I was tricked by USAGC.org (USAGC Organization), a so-called Green Card Lottery Service Provider website, into two purchases for a total amount of $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 a charge back in by bank and at the same time contacting USAGC customer support team to have my information removed from their database.
The Fraudulent Website - www.USAGC.org
There are many commercial or non-government websites that are deceiving people into believing that they are official U.S. Government sites or that they are approved by the U.S. Government. They may even contact you by e-mail to lure you to their websites using fake offers.
There are some companies who claim to be the U.S. Government and demand money in order to complete the green card lottery application. Please note that the only official way to apply for the U.S. Green Card Lottery is to apply online at The Dept. of State website.
In 5 working days, I was contacted by USAGC by phone and had a 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 specify all my reasons in by email. In answer, she told that I agreed to all the terms from the company and I can't now request any chargebacks or refund. I told her that:
- I'm sure that payment method when they ask for CC number and CVV over the phone or by email is illegal. Services provided are not trustworthy.
- I forbid them to keep my personal data and use them for placing by an application on official US site (which is dvlottery.state.gov by the way).
- I insist on canceling USAGC services whatsoever and insist on a 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.
I insisted on my initial requirements based on a 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 canceling 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/). Here is a list:
- http://www.ftc.gov/complaint
- http://www.econsumer.gov/ - joint effort of consumer protection agencies from 17 nations (posted by FTC);
- http://www.ic3.gov/ - Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), internet crime complaint center.
- http://www.usdoj.gov/spam.htm - Department of Justice.
If you accidentally become a victim of USAGC.org I recommend following steps:
- 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).
- Report fraud and request chargeback in your bank.
- Request full refund by phone and/or email to USAGC.org customer support.
- 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.
USAGC Organization is currently using the following websites:
- mobile.usagc.org
- USA-immigration-service.us
- usagcnews.org