PCFS Mastercard Gift Card- Scam?

[Frogdog]

Hi all! I've been lurking on CB for awhile (have all my scores up from mid 500's to mid 600's!) Usually the search feature finds anything I'd need, but today it's not.

 

I got home from work and found a letter from Holiday, FL. It is from PCFS, and the letter says,

 

"Dear Frogdog,

Congratulations, PCFS would like to reward you with a MasterCard Gift Card. There is NOTHING TO BUY, and no deposits to make. This is our way of showing our appreciation for your testimonial. You can use your Gift Card at gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, or anywhere that Master Card is accepted.

 

Sincerely,

Renee Wiggins

Chief Marketing Officer

PCFS"

 

It then has an "activation" number of 1-877-888-9882. I called it to see what the heck this was and you are supposed to leave your information on a voicemail and an operator will get back to you. I didn't because if this is a credit scam, I want no such recording that could be deemed an acceptance of the offer.

 

The bottom of the letter has the "opt out" notice along with the opt-out number for Transunion.

 

I didn't do a testimonial, and I have never worked with PCFS before. Anyone have any idea of what this "gift card" is???

 

Thanks!

[mk_378]

No card in the envelope? If you really were sent a gift card, you'd have an actual plastic card with raised numbers, Mastercard hologram, etc. now and just need to call the number on the back of the card to confirm receipt and activate it.

 

They aren't telling you what the card is/will be worth either?

 

My guess is they are trying to sell you something. They will take your information and a salesman will follow up. You may have to travel to see some dubious timeshare "resort." After the sales presentation you might get a gift card regardless of whether you buy or not. "Nothing to buy" really means "You don't HAVE to buy anything, but we're really going to try to sell it to you."

 

They pulled your TU report to see if you were quailfied for them to finance whatever they're going to sell you.

[BlueGhost]

TrueCredit was taking testimonials and are part of TU..did U do one of those?

 

BG

[Frogdog]

TrueCredit was taking testimonials and are part of TU..did U do one of those?

 

BG

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I am a member of TrueCredit (raised my credit score a lot with disputes and such) but did not do a testimonial. The card was in the envelope and appears to be a real card. It says it is worth $300!!!

 

That's why I'm skeptical.

[NoBull]

Sounds like a SCAM to me.

 

If somebody sends you a $300 gift card in the mail, and you do not know, nor can you tell, what you did (or will do) to earn that, there is a SCAM hiding somewhere.

[candyl]

I know this thread is 4 months old...

I just got this "giftcard" in the mail. No way I'll even call the number but dang this is weird. Stinks so bad, I bet you guys can smell it over the message board.

Who are these people and what do they want? Seriously, they scare me!

[mavsfan]

Received this card in the mail today. If you conslidate your student loans with them, they will activate the $300 gift card. Just thought those of you who received it would like to know the whole scoop. It's legit but it's basically an incentive to consolidate with a particular lender. Oh yeah, the lender website is pcfsloans.com

Edited May 26, 2006 by mavsfan

[stiltner]

Avoid PCFS, they're dirtbag lenders.

 

If you really want the details, I'll share them with you, but just trust me. They're as rotten as a CA, and I mean that in the nicest way possible

[BBQ123]

So this is a real giftcard they sent... but it is just inactive?

[aiken]

Hmm, I just got the very same letter and card. Hmmmm. What i don't get is why they are so secretive about who they are. They do say that the card is for a "testimonial", which makes no sense if you have never heard of PCFS. No address on the back, no name, nothing that would enable you to identify who just sent me $300 for a "testimonial".

[Tek]

Hmm, I just got the very same letter and card. Hmmmm. What i don't get is why they are so secretive about who they are. They do say that the card is for a "testimonial", which makes no sense if you have never heard of PCFS. No address on the back, no name, nothing that would enable you to identify who just sent me $300 for a "testimonial".

 

 

This thread is old, but I just received SAME EXACT offer in the mail yesterday, 4/14. Does anyone know what this is about or did anyone in this thread call them?

Edited April 15, 2007 by Tek

[eliwhitney5700]

Hi everyone - it's not that big a deal, although I've read accusations of "bait and switch," which may be an appropriate term.

 

Anyway, PCFS wants you to call in response to the $300 gift card so that they can solicit your business - they want to consolidate your loans. I have no information on the quality of the consolidation programs offered by PCFS, but I did some research on this offer and apparently if you call the 877 #, they will call you back and offer to consolidate your loans. If you accept their offer, and provide a testimony for them to include on their website, you can then activate your $300 gift card. That's it. You're not being robbed or cheated, but yes, shredding it is a good idea if you're not interested in their services.

 

On the back of the letter there is an "opt out" notice - if you go follow the instructions, this and other credit and lending institutions may be blocked from sending you further offers. I say go for it.