Currency Commission Scam Beware

Julia

The Currency Commission website offers to exchange expired European currencies for euros or US dollars. I sent some old foreign money to the Currency Commission along with forms printed out from an email they sent but I have heard nothing. I would like to warn others not to use them. They do not respond to emails - their phones used to divert to answer machines but now do not even connect. Do not use them.

maisiemo

I also sent currency to The Currency Commission and have had no cheque or reply to my numerous Emails despite my currency being signed for at their London office. Beware!

yrwyddfa

I am not sure how Steve Playle of the Gaurdian managed it - perhaps he would like to publish the details.
I sent Spanish pesatos but again they do not answer telephone or e-mails - I am not hopeful.
It is just a scam - best avoided

supersar

I too sent money over a year ago and have heard nothing. I even got in contact with Steve Playle at trading standards to no avail. It makes me really angry that if you google The Currency Commission one of the top stories is Steve's article in the Guardian which pops up stating "it looks like a scam but isn''t" and that Mr Playle is not prepared to do anything about it. THIS IS A SCAM do not send them your money.

AlBanoLover

supersar wrote: »

I too sent money over a year ago and have heard nothing. I even got in contact with Steve Playle at trading standards to no avail. It makes me really angry that if you google The Currency Commission one of the top stories is Steve's article in the Guardian which pops up stating "it looks like a scam but isn''t" and that Mr Playle is not prepared to do anything about it. THIS IS A SCAM do not send them your money.

Like you, I also sent over £60 in Greek currency in January, recorded delivery, and emailed 3 times when I did not receive my Euros. I also rang (abroad?) and got a recorded message asking for my details but heard nothing. I also emailed the Guardian asking Steve Playle if he had further news on whether his correspondent had got their money but got no reply. Mr. Playle is responsible for a lot of unhappy people who presumed the site was legitimate as he'd said it was NOT a scam. He should have made sure of his facts. I reported the company to Trading Standards in Surrey (forgetting that Steve Playle was a TSO - I could have been speaking to him!!) who said they would act on my info. I'd like to know how the Currency Commission have benefitted from all our money if we can't use it. BUT I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has lost money!

banjodru

I was a victim of the Currency Commission back in February, 2010. Since figuring out that the company is a fraud, I have been contacting all of the publications who have recommended them asking them to expose the scam so that other readers will not be ripped off. So far, only the Washington Post has agreed to do so, and if the other publications hear from more of us, they may follow with articles too. The Manchester Guardian especially needs to get with it, as it is their article which comes up first in a search making them look legit., and is still giving readers bad info.

banjodru

Just to follow up, the Washington Post did an article about the Currency Commission scam on Friday, November 5th. I have contacted the Guardian in the UK again to see if they will get something in print to warn their readers, as the favorable story they published by Steve Playle is still the first one to come up on a Google search. If you want to contact the Guardian, their email address is capital.letters@guardian.co.uk.

CHACHACHA

om another note the 'currency commission' mail address is for a mailbox rental service,anyone can have their mail sent there. Very dodgy. Google bostonmailservices and look at their identical contact address

Cynthialmgm

I wish I had seen this site before I sent all that money to those crooks. It is a scam. Save yourself any grief and exchange your money in person with a reputable company.

kneff

Hi. I've stumbled upon this site through a search engine and am glad I did! I've got an extremely large amount of foreign money from Greece that has been retired. The Currency Commission in Boston is the place that I was going to send my drachma to. Everything did seem legit, the website, the media, etc. Then I also looked up their server, which is godaddy and they usually check into information on businesses, or they did when I last used them a few years ago. I haven't done anything...nor will I until I find out positively that this place is indeed a scam. From everyone's posts, it most def. seems to be and I feel bad for everyone who has paid or lost their foreign currency. I also looked up the bbb online (Better Business Bureau) and there were five neg. comments on this place...the same as what everyone here posted. What I don't understand is how this company is getting away with this! I'm willing to take drastic measures to get this company shut down (and I hope I'm not breaking any rules by posting what I just did). If so, I'm sorry. But it just bothers me to know they are doing this and its wrong. I've sent out alot of emails to different places, including some of the magazines they used as media and also the main bank in Greece to see if they are aware of this company. Anyway, I just wanted to post this and I'm glad I came across your posts when I did. Thank you to all who posted and I hope something can be done.

catokelly

Hi Kneff,

Be very quick because the Greek Drachma will lose all value after 28th Feb, even the central banks will not exchange them after this date.

If you are in London Thomas Exchange, near Oxford Circus tube station still exchange many pre Euro currencies, you can exchange for cash over the counter or post to them http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110725150241AAgievY