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NCA recovers nearly $900,000 for coin consumers

tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭
"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

John Albanese

Numismatic Consumer Alliance, Inc.

Bedminster, New Jersey

1-908-781-9101

NCA RECOVERS NEARLY $900,000 FOR COIN CONSUMERS


A consumer watchdog organization has recovered nearly $900,000 for buyers who paid far more for coins than they were worth.


The money represented full refunds in 16 recent disputes, according to the New Jersey-based not-for-profit group, the Numismatic Consumer Alliance, Inc. (NCA).

The consumers had purchased the coins – mostly overpriced bullion coins and other modern issues – on the basis of telemarketers’ sales pitches, NCA said. It said the Alliance was able to obtain full refunds totaling $884,769 for coins which were worth a fraction of their purchase price.

“Many of these buyers,” NCA said, “were senior citizens with no knowledge of coins who also lacked the Internet savvy to check out what they were buying and who they were buying it from.”

The Alliance has now recovered a total of more than $4 million for such consumers since becoming operational in 2005. NCA intervenes on these buyers’ behalf, engaging legal and other professional assistance if necessary, in an effort to ensure that coin consumers are getting their money’s worth.

The Alliance is reviewing other disputes involving coins for which consumers paid more than $10 million.

NCA seeks no compensation when it enters a dispute on behalf of an aggrieved consumer – even though it frequently incurs substantial legal bills and other expenses in the process. Funds to cover such costs are contributed by coin dealers and collectors who share its concerns. On several occasions, consumers who were aided by NCA subsequently donated funds to help it continue its work on behalf of others.

Ten Founding Members provided seed money of $10,000 apiece, and each has pledged to continue making regular contributions, if needed, to help finance NCA’s operations. The Alliance also has three other membership levels involving one-time fees: Gold Members pledge $2,500, Silver Members $500, and Bronze Members $100.

The Founding Members all are professional numismatists, and all have been coin dealers for more than 20 years.

Disputes involving potential abuses are referred to NCA by a number of sources, including hobby organizations, numismatic periodicals, law enforcement agencies, reputable coin dealers, and consumers and their families and friends. The American Numismatic Association and Coin World have been particularly helpful in alerting the Alliance to apparent abuses, NCA said.

In an overwhelming majority of disputes, NCA said, the potential abuses involve senior citizens who have bought coins from telemarketers. Upon learning of such disputes, NCA contacts the consumers to determine the validity of their claims and asks for copies of all pertinent paperwork. If it decides that the sellers took advantage of the buyers, it contacts the sellers and urges them to make restitution in order to avoid legal action.

About 90 percent of the disputes are resolved through negotiations between NCA and the sellers. The other 10 percent can be far more costly and time-consuming. For instance, the Alliance spent nearly $20,000 on legal fees to help one elderly man attempt to recover half a million dollars he spent for coins that, in NCA’s judgment, were worth a fraction of that amount.

In one noteworthy dispute, NCA said, coins purchased by an elderly gentleman in Arizona and priced at more than $100,000 were housed in holders from two grading services – National Numismatic Certification, LLC (NNC) and the Numismatic Trust Corp. (NTC) – and consistently carried grades significantly higher than what the Alliance deemed to be accepted market standards.

The Alliance said it plans to intensify its scrutiny of such grading services, and also is developing plans for new educational programs aimed at alerting the public to the dangers.

Further information about NCA is available at its Web site, http://www.stopcoinfraud.org."

Comments

  • mikeygmikeyg Posts: 1,002




    When do they begin to investigate tv shucksters selling 2 cents for 39.99?

  • FatManFatMan Posts: 8,977
    Always nice to read some good news. 4 million in four years ain't too shabby. Thanks for the post.

  • numismanumisma Posts: 3,877 ✭✭✭✭

    NCA is doing a great job. Bravo!
  • greghansengreghansen Posts: 4,301 ✭✭✭
    That's great stuff. Everyone involved definately deserves a great big 'atta boy' for their past and ongoing work.

    Greg Hansen, Melbourne, FL Click here for any current EBAY auctions Multiple "Circle of Trust" transactions over 14 years on forum

  • rgCoinGuyrgCoinGuy Posts: 7,478
    Good news, thanks for sharing something positive out of a negative.
    imageQuid pro quo. Yes or no?
  • bidaskbidask Posts: 14,017 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hey, I belong to that organization!image
    I manage money. I earn money. I save money .
    I give away money. I collect money.
    I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.




  • richardshipprichardshipp Posts: 5,647 ✭✭✭
    Line up the bad guys and shoot 'em..... get the money first though. image
  • This content has been removed.
  • IGWTIGWT Posts: 4,975
    I hope this prompts some posse posts! image
  • mrearlygoldmrearlygold Posts: 17,858 ✭✭✭
    Here's but one example of the type of person NCA is helping.

    A older fellow called who purchased a quantity of Proof Gold American Eagles. This fellow who was pushing 80 years old found a company in a mainstream magazine advertising these coins. After he called and placed the first order he was bombarded with sales calls from this outfit in Texas who proceeded to sell him these coins at very inflated prices. How inflated you ask? More than double what the market is. This fellow, was a World War 2 Veteran, a real salt of the earth bought these coins as a way to put money aside for his grandchildren. Calls here only to find that his "investment" is worth roughly 1/3 of what he paid for it despite the fact that gold was much much less when he bought these coins. There are a lot of people, especially older folks who know nothing about coins, have only the best of intentions when they purchase them, usually not for themselves but for their kids and grandchildren, who see an add in a major mainstream publication, which of course by itself lends credibility to these slime bags, who rip these people off and then laugh about it.

    Personally I would be filing complaints with the various government organizations to crawl up this telemarketers rear end and give them a good swift kick,. But John Albanese has his own way of doing things and I must say that by getting people like this their money back is infinitely better in the short term than what I had in mind.

    If you know anyone who has had dealings with these types, please contact NCA and get started in trying to make them whole.

    STOP COIN FRAUD
  • FatManFatMan Posts: 8,977


    << <i>Hey, I belong to that organization!image >>

    I am a member as well. I also see mrearlygold listed in the membership as well.image
  • Score one for the good guys!

    image
    Very Positive BST Experience with: guitarwes, ibzman350, jmcu12, Bamafan27, OnlyGoldIsMoney
    Reference: Coin Links
  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Taking John's class at ANA starting Sunday...can't wait..........MJ
    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • CoinRaritiesOnlineCoinRaritiesOnline Posts: 3,674 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>NCA is doing a great job. Bravo! >>




    Ditto!
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,370 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm curious. If we know of a case where a coin dealer ripps off someone, can we refer them to J.A.?

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • RobbRobb Posts: 2,034
    I figured the actions of the NCA would have the majority here throwing a fit.
    imageRIP
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,370 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I figured the actions of the NCA would have the majority here throwing a fit. >>



    Do you hold us in that low of esteem?

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • PTVETTERPTVETTER Posts: 5,978 ✭✭✭✭✭
    great stuff
    image
    Pat Vetter,Mercury Dime registry set,1938 Proof set registry,Pat & BJ Coins:724-325-7211


  • crypto79crypto79 Posts: 8,623
    I had a company call me once trying to sell me MS 68 morgans for 1% of PCGS guide values. Of course they were 1921 and graded by NNC. I laughed them off them phone but I wish I had led them on for awhile
  • SwampboySwampboy Posts: 13,035 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Glad I logged on.
    I needed to read a post like this today.

    Bravo!

    "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso

  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,409 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Very cool - I know a seasoned citizen that could use those services. image

    So far, she's been too embarassed to complain.
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Now that sounds like a worthwhile organization....fighting for.truth, justice and the American way. >>




    ...........i just got a flash of this guy.image


    image
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
  • MikeInFLMikeInFL Posts: 10,188 ✭✭✭✭
    Good for JA and the NCA. I'm headed over there right now to make a donation.

    Hopefully they'll figure out a way to put an end to the scam that is NNC and NTC.
    Collector of Large Cents, US Type, and modern pocket change.

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