Is our application lost?

[indi]

I did speak to my bank, and basically they said they can not do anything, as we chose to send it to BLS, and BLS cashed it. So, there is nothing they can do to reverse it. However, they suggested 3 options:
1. Police complaint
2. BBB complaint
3. Hire an attorney for an individual suit or a class action suit.

I think that there is a fourth option: Write a petition, signed by all of us, and send it to the Council General of India for action? After all, we did not choose to go to BLS, the Indian Consulate forced us to use them. They were acting on behalf of the Indian Consulate. If this is an option, can someone help to write up a petition (with preferably a lawyer friend)?

What I want to know is the money that we have paid is credited to our account (if there is one) at Cox, so we can send the application packet to COX (once again spending shipping charges).

Your bank suggested the same options that my bank stated.

I think a BBB complaint does not do much to affect BLS since they're on their way out of business.
Filing
- police complaints
- claims with small claims court
- consumer complaints with the AG, and/or
- lawsuit (individual or class action)
are our best options.

I also think that a petition filed to the Council General of India might help. However we know how things work there. They'll take forever to review and decide, and I don't think it will yield results within any short time-frame. That stated, it could likely be decided in our favor.

I also think raising a hue and cry with the press will help bring it to the mainstream. Perhaps we should send a link of this to the media.

I don't know if there is a chance that the money we paid is going to be accounted for by Cox or the Indian consulate. After all, our entire application (minus the checks of course) was sent back to us without even being logged into the system on Government of India's end. I reached out to Cox and they were not even aware of the fact that our money was missing. They asked me to bring this up with BLS for a refund - sure, fat chance of that yielding any result!

[indi]

I intend to file a complaint with the Attorney General of MA. Should I be filing with the AG of NY, as that is where we sent the application?

I think yes, you would want to file with the AG of NY, since that is where the jurisdiction of BLS NY would fall under.

[Reachmcm]

Bls took money and returned same pio card with no endorsement

IS COX FUNCTIONAL , IF I NEED TO REAPPLY THE PIO ENDORSEMENT ? HOW LONG THEY TAKE ?
any links about cox pio revalidation ?

[indi]

Let's not give up but continue to push BLS on this.

It's apparent that they took the money in the hope that they can cash out and we will move on.

They did not realize that we've finally had it with them, and that we are able to really come together and forewarn legal actions on them. I know a lot of us sent emails to them about this. At the very least, it's helping because BLS is now providing an option for us to directly bring this up via email with them. I received a response from the consulate that we should contact BLS at [email protected]

Also see: http://www.in.ckgs.us/static/importa...ce-popup.shtml

Whether this email resolution pans out or not remains to be seen, but IMO let's not give up on our efforts on this. If BLS realizes that we're serious, they might give in (and hopefully also refund our lost shipping fees, though I know it's a stretch to expect that from them).

[SreeniOCI]

BLS sent back application money order gone

Hi All - I am in the same boat, I applied for OCI for my family on April 14th, got an email from BLS saying that they were processing. Couple of days ago I received my papers back by UPS with the money order (almost $1200) GONE. No trace of my application at BLS or Cox and Kings. Please let me know if anyone has luck either contacting BLS or Cox and Kings.

[jreddychalla]

In the same boat

No records found on CKGS website. Neither CKGS nor BLS are responding. Indian consulate says wait for 25 days before contacting them.

[radzms]

Next plan of action

Let's not give up but continue to push BLS on this.

It's apparent that they took the money in the hope that they can cash out and we will move on.

They did not realize that we've finally had it with them, and that we are able to really come together and forewarn legal actions on them. I know a lot of us sent emails to them about this. At the very least, it's helping because BLS is now providing an option for us to directly bring this up via email with them. I received a response from the consulate that we should contact BLS at [email protected]

Also see: http://www.in.ckgs.us/static/importa...ce-popup.shtml

Whether this email resolution pans out or not remains to be seen, but IMO let's not give up on our efforts on this. If BLS realizes that we're serious, they might give in (and hopefully also refund our lost shipping fees, though I know it's a stretch to expect that from them).

Can we start of a list of individual who got their packet back , which consulate, amt of money lost? this way we can probably notify the media about this scam and how many people were effected.

1. Radzms , BLS NY office , PIO - $200

- - - Updated - - -

I think yes, you would want to file with the AG of NY, since that is where the jurisdiction of BLS NY would fall under.

http://www.stopfraud.gov/ Link to report fraud to govt.

[priyaseeksoci]

Can we start of a list of individual who got their packet back , which consulate, amt of money lost? this way we can probably notify the media about this scam and how many people were effected.

1. Radzms , BLS NY office , PIO - $200

- - - Updated - - -



oK. I am in for this. what do we do?

2. priyaseeksoci, BLS NY office. OCI - $107.70 + plus shipping + time and last but not least mental agony..........

Getting my form and documents ready for http://www.ag.ny.gov/sites/default/f...b_consumer.pdf

[radzms]

2. priyaseeksoci, BLS NY office. OCI - $107.70 + plus shipping + time and last but not least mental agony..........

Getting my form and documents ready for http://www.ag.ny.gov/sites/default/f...b_consumer.pdf

I just found this website http://www.stopfraud.gov/report.html for reporting fraud, was wondering will applying or reporting as a group make more impact than sending individual forms.? Also what are the supporting documents we need to provide. how do we show that they did this, all I can think of in terms of Supporting documents for filing a complaint:
1. Postal tracking numbers showing proof of receipt of applications
2. Copy of MO or CC
3. I do have a escalation ticket # , the BLS site no longer has links for checking ticket status
4. I DO NOT have a screen shot of the application tracking status where they said they received the application.

[Hemavathy]

2. priyaseeksoci, BLS NY office. OCI - $107.70 + plus shipping + time and last but not least mental agony..........

Getting my form and documents ready for http://www.ag.ny.gov/sites/default/f...b_consumer.pdf

3. Hemavathy, BLS NY office, PIO for minor - $192.70 + shipping

[indi]

Good idea! Here's an updated compilation, with mine added.

1. Radzms , BLS NY office , PIO - $200
2. priyaseeksoci, BLS NY office. OCI - $107.70 + plus shipping + time and last but not least mental agony..........
3. Hemavathy, BLS NY office, PIO for minor - $192.70 + shipping
4. indi, BLS NY office, OCI for family - $1130.80 + shipping

Can we start of a list of individual who got their packet back , which consulate, amt of money lost? this way we can probably notify the media about this scam and how many people were effected.

[craigoooo]

1. Radzms , BLS NY office , PIO - $200
2. priyaseeksoci, BLS NY office. OCI - $107.70 + plus shipping + time and last but not least mental agony..........
3. Hemavathy, BLS NY office, PIO for minor - $192.70 + shipping
4. indi, BLS NY office, OCI for family - $1130.80 + shipping
5. Craig, BLS NY office. OCI - $282.70 + shipping

[RAKK]

1. Radzms , BLS NY office , PIO - $200
2. priyaseeksoci, BLS NY office. OCI - $107.70 + plus shipping + time and last but not least mental agony..........
3. Hemavathy, BLS NY office, PIO for minor - $192.70 + shipping
4. indi, BLS NY office, OCI for family - $1130.80 + shipping
5. Craig, BLS NY office. OCI - $282.70 + shipping
6. RAKK, BLS NY Office, Family OCI & Renunciation - $1207.50 + Shipping

[mk118]

1. Radzms , BLS NY office , PIO - $200
2. priyaseeksoci, BLS NY office. OCI - $107.70 + plus shipping + time and last but not least mental agony..........
3. Hemavathy, BLS NY office, PIO for minor - $192.70 + shipping
4. indi, BLS NY office, OCI for family - $1130.80 + shipping
5. Craig, BLS NY office. OCI - $282.70 + shipping
6. RAKK, BLS NY Office, Family OCI & Renunciation - $1207.50 + Shipping
7. Karthik, BLS NY office, PIO for minor - $192.70 + shipping

[turnaround]

1. Radzms , BLS NY office , PIO - $200
2. priyaseeksoci, BLS NY office. OCI - $107.70 + plus shipping + time and last but not least mental agony..........
3. Hemavathy, BLS NY office, PIO for minor - $192.70 + shipping
4. indi, BLS NY office, OCI for family - $1130.80 + shipping
5. Craig, BLS NY office. OCI - $282.70 + shipping
6. RAKK, BLS NY Office, Family OCI & Renunciation - $1207.50 + Shipping
7. Karthik, BLS NY office, PIO for minor - $192.70 + shipping
7. Jai, BLS NY office, PIO for minor - $192.70 + shipping

- - - Updated - - -

1. Radzms , BLS NY office , PIO - $200
2. priyaseeksoci, BLS NY office. OCI - $107.70 + plus shipping + time and last but not least mental agony..........
3. Hemavathy, BLS NY office, PIO for minor - $192.70 + shipping
4. indi, BLS NY office, OCI for family - $1130.80 + shipping
5. Craig, BLS NY office. OCI - $282.70 + shipping
6. RAKK, BLS NY Office, Family OCI & Renunciation - $1207.50 + Shipping
7. Karthik, BLS NY office, PIO for minor - $192.70 + shipping
8. Jai, BLS NY office, PIO for minor - $192.70 + shipping