is nothing they can do. However, I have to ask why did you contact your credit card or bank and get your money back? It's your daughter that messed up, it's your responsibility to pay up. You tried to get your money back and I guess you succeeded. No wonder they will be super pissed. Just imagine if your hit a jackpot, will you be too thrilled when the casino give you excuses after excuses? Or pay you up, only to take them back later? (such as a bad check) Of course, this guy from PPATM has an attitude problem. That's because they are very powerless when it comes to player fraud or charge back. If you really want to settle it in good faith, you might as well contact them before you contact your bank/credit card and get your money back.

- The next time you speak with them, tell them that I for one will NEVER use their services based on the way they are treating you. And I'll recommend to my friends that they never use them either!

- Quote: Originally Posted by hhcfreebie Since online gambling is in the grey area. The answer is no, they can't do a thing. They might threat you, but unless they send their hitman out of their own pocket there is nothing they can do. However, I have to ask why did you contact your credit card or bank and get your money back? It's your daughter that messed up, it's your responsibility to pay up. You tried to get your money back and I guess you succeeded. No wonder they will be super pissed. Just imagine if your hit a jackpot, will you be too thrilled when the casino give you excuses after excuses? Or pay you up, only to take them back later? (such as a bad check) Of course, this guy from PPATM has an attitude problem. That's because they are very powerless when it comes to player fraud or charge back. If you really want to settle it in good faith, you might as well contact them before you contact your bank/credit card and get your money back. No, I didn't press my credit card co for a refund, because I just assumed I would have to pay the charges, since she is a minor....any thoughts on this anyone? If I had never played online, I would say "screw it", and not pay a dime. But because I DO play (which is precisely how she got my info; suggestion to everyone: do not check the box "remember password" if you have..."curious" teenagers in the house!!) I certainly don't want to be "black-balled" or banned from any of my favorite places. Maybe I'm going about this all wrong; I've never had anything happen like this before. ANY suggestions from any of you out there would be greatly appreciated and might actually let me get a good night's sleep? thanks

- Quote: Originally Posted by jpm The next time you speak with them, tell them that I for one will NEVER use their services based on the way they are treating you. And I'll recommend to my friends that they never use them either! Thanks for the vote of support...I just don't get the "Nevada" connection...from previous posts, it looks like they are out of Ohio or New York maybe, but they keep quoting Nevada laws..........

- My thoughts were that since she was a minor and did not have permission, she couldn't have legally used your credit cards, so I don't think the cc companies can hold you legally responsible. However, parents usually are liable for the willful misconduct of their minor children, so I'm not sure which way this would fall. Probably in your favor since they were technically fraudulent charges. Then there's the fact that most of these casinos require you to be at least 18 (or 21 at some) in order to play, so there's another one in your favor. The problem is, how do you prove it was her and not you (especially in light of the Evil Rhonda incident). You may find your accounts closed at some casinos and/or credit cards when its all said & done but it may be worth it if they forgive some of your debt. Personally I think you should have her get a part time job to pay off whatever debts aren't forgiven.

- Quote: Originally Posted by jpm My thoughts were that since she was a minor and did not have permission, she couldn't have legally used your credit cards, so I don't think the cc companies can hold you legally responsible. However, parents usually are liable for the willful misconduct of their minor children, so I'm not sure which way this would fall. Probably in your favor since they were technically fraudulent charges. Then there's the fact that most of these casinos require you to be at least 18 (or 21 at some) in order to play, so there's another one in your favor. The problem is, how do you prove it was her and not you (especially in light of the Evil Rhonda incident). You may find your accounts closed at some casinos and/or credit cards when its all said & done but it may be worth it if they forgive some of your debt. Personally I think you should have her get a part time job to pay off whatever debts aren't forgiven. Oh HONEY, part time job does not even BEGIN to describe the lesson she is going to learn from this!! Not only have we already addressed the financial end with her, and also the parents of her "buddy" who apparently (per his own admission) was the instigator, she is going to personally call each and every company involved (except maybe PPATM, as no one deserves their abusive tactics) and make full disclosure. The computer is now "locked" to her for ANYthing, including homework (I'm so mean) which means a major inconvenience to have to use the ones at school without (gasp) DSL. Not that this resolves the money thing - it doesn't by a long shot - but I don't think she'll try this little stunt again. She actually thought that they would just automatically "forgive" the whole thing because she entered on someone else's account (mine) . Sigh.....

- Quote: Originally Posted by recruit Today, in an attempt to work things out with Prepaid atm (my bank returned $1100 in charges she made) I was connected to a "John Keeler" who was in the "Fraud Investigations" dept. I read the earlier posts about John Grey's antics and this guy must be his evil twin....the very first words out of his mouth were," Has the sherrif's office contacted you yet?" He went on to say that this was a "Grand larceny felony" in the state of Nevada and that if I "did not pay the full amount today via MoneyGram, that I would be picked up by the sherrif's department and 'extradited' to Nevada (at my expense) and would have to sit in jail until my case was called." I always recommend Benjamin Dover. Find his web site and have a look. In my state, you can tap your own phone legally because you can record your own coversations. Radio shack can provide the recording device cheap. It really would be nice to get those threats on tape. Ask Benjamin about contacting your state attorneys general's office. That is probably what I would do. Play scared till you get the goods. The more rabbit you are, the more dog they will be... which is what you want. IMHO. Stanford

- Quote: Originally Posted by Stanford I always recommend Benjamin Dover. Find his web site and have a look. In my state, you can tap your own phone legally because you can record your own coversations. Radio shack can provide the recording device cheap. It really would be nice to get those threats on tape. Ask Benjamin about contacting your state attorneys general's office. That is probably what I would do. Play scared till you get the goods. The more rabbit you are, the more dog they will be... which is what you want. IMHO. Stanford I LOVE Ben!! (And his name kills me, i.e., "BendOver") Being in Dallas, he's on the radio all the time here....it never occurred to me to get his help on something like this. Great suggestion, thanks!

- Wannabe intimidators like this rarely enjoy being under the spotlight, and the threat of it may do wonders for his attitude! Whilst I certainly don't condone this sort of casino/cash processor behaviour, I guess there's a cynical view out there bred from dealings with fraudulently inclined players or just plain welchers. There are definitely plenty of those out there, too. If there is anything positive in this sad situation, it does serve to remind everyone of just how troublesome and expensive teenagers can be, requiring extraordinary measures to keep them away from credit cards and especially online gambling access. BTW the guy that owns PrePaidATM is possibly more client and legally sensitive than his "collector." I seem to recall that he was one of the many industry people investigated at the time of the Jay Cohen/WWTS action by the US Justice authorities. Jay went back to the States to argue his case whilst many of the others entered pleas and settled.

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