First American Payment Systems Complaint

zamalek says: (1 week ago)

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I would like to thank Jeff and Tarrantcounty for their comments. First American Payment Systems has referred my case to a "collections" outfit which has sent me another threatening letter. Of course, I intend to fight them to the bitter end in order to clear my name. Also, I will lodge complaints with the FTC and take any other legal action to expose this deceitful and fraudulent company.
Thanks gain!
Lee

TarrantCounty says: (1 week ago)

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Concerning the comment that"jackkeebler" wrote. Apparently he is an employee of FAPS (First American Payment Systems). I WAS and employee in the System Implementation department - that department is in charge of calling merchants who have either received equipment from FAPS or have switched over to FAPS and needed to have their equipment reprogrammed. Many times, I have heard from merchants that they were told to 'sign here' so that we can get you started to see what they're rates would be for processing. Little did they know that they were signing a contract. Most Sales Representatives will lie and tell you what you want to hear just to make a deal. FAPS has many third party Independent Sales Offices (ISO's)APPSTAR FINANCIAL
Eliot Management
FIRST ADVANTAGE
MERIMAC CAPITAL
Summit Merchant Solutions
TRANS TECH
TRANSTECH MERCHANT GROUP
If a merchant originally signed up with, let's say for example, Transtech and they have a 3 year contract and an Appstar Sales Rep told that same merchant that he/she could get them better rates. If the original contract with Transtech was in it's 2nd year, then the merchant will have to pay a closing fee. Once the merchant realizes that, he will call to cancel the contract with Appstar - but guess what? Appstar will require a 'closing fee' of about $500 - now mind you, Transtech and Appstar, among others, all process with FAPS - FAPS doesn't care that the merchant has to pay a fee or make any exceptions.

Another problem I found is that their "Research and Development" group is a joke - they put out equipment that really hasn't been tested like it should nor does the Technical that oversees the R & D have the smarts of what is going on with the exception of 1 young lady in that department - Yvette.

Another issue with FAPS is that early in 2008, the company identified approximately 1000 merchants that had been double billed. These merchants could have been refunded on their next bill but instead, Management decided that it would ONLY REFUND the merchant ONLY IF that merchant caught it and called in about the billing problem. If the merchant did not call, then they would not be refunded. The over charges could not have amounted to a few thousand dollars but because of THEIR GREED and uncaring just for the sake of money. I guess this is how Neil Randall, the owner of FAPS is able to build a home in 2007 in an exclusive part of Fort Worth, TX. Ever hear of the originator of Radio Shack - his family live in this exclusive area.
Just thought you might want to be aware.

TarrantCounty says: (1 week ago)

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Concerning "jackkeeble" reply - apparently he's a FAPS (First American Payment Systems) employee. I WAS

Jeff123 says: (4 weeks ago)

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Dig a little, it's easy to find a lot of dirt on First American Payment Systems.

http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/28257/

Small Business Fights Back as Merchant Credit Card Provider Scam Strikes Again

NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Oakland, CA, United States, 01/10/2008 - First American Payment System-Merimac Capital and Affiliates has been accused-yet again-of fraudulent billing, deceit, and not honoring its non-cancelable lease agreements with customers. Small business owner fights back.


Dallas, Texas based merchant equipment provider, First American Payment System-Merimac Capital and Affiliates has been accused-yet again-of fraudulent billing, deceit, and not honoring its non-cancelable lease agreements with customers.

In March of 2006, Body Bar shop owner, Triche Christmon, signed a 48 month non-cancelable lease with First American for a “Way 2 Pay” wireless merchant credit card machine. “From the beginning there were issues” claims Christmon.

Several months into her contract, she says the device wouldn’t power on and the charger stopped working completely. After contacting Merimac Capital’s technical support about her troubles, Christmon says they replaced their charger but her problems with the machine itself still persisted.

“It was like they completely ignored us. We told them about the problems we were having with the machine and we still didn’t receive assistance in repairing or replacing our equipment.” stated Christmon. They began losing revenue and were forced to turn away customers who wanted to use their credit or debit cards to pay for purchases.

“Our business has really suffered. We’re losing money and to make matters worse, they have the nerve to continue to bill us. There are no merchant charges because the equipment doesn’t work, so what are they billing us for?” demands the angry shop owner. “We feel as business consumers that Merimac Capital should provide adequate working equipment. That is what business owners are paying for."

The problems with First American Payment System-Merimac Capital only escalated from there. Body Bar experience double debiting from there Bank of America Business Account, and Crystal Whitehall of Merimac Capital refused to honor the contract by providing Body Bar with replacement equipment unless they continued to pay monthly fees on the lease. When no agreement could be made Crystal Whitehall sent Body Bar to collections for the full amount of lease.

Christmon says that she will take her fight public until the company acknowledges their wrong doing.
According to Christmon, her recent research into the companies past business dealings has turned up less than favorable reviews. She found that in 2005 The Federal Trade Commission settled a lawsuit against First American Payment Processing, Inc. the FTC alleged that the defendants violated the law when they helped fraudulent telemarketers by electronically double debiting consumers bank accounts.

Body Bar has been forced to take further recourse due to Merimac Capital’s failure to perform their obligation under its non-cancelable contract. Body Bar filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau and plans to file in small claims court.

Jeff123 says: (4 weeks ago)

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Just look at First American Payment Systems BBB report...The company's size, volume of business and number of transactions may have a bearing on the number of complaints received by the BBB. The complaints filed against a company may not be as important as the type of complaints, and how the company has handled them. The BBB generally does not pass judgment on the validity of complaints filed.
Number of complaints processed by the BBB
in the last 36 months: 225
in the last 12 months: 114
Complaints Concerned:
Selling Practices (58 complaints)
53 Resolved
5 Company made every reasonable effort to resolve

Service Issues (39 complaints)
35 Resolved
4 Company made every reasonable effort to resolve

Customer Service Issues (2 complaints)
2 Resolved

Credit or Billing Disputes (42 complaints)
37 Resolved
5 Company made every reasonable effort to resolve

Delivery Issues (2 complaints)
2 Resolved

Refund Practices (9 complaints)
6 Resolved
3 Company made every reasonable effort to resolve

Product Quality (5 complaints)
5 Resolved

Contract Disputes (65 complaints)
56 Resolved
8 Company made every reasonable effort to resolve
1 The parties could not provide sufficient information to support their positions nor agreeable to make reasonable efforts toward resolving the issue of the dispute

Repair Issues (2 complaints)
1 Resolved
1 Company made every reasonable effort to resolve.

Be very wary of this company and all of thier alternate names which are APPSTAR FINANCIAL
Eliot Management
FIRST ADVANTAGE
MERIMAC CAPITAL
Summit Merchant Solutions
TRANS TECH
TRANSTECH MERCHANT GROUP

zamalek says: (2 months ago)

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This is an insensitive and uninformed comment by jackkeebler. First American Payment systems did NOT provide me with all the pages of the agreement at the time of signing. How was I to know that there was another four pages of fine print, which to this day they have not provided me? They faxed me illegible copies when I complained about the unauthorized charges and never mailed them to me when I complained that I could not read them. I would suggest that you read the complaint carefully before you pass judgment on my behavior. First American Payment Systems has a long history of hiding behind the fine prints of their contracts, only with me, they did not even bother to hand me all the fine print! Also, First American Payment Systems debited my bank account with Discover Card charges that I did not authorize; when I complained, they referred me to Discover Card, who refused to reverse the charges! It's easy to make general comments about reading the agreements carefully before signing, etc., but if the company is deceitful, they have a way of hiding the clauses which they know will raise a white flag with their prospective customers. In my case, they did not even bother to provide all the documents at the time of signing. By the way, I am not the only one who complained about First American Payment Systems. If you look up their name on the Better Business Bureau site, you will find out that this company has a long history of deceitful practices, and mnay complaints by merchants. I have signed many agreements in my 34 years in business and never defaulted on any of them. First American Systems did ruin my credit history by reporting me to the credit bureaus, and my credit was reduced by several thousands of dollars by at least two credit cards companies. I have disputed these reports, and for as long as it takes, I will keep fighting them to clear my name, to reimburse the unauthorised charges, and to expose them so that will think twice before deceiving other merchants.

jackkeebler says: (2 months ago)

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Alot of people want to put the blame on the first american or other processing companies that the ruined this and ruined that. It is the merchants fault do they know not how to read a contract after all it is their business they do not have to get forced in to anything. Almost all credit card processing companies charge closing fees not just first american if merchants would learn how to read it would save alot of these ridiculous posts. Stop putting the blame on other people when you could have read the terms and conditions and asked all of the appropriat questions.