AMERICA ONLINE makes unauthorized withdrawals of funds from NON-Customer Checking Accounts:
AOL has withdrawn funds from my checking account twice now and I do NOT have an account with them.in Feb my regular internet provider was down, so I used a freebie AOL disk. I did not like the frames AOL used and I could not go to MSN to access my account. I IMMEDIATELY called the same number back that I found on the disk. I spoke to a Greg and was assured that although they required my credit card number in case I did chose to stay with them, that I would NOT be charged! He lied.
I am a banker at the very bank where this occurred. I know that if a dishonest merchant gets a hold of either your account number, or your debit card number they can tear you up. The bank makes us pay for any stop payments we place even though I work there. The first withdrawal caused 3 other items to bounce and I was charged 3 $20.00 fees. Today 5-13-02 I went to work and found out that even after the stop pay, once again out of the blue they withdrew funds from my account.
On the first debit I had called and spoken to a "Shauna" who researched everything they had on me, and she said "We have no record of even having an account with us". I replied no kidding. Then she told me to fax her a copy of the debit since she had no record of them taking money from my account. I did fax the copy to her and told her of the fees. I have not received a reply. That has been turned over to our fraud dept.
I am out now a total of $156.80 from AOL being crooked. They told me I am not a customer and well over 15 months after I used a one time one day "freebie" disk I am all of a sudden being debited? Aol told me that they had my checking account # and I was shocked and asked how did they get my checking account number when I had never given it to them? ALL I had ever used was my debit card. She couldn't tell me. And why out of the blue well over 15 months after one day with a "freebie" disk?
Now my bank manager is feeling that I too should close out my account just like we advise our customers. I have other automatic payments that would have to be stopped along with my employee automatic deposit which takes about 2 wks to set up.
AOL is using fraudulent billing practices, and I think we should all report them as a class action to the Attorney General and the local Better Business Bureau.
We can all post how angry we are but unless we DO something and report their illegal activities and fraudulent business & billing practices all we will ever get is angry while we pay out fees for a service we do not have. I would NOT recommend AOL to anyone! Find a service that allows you to send them a payment.
Lucie
St. Louis, Missouri
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