index page

TOTAL RANT About Fraudulent CC Charges

Date: Fri, 05/18/2007 - 10:04
Submitted by SUEBEEHONEY70 on Fri, 05/18/2007 - 10:04
Posts: 4583
Credits:
[Donate]

Ok...I've had the week from heck, and last night was the LAST straw.

I've been selling on Ebay for quite some time, and recently came across an ad for a software that would allow me to cut some of the expenses out when it comes to the fees charged by Ebay and Paypal. So, I ordered the DVD, paying only shipping & handling for it.

Now, I consider myself a very careful person when it comes to my credit card numbers (well, in this case, a debit card, not attached to my bank account, thank goodness). I researched this offer very carefully, looked through it over and over for any "fine print" that might indicate a catch of some sort - you know the saying - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Well...

One week after I received my dvd (which I haven't even had time to look at), I came home last night to work on my Ebay listings...only to find that I couldn't pay for an item I had bought on Ebay. My card was declined! I thought "ok - what the heck! This is only a $9 item!" I knew I had much more than that available on the card. I checked on the website for my card provider...and lo and behold, there was a $59.95 charge to my card yesterday that I didn't initiate! After some research, I found out that the company that issued the dvd for the software I was interested in had charged me. I called them immediately, and really b*tched someone out. I was advised that since my "trial period" had expired, I was charged for the software. I asked WHAT trial period - there was nothing indicated in the advertisement, or anywhere on any of the dvd packaging, or on the dvd itself (I watched it twice, looking for the "trial period" info after I was charged).

They agreed to reverse the charges "immediately", since, in their words, I "had not been informed of the terms and conditions". Now "immediately" in their books means 7-14 days. Nice.

Just a word to the wise...be VERY careful what you buy with your credit/debit card - you never know when some fly by night company that appears to be genuine will hit you with fraudulent charges. You can never be too careful with those numbers. Even the most careful person can get scammed.


Will yor card holder reverse it if you complain. Or is it paypal. I had an awful time with paypal in the same situation. I was billed for something that was not explained in the "terms" and wound up with a cart full of groceries and no way to pay for them. Paypal said they won't reverse the charges unless the merchant agrees. In other words the crook has to agree to give back the money. I really have sympathy for you SueBeeHoney


Submitted by Frogpatch on Fri, 05/18/2007 - 10:15

Frogpatch

( Posts: 5381 | Credits: )


If it sounds too bood to be true, it is.

I NEVER pay for anything with a credit card unless I am in person. If someone on eBay will not accept a money order, then you need to turn in another direction. M/O are just like cash. If they will only accept a credit card, be prepared for possible fraudulent charges.


Submitted by jedijeff13 on Fri, 05/18/2007 - 11:18

jedijeff13

( Posts: 1734 | Credits: )


tali - sounds like the same scam I was hit with. There was NO trial period mentioned anywhere on this package or the dvd, or on the ad I bought it from. I'll never do that again.

I only use a prepaid debit card, so it is not attached to my bank account or anything like that - and I have a debit card for my paypal account. I pay for everything from Ebay via paypal. Those are the only two "credit"-type cards I have.

Frogpatch - the company is reversing the charges. I called them today, and they told me the charges would be reversed and the money put back on my card. I wanted to be sure they weren't going to try and send me a check, which would take forever.


Submitted by SUEBEEHONEY70 on Fri, 05/18/2007 - 11:39

SUEBEEHONEY70

( Posts: 4583 | Credits: )


Thanks, Cajun - I would report it to Ebay, but this company is not related to Ebay in any way - they send out dvd's promoting their software which allows you to host your own photos, etc. instead of using Ebay's services to do that, thus avoiding the fees involved...however, they don't tell you they're going to hit you with $59.95 for a "trial" of their software.


Submitted by SUEBEEHONEY70 on Fri, 05/18/2007 - 15:31

SUEBEEHONEY70

( Posts: 4583 | Credits: )


Just an update - I got my money back on my card on day 14 of their "7-10, might be 14 days" (per the phone conversation I had with them). I'm glad to get my money back (can't afford losing $60 in one week like that!) and am chalking this one up to a lesson learned.

On a good note, since I have been disputing things on my credit reports left and right, my scores have started going up - just the other day, I received a pre-approved credit card offer in the mail - the first one of those I've seen in YEARS. Granted, it's not a great card, it's got a high annual fee, etc., but it's an indication that my scores are going up enough to trigger an offer - a good thing!


Submitted by SUEBEEHONEY70 on Sat, 06/02/2007 - 15:07

SUEBEEHONEY70

( Posts: 4583 | Credits: )


Thanks, Irish! I'm excited to see things working out this way. My plan is to refinance out of the Ch. 13 plan I'm currently in after 12 months - which will be August or September.

According to the lender I'm dealing with, all I need to do is get a few small bills paid off on my credit reports (ones that occurred after the Ch. 13 was filed - medical bills), and get at least one new line of credit opened up and maintain a good rating on it for a couple of months, and I should be able to refinance out of the Ch. 13 and start getting my paycheck back!


Submitted by SUEBEEHONEY70 on Sat, 06/02/2007 - 15:14

SUEBEEHONEY70

( Posts: 4583 | Credits: )


YAH SUE Glad to see things looking up for you. Glad you got your money back. KYSIDE38


Submitted by KYSIDE38 on Sat, 06/02/2007 - 21:49

KYSIDE38

( Posts: 2477 | Credits: )