I received an email from online supplier offering free information on how to succeed on ebay. It appeared as an ebay advertisement. However, this wasn't free at all since they charged $1.95 for shipping and handling. As I was exiting from the email I received a pop-up that resembled an instant messenger box. The live employee of online supplier said "Don't go. Only $1.95 for shipping and handling and an opportunity to make thousands. You will also be eligible for $250.00 in merchandise just for requesting this valuable information." Thinking I was dealing with a reputable company (ebay) I went ahead and ordered their information package, giving my checking account debit card as my means of payment.
Lo and behold along comes my bank account statement a month later and not only am I being charged for the $1.95, this deceiptful company also took $39.95 from my account. I now realized that the $1.95 scam was their way of obtaining my bank information so they could help themselves to my funds. I called them immediately and was told by ordering the "free" literature I was joining their company as a client and their fee is $39.95 per month. As much as I dislike balancing my check book, I was immediately thankful it was a practice I had gotten into. Despite my arguement, they refused to refund the $39.95 they had fraudulantly taken from my account. However, they gracefully closed my "account" which I never opened and sent me an email with a new offer! Hello!
Here is how I have handled these crooks and I suggest anyone who has been violated in the same manner as myself, follow suit;
1) Go to http://www.ic3. Gov / This Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). The IC3 gives the victims of internet crime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations.
2) Go to your bank or contact you credit card company and fill out an affidavit reporting fraudulent activity on your account. There is a small fee for this service.in my case, Visa has refunded me my money as a charge back and is investigating this company.
Be aware of these types of offers. I have learned a valuable lesson and will be very skeptical of future offers.
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