Received a call this morning.

Robert Alanis' phone number is 1-858-222-3085

I think after reading this I am realizing I have been screwed for 249.50 as well...does anyone know anything on this robert alanis character ? this has got to stop, I know I'll find him someway somehow....

YES IT IS A SCAM
CLEARLY EXPLAINED IN THESE ARTICLES FROM THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION WEBSITE -

this info below is from the Federal Trade Commission website

Advance-Fee Loan Scams: ?Easy? Cash Offers Teach Hard Lessons
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel16.shtm
Advance-Fee Loan Scams: ?Easy? Cash Offers Teach Hard Lessons
Looking for a loan or credit card but don?t think you?ll qualify? Turned down by a bank because of your poor credit history?

You may be tempted by ads and websites that guarantee loans or credit cards, regardless of your credit history. The catch comes when you apply for the loan or credit card and find out you have to pay a fee in advance. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation?s consumer protection agency, that could be a tip-off to a rip-off. If you?re asked to pay a fee for the promise of a loan or credit card, you can count on the fact that you?re dealing with a scam artist. More than likely, you?ll get an application, or a stored value or debit card, instead of the loan or credit card.

The Signs of an Advance-Fee Loan Scam
The FTC says some red flags can tip you off to scam artists? tricks. For example:

A lender who isn?t interested in your credit history. A lender may offer loans or credit cards for many purposes ? for example, so a borrower can start a business or consolidate bill payments. But one who doesn?t care about your credit record should give you cause for concern. Ads that say ?Bad credit? No problem? or ?We don?t care about your past. You deserve a loan? or ?Get money fast? or even ?No hassle ? guaranteed? often indicate a scam.
Banks and other legitimate lenders generally evaluate creditworthiness and confirm the information in an application before they guarantee firm offers of credit ? even to creditworthy consumers.
Fees that are not disclosed clearly or prominently. Scam lenders may say you?ve been approved for a loan, then call or email demanding a fee before you can get the money. Any up-front fee that the lender wants to collect before granting the loan is a cue to walk away, especially if you?re told it?s for ?insurance,? ?processing,? or just ?paperwork.?

Legitimate lenders often charge application, appraisal, or credit report fees. The differences? They disclose their fees clearly and prominently; they take their fees from the amount you borrow; and the fees usually are paid to the lender or broker after the loan is approved.

It?s also a warning sign if a lender says they won?t check your credit history, yet asks for your personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account number. They may use your information to debit your bank account to pay a fee they?re hiding.
A loan that is offered by phone. It is illegal for companies doing business in the U.S. by phone to promise you a loan and ask you to pay for it before they deliver.
A lender who uses a copy-cat or wanna-be name. Crooks give their companies names that sound like well-known or respected organizations and create websites that look slick. Some scam artists have pretended to be the Better Business Bureau or another reputable organization, and some even produce forged paperwork or pay people to pretend to be references. Always get a company?s phone number from the phone book or directory assistance, and call to check they are who they say they are. Get a physical address, too: a company that advertises a PO Box as its address is one to check out with the appropriate authorities.
A lender who is not registered in your state. Lenders and loan brokers are required to register in the states where they do business. To check registration, call your state Attorney General?s office or your state?s Department of Banking or Financial Regulation. Checking registration does not guarantee that you will be happy with a lender, but it helps weed out the crooks.
A lender who asks you to wire money or pay an individual. Don?t make a payment for a loan or credit card directly to an individual; legitimate lenders don?t ask anyone to do that. In addition, don?t use a wire transfer service or send money orders for a loan. You have little recourse if there?s a problem with a wire transaction, and legitimate lenders don?t pressure their customers to wire funds.

Finally, just because you?ve received a slick promotion, seen an ad for a loan in a prominent place in your neighborhood or in your newspaper, on television or on the Internet, or heard one on the radio, don?t assume it?s a good deal ? or even legitimate. Scam artists like to operate on the premise of legitimacy by association, so it?s really important to do your homework.
Finding Low-Cost Help for Credit Problems
If you have debt problems, try to solve them with your creditors as soon as you realize you won?t be able to make your payments. If you can?t resolve the problems yourself or need help to do it, you may want to contact a credit counseling service. Nonprofit organizations in every state counsel and educate people and families on debt problems, budgeting, and using credit wisely. Often, these services are low- or no-cost. Universities, military bases, credit unions, and housing authorities also may offer low- or no-cost credit counseling programs. To learn more about dealing with debt, including how to select a credit counseling service, visit ftc.gov/credit.


Where to Complain
If you think you?ve had an experience with an advance-fee loan scam, report it to the FTC.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

April 2008


Just When You Thought It Was Safe...Advance-Fee Loan "Sharks"
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt028.shtm

FTC Consumer AlertPDF Format Email
Just When You Thought It Was Safe...Advance-Fee Loan "Sharks"
A different breed of "loan shark" is preying on unwary consumers by taking their money for the promise of a loan, credit card or other extension of credit.

Advertisements and promotions for advance-fee loans "guarantee" or suggest that there's a high likelihood of success that the loan will be awarded, regardless of the applicant's credit history. But, to take advantage of the offer, the consumer first has to pay a fee. And that's the catch: The consumer pays the fee, the scam artist takes off with the money, and the loan never materializes.

Legitimate guaranteed offers of credit do not require payments up front. Legitimate lenders may require consumers to pay application, appraisal or credit report fees, but these fees seldom are required before the lender is identified and the application completed. In addition, the fees generally are paid to the lender, not to the broker or arranger of the "guaranteed" loan.

Legitimate lenders may guarantee firm offers of credit to credit-worthy consumers, but they rarely do this before evaluating a consumer's creditworthiness.

Advertisements for advance-fee loans generally appear in the classified section of daily and weekly newspapers and magazines. Often, the ads feature "900" numbers, which result in charges on your phone bill. Advance-fee loans also are promoted through direct mail and radio and cable TV spots. The appearance of ads in media outlets that you recognize - like your local newspaper or radio station - is no guarantee of the legitimacy of the company behind the ad.

The Federal Trade Commission says you can avoid being bitten by advance-fee loan sharks: Here's how:

Don't pay for a promise. It's illegal for companies doing business by phone to promise you a loan and ask you to pay for it before they deliver.
Ignore any ad - or hang up on any caller - that guarantees a loan in exchange for an advance fee. Legitimate lenders never "guarantee" or say that you will receive a loan before you apply, especially if you have bad credit or no credit record.
Never give your credit card or bank account numbers, or Social Security Number, over the telephone unless you are familiar with the company and know why the information is necessary.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

May 2000

YOU ARE RIGHT TO BE LEARY - ITS AN ADVANCE FEE LOAN SCAM

REQUIRING PAYMENT UPFRONT IS ILLEGAL  YOU WIRE THEM YOUR MONEY AND YOU NEVER SEE THE LOAN!  

this info below is from the Federal Trade Commission website

Advance-Fee Loan Scams: ?Easy? Cash Offers Teach Hard Lessons
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel16.shtm
Advance-Fee Loan Scams: ?Easy? Cash Offers Teach Hard Lessons
Looking for a loan or credit card but don?t think you?ll qualify? Turned down by a bank because of your poor credit history?

You may be tempted by ads and websites that guarantee loans or credit cards, regardless of your credit history. The catch comes when you apply for the loan or credit card and find out you have to pay a fee in advance. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation?s consumer protection agency, that could be a tip-off to a rip-off. If you?re asked to pay a fee for the promise of a loan or credit card, you can count on the fact that you?re dealing with a scam artist. More than likely, you?ll get an application, or a stored value or debit card, instead of the loan or credit card.

The Signs of an Advance-Fee Loan Scam
The FTC says some red flags can tip you off to scam artists? tricks. For example:

A lender who isn?t interested in your credit history. A lender may offer loans or credit cards for many purposes ? for example, so a borrower can start a business or consolidate bill payments. But one who doesn?t care about your credit record should give you cause for concern. Ads that say ?Bad credit? No problem? or ?We don?t care about your past. You deserve a loan? or ?Get money fast? or even ?No hassle ? guaranteed? often indicate a scam.
Banks and other legitimate lenders generally evaluate creditworthiness and confirm the information in an application before they guarantee firm offers of credit ? even to creditworthy consumers.
Fees that are not disclosed clearly or prominently. Scam lenders may say you?ve been approved for a loan, then call or email demanding a fee before you can get the money. Any up-front fee that the lender wants to collect before granting the loan is a cue to walk away, especially if you?re told it?s for ?insurance,? ?processing,? or just ?paperwork.?

Legitimate lenders often charge application, appraisal, or credit report fees. The differences? They disclose their fees clearly and prominently; they take their fees from the amount you borrow; and the fees usually are paid to the lender or broker after the loan is approved.

It?s also a warning sign if a lender says they won?t check your credit history, yet asks for your personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account number. They may use your information to debit your bank account to pay a fee they?re hiding.
A loan that is offered by phone. It is illegal for companies doing business in the U.S. by phone to promise you a loan and ask you to pay for it before they deliver.
A lender who uses a copy-cat or wanna-be name. Crooks give their companies names that sound like well-known or respected organizations and create websites that look slick. Some scam artists have pretended to be the Better Business Bureau or another reputable organization, and some even produce forged paperwork or pay people to pretend to be references. Always get a company?s phone number from the phone book or directory assistance, and call to check they are who they say they are. Get a physical address, too: a company that advertises a PO Box as its address is one to check out with the appropriate authorities.
A lender who is not registered in your state. Lenders and loan brokers are required to register in the states where they do business. To check registration, call your state Attorney General?s office or your state?s Department of Banking or Financial Regulation. Checking registration does not guarantee that you will be happy with a lender, but it helps weed out the crooks.
A lender who asks you to wire money or pay an individual. Don?t make a payment for a loan or credit card directly to an individual; legitimate lenders don?t ask anyone to do that. In addition, don?t use a wire transfer service or send money orders for a loan. You have little recourse if there?s a problem with a wire transaction, and legitimate lenders don?t pressure their customers to wire funds.

Finally, just because you?ve received a slick promotion, seen an ad for a loan in a prominent place in your neighborhood or in your newspaper, on television or on the Internet, or heard one on the radio, don?t assume it?s a good deal ? or even legitimate. Scam artists like to operate on the premise of legitimacy by association, so it?s really important to do your homework.
Finding Low-Cost Help for Credit Problems
If you have debt problems, try to solve them with your creditors as soon as you realize you won?t be able to make your payments. If you can?t resolve the problems yourself or need help to do it, you may want to contact a credit counseling service. Nonprofit organizations in every state counsel and educate people and families on debt problems, budgeting, and using credit wisely. Often, these services are low- or no-cost. Universities, military bases, credit unions, and housing authorities also may offer low- or no-cost credit counseling programs. To learn more about dealing with debt, including how to select a credit counseling service, visit ftc.gov/credit.


Where to Complain
If you think you?ve had an experience with an advance-fee loan scam, report it to the FTC.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

April 2008


Just When You Thought It Was Safe...Advance-Fee Loan "Sharks"
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt028.shtm

FTC Consumer AlertPDF Format Email
Just When You Thought It Was Safe...Advance-Fee Loan "Sharks"
A different breed of "loan shark" is preying on unwary consumers by taking their money for the promise of a loan, credit card or other extension of credit.

Advertisements and promotions for advance-fee loans "guarantee" or suggest that there's a high likelihood of success that the loan will be awarded, regardless of the applicant's credit history. But, to take advantage of the offer, the consumer first has to pay a fee. And that's the catch: The consumer pays the fee, the scam artist takes off with the money, and the loan never materializes.

Legitimate guaranteed offers of credit do not require payments up front. Legitimate lenders may require consumers to pay application, appraisal or credit report fees, but these fees seldom are required before the lender is identified and the application completed. In addition, the fees generally are paid to the lender, not to the broker or arranger of the "guaranteed" loan.

Legitimate lenders may guarantee firm offers of credit to credit-worthy consumers, but they rarely do this before evaluating a consumer's creditworthiness.

Advertisements for advance-fee loans generally appear in the classified section of daily and weekly newspapers and magazines. Often, the ads feature "900" numbers, which result in charges on your phone bill. Advance-fee loans also are promoted through direct mail and radio and cable TV spots. The appearance of ads in media outlets that you recognize - like your local newspaper or radio station - is no guarantee of the legitimacy of the company behind the ad.

The Federal Trade Commission says you can avoid being bitten by advance-fee loan sharks: Here's how:

Don't pay for a promise. It's illegal for companies doing business by phone to promise you a loan and ask you to pay for it before they deliver.
Ignore any ad - or hang up on any caller - that guarantees a loan in exchange for an advance fee. Legitimate lenders never "guarantee" or say that you will receive a loan before you apply, especially if you have bad credit or no credit record.
Never give your credit card or bank account numbers, or Social Security Number, over the telephone unless you are familiar with the company and know why the information is necessary.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

May 2000

This SCAM is illegal because it charges excessive UPFRONT fees for loans. The other person who responded to this scammer is wrong about the type of scam, but he's right that's it's highly illegal and reporting to law enforcement is a VERY GOOD IDEA.

Lots of these kinds of scams are also involved in identity theft, selling your name to fake collectors to collect even if you paid, and that's ASSUMING that you even got the so-called loan, since it's also very common to ask for additional fees over and over without ever producing a loan.

Very profitable scam, victims can lose WAY MORE MONEY than they might imagine!

Pretty much all of these upfront fee schemes to "fix your credit" or "lower your rates" are complete scams.  

When the scammers themselves LIKE YOU need to come on here to run the scam, it shows a particular level of desperation.

STAY AWAY STAY FAR AWAY. If anyone gets a call from these crooks, they should blow a whistle in their ear and report it to law enforcement --- in that order.

No, it's not a scam. The company is legit and management is top notch. From what I can tell the actions of one person is giving the company a bad name.

This "Robert Alanis" never replied to my voice messages or emails AFTER he got my $249.50 'fee'.  Before that he replied to voicemails and emails.

I should have known this was a scam when he told me via email and by phone that he would have to "Fib a little" to get me the loan that I needed after I told him that "with my lowly credit score how are you going to find me the loan when I couldn't do it without a Co-signer?"

WARNING:  DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS 'AFSUNSECUREDONLINE'.  It is fraudulent.  They prey on people with bad credit who are desperate.  I used my credit card and was able to get my money back via my credit card company who reported them as being a fraudulent organization.

Beware.

Sarkis Padres,

Since you have worked with AFS previously, are they a legit company? Yes or no? Thanks

I'm Sarkis Padres. Who are you "senior loan officer" do I know you? Did I take a few customers from you? What's your agenda? Every reference to me is a positive experience for the customer, the ones calling the company a scam refer to Rober Alanis (don't know him). Can't you read? and then you post "proof" and none of it mentions me, one mentions Rober Alanis the other one the company but no specific name and another for "charter lending" that you claim is the same company that I used to work for, I had never heard of them before and I doubt they are conected to UL Services or AFS which are the same company. I left the company in mid July so don't go lumping me in with this Rober character just becuase he got my phone number after I left.

Read this
Report: AFS UNSECURED ONLINE
Category: Loans
AFS UNSECURED ONLINE UL SERVICES LLC FRAUD!!! SCAM ALERT!!! Internet

Rebuttal Box
Respond to this report!

WHAT'S THIS?
Victim of this person/company?

WHAT'S THIS?
   
AFS UNSECURED ONLINE
Phone:  
Fax:  
AFSUNSECUREDONLINE.COM
, Internet
United States of America
Submitted: Friday, August 14, 2009
Modified: Friday, August 14, 2009

smyley U KNOW WHO I AM
LOS ANGELES, California
USA

Ripoff Report Verified Safe
I am not very pleased to be writing this report! Robert@afsunsecuredonline you know who you are! You scammed me out of my hard earned money! You promised me you had a loan secured for me, but that was nothing but a lie! You worked hard to get my $249.50.You returned my calls, answered my questions, returned my emails, but now you are not doing anything to rectify this situation!! I initially received this email from "robert":

We are happy to inform you that based on the information you provided to us, your request for an unsecured loan in the amount of $10,000 has been approved through our system. Please fill out the following form so that we may begin to process your loan, the entire process takes between 9-13 days from start to finish. I know that almost all  the information being requested was already provided when you filled out the application on our website, however we need it in the format below as it?s a sacannable form for electronic submission. The loan is a line of credit, meaning you only pay on what you actually use and the rest is available credit to be used whenever in case you need it; so if you withdraw the maximum of $10,000 your monthly payment would be $300, if you only use $5000 your monthly payment would be $150 and you will have $5,000 available credit should you need it in the future. It is very similar to the way a credit card works in that way, whatever your loan amount is your payment will be 3% of the balance (i.e. $30 for $1000, etc.) This approval is locked in until the August 7th  but the sooner we get started the sooner you will receive your funds. If you have to get started after the 7th  please check in with me first so I can confirm that guidelines have not changed and that we can still approve you for this amount.There is no need to print/fax the ?paperwork?, simply hit reply and fill out the information in the body of the email. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email if you have any questions or to get more details regarding your loan, If we don?t pick up please leave a message.

Robert Alanis

Finance Specialist

858 222-3085 office

858 348-3267 fax

So needless to say I was very excited about the chance to improve my credit score and take care of some bills. I sent "Robert" an email back and informed him I didn't have the $249.50 that he was requesting for his "consulting" fee and asked if it could be deducted from the loan proceeds since I was already "approved". This is what he wrote back:

I?m sorry but since we are a third party loan placement company we cannot charge fees through the loan so the fee get?s paid in the middle of the process (which is now). First you apply, then we check all your info and run the credit, then we see what lenders in our network you qualify with (believe it was hard in your case, in today?s credit market not many lenders are taking a chance with past bankruptcy) and after a lender has been procured then the fee is due in order to move forward.

Right now we are looked in until Friday so if Friday is payday and you can do it then we are perfectly fine. If it?s just not possible and it has to be after that then check in with me first when you are ready to see if we can still qualify you.

Robert

This should have threw up all kinds of red flags, but I really needed this loan. So I asked Robert how will I be able to access the funds. He emailed me:

You will receive a credit card and a check book both linked to the same credit line. If you need actual cash in your hand the way to go about it is to make out a check to yourself and deposit it to your bank account.

So it sounds like everything is legit. I got scammed out of my money because now, Robert is gone! Not calling back, not emailing back, and I don't even think he has an official office building. I think he works out of his apartment and uses a cell phone as his business phone. DO NOT FALL FOR THEIR TRICKS!!!!! Those were actual responses to emails I sent Robert. I will find out how to get my money back or I will employ $249.50 worth of bad mouthing on every website I can find.

What these companies are doing is fraud. First and foremost  No one can "pre-approve" you for anything these days especially with variable interest rates and sub primes eating up the current market.Clearly most of your posting are either very confused or more than likely Sarkis undercover! I have heard many stories about Sarkis and how he promises to secure credit for those who don't have the best credit history all to have been scammed in the long run!If you don't believe me just check out these numerous reports found through the following links
Read this first: Accommodative Financial Solutions HERE THEY ARE AGAIN!!! AKA Charter Lending Group!!! Laguna Hills California
*UPDATE *UPDATE ..Scam - Don't be fooled!!!!!!!
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/408/RipOff0408540.htm
Charter Lending Group Took my money and won't give it back! Columbia Maryland
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/397/RipOff0397068.htm


http://www.ripoffreport.com/Loans/AFS-UNSECUR ... ervic-e44e2.htm
Sarkis 858-222-3085

For all we know you are probably Sarkis Padres pretending to be an actual person.I know many people who say afsunsecuredcredit is a fraud!! $249.99 To process what? I have been a loan officer for fifteen years and all of this sounds like a load of s***!
Beware of false claims, so stand clear of this company for your own good. If you are reading this beware of this company they will take your money and run!!

So let me get this straight. Your house is in foreclosure, you have not made a mortgage payment in who know how meny months all the wile collection rent as though nothing was happening and in the meantime working on a loan modification that may or may not work leaving your unsuspecting tenant out on the street without notice even though they where paying on time and this guy tells them not to pay rent until your situation is settled?
How dare he????????????????????

This Guy named Sarkiz Padres is claiming to be part of Law offices of Olive al Agil???? - He went to one of our properties and told tenants not to pay a dime for rent to us, due to the home it was in foreclosure. First able, our home is in the process of loan modification, with our atty. He is misleading people(tenants)because by law if they don't pay the rent they can get evicted.  That's wrong of what he is doing... Noted that MR. Sarkiz o whichever your name is..  By the way,  I will contact  FCC and skype (858-222-3085 is belong to them)  to report this caller.

I was told before begining the process that they I was qualified for $25,000. A week after that they calld me to let me know that they were only going to be able to help me with a loan of $15,000 because of some guideline changes or something like that. They gave me the option of taking the 15k loan or refunding me my fee. I took the loan.

did he truly do that?  was your credit score an issue?  I've got a guy named Robert Alanis.  I'm leary about paying the $249.50 because there is no refund if they can't help you, right?

I worked with Sarkis Padres at unsecured loan services too. We was great and I got exactly what he told me I would get. I was a bit skeptical because I had tried at 2 other companies and got nothing but he got me a total of 12k when the others could not get me a dime.

I worked with Sarkis from unsecures loan services. He helped me get 3 lines of credit for $5,000 each, it took exactly 13 days yo get my money from the date I paid the fee. Don't know who you are dealing with but 3% intrest sounds unrealistic. I recieved a 13% and that was what I was told from day one. I think 3% of the balance is the payrate but I'm not that sure.
Good luck to you.

I received a call from 1-858-222-3085 (Unsecured Credit); caller stated he had received my number from a loan application. Stated he could obtain lenders for me.  Called at 1100 the next day and left message stating he had found lenders for the amount of 9000.00.  I called the next day and he stated the amount approved was for 7500.00 with 3 lenders each for 2500 dollars and that instead of being a cash loan would be a Line of Credit for 7500.00 with 3% interest. He then stated his fees would be 249.00 one time only and I would receive checks and credit cards for each lender in two weeks.