Fortune Room Steals Money

[johnnydemp]

I made a deposit at fortune room casino and played the sign up offer. I played, fullfilled all the wagering requirements and cashed out a very small win. They requested ID from me which I quickly provided and recieved this response:

Hi XXXXXX


I have reviewed your casino account and I am pleased to inform you that your $XXXX cash-in is being attended to.



We have received the required documentation that we requested from you and are currently processing your winnings back to you.

Should you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to call us.


Sincerely

Martin W
Support Consultant

Thinking that the cashin was on the way I waited a few days. Getting antsie I tried to log into the casino account to find it was locked. I called customer service and was told that my ID was fraudulent. Shocked I said how did you come to that conclusion, they replied they just decided that. Then they proceeded to tell me that the account will stay locked and that no money will be sent back to me, not even my deposit and then they hung up on me. Not the type of service I would expect from a supposed reputable casino!!! Being that my ID I assure you is legit, as I have used it at many other casinos, as well as the local beer and liquor stores, I cannot believe the way they have accussed me of something so out in left field. As well I have accounts at 3 other FL casinos which I have never had a problem with before. I've read posts online that FL was doing some funny stuff to people, like bouncing cheques and so forth, but I had never had a problem so I decided to play them. So I start this thread as a warning to all that this is the way fortune room operates, they take your deposits then keep them no matter what.

 

[jetset]

You need to escalate this issue to casino management who have more discretion and sense than the usual CSR or security palooka. Hold off trashing them until you have taken that step, because it makes any subsequent mediation difficult.

 

[The Dude]

He's already "pitched a bitch" and it's been forwarded to the managerial side of things.

And this goes for everyone, tact and objectivity will get you much further than stating things from a personal point of view.

 

[johnnydemp]

I apoligize if this post seems a little attackish, but if you could have heard the phone conversation I had it would have blown your mind. And since I was hung up on I was unable to talk to a manager and do not know how to go about getting in touch with someone holding a managerial position. The customer service guy even went so far as to tell me to do a chargeback as that is the only way I will ever see money back from them. I told him I deposited with neteller and he said go to how you funded your neteller account and do a chargeback that way. I was so amazed that a casino employee told me to take such action. Either way sorry about the brutish nature of the original post, and I hope some understanding can be reached to this strange and unwarranted situation.

 

[murder1]

Doesn't matter if your id is fake or not. That is no reason to hold on to your money. You deposit it, they received it! That ID stuff is BS. Damn I wish I could get my hands on some of them damn folks. The Gaming industry is dying. And instead of them trying to get themselves in position to battle the tides. For when the brick and mortals in Vegas takes over. The rather anger people and make us wish Vegas comes online sooner rather than later.

Man, don't let them folks keep your money! Write your congress and tell them you suspect they are funding terrorism with you money. Hell if they want to play dirty you do it also! I sick and tired of this $HIT!!!!!

 

[jinnia]

Funding Terrorism, laundering money, it's going on more than one may want to believe.

File a form with the Better Business Bureau, and with your Attorney Generals Office.

You'd be surprised how more and more people are checking with BBB about a business, any business, even online ones, and if they get a bad report, they'll not deal with them, a small but effective start.

I for one will be checking BBB constantly now, and will be filing complaint forms against any and all businesses who screw me over, who are actually in the wrong.

 

[jpm]

Geez, guys give the casino a chance to investigate and respond before you start going off to the governments accusing them of funding terrorism, and complaining to the BBB & AG. He's talked to the person on the bottom of the totem pole so far, who are notoriously uninformed about many things. Let FL management look into this and see what the real story is before you burn the place down. Its not crystal palace after all!

And whatever you do DON'T CHARGEBACK your deposits to Neteller. That will not accomplish anything but getting you in trouble with Neteller (and banned from using them ever again as well).

Give it a couple of days to find out what's going on before taking drastic action. I believe the FL manager just returned from vacation yesterday, so he's probably got a few things to wade through.

 

[jinnia]

And just how much time should one give these respectable online businesses who has made such an honest mistake and willing to rectify it?? Yeah Right!! Give them no more than 2 weeks people, then go after them in any means available!!

Sorry, but my axx has been put through the wringer, big time by an online casino. First, denying my $1500.00 withdrawal request, not only that, but wiped it out, didn't even put it back on balance to play with. LATEST: Putting through unauthorized debits against my bank card, amounting to approx. $1100.00 which took what I had in bank plus about 300 more, not to mention the $20.00 bank charges on the overdrafts for each and everyone of those which put my account in the red, debits made in the amounts of $10, $15, and $20. A lot of money gone there.

---- which it could have been the payservice used, so this casino implied in an email to me, and MAYBE so, Not!! For it was the same casino but different payservices, but Federal department is on this isssue ---- hmm? Maybe the main server that hosts these numerous payservices...what is it, ProcMoney--Process Money?? It'll be found out, and what ever I am required to fill out against, whoever, it'll be filled out and filed!!!

If an online business, this includes all the nice casino's, screws with you, and there isn't a resolution to the issue at hand in a timely manner, and in all fairness also people, then get them reported to BBB, AG, and if unauthorized debits hit your card>,s<,, then let FBI be informed also, unauthorized charges are nothing more than THEFT, with no other meaning to it !!!

 

[sirius]

I think they are locking people accounts for no reason and keeping deposits. I have had someone tell me the same (some guy in Canada) and VPOPS at fortunelounge was supposed to be looking into it in case they made a mistake (after first telling me he was in some sort of syndicate blah blah) but I've not heard anything back for well over a month and VPOPS has gone strangely silent. I have to keep telling the guy I'm still waiting for a response.

I was also told that they expect to get a high rate of chargebacks from these accounts which is why they don't give them the deposits! Well what do they expect if customer service tells them to?

By the way, I was offered some promotions recently and not received the bonuses which were supposed to have been given automatically nearly a week ago. This always seems to happen when I play there.

(Message edited by Sirius on July 09, 2003)

 

[whitteyford]

Weve made changes to avoid these situations, blah, blah, blah. FL has the chance to takeover the online casino idustry if they would just stop doing stupid fast acting irrational things which they claim are in the interest of player security.

I have gone through the same ordeal, and let me tell you these guys are less then helpful, there support is exceedingly rude and the only way to get anywhere with them seems to be through the meister. Why they do these things causing them to incurr this negative publicity is beyond me. If this is how FL has changed for the better consider me avoiding them like the plague.

Casinomeister you have FL casinos on your recommended list although they behave rather rogueishly time and time again. They claim these situations are mistakes, but how many mistakes are they aloud to make before their actions are simply seen as unacceptable.

 

[rainman]

join the club inter hung up on me. I am just trying to resolve an issue. I am not going ot report them to any agency though.If I could see the hand totals for the bj games I could find the bug.

 

[rainman]

did not mean to pitch twice admin sorry.

 

[whitteyford]

looks like FL decided to turn rogue once they heard casinomeister was headed on vacation, now there is a post about Desert Dollar thieving money.

 

[jpm]

I think 2 weeks is a resonable amount of time jinnia, but the post was only 12 hours old when people were suggesting the BBB, & govt. complaints should lodged.

 

[cipher]

Theres' a very easy way to put an end to all this *ull *hit about fraudulent I. D. and the likes.

When a player signs up with a Casino the player must provide valid I. D. at the time they sign-up and before making a deposit.

If the casino accepts an initial deposit from a player that would clearly serve as a clear and lawful indiciation that the casino is satisfied with the player's identification as tendered.

In short the player does not even make a deposit to the Casino until such time as the Casino has informed the Player (by email) that the player's I.D. as tendered is both sufficient and genuine for the purposes of the Casino's I.D. criteria.

Lastly, it may not be a bad idea to even work in a waiver of sorts that would specifically set-out (in writing) the terms and conditions applicable to any form of bonus/es that the casino may be offering.

 

[jinnia]

The post may have been only 12 hours old, but how long has it been since the issue came to be?

2 weeks? More?

These casino's that show this type of behaviour constantly, not torwards just one player, but several, their names, their actions needs to be put anywhere and everywhere to where others can access the information, it doen't matter if it is 'finally' settled.

It still needs to be done!!

Two weeks is ample time to resolve a dispute!!

 

[jetset]

Cipher's idea has much merit imo - but then so does the concept of checking out a player's desireability from the casino's point of view before he or she deposits to avoid later lockouts and disqualifications.

It is not about to happen.

 

[murder1]

I Agree Jinnia...2 weeks is more than enough time. The bottom line is. The Online Casino mainly as a whole as gone way down. Even reputable casinos are having to result to unfair princples to make up for their shortfalls. Too much competion on the net for most casinos to stay afloat. So when Joe Sucker comes alone and play, they easily can take him for a ride. "Your over their and I'm WAAAAAAY over here. NAN-NAN-A-BOO-BOO, YOU CAN'T CATCH ME!" Get This Bastards anyway you can. GET YOUR $$$ MAN!!

 

[jinnia]

They may be way over there, but from what I have been told, if they have a server at all inside the United States that has any part of the casino's operation, they are bound by the laws of the United States. Let them be in Africa, Costa Rica, where ever, if one and only one server is located here, they can be be brought up on charges >,if<, and prosecuted as the U.S. law provides.

They are a business as any land business is, so it's time to bring warranted charges against each and every one of them who operates in a fraudulant manner to any degree.

Shoot, I went after the Campbell Soup Company, and won, over nothing more than not fulfilling a rebate offer .. it's the principal of it, and they were reported to BBB also. To heck with any and all businesses who think they can cheat, lie and steal from the very ones who keep them in business!!!!

 

[jinnia]

They may be way over there, but from what I have been told, if they have a server at all inside the United States that has any part of the casino's operation, they are bound by the laws of the United States. Let them be in Africa, Costa Rica, where ever, if one and only one server is located here, they can be be brought up on charges ... if warranted... and prosecuted as the U.S. law provides.

They are a business as any land business is, so it's time to bring warranted charges against each and every one of them who operates in a fraudulant manner to any degree.

Shoot, I went after the Campbell Soup Company, and won, over nothing more than not fulfilling a rebate offer .. it's the principal of it, and they were reported to BBB also.

To heck with any and all businesses who think they can cheat, lie and steal from the very ones who keep them in business!!!!

 

[jetset]

"To heck with any and all businesses who think they can cheat, lie and steal from the very ones who keep them in business!!!!"

Amen to that, Jinnia

 

[cipher]

Reply to Jetset

"BUT THEN SO DOES THE CONCEPT OF CHECKING OUT A PLAYER'S DESIREABILITY FROM THE CASINOS POINT OF VIEW BEFORE HE OR SHE DEPOSITS TO AVOID LATER
LOCK-OUTS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS."

The fact is that there would be no justifiable lock-outs and or disqualifications NONE, once the Casino has accepted a deposit from a player.

Additionally, this process would have nothing to do with the Casino accessing the "desireability" of a player. But it would put to rest any issue that might arise after the fact relative to a player establishing his or her identity.

Have a good one.
Cipher

 

[jpm]

Jinnia, right in the original post the author says "Thinking that the cashin was on the way I waited a few days." yet you are going off like its been months or something. Did you read the original post completely??

Also, if a casino did have a server in the US, they would be arrested since it so far it is illegal for a US citizen to run an internet casino or sportsbook and since its an illegal business, trying to press charges against them in court would get you nowhere. It'd be like trying to sue someone who sold you catnip instead of pot. It would be tossed out of court.

I remember an indian casino here in the US had a gambling site online for some time a few years ago. They had instant lottery tickets and some other games as I recall, but were suddenly shut down one day and never came back up. I recall something about the govt or the state shutting them down.

I do like cipher's idea though, but I think people would be too impatient to wait for the verification before they could start playing and would just go to a different casino that didn't check them out first.

I have notified my contact at FL (who just returned from vacation today) about this player's problem and I expect he'll be responding here soon.

 

[cipher]

Its' great to have your input JPM. I'm really looking forward to hearing what (if anything) your contact at FL might have to add to this conversation.

Have a good one.
Cipher

 

[jinnia]

Yes jpm, I read the original post. And No, it does not say how long exactly. I guess johnnydemp is the only one who can tell the length of time for sure.

I'll search for the information I had, hope I can find it. Hard drive crash lost all I kept on c: drive, but I'll search and hopefully can find all info and I'll post it here about accessing servers based in the U.S., and how they are gradually being found.

If not able to relocate that information, I'll say no more on THAT subject.

But I'll stand my grounds on the reporting of these online casino's to BBB, AG, and any place else that is made available to file complaints.

 

[jinnia]

Thanks for that jetset, I see you're not a 'business' man per say.

meaning you follow the 'what's right is right, and what's wrong is wrong' idea, whether an individual or a business.

 

[jpm]

I agree with filing complaints after a reasonable amount of time has passed, you just may not get anywhere with them (or worse, you may get in trouble if online gambling is banned in your state! Check first before you file a complaint).

I don't doubt that there are casinos that have some servers based in the US, but usually they kinda walk the line with the way they do it. I remember one particular casino that had its web and mail server located in a state where the residents were banned from playing in online casinos, but the actual gaming server was located in the Caribbean. That's a pretty thin line to walk I think.

 

[jinnia]

Yes, a very thin line indeed, and that's why when you have a problem ....a real problem.... with one, report their asses, then let any investigation that may come from it find out how and where they are operating their business.

And if it is illegal in your area to gamble online, you decide if it's worth the consequences you might have to bare.

For me, I take it as it comes!!

People, businesses who walk that thin line evidentually takes a fall.

 

[mrracetrack]

jpm posted...

"It'd be like trying to sue someone who sold you catnip instead of pot. It would be tossed out of court."

I got stuck with a bag of oregano once...

 

[johnnydemp]

Just to update everyone on whats going on with this situation. I have not recieved an email from the casinomeister regarding this issue, but that is understandable as he is on vacation . As for the Fortune Room management to which casinomeister forwarded this problem I have recieved no email or contact of any kind. This is extremely disappointing and alarming.

This situation of no payment has been ongoing for well over 2 weeks for those who were disputing the length of the problem. The fact that Fortune Room has not contacted me at all since I called them and they hung up on me speaks volumes about there operatation. Since they apparently do not care about there customers or reputation unless the casinomeister is on there ass I guess Ill have to wait till his much deserved vacation is over.

 

[glodge]

I'm wondering where the Fortunelounge Rep ( Wom ) is? He seemed very eager to answer posts a few weeks ago, and to make it clear that FL was in the process of forging a new image.

I for one had a promise from him to get back to me over a matter, the following day, however 3 weeks have passed, and no e-mail.

Maybe he's got the bullet so to speak ( given the boot ). For being honest & to efficient.

 

[jpm]

Wim has been on a much needed vacation for the past couple of weeks and has just returned yesterday. I emailed this thread to him and he has read it and told me he's going to respond in the forum soon.

I had a couple of issues come up since my initial problem that I posted about here and when I brought them to Wim's attention in email, they were handled very quickly. I think they are still trying to work out some issues in the first line customer service area, I've noticed some problems there and brought them to his attention. I think they are working on training them all so they understand how the bonuses & w/r work, what is needed for ID, etc etc.

 

[rainman]

2 weeks is nothing try a month and a half at intercasino. THeir log viewer don't work so I cannot dispute the bug issue.

 

[glodge]

rainman,

2 weeks is BS just as 4.5 weeks in your case.
Unfortunately IMO the casino's either don't care, or they know that if they lose a client here or there it's no big deal.

 

[johnnydemp]

Rainman, I'd appreciate it if you would stop trying to railroad this thread. Twice you have simply commented on your Intercasino problems. I dont know if you realize this, but this thread is about Fortune Room casino acting in a roguish manner. If you have an experience with Fortune Room or FL or something relevent to add feel free, but attempting to sidetrack this topic is unnecessary.
Thanks

 

[linda7]

Hi everyone,
First of all, johnnydemp I am sorry that you are having such problems with Fortune Room and I hope that you get your money. As far as this player ID bullshit, please consider the following scenario. I sign up with a casino, I tell them my name is Dick Hertz (LOL), they accept my money and let me play, now when I win or want to cash out why do they want ID? Did they ask for ID when they accepted the deposits..hell no!! So what exactly is this crap with the ID's all about anyway? The casinos should just pay the winnings or withdrawals, the same way they took the deposits. These casinos are pissing me off so bad that I am thinking of tossing my computer in my swimming pool and giving this up altogether!

 

[glodge]

linda7,

I agree, it's BS.

How's this I wanted to change my e-mail over at Casino Tropez last night, after being told by live support I have to send my request via e-mail.

Anyway I do this giving all my personal details.

Get this, I get an e-mail stating I have to send them my Drivers License or Passport & a utility bill, before they will change the e-mail.

My retort, close the account!

 

[linda7]

glodge,

I think all these casinos have lost their damn minds!!!! Your situation takes the cake!

My computer is getting closer to the pool..lol.

 

[glodge]

linda7,

Unfortunately most people comply to their bully boy & or BS tactics. As they say " if nothing changes, nothing changes ".

IMO until the majority of players say, enogh is enough! These casino's will keep playing the same BS games.

 

[glodge]

Apart from Western Union, to the best of my knowledge every other payment option requires the player to provide some form of ID to use the payment option.

IMO if they accept the wager, they have to be prepared to pay out on that wager, minus the BS.

To me this ID cr#p is just another of their many stall tactics.

 

[fester111]

PLAY AT LASSETERS.COM.AU
GOV. REGULATED. YOU REGISTER, YOU PLAY, THEY PAY
NO PROBLEM. NO BIG PROGRESSIVES,BUT YOU CAN WIN BIG.

 

[cipher]

Stay as far away from Western Union as possible.

Recently, I made a $500 deposit through Western Union to a casino that I've been playing with for better than 5 years now.

After about 20 minutes or so (after providing the Casino with my Money Transfer Control Number) I'm up $1,700.00 or so and I get a phone call from the Controller at the Casino advising me that Western Union (after accepting my $500.00 plus $43.00 in fees and issuing a MTC NUMBER)had in fact cancelled the aforementioned transaction, as (according to Western Union) my name appeared on a list of people who are known to make deposits to off-shore gambling establishments.

Fortunately, I was able to do a NETELLER transfer to the casino for my original $500.00 deposit and the Casino did in fact honor the winnings that I had accumulated until they had called me.

But what if I had lost the $500.00 in that 20 minute span instead of won and did not have the ability to send the NETELLER transfer as I did. That could have been a very ugly situation with a Casino that I have had a great relationship with for better than 5 years now.

After getting the situation straightened out with the Casino I contacted Western Union and asked them what was going on? Their response, "I can't tell you anything, other than for you to take it up with the Attorney Generals Office."

Have a good one but stay the hell away from Western Union.
Cipher

 

[johnnydemp]

I have never used western union as the fees are ridicules and neteller is so much more effiecient.

As far as sending ID to a casino I have no problems doing this. In fact I have sent the very same ID to Captain Cooks Casino, Casino Kingdom, Golden Palace and many others and have never ever been questioned on the validity of the ID. Now I'm assuming these casinos being even bigger then the FL group would have similar, if not srticter security teams, yet they accepted my ID without a hitch.

Why then does Fortune Room seem to have some type of problem with this obviously valid ID. Just an excuse not to pay I would imagine.

I still have not even recieved an email from the Fortune Room management which leads me to believe they just dont care about their players.

 

[cipher]

Unfotunately Johnnydemp,

This situation is showing all the "ear marks" of what too many casinos are calling "bonus abuse" whereas your name or a name similar to yours appears on the casino's list of undesireables known as "Bonus Seekers."

For now I can only say that Bonuses are once again the biggest problem that faces the Internet Gambler today. They are far and away the root cause than any other issue.

As I said earlier I'm hoping that F L will have a reasonable explanation for this occurence. But I'm more than a little concerned that this situation involves (4) separate casinos rather than only one.

Hopefully this matter can be resolved soon, as it is looking more and more like F L does not care about it's customers or the manner in which there are constantly appearing in this as well as other Forums. Have a good one.

Cipher

 

[jamesdean]

It was always my understandong that Fortune Lounge was one of the good casino groups out there. More and more we are seeing this as a common occurance with FL, that is, locking accounts and claiming fraud. Remarakbly we often see shortly after, at least in the threads I've read that a Forune Lounge rep comes on and apologizes.

This happening so frequently makes you wonder the direction this casino group is going. I for one think I will avoid them as I would rather play at casinos that do no pose such aggrevation on a frequent basis. Think I'll stick to Supervegas, Riverbelle and Gold Club, places which do not demand players to jump through hoops in order to cashout.

 

[linda7]

Dear Cipher,
Thank you very much for the heads up regarding Western Union. I use them constantly to fund, however, lately I have been using PrepaidATM. Neteller, wants your SSN when you open an account, and I will NEVER give that out. Also, I notice that casinos are now asking for your SSN/Identification No. I do not give my Social Security number, instead I give my drivers license number. Is this acceptable in lieu of giving my SSN? I would appreciate any help on this issue. Johnny, forgive me for asking this info on your thread. I know its off the topic, but I am a big western union user, and just need this info from Cipher. I hope I did not upset/offend you.

 

[mrracetrack]

Linda7,

For MicroGaming casinos that request a SS #, You can enter "any" numerical combination, and it is accepted. (234 56 7890) I am not sure if this will become a "problem" at some point. It hasn't with me so far.

 

[pokeraddict]

This is the first ive heard of western union hassling players, i would imagine offshore gambling is a big business for them. I have transfered probably $2500 with them and received maybe $1500-$2000 in withdraws through them in the last year and 3 years ago a casino that bounced me a check sent me $2900 by it to clear the NSF check. Wonder if i should make deposits under alias? Anyone have any facts about this issue?

(Message edited by Pokeraddict on July 13, 2003)

 

[jpm]

Linda,

The MG casinos have that SS# box on the signup page, but it also says its optional, so just leave it blank.

 

[thesmacker]

Fortune Lounge needs a vast improvement in their customer service.

I made a cashout a while ago and they sent it via check even though I requested to be paid by neteller.

I know my problem is small potatoes compared to this problem, but it just shows the general attitude of negligence when they cant even get the little things right.

JohnnyDemp has there been any progress yet? I for one will not play at Fortune Lounge till they start to comply with the needs of their players.