Letter From a Reader: Beware of Deceptive Marketing of Insurance Company

Image courtesy of www.deception.de

Dear Fashion PULIS,

I am one of your avid readers. Just call me Tere and allow me to share my story about how I was fooled by Danvil Insurance in SM Megamall.

One rainy afternoon in February, I went to SM Megamall to meet up a friend. Since I was too early for our meeting, I went up to the 5th floor to walk around. While I was window shopping, a male agent approached me and asked me if I have a credit card. When I said yes, he asked me to show it to him and when I did, he told me that I was entitled to join a raffle for a chance to win a car. He also informed me that if I was willing to attend their company's 40 minute presentation, I will receive giveaways like umbrellas and throw pillows. It was raining cats and dogs outside, I forgot to bring an umbrella and I was too early for our meeting, so I accepted the invitation.

When I entered their office, he introduced me to his female colleague. She accompanied me to the reception desk, and the receptionist took note of my credit card number. She told me that before I qualify for the raffle, I have to first listen to a presentation about the company. The male agent came back and brought me inside a room where loud music was being played. I was given a blank piece of paper and information sheets to accomplish. They offered me drinks while I was busy answering the forms.

After I was done with the forms, the female agent requested me to write my future plans on the piece of blank paper. She left for a while and when she came back, she started talking about what I wrote, my future plans and the way I save money. She told me in Filipino, "Ma'am ang konti naman ng ipon mo, pano nalang kapag bigla kang mamatay, paano na ang mga mahal mo sa buhay? Mas maganda diba, kung may ipon ka, monthly mong huhulugan ng 1,800 pesos for 5 years at in 15 years ay makukuha mo na and pera mo na halos doble pa sa hinulog mo." She continued talking about the company, their different insurance policies and then she started selling their plans to me. I told her I was not interested but she kept insisting. It was almost time for me to meet my friend but she won’t let me go unless I present my credit card to her. Since I had no choice, I gave it to her, she took it to the cashier and the next thing I knew, the agents were clapping and congratulating me. I asked her why she swiped my credit card without my permission and she said the transaction could not be cancelled. Since my friend was already waiting for me at the food court, I was forced to quickly sign the papers and she gave me an umbrella before I allowing me to leave the office.

I was very bothered the whole night so the following day, I searched the company online and I found out that this company really employs deceptive marketing. After reading the different blog entries, I tried calling HSBC to cancel the transaction, the agent was very sympathetic but he told me that he can't cancel the transaction unless Danvil cancels it for me. He suggested that I file a dispute instead.

The next day was a Monday, I went to the company’s office but it was closed. I went again the following day and they were many mall goers inside the office. I was told to get a number, and when it was my turn, I told the customer service representative that I wanted to talk to the female agent. She told me that it was not possible so she called for the manager instead. The manager told me that I couldn't cancel the transaction because I already signed the papers. I told him that they won’t let me out of the office unless I gave them my credit card and they swiped my credit card without my permission. I threatened him that if he will not cancel the transaction, I will make a scene and tell all the people inside the office about what happened to me. He got shocked because I started kicking the chair and he finally agreed to cancel the transaction. He issued me a cancellation slip that said CANCELLED FROM INCEPTION and he informed me that my money would be reimbursed to my account after 45 days. When I got home, I immediately called HSBC and sent them through fax the cancellation paper from Davil. Forty five days later, I called HSBC and I was very happy when they told me that the 6,000 pesos was already reimbursed to my account.

In my opinion, the company is legal but the way they use deceptive marketing is illegal. The company also had Prudential Life attached to their name which confused me severely. If I am not mistaken, the complete name is Danvil Philippines Prudential Life, formerly known as Family First. I don't know why the SM Megamall Management tolerates this kind of deception inside their mall. I hope this story serves as a lesson to all your readers. Whatever happens, do not give your credit card to anyone if you do not agree to what he/she is trying to sell you. I think the government agency responsible for issuing permits to this company should also investigate further on this matter.

Thank you for posting my story. More power!

Sincerely yours,
Ana Teresa Kalayaan