Cashback America rebate - scam?

[rjw108]

My wife and I purchased a timeshare in Mexico five years ago. While the price of the timeshare was in line with most others, they offered as an incentive a significant (80%) rebate through a company in Orlando, Florida called Cashback America. This company had been in business quite a while and offered similar rebates with other items, including new cars, etc.

The rebate requirements, spelled out in a rather lengthy contract, were very stringent, and ultimately required that we return a number of original documents to a specific address by certified mail within a 30-day period, 54 months after the date of the sale. We were told up front that most people forget one thing or another which was why they continued to offer such rebates.

As we approached the 30-day period, which began at the end of October, 2007, I contacted the phone number listed several times to verify that we were doing everything properly, including sending to the correct, updated address. The office manager answered all my questions pretty thoroughly each time, and I was confident that we had everything we needed.

We sent in the completed materials and received back the receipt from the Post Office a week later. The original terms indicated that we would hear from them within six to eight weeks, which would have been by the first week of January.

When we did not receive any response at that time, I tried calliing their office again. I got a busy signal all week. The following week there was a recording saying that the phone number was no longer in service, with no further information. There website, www.cashbackamerica.com, is still running, but there seems to be no way to contact them anymore.

Our rebate was for over $7000. How do we go about pursuing what we are owed?

[judg4]

Based on what you say here, you could file suit against them (or at least threaten to do so) in small claims court or in regular court; filing in small claims court is easier and requires no attorney...you could try to collect all of the costs and damages that you suffered due to their behavior... You may also report them to your state attorney general's office. WLD attorneys may also become directly involved, though they normally do charge a fee for that.

Thank you for your kind reply.

Since I cannot seem to contact the company, I don't think I can threaten them, but I will look into the small claims court. I assume it has to be in their state (Florida) or jurisdiction.

Which state's attorney general would I look to? Mine (Illinois) or theirs (FL)?

Also, (forgive my ignorance) what is a WLD attorney?

[rjw108]

Re: Cashback America rebate - scam?

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Thank you for your kind reply.

Since I cannot seem to contact the company, I don't think I can threaten them, but I will look into the small claims court. I assume it has to be in their state (Florida) or jurisdiction.

Which state's attorney general would I look to? Mine (Illinois) or theirs (FL)?

Also, (forgive my ignorance) what is a WLD attorney?

I was also duped by these guys. I filed a complaint with the Florida attorney general - they have a lawsuit pending that I am hoping I can get included in so I don't continue to lose more money to these rip off artists. File it at Florida Attorney General - Home Page
Better Business Bureau in Florida is no longer accepting complaints for Cashback America or United States Administrative Service (USAS) who supposedly pays out the claims.
For details and others that are affected by this - please read Cashback America Sucks > Home
How sad these 2 guys got away with this for soooo long without being stopped.

I too was a victim of these rebate scams, three times within a month, even convincing someone else to do the same! After my mother had sent in her information and didn't receive her rebate within the 6-8weeks, I decided too late to get on the internet and see what I could find out about both of these companies. I was dismayed by what I saw and had to call her about the bad news, that she would not be receiving her rebate!

It sure is a scam, we brought a piano in wayne Piano outlet on Rt46. (I mention their name cause I think they too should be responsible,) it was their promotion. Anyway we waited 35 months, followed instructions and after 8 weeks , i called today, their phone and website no longer active.
Could mer in if theres a civil suit. And let try to find pohotos of these 2 guys running the scam and post them on Youtube. And even get abc or nbc or a network to do a story on them.

Cashback America in Orlando Fl is no longer in business and owes me $7,000 from my timeshare purchase in Belize from Costa Maya Reef Resort. The time frame for filing my coupon is 54 months from 2/4/04 to 8/4/08 to US Admin Trust Co, which I found out from the new Fairmount Resort owners no longer exists. I have contacted the FL Attorney General's office and hope to get results.

I too purchased a timeshare in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) with the enticement that $6,000 would be refunded to me after 54 months, if I successfully completed a very specific registration and fulfillment procedure. The final step was submission of a redemption claim with USA Trust Company (Cashback America, Inc) at their address in Orlando Florida. I mailed the redemption request On June 30 and it was returned to me as undeliverable today. I intend to contact the office of the Florida attorney general. I would appreciate advice on any other steps I should take to support any action against the perpetrators of this scam.

[loved08]

i don't understand why you guys all fell for this? has everyone not learned that in today's world you HAVE to do research for this crap. do you really believe these salesmen? of COURSE they're going to tell you it's ok, etc. they're making TONS of $ off of you ppl. do you realize they're %age when u buy these products that are worth thousands? hello? do you REALLY have this money to throw away? just take their word for it.
sorry i'm not trying to criticize and be a witch but this is ridiculous. there are sooo many scams out there; they're too easy now. just put ur page on the internet and everyone comes running. my mom builds webpages. she's slow at it too...know how long it takes her? about 6-9 hrs. depends on how detailed it is. not hard.
don't believe everything you read. it's not a world where ppl are actually caring anymore; they're all basically selfish and evil. next time do some research BEFORE you buy such a high-priced item; like a HOUSE. eeeeeh.