BLS International Service

Revdex.com:
At this [redacted]I have not been contacted by BLS International Service[redacted] regarding complaint [redacted]ID [redacted].
Sincerely,
[redacted]

Review: I applied for a PIO card through mail almost four weeks ago. There has not been any update on the BLS website's tracking feature in regards to my PIO application since April [redacted] after it was sent to the Indian Consulate. I have tried to call them numerous times for the past couple days to no avail. I get put on hold for about 40 minutes each time, then the phone rings for another 5-10 minutes but still, nobody picks up and I get an answering voice to leave a message. I have left multiple messages and have yet to receive a call back, nor a response at my attempts to escalate the issue through their website's escalation section. I decided to try and call the Indian Consulate in NY and was successful in reaching a representative there. They informed me that my PIO card was issued on April [redacted] and returned to BLS on April [redacted] along with my passport. So for the past two weeks, my passport and the PIO card have been at the BLS office but they have not updated their system to reflect that, nor have they mailed them back to me.

According to the representative at the Indian Consulate, BLS will no longer be in charge of processing applications for Indian Visa/OCI/PIO on May [redacted]. As such, she suggested that if I live close to go to the BLS office to pick up my documents. However, I live in Ohio and would have to travel to get to NY which is a 12 hour drive (one way) or a $400 flight to go there in the next couple of days (before they are no longer in charge of processing applications) in addition to taking time off from work and lodging costs. Furthermore, I am scheduled to go to India in three weeks and not only do I not have my PIO card in hand, I also do not have my passport back from BLS.Desired Settlement: I would like BLS to resolve the issue soon and return my passport and PIO card without further delays.

Review: I sent my Indian visa application and US passport to BLS along with a cashier's check for the visa processing fee in the amount of $157.70. The package was confirmed as delivered by UPS, but I was unable to track it online. I sent an email inquiry as to the status of my visa application but received After a few weeks, my visa application and passport were returned to me unprocessed - i.e. was not provided an Indian visa - but my check was cashed. I have tried to call them numerous time but there is no answer. My visa application number is [redacted] and my US passport number is [redacted].Desired Settlement: I would like a refund of my application fee ASAP. Thank you.

Review: I have been trying to contact BLS for last two months thru' phone calls, voice messages, escalated inquiries, regular postal mails.

I have sent a prepaid envelop second time for my cases.

1) [redacted] - renunciation of Indian passport [redacted] - paid $33.70

2) [redacted] - renunciation of Indian passport [redacted] - paid $304.70

BLS international did not inform me of what is missing from dispatching both these passports so that I can continue processing my daughter's OCI application.

I asked them and escalated my complain thru' their online system and still was not getting any reply.

I called them numerous times and still was not able to get hold on to any human to explain me what is missing.Desired Settlement: Those cancelled passports mailed back to me at my Ohio address [redacted]

Consumer

Response:

At this time, my complaint, ID [redacted]regarding BLS International Service has been resolved.

(By clicking "OK", your complaint will be closed as Resolved.)

Sincerely,

Review: We applied for a PIO card for my son who is a US citizen, over a month ago. All documents were provided including a return UPS shipping label, however, BLS has not shipped the passport and PIO back even though we even sent them another UPS return label. All attempts to contact them have resulted in form replies. They keep telling us to contact their shipping department, however, no one answers any of their numbers. We are very frustrated because of the poor service and harassment and are looking to lose money because of air ticket cancellation as well as missing a once in a lifetime family event, not to mention the stress and time that has gone into doing something that should not cause us so much emotional distress. We request you to help us out. This is not how businesses should operate or hold up/ lose our documents illegally like this and hold us to ransom.In distress,**Desired Settlement: I want them to ship our documents ASAP so that we can travel to India on time.

Consumer

Response:

After repeatedly contacting BLS, they finally shipped my son's passport and PIO card

At this time, my complaint, ID [redacted] regarding BLS International Service has been resolved.

(By clicking "OK", your complaint will be closed as Resolved.)

Sincerely,

Review: I applied for OCI card through BLS. BLS misplaced my FEDEX return envelop and asking me to send it again. They also asked me to send additional documents that I sent. But I have not heard on this application since last 1.5 months. I tried contacting them several times but their phone system does not work. I tried escalating through their email system but did not get any response. I have already spent around $200 on this application and not getting any response from BLS. They need to be professional and provide appropriate responses in a timely manner. It seems like they are not taking any action once the application becomes pending. Unfortunately there is no alternative to BLS and this business needs to put its act together.Desired Settlement: I would like to get response and action taken on my application or send my money back.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by BLS International Service regarding complaint ID [redacted]

Sincerely,

Review: I applied for OCI card at BLS service in may 2014. They sent my application back on [redacted] may 2014 but they took banker check and cashed it without providing the service.

I am claiming for my money back.Desired Settlement: I want my fees $65 + $565.40 back.

Review: We have applied for OCI and Renunciation application on May [redacted] 2014. We have submitted the complete application and with the correct fee in form of cashier's check as requested in the application packet. After 3 weeks later we are receiving a package through FEDEX with the application and the passport, the documents were not touched (i mean it were not processed) and the check was missing they cashed through the bank I checked with my bank and they are saying I have to deal with them for getting a refund. The Packet which I received dint had any communication letter which inform us why the documents were not processed or why the check was cashed no sort of communication. I called multiple times and email were send but no reply from them. Kindly provide me justice. ThanksDesired Settlement: $462.40

Review: Applied to BLS for India Visa on Nov. [redacted]. Per BLS request sent another return envelope with preprinted label that was received on Dec. [redacted]. Have sent numerous emails requesting the status of returnig passport but all they say is they are looking into matter or requesting info they already have. As of Jan *, 2014 passport has not been returned.Desired Settlement: Return of passport.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, my complaint, ID [redacted] regarding BLS International Service has been resolved.

BLS New York contacted me directly and finally returned my passport. To my knowledge, pressure was put on them by the Indian Embassy after a letter was written to the Ambassador on my behalf by the leader of the group I will be traveling with. Prior, I had been unable to make direct contact with the NYC office of BLS International, and they never responded regarding the Revdex.com complaint.

Sincerely,

Review: Till May **, 2014, BLS International was the out source company for the Indian Embassy for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and visa processing. My husband and I applied for our OCI in the first week of May. BLS International sat on the application without any status updates till the date for them to transfer over to the new company [redacted] had passed. They then returned our entire OCI package un-processed except they cashed the checks. The new company [redacted] refused to take responsibility. The Indian Embasy posted on their website that those customers whose money had been "inadvertently" cashed should contact BLS International at the following email address -- [redacted] I sent them an email on May **, 2014 to which I got a reply on June *, 2014 asking me provide pertinent information about the cashiers check etc. in a certain format. I provided the same after collecting all the information from my bank on July *, 2014. On July **, 2014 I got a reply saying:

Thank you for the details provided.

We are in process to refund the fee, however we need few more

information to investigate the payment credit in BLS account.

Request you to provide us the following :

Proof of cheque/MO credit in BLS account with date from Bank or Post office

Refund to be made in favor of …………………………...⇄ (name on Refund Check)

Your Mailing address to dispatch the cheque.

Please note that the investigation with the bank account may take some

time, our team is diligently working toward a quick closure on the

queries.

We appreciate your patience.

Regards,

BLS Helpdesk

To which I replied with the mailing address and who to make the check payable to. I then pointed out to them that I had provided every detail of the transaction to them and they should be able to process my refund without delay. This email was sent on July **, 2014.

No response from BLS International since then. I have emailed them reminders asking them to acknowledge on August *, 2014 and August **, 2014. No response.

All I want is a refund of the money they cashed without processing my OCI application. It is not a cheap application fee. My husband and I lose close to $600 if they don't refund us. There are 100s of other people in our position (going by the complaints on the Indian Embassy website). Are they just hoping we will get fed up and stop asking for our refunds?Desired Settlement: That BLS International refund our money

Review: They charged me and my family $60 as Fed Ex charges for returning our documents after being processed by Indian Consulate. In the the meantime, Indian consulate has stopped using them as service provider and now I have to get my documents back using another service provider. Since, they didn't provide document return service, they should refund $60 charged to my credit card account. Charges were made on April [redacted], 2014 on credit card ending with [redacted].Desired Settlement: I would like them to refund $60 because they didn't provide that service.

Review: BLS India Visa [redacted] charged twice ($192.70) for my daughter's PIO application.

Details:

Order Form Number => [redacted]

Application accepted by BLS : 2013-12-** Current Aplication Status : Sent Back

Additional Information : THERE WAS NO PAYMENT FOR THIS APPLICATION

This is reference to my daughter [redacted]'s PIO application

This application (Money order [redacted] for $192.70) was sent back to me stating that the Money Order (payment) was missing. So I applied again (with another Money order [redacted] $192.70) for PIO Ref#PIO Application [redacted] and finally I got the PIO. However since you sent back the application (rejected) due to the missing payment, I inquired at USPS postal service and they investigated and send me the details stating that "BLS International USA" already cashed the money order.

Since BLS International [redacted] cashed both of the Money orders I sent, I request you to investigate this issue and I would really appreciate if you can refund me the extra payment of $192.70. I do have all the documents (some are enclosing for your reference please find the attached) and kindly let me know what other details/documents you need for to investigate this issue.

Requested refund on Feb [redacted] 2014 via email. I did several email communications during March and April 2014 (Note: When I try to call the CS via phone, I am unable to get a CSR and waiting for long time not sure anyone handling the phone service at BLS) So far for emails,each time different customer service person respond with stating they are working (I believe a standard message) but no positive response so far.

It's been almost 3 months and I need someone to help me to resolve this issue to get my refund back.

SincerelyDesired Settlement: Since BLS International [redacted] cashed both of the Money orders that I sent, I request BLS -BLS India Visa [redacted]

Sixth Floor (Between [redacted])

to investigate this issue and refund me the extra payment of $192.70.

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by BLS International Service regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: Started Indian Visa application process after having called their call center and explaining them the complexity of my case. I, being a Canadian citizen residing in the USA and none of their forms falling within the prescribed documentation. I was advised to send in the application without any need for Renunciation form, which I promptly sent on 11/**. I stated clearly on my cover letter asking them to contact me if there were any concerns, and their website supported this statement that they would make every attempt to contact me incase of any issues. In the meanwhile, during my follow up I was informed that BLS would need a renunciation form (contact made 11/**) and I promply sent out the form with payment on 11/**. Despite this, BLS sent me my passport back on 12/* stating that I would need renunciation form to be sent (which by then I had already done so). However, to comply, I resent a new application on 12/*, once again stating clearly on the cover letter that the renunciaton form was sent to them (providing them with the TRACKING number for the UPS documentation).

My passport (Canadian [redacted]) was received by BLS on 12/*. Depsite my multiple contacts they have been unable to resolve process the visa. I have in the meanwhile had to cancel my airticket to India which was scheduled for 12/**. While I understand that BLS will not take responsibility for that, I want BLS to be responsible to process the paperwork and use better customer service in resolving this at the earliest.Desired Settlement: I would like to see the visa application completed and visa received at the earliest. I should be contacted by a "person" at the ** office, providing me with status of its progress (as their computer systems don't work right 99% of the time) at least in my case. I would like to have no further delays and no retaliatory actions of sending me back my documents without a valid reason on the consulate letter head stating clearly why the visa is not being provided (if such is the case). I am afraid of retaliation from this company which has terrible customer service and follow up!

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by BLS International Service regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: I have appliced for Indian PIO visa for my daughter. I have checked online status on BLS website tracking says "Passport has dispatched on 11/**/2013", but there is no update with fedex tracking number. They even did not received package. I do not know what is going on? Did they lost the passport? I called them so many times and complain online, but there is no proper answer. All the time they said that they will update status online and someone will call you back.

This is serious issue regarding passport mishandling.

Please help to get proper answer from BLS international.Desired Settlement: I need my daughter's original passport with visa stamp on it.

Review: Subject: Regarding BLS to return OCI fees

Dear Sir/Madam,

I applied the overseas citizen of India application to BLS International Services Inc with my daughter. Due to the transition from BLS to [redacted]), BLS has returned my application without returning my application fee.

Here I am providing all the details about my application, communication between the BLS and myself, and the money order photocopy from my credit union. After I have requested multiple times to BLS neither BLS is responding to my email nor returning my application fee.

Kindly look this matter and please pursue to BLS should return my application fee.

Sincerely, [redacted] Enclosures:

BLS request excel document

Money order Photocopy

Communication between BLS and myselfDesired Settlement: They need to return my money as they did not process my application.

Review: I had to apply for Passport surrender and an OCI card which a US citizen ( born in India ) need to go to visit INDIA. I sent my application along with the fees for the service. In a week I received my application back in my prepaid envelop without telling me the reason of returning my application and at the same time they cashed the cashier check ( fees for both the services ).

I have tried to call but no luck, I wrote many emails and all I got as reply was : Some one will get back to me and it never happened.

It has already delayed my plans to travel to india.

and at the same time my $465 are gone.

Its like a robbery and there is no one to contact to

Its been over 15 days and I have not heard back from them and my search on [redacted] gave me facts that BSL International company has done this thing to many others who applied for different services. I would be greatful if you can do something for me. I am ready to share my other details like passport number and application number for the services .

Please let me know what I need to do ?Desired Settlement: I need my money back which should also include the shipping cost for to and from ( almost $36).

Review: The company does the visa and miscl services for Indian embassy in NY. They stopped their services effective MAy [redacted] 2014 as it was handed over to another company by the embassy. I sent out my application including my two kids to BLS and was received by them on MAY [redacted] 2014. I have the fedex bill for the proof. Well, I aslo send a Money order of $ 887.80 as the fees to them. I did not hear from them for three weeks and all of a sudden they send my application back today (May ** 2014) which had our passports and documents. But, the kept the money order and cashed it on may [redacted] according to money gram from whom I purchased the money order..Desired Settlement: I just would like my money back.

Review: I file an application to get my Overseas Citizens of India (dual citizenship or OCI) from BLS International Services LTD. at the end of April 2014 or beginning of May 2014. However, I received my application back via UPS about a week ago. After opening the package, I noticed that all of my documents were returned to me without any comments on them. Also, I noticed that the money order I had made in approximate amount of $282.70 was missing front he UPS Package. I visited the website for BLS International Services, LTD. to see if there was any status or reason update and noticed that the Indian Embassy had cancelled their contract with BLS International immediately starting on May **, 2014. So when I noticed that my money order was missing, I started calling their customer service number listed on their website. I have been calling them for last two days and am on hold for hours at a time waiting to talk to someone. At the end of every half hour of hold time, they ask me to visit [redacted] to escalate my concern and they will contact me back. However, when I try to go on that website, it only informs me that BLS International no longer handles the cases and the new Visa/PIO/OCI processing company will be Cox and Kings Services International PVT. LTD.

I really hope that someone takes action against this type of legal scam ran by companies hired by Office of Consulate General of India at the Indian Embassy in New York and around the United States of America. This is the 3rd or 4th company in last two years who is awarded a contract by Indian Embassy and things are just getting worst.Desired Settlement: I just want the BLS International Services LTD. to refund my the entire amount as soon as possible so that I can apply for my Visa or OCI Card with the new company. Also, I hope that someone will take appropriate steps and penalties against companies like this so they don't steal money from hard-working people who are trying to get their visas either to visit their family and/or travel around India.

Any assistance in getting me my refund is appreciated.

Review: BLS falsely extracted two [redacted] application fees (2 x $136.70) to issue ONE visitor [redacted] to India. They need to refund one of the fees but haven't.

Applicant: UK passport #[redacted]

**Sep 2013 mailed application: 6-month visitor [redacted] (for India) to BLS office ([redacted])via USPS tracking.

**Sep '13: package delivered at 0950 to BLS, with $136.70 USD postal money order (serial #[redacted])for required [redacted] application fee+ required BLS processing fee

**Sep '13: confirmed proof of encashment of $136.70 money order by BLS - deposited into a [redacted] account

**Sept 2013: passport and [redacted] application returned (in pre-paid envelope) with a note from BLS indicating that the application was unsuccessful because the requisite $136.70 was NOT included despite encashing the money order just the day before.

**Sept 2013: telephone conversation with "[redacted]"customer service @ BLS- he was informed that the money order had in fact been submitted. He insisted that if the passport was returned without a [redacted], then it needed to be re-submitted with another payment of $136.70 if there was any desire to have the application proceed ahead. [redacted] indicated that he was unable to see in the computer system if the alleged payment that we claimed had been received or not.

**Sept 2013: visitor [redacted] application re-submitted via USPS (with tracking) - this [redacted]e with a bank of America cashier's check of $136.70.

**Sep 2013: re-submitted application confirmed as received by BLS at 0947.

**Oct 2013: confirmation by Bank - $136.70 cashier's check encashment by BLS with deposit into a [redacted] account ** Oct 2013: telephone conversation with "[redacted]" - [redacted] at BLS - requested a refund of $136.70 + refund of the needless duplicative mailing costs. Issued a query request number:12817. Was asked to call back in 5 days.

**Oct 2013: telephone conversation with "[redacted]" @ BLS - explained the issue of duplicate [redacted] fees charge. She could not help. Requested to speak with a [redacted]: after waiting on hold for 29 minutes, phone was abruptly cut off. Called right back again - this [redacted]e it was "[redacted]" @ BLS. Explained the issue all over again and asked for [redacted]: put through to "[redacted]". [redacted] had no comment except: call back in another 24 hours, so asked to speak with the overall [redacted] at BLS, who we were told was a person called "[redacted]", but then he hung up the phone mid-stream in a conversation about how to go about contacting this "[redacted]".

**Oct 2013: wrote an email to BLS at [redacted] outlining the request for refund.

[redacted]Oct 2013: email response from BLS: passport is in the mail with the appropriate [redacted] confirmed. But absolutely, nothing to confirm what they would do refunding the duplicate fee extracted.

**Oct 2013: passport received in the mail - with the appropriate 6-month visitor [redacted], but no refund.

**Nov 2013: called again - conversation with "[redacted]" @ BLS - he indicated he was going to write an email, and to call back in 24 hours.

[redacted]Nov 2013: called again - spoke with a "[redacted]" who is a [redacted] @ BLS - explained to her the story, and this [redacted]e she said "give me 24 hours and I will call you back". I confirmed that she had my phone number so as to call me back. She said yes, but never did.

**Nov 2013: called again - spoke with "[redacted]" @ BLS - explained the issue of double. fees charge - I asked to speak to a [redacted] - waited 44 min and then phone was abruptly cutoff.

**Nov 2013: called again - this [redacted]e was a "Jordan" - again asked to wait for 24 hours while an email was sent to BLS. Again asked to speak with [redacted] - again, phone cut off abruptly after waiting for 35 minutes.

**Nov 2103: called again and spoke to "[redacted]" - asked to speak with [redacted] - again, phone cut off abruptly after waiting for 23 minutes. Between **Nov and **Dec 2013, called another 10 [redacted] and spoke with various folks: "[redacted]", "[redacted]", "[redacted] Black", "[redacted]", "[redacted]", "[redacted]", "[redacted]" and [redacted]".

**Mar 2014: still no refund, and no callback from BLS to return my refundDesired Settlement: Settlement demanded:

1. USD $156.68 for duplicative cost to mail application all over again, including pre-paid return envelope/postage

2. USD $87.60 - change fee charged by American airlines for fare difference.

3. USD $150 - fee charged by American airline to re-issue ticket within 72 hours of outbound flight.

Total setttlement amount: $394.18 USD

Explanation for item 2 and 3. outbound travel was scheduled for **Oct 2013, but passport was not received until **Oct 2013, and so we needed to change the flights to avoid voided tickets. If BLS had acknowledged that they received the application payment the first [redacted]e around, then we would have had the application proceed in the normal way, as well as received the passsport back in plenty of [redacted]e for the original departure date of **Oct. Instead, they chose to falsely extract a second fee from us for the same application, and thereby caused a delay in getting our [redacted] and passport back. And, because the airline ticket needed to be changed within 21 days of departure date, American charged us not only the fare difference but also a $150 fee.

Breakdown of requested amount for item 1 above:

$136.70 - duplicate application fee that was falsely extracted to issue the one [redacted].

$5.75 - money order inquiry fee paid to USPS on Sep **2013 to track down money order that was cashed by BLS on **Sep 2013.

$10.47 - return pre-postage+envelope cost - used falsely to return the application+passport on **Sep '13 despite cashing the postal money order.

$3.76 - USPS application mailing cost on **Sep 2013

I have receipts of all these costs including the credit card statement for airline fare difference charges and the additional $150 costs.

In exchange for the total settlement costs above, we choose to forgo any additional claims for the personal cost of [redacted]e thus far, mobile air[redacted]e costs for the calls/wait [redacted]es when calling BLS,interest and potential investment opportunity loss sustained, and, as yet, uncalculated costs for the undue emotional distress and anxiety caused by this experience and interaction with BLS representatives' refusal to cooperate.

Thank you

Consumer

Response:

At this [redacted]I have not been contacted by BLS International Service[redacted] regarding complaint [redacted]ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Review: The BLS international service deposited our money orders without completing the service for which it has been paid. The documents have been returned but the refund of the money has not been done. We mailed the business and after an initial email about 3 months back, we have not heard anything from them so far.Desired Settlement: The wait has been too long ( 3 months) and they need to give a specific time when we would get our refund.