I feel that my personally identifiable information (PII) has been taken from me by moneygram.com using fraudulent or misleading business practices. I attempted to transfer money to my brother using moneygram.com online services. They asked for my name, address, date of birth, last four digits of social, credit card info. and other personal details related to where I lived, went to school, etc. They still would not process my transfer request and required I call their 800 number. Upon doing so, they asked me additional detailed information and told me the transaction should work. I kept them on the line while I tried processing the transfer again. Again it did not work. They then told me that if I registered with them as a member then it would work. So I registered with them and it worked this time (but the transfer was pending). Then I started getting emails telling me I was signed up for moneygram prime and some type of money gram noticing stuff. Hours later I get an email saying the transfer would not process because they needed to verify my identity again. I called the 800 number this time quite angry since the lady on the first phone call told me this would not happen again. They again began to ask me personal questions like when was the last time I saw my brother and whether I intended to send him any more money. Furious, I told them to cancel my transfer request and I also told them I would file a complaint with whomever regulates them, which I did. All this for a transfer of a minor sum. I doubt they are complying with the Payment Card Industry Standards for handling personally identifiable information nor are they meeting fair trade practices. The level of personal detail they insist on having and the information they have access to by my providing my date of birth and social security number is an invasion of privacy and beyond that which should be acceptable. I filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the State of California Attorney General's Office. They are clearly engaged in deceptive and misleading business practices and are engaged in consumer deception by persuading individuals to register with them (rather than processing payments as a guest), by signing consumers up for services not requested, by misusing and storing private information without adequate security or safeguards and by intruding upon the personal privacy of individuals beyond that which is acceptable industry practice. Just because I am forced to register with them to transfer money should not give them the right to sign me up for services I do not want and have not requested. I see this as a violation of California Business and Professions Code 17200 et seq and 17500 et seq; state of California statutes pertaining to the use, distribution and handling of private information; and, other laws (both state and federal) pertaining to unfair trade practices. If you have had similar or related experiences with moneygram.com, then you have the right to file a complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov) and with the state of California Attorney General. You can also file a complaint with those states where moneygram is licensed; specifically, the state of New York, and others (look them up on their website--bottom of page). Their address for service of process and corporate headquarters is as follows: MONEYGRAM PAYMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
Entity Address: 3000 INTERNET BLVD, STE 300
Entity City, State, Zip: FRISCO TX 75034
Agent for Service of Process: C T CORPORATION SYSTEM
Agent Address: 818 WEST SEVENTH ST STE 930
Agent City, State, Zip: LOS ANGELES CA 90017
In California you can personally file a claim in Small Claims Court for a refund of their service fee if you believe they have violated applicable law, the terms of contract or other laws. They cannot bring their lawyers to small claims court in California--they have to face you on their own. read more