- STORE REVIEWS
- PRODUCT REVIEWS
2019-01-18
1/5
Fraud
"Seventh Avenue scammed me. After I did research on them I discovered they are old school phishing crooks. Like someone actually fishing in hopes of getting a bite, they are "phishing" for your social security number to steal your ID. This is how their scam works:
First, they do what’s called a soft inquiry on your credit report (probably using their Experian CSID account)) to ascertain your name and address. Then they take it upon themselves to open a fake “account” using just your name and address.
Next, they do one of two things:
1) They send you a statement for an item you did not order or they send you an item (usually a television shipped by FedEx). When you call to find out what’s going on, they say that “someone” has opened an “account” using your name, address, and social security number. It’s not true! Remember, unless you give them your social security number they don’t have it because they did a soft inquiry on your credit. A soft inquiry does not include your social security number. (Google the difference between a soft inquiry and a hard inquiry)
So now you are shocked! You tell them that the account is fraudulent so please close it. They say that the only way to close the account is to give them your personal information via online, by phone, or by filling out their so called "id/fraud report.” Don’t do it!! They are thieves.
2) They say that you have been pre-approved for credit. So you call them or go online, give them all your personal information, order something and pay for it. Guess what? They have successfully stolen your personal information. Now that they have your information and money either you never hear from them again or you never get your product. In a rare case you may actually get what you ordered. But, after you have paid for your order in full they continue to send you fake “past due” bills and/or continue to take money from your bank account.
My suggestion: Immediately review and put a fraud alert and/or freeze on your Equifax, Experian, and Transunion credit reports. Report the scam to the Better Business Bureau insisting that Seventh Avenue give you confirmation that the account they opened without your consent be closed immediately . Also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission and your local police department. (Remember to tell the police not to divulge any of your personal information to Seventh Avenue during their investigation).
If you received an item, write down the tracking number located on the shipping label. Use your phone to video the item as proof that it was never opened. Then, send it back to Seventh Avenue by informing FedEx (or whoever shipped it) that the item was sent to you as an identity theft/fraud scam. FedEx will pick it up as a RTS (Return to Sender). Use the tracking number as proof that it was returned to Seventh Avenue."
