NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Oakland, CA, United States, 01/10/2008 - First American Payment System-Merimac Capital and Affiliates has been accused-yet again-of fraudulent billing, deceit, and not honoring its non-cancelable lease agreements with customers. Small business owner fights back.

Dallas, Texas based merchant equipment provider, First American Payment System-Merimac Capital and Affiliates has been accused-yet again-of fraudulent billing, deceit, and not honoring its non-cancelable lease agreements with customers.

In March of 2006, Body Bar shop owner, Triche Christmon, signed a 48 month non-cancelable lease with First American for a “Way 2 Pay” wireless merchant credit card machine. “From the beginning there were issues” claims Christmon.

Several months into her contract, she says the device wouldn’t power on and the charger stopped working completely. After contacting Merimac Capital’s technical support about her troubles, Christmon says they replaced their charger but her problems with the machine itself still persisted.

“It was like they completely ignored us. We told them about the problems we were having with the machine and we still didn’t receive assistance in repairing or replacing our equipment.” stated Christmon. They began losing revenue and were forced to turn away customers who wanted to use their credit or debit cards to pay for purchases.

“Our business has really suffered. We’re losing money and to make matters worse, they have the nerve to continue to bill us. There are no merchant charges because the equipment doesn’t work, so what are they billing us for?” demands the angry shop owner. “We feel as business consumers that Merimac Capital should provide adequate working equipment. That is what business owners are paying for."

The problems with First American Payment System-Merimac Capital only escalated from there. Body Bar experience double debiting from there Bank of America Business Account, and Crystal Whitehall of Merimac Capital refused to honor the contract by providing Body Bar with replacement equipment unless they continued to pay monthly fees on the lease. When no agreement could be made Crystal Whitehall sent Body Bar to collections for the full amount of lease.

Christmon says that she will take her fight public until the company acknowledges their wrong doing.
According to Christmon, her recent research into the companies past business dealings has turned up less than favorable reviews. She found that in 2005 The Federal Trade Commission settled a lawsuit against First American Payment Processing, Inc. the FTC alleged that the defendants violated the law when they helped fraudulent telemarketers by electronically double debiting consumers bank accounts.

Body Bar has been forced to take further recourse due to Merimac Capital’s failure to perform their obligation under its non-cancelable contract. Body Bar filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, Better Business Bureau and plans to file in small claims court.

Agency / Source: Starlink Media Entertainment Group

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