Received an unauthorized charge for 11.95 from Shopping Essentials on my Citi Card Credit account statement back mid September.
The phone number listed on my statement after statement transaction details when called, is automated asking for either membership number (which I never had), credit card number (of which I will not disclose) or phone number (of which I will not disclose). There is no way to speak to an actual person through that only contact number given, in inquiring of this charge. Phone number as 888-243-6180 and apparently in state of CT according to my CC statement.
I will not disclose any personal information through their automated system that could THEN authorize and/or admit to doing business with them now or in the past, of which I never have nor wish to. Their online contact method also requires personal information as well, of which I again will not disclose to a merchant I've never done business with, but has charged me as doing such.
In my research, I have only found this company on the internet with an Internet site to conduct business with.
Called my credit card company and filed a dispute of that unauthorized charge. Charge category from Shopping Essentials is listed as: 'Merchandise - direct marketing - continuity subscription'. Meaning, it is a monthly charge that has or will continue every month. Asked if I've ever been charged this in the past, as I didn't have past statements to check at the moment. This apparently was the first time I've been charged from this merchant. I never conducted business with, nor agreed to any free trial subscription, of which has now perhaps expired and charges have started, nor received any merchandise from said company. Never ordered such service through their web site, nor ever gave my personal info, especially my CC number over the phone to any telemarking call and/or offer.
It was suggested that I close my CC account and open a new account with Citi Cards with a different account number. I will consider that if it shows up again on my next monthly statement. However, Citi Cards currently has reversed those unauthorized charges and has started an investigation with that company for that charge. Apparently there is no way Citi Cards can block any further charges from only that merchant in the future, I was told after suggesting that solution. I will wait for those investigation results before I close and reopen a new account with them.
Disturbing to me is the fact of, how did they get my credit account number in the first place. Am I now a victim of ID theft or ID fraud?
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