Wichita man says he is victim of phone scam

Tools

Wichita man says he is victim of phone scam

By Josh Witsman

WICHITA, Kansas, Mar. 30, 2008 - For Raj Divicha, a Friday afternoon phone call seemed like the perfect way to end a week as the caller on the other end said he was a winner.

"Due to your recent purchase in Wal-Mart, your number has been entered in a sweepstakes, and that's how we are calling you up," Divicha was told.

The caller, a representative of Easy Saver, said Divicha would receive a free 25 dollar gift card from Wal-Mart and a 25 dollar gas card.  All Divicha had to do was pay shipping an handling. Something he agreed to. However, once off the phone, Divicha began to question the offer.

"After the call was over, it strikes me that Wal-Mart never takes my number," Divicha said.

So Divicha turned to the internet where he found dozens of complaints against Easy Saver and its Maryland based parent company Encore Marketing International.

We contacted Wal-Mart about the so-called sweepstakes. The retailer says, "it has no connection to Easy Saver or Encore Marketing."  Adding, "they do not release customer information."

Now with his fears verified, Divicha checks his bank account.

"Some different amount is debited from my account, and it's not Easy Saver," Divicha said.

Divicha calls that company who says while he accepted his free gifts he enrolled in a membership with them. Divicha says that's not true, and believes it is all part of a scam. The Wichita man has filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, and has tried numerous times to contact Easy Saver and its parent company with little luck.

"There is no way that you can reach a human over there," Divicha said.

KSN did try and contact Easy Saver and its parent company Encore Marketing International about this story; however, our messages were not returned.

Raj Divicha is working to reverse the charges to his bank account.

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

KSN WeatherLab

On Demand

Stock Quotes

AP Video