USAGC.org Green Card Lottery scam
Complaint 310858 Details

Hi guys,

Recently (Jan'14) I was tricked by USAGC.org into two purchases for total amount $ 1,116. I decided to do follow up research and realized that USAGC is a scam company. My next steps were blocking my credit card, requesting charge back in by bank and at the same time from USAGC customer support team.
• Supervisor Yulia Simpson ([email protected]);
• "support" <[email protected]>;
• Phone contacts appears to be from Russian mobiles -- but I realize that they might use IP Telephone services).

In a 5 working days I was contacted by USAGC by phone and had short conversation with another supervisor -- Irina. She asked me what is wrong and why I want to cancel my membership. I told that I don't trust this company anymore as I did specified all my reasons in by email. In answer she told that I agreed to all the terms from this company and I can't now request any charge backs or refund. I told that:
1. I'm sure that payment method when they ask for CC number and CVV over phone or by email is illegal. Services provided are not trustworthy.
2. I forbid them to keep my personal data and use them for placing by application on official US site (which is dvlottery.state.gov by the way).
3. I insist on canceling USAGC services whatsoever and insist on full refund.

Irina informed me that I can't request any refund. That she will freeze my application form for now but won't delete my data. Full chargeback is not possible -- only partial refund in a manner of discount. But not more.
I insisted on my initial requirements based on statement that their services are not legal; they can't keep and use my personal data without my permission. As a service company (as they claim to be) they can't stop me from cancelling their service cause it is against law protecting customer rights (that is my interpretation of course).

I also informed Irina that I created reports on official sites that will help to build cases against them (see http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/general/fraud.html). Here is a list:

1. http://www.ftc.gov/complaint
2. http://www.econsumer.gov/ -- joint effort of consumer protection agencies from 17 nations (posted by FTC);
3. http://www.ic3.gov/ -- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), internet crime complaint center.
4. http://www.usdoj.gov/spam.htm -- department  of justice.

In a few ours after phone call Irina sent me email where promised to do a charge back for second purchase only in a 14 business days. Today is 03/06/2014 -- 14 days are not over and I don't see refund from USAGC. So no result yet, but I will continue my struggle anyway. Will keep you posted.

If you accidentally become victim of USAGC.org I recommend following steps:
1. Block and reissue credit card (it won't prevent them to refund money if they will as far as I was informed in my bank).
2. Report fraud and request charge back in you bank.
3. Request full refund by phone and/or email to USAGC.org customer support.
4. Report scam on the official sites provided above.

I know that FBI won't investigate each individual case. But if sufficient amount of reports will be filed -- probably they will act on them eventually.

Good luck!