MBF / Northern Leasing Scam. Credit processing.

[debnkevin]

Hello,

We previously owned a business in California. We
owned a Day Spa and Salon in Solana Beach California.
We had owned the business for about 8 months, when we
were approached by a company called Merchant Services.
The representative for the companies name was Jason
Lauderdale. They promised that we could save money by
switching our services to their credit card processor.
They work with Fifth Third Bank. We owned our credit
card machine, but they said that we would save even
more money if we leased a pin pad from them made by
Omni. The lease was for 4 years, at a rate of $48.61 a
month (total $2,333.28)

After I signed the lease, I did some research and found that these pin pads only cost $48 brand new. I contacted Merchant Services, and
asked our new rep about this. She said "you can't just
buy a terminal and use it" "they have to be specially
programmed in order to get your money" After I talked
to her I contacted Omni directly and that said that
was a completely false statement. They said that is
often used by credit card processors so that you will
lease the equipment from them. They said you can send
the pin pad or terminal to them, or to your bank, and
it can be reprogrammed.They work with another scam
company called MBF leasing. They are actually the ones
who lease out the equipment.

We sold the business in October 2005 and I sent them back the terminal, and
said that I was not going to pay anymore money. I told
them to take whatever steps they needed to take to
collect the money. Rep rot it to a collection agency,
or whatever. MBF leasing company has called us over
300 times. They call on average of 10 times daily. I
called our phone company (Qwest) and told them what
was happening. They told me that companies that are
trying to collect money by law can call one time a
day, during certain hours. They said that if you tell
them not to call, they can only make the one call per
day. So far today, they have called 11 times. I am
going to report them to the phone company and have
them blocked, but what other steps may I take? I know
I signed a lease, but I was also lied to. I would have
never signed a lease for 4 years and paid over $2,300
for something that is worth $48. (you can get them for
about $10 with shipping on E-Bay) I have already paid
them over $800. Here are the two companies that I am
referring to:

Merchant Services
9012 Research Dr. Ste, 200
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 861-4000

MBF Leasing
132 West 31st St 14th Floor
New York, NY 10001-3405
(888) 275-3251


Sorry this is so long, but these crooks need to be stopped. Does anyone else have any bad experiences like this? I have seen a bunch on ripoff.com. I did report them to the FTC amd FCC.

Thanks, Kevin

[renloyx]

so you signed papers without doing any research? dum dum dum

[debnkevin]

If you read my whole post, you would see that I was not told the truth. They have high pressure salesman and tell you that these can only be programmed by them.

I am not the only one, They have a number of people who are pissed. and it is Dumb, Dumb, Dumb. Not Dum, Dum Dum, Dummy Do you work for them?

[imjustdave@hotmail.com]

The point he is trying to make is they use very high presure sales, I was promised a lot of things, and never have seen any of them and again a 4K processing machine is expense when you think about the fact you can get them for less then 100. off of ebay

I too got the shaft from them, so im looking for help too :(

[lbae95133]

I SWEAR, HEARING THAT NAME MBF LEASING MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL.
MY CASE IS LIKE YOURS BUT MORE COSTLY. IT WAS ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO, AND THEY CAME AFTER ME FOR ABOUT $8000 FOR CREDIT CARD TERMINAL.
I RETURNED THE DAMN TERMINAL RIGHT AWAY WHEN I FOUND OUT THE TRUTH, AND THEY TRIED HARD TO GET MONEY FROM ME. AFTER A WHILE, MBF LEASING TRIED TO MAKE A DEAL, OFFERING DISCOUNTS.

DON'T WORRY. THEY WILL NOT TAKE THE CASE TO COURT.
THEY WILL GIVE YOU ALL KINDS OF THREATS.... HOW I HAVE TO COME TO NEW YORK FOR TRIALS... COSTLY ATTORNEY FEES, HOW COLD IT IS IN NEW YORK DURING WINTER....
I TOLD THAT SON OF ... LUIS IS THE NAME, TO GO TO HELL. ACTUALLY, I TOLD HIM THAT HE SHOULD CATCH DISEASE AND DIE. SUCH SCUM... MAKING OTHERS FEEL SO STRESSED AND VICTIMIZED. I REALLY HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS KIND OF CRIME.


I WANT TO PROVIDE MORE DETAILS BUT DUE TO LACK TO TIME, I WIL JUST LEAVE SOME INFO I HAVE.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff179465.htm

[Travelinghairguy]

Just wanted to add myself to the list.
I have had my machine for 1 year now, and still have 2 years left on my lease. It was a scam from the moment I signed the papers, and they said there was no way out of it. Every time I called United Merchant Services in Bellevue WA, I got the run around, and there was a new person there just about every month. I was lied to from the very beginning about how the machine would work, and the things it would do. Now my machine doesn't work, and when I called them, there phones have been disconnected. No way to reach them. So today I called my bank and told them to dispute their charges. I am so sick of everything that I have had to do, I wanted this machine to make my life easier, and all I got was a much bigger headache.
After talking to the processing company directly, I too found out that they charged me about $2000.00 more than the machine cost! I wasn't happy.
I get charged a total of $150.00 a month between the lease and the processing fees. My business is very small, and I don't use the machine enough to pay for having it. I just want to be done with United Merchant Services and MBF Leasing.
Chuck

[imjustdave@hotmail.com]

Chuck and others scamed.

I too have this issue, Im having my attorney looking into the issue right now. I dont' know how hard it would be to start a class action law suit, but honestly I would be interested in doing just that. In fact I would rather spend the $4K they say I own them to pay for such a endevor.

To those who say its our own fault or we should have known better.

You need to remember a few things.
#1 Most who have been scamed are new in buisness, IE less then 6 months old
#2 They call daily trying to setup a sales pitch
#3 They have sales guys who, first befriend you, and in my case sympathise and suposedly just got out of my buisness and promise to hook you up with people that could get me lots of work.
#4 Tell you that you will save money by using them and that they have great Customer service, cheap rate ETC.
#5 As I have heard many times, the guy plays stupid on the aplication form and just has you fill out what he knows and the finial copy you will get when they install.
#6 In my case they dropped off a non funtioning unit.
#7 when you call to cancell, they pull out 3-4 more pages of a contract that you never see when you sign up to begin with. My Signature doesn't appear on these pages.
#8 when your new in buisness your trying to make everything work, and accepting credit cards just seems like the next logical step, they pray on your newness, and tell you anything to sign up.
#9 There scamers big time. Lie lie lie until your signed up and then your screwed, and they call you endlessly and hang up all the time.
#10 They are not willing to help you in any way.

[Art21]

I am new to this nightmare, after just receiving my first phone call 5 days ago and then receiving a forged contract in the mail with my SSN (not my business Tax ID) and personal home address. Talk about fear to the bone after seeing that!

However, after taking a few deep breaths, I flipped the phone conversation. I am telling those low paid, uneducated phone people they are just like their management - breaking the law calling so often and that their company forges contracts and mails them across state lines - making it a Federal offense. I called several times and asked for name and their managers names. I insisted on getting the names of the related companies for my research. I got some info, but eventually, THEY asked me not to call again.

Bottom line, I also think we should all get together and launch a class action civil suit, but also go after them in the criminal courts. I looked into the web registars names and addresses plus looked at the sites they had in the waybackmachine.com and found other numbers and names. These guys are crooks.
Has anybody ever sued before or pulled in the feds before?

[bignjr]

I was unfortunately another victim of Northern Leasing. The only difference in my case is that I dealt with Axis Merchant group from the beggining. They also promised me to provide great services to my customers, etc, etc. The lease I signed through Axis merchant group for Northern leasing does not state how long the lease will be but when I began complaining to Axis merchant group, they sent me a complete package of all the forms I signed. In this package I found an Axis merchant group rep or a Northern leasing rep had filled in my lease for two years.

The CEO of Axis merchant group, Antony Manzilla, came down personally to my business trying to resolve the problem. He promised to cancel the lease and refund every single charge. He did it for the first couple of months but now he refuses to help me cancel or transfer the lease as he promised and now he ignores my phone calls and does not return my calls.

As the saying goes, "birds of the same feather flock together". In this case Axis Merchant group located at 500 Airport Blvd, Ste 405 Burlingame , CA , 94010 Tel: 800-799-2947 and Northern leasing are the same type of thiefs praying on small business owners.

I hope a class action lawsuit does get started agains Northern leasing and mayb even Axis merchant group.

DO NOT USE Axis merchant group or Northern leasing company.

[gslse403]

I am disgusted that I allowed MBF Leasing and Merchant Services Rip me off.
I had been in business about 6 months with only two credit card transactions ever, Adam Cook a Rep. for Merchant Services came into my business trying to get me to sign a contract with his company, stating all of these perks, gift cards and special offers that came along with the merchant service package. I was very hesitant to sign the contract because it was a five year commitment. I had no idea where my business would be in five years. Adam assured me that if the business closed I could cancel the contract. I would need to provide proof, such as cancelled business license, resale license and etc. He also pointed out to me that the contract states, that the early termination fee was $395 if cancelled within the first year and $295 thereafter. After nearly two weeks I finally agreed to sign the contract with his company. I was originally told that it would be a monthly fee of $69.00 yet I have been billed $80.00 each month. Now it has been about a 1 1/2 years and I am no longer in business. I contacted Merchant Services to inform them I had closed my business. I also needed the address to send the terminal equipment back. They told me to contact MBF Leasing at 888-275-3251. I then contacted MBF Leasing to make arrangements to return the equipment. I was informed that I could not cancel the lease. I could pay the remaining $2400 and then I would have the option to purchase the equipment. The way they calculate the buy out option is 10% of the total amount of the lease payments. That means this credit card terminal will cost me $3359..22 and if I want to own it I could pay them an additional $335.92. Needless to say I am shocked. I think I ran a total of 11 or 12 credit card transactions on it. I had them fax me a copy of lease agreement. Their copy has four pages. The one I have only has one. The three pages that were not included with my original packet covers in depth all the lease terms. I also read that there is no warranty whatsoever on the equipment. Huh? I find it strange that I was not required to sign at the bottom of the last page indicating that I had read and accepted the terms of the lease. I am extremely disappointed in myself for trusting Adam Cook. It does not seem right that an agent for a large company such as Merchant Services can get away with such deceit.

I visited Ebay.com to see if anyone was selling a Nurit 2085 terminal like the one Adam Cook sold to me for nearly $3500.00. I can buy the same exact terminal brand new on Ebay for $155.90 including shipping. Plus it has a 60 day 100% money back guarantee. A seven year warranty and a two year supply of terminal paper. No Merchant Account required. Not to mention that I already owned a credit card terminal but Adam Cook said that his company does not support Eclipse telecheck terminals.

After reviewing all the original documents supplied to me by Adam Cook and the documents faxed to me from MBF Leasing a year later I have found some discrepancies. Information that Adam Cook filled in after I signed the contract and more. I recently looked up MBF Leasing on the internet and found complaint after complaint.Other small business describing almost word for word my exact situation. How can these companies get away with this kind of misrepresentation and lies. Every complaint that I read regarding this company mentions something about starting a class action suit. I am at a loss. As if closing the doors to my dream business was not difficult enough. I don’t know which government agencies to contact. These companies should not be allowed to get away with this. Karma is a ...

[mbfscams]

Strength in numbers.

MBF Leasing LLC, Northern Leasing Systems Inc., CIT Leasg Finance Group, Congress Financial, Merchant Services, even a former judge involved with the MOB!!

Fighting back IS POSSIBLE!!!

Learn more about it here: http://www.mbfleasing.org/index-tmp.php

[MURPHYJUNK]

we got screwed over some time ago by similar scam ( mpi and a-1 leasing)


a few days ago Merchant Services sales rep came in to try and get us to change from costco credit card service ( costco works fine, no bogus charges or lease as we own a maching now)

anyway, he gave me his card with local business address and phone number, I asked him for further id ( his driverl lic) he handed it to me, I proceeded to copy his address from it, he got upset and asked why, I told him we got scammed before and I wanted to know where to find him if this turned out to be a scam.
he grabbed his card and dl and took off like his ass was on fire.

I suggest anyone with a bisiness that has sales persons come to their businesses ask for acutal id, if they withhold it they are probably running a scam, or at least very worried about dealing with unhappy customers personally

better yet, when one of these jerks show up, take their picture and post it on the net with any details you get

[Sela]

I too was just recently scammed by Universal Merchant Services in Irvine California 949-861-4000. I, of course ,fell like an idiot but being the decent honest business person that I am, I assume that others are the same (what a mistake). Our company is closing our bank account and opening up a new one. We are sending back the equipment that we fraudulenty got lured into sigining a $300/mo 48/mo lease. They are the biggest scam artists that I have ever come across. If they try and sue us we will sue them for fraud with plenty of evidence to back it up. Why aren't they out of business?

[Elmo9999]

I own a business in California and I'm a victim of MBF Leasing and Merchant Services. As in all the posts noted above they say how much money a business will save by using their machine and services but the fact is it cost us thousands for a machine that is worth maybe $150.00 and the total lease cost being over $14,000.00. How is it that scam organizations like this can exist? The sales people that call make all types of claims but of course none of it is true. They run the same scam over and over and continue to stay in business. We will take it to a jury trail if necessary, the scum will not get away with it. I'm going to contact the attorney in New York concerning the class action suite. They need to be put out of business. They are SCUM.

[Rip Off Investigator]

If you feel you have been ripped off by Merchant Services, MBF Leasing or other companies please contact us. We are a professional investigation firm which specializes in these types of investigations. We are interested in speaking with you about your contract, billing, fees, and how you were approached for service. Your information will be kept confidential.Our company name and contact information has been intentionally left out to maintain the confidentiality of the investigation.

You can contact us by sending an email to merchantripoff@gmail.com. Please include a way for us to contact you. Again, your information will be kept confidential.

[beadlet]

my husband was the manager at a family owned business. And he was told not to sign for a sign by this company, but he didn't listen. No one knows where the paperwork is, as the business has now been closed. It's only been remembered that the contract was for 3 years, and supposively they were able to sell the sign back for the balance owing. The person who sold them the sign quit about a month after they got it. No answers, all lies. I didn't know my husband had signed for this until after it was too late. Fast forward 3 years now. They still insisted on money, and we do not have the sign. My husband offered to finish paying it off (thinking it would hurt his credit score, and we are trying to get a house), but in the mean time, he did one credit card payment. From then on they took it upon themselves to take money directly out of his account. At first the 8th of the month, then suddenly the 15th of the month, then now the 10th. Thankfully my husband got paid the day he did from work or else they would of caused us overdraft. They keep saying he owes more and more money. We owe back pay for the months the store was closed, and on top of that, they are still tacking on monthly payments. Like I said, no one knows where the paperwork is, and of course the company doesn't want to answer any questions. My husband doesn't want to talk to them (thinking they will ask for more $ we don't have, the back payments). I am not allowed to talk to them (husband won't let me), and when I've tried calling them during business hours, I get their answering machine that they are already closed for the day.
I absolutely hate this company.

[imjustdave@hotmail.com]

When the buisness was closed did you just shut the door or was there a sell off, and or bankruptcy? if so not your issue any more. I recon it depends on how you want to fight it? and how much you owe. I say get the house and then call the Credit card company that they are taking the money from and claim a fraud on most of the charges and fight back. If not just call them and agree on amount to settle that will work for both of you. In the end for me I just settled to shut them up, yes it sucked, but lesson learned, I recon when I have some more free time I will join one of the legal actions and fight back.

[bignjr]

As mentioned before on this report, I had been taken by an Axis Merchant group salesman. Fortunately I made copies of all documents I signed with the Axis Merchant Group agent.

I believe my "back down to no one" attitude, my persistance, knowledge of the legal system and the copies of all documents is what helped me solve this problem.

After months Antony Manzilla and giving me "lip service" with empty promises, I was finally given the cold shoulder. He had one of his "customer service manager" call me and resolve the issue. After dealing with him, I got nowhere either. Finally I got fed up and reported them to the BBB. After that they promissed to resolve the issue but it was again simply their "lip service."

Throughout this time, Norther Leasing sent my account to collections and began showing on my credit report. However, I contacted Norther Leasing's legal department and reported Axis Merchant group fraudulent deals. They reviewed my situation and realized, the same thing Antony Manzilla realized months before, that Axis Merchant Group's agent had commited fraud on the application.

After a long time of dealing with Norther leasing, they finally cancelled my "lease" and removed the collection account from my credit report.

My suggestion to anybody else that is thinking about dealing with Axis Merchant group or Northern Leasing is:

Read and understand ALL terms of the contracts you sign
Make copies of ALL documents you sign (this will prove what you originally agreed to, which is what I did)
Get all the information from the agent that approaches you
DONT be a fool! They will try to sell you on their "uneccessary" services by giving you the best case scenario. Agree only if you feel it is for your best interest.

Would I recommend Axis Merchant Group to anybody?.......my answer is a firm and resounding NOOOOOOOOOO!

[tlesnau]

HELP!!! I have been a victim of Northern leasing's scam since 2004. I didn't realize that is was as major as it has turned out to be. They took out nearly $2000 out of my account. The rest of the story is the same as the hundreds if not thousands of other fallen victims. I've been doing some research. I know that people have made attempts but has anyone been able to do anything? I am looking to start a class action suit against them, can anyone help or advice me in what direction I should go?
Thanks

[MBF Scam]

These guys are horrible and are nothing but scam artists.

Their salesman came to my store and say that they will guarantee any checks that I take. He said their MBF machine that they use is the same system Wal-Mart uses. The salesman said that as long as their MBF machine approves a check, they will guarantee that it is good, or they will pay me immediately. When checks started to get returned after their machine "approved" them, the company said they would "guarantee" to pay me "only when they can recover the funds from the bad checks". See the difference there???

Meanwhile, I am stuck with these bad checks and a useless machine. So what good was the machine for, I asked? I told them to take back the machine. They refused, claiming that I signed up for 48 months service. I refused, and had to close my bank account because they were taking money out from it.

Now, I just found out that they put a bad negative report on my credit report.

I am going to fight this with everything that I have.

I was wondering if there is somekind of a class action lawsuit. I live in Texas, if it means anything.

People, please beware of the MBF and their sister company called "Integrity". Isn't it ironic that they are called "Integrity" when they are scamming people left and right?

[lbae95133]

On May 24, 2010 I found a court filing document slipped under my door from MBF Leasing. I have been sued, and have to go to New York to attend the court hearing, and I'm from California. I have read that one of their tactics is to change the court date on last minute. Imagine finding out that you have to come back again. I hear that they use this tactic over and over again. I also read that MBF Leasing is in business of litigation. They are very well organized and experienced group, aware of all the loop holes. I hired a lawyer in New York (Chittur & Associates), expert on MBF Leasing. I have been told that none of the MBF clients had to pay a dime. There is a flat fee for the represenation, but I hope to get it back soon or later. Now there are much information online about MBF scam, even a facebook page, and I feel that momentum is building at last. Compared to 2005, there are much more info online now. I found a link to ABC News Report on MBF Leasing http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?se...ors&id=6802369 But still they carry on their scams. I hope to see them fall and go to jail.

[cliffgamble]

It has been 10 years since first dealing with Northern Leasing. Now, I have just received a letter from them demanding over $5,000 for equipment, software and services that I never received. They are offering me a 50% settlement. Hah. I believe NLS to be as crooked as the individuals that got me involved with them, John T. Polk and his 2xtreme Performance International/USassurance/Akahi.com, inc associates. John and at least one company official was fined and went to Federal prison.

I will be glad to participate in any class action suit against them, especially here in California Federal Court.