I noticed fraudulent charges on my bank statement.in speaking with my bank, they informed me the charges had already been processed and the only way I would get my money was to contact the company directly. The bank was not able to help me because the company is based in the UK and they can only help on charges submitted through United States companies. The bank also informed me of some other pending charges through affiliate companies. The bank also stated this is one of many internet schemes where people request information from a website and agree to pay a nominal fee of $1.97 or $2.97. The only way to stop them is by cancelling your debit cards and possibly closing your bank account.
The companies are yourblogteacher.com and findmemillions.com doing business under Astral Bay Marketing Ltd. Their e-mail address is at domain name fastblogincome.com. I looked up the company online and when you provide your name and e-mail address and click submit, you are taken to another page asking for your billing information. At no time is there a check box for you to "agree" to terms and conditions. They are hidden in very small print at the very bottom of the first page.
You have three days to cancel your "membership" or your card will be billed a monthly fee in excess of $70, with other affiliate websites billing $19.99 or more. The bank informs me these charges are set up on a timer to bill immediately after 3 days and 1 second from the time you clicked submit.
Upon calling the company and being on hold initially for 45 minutes, I spoke with a representative by the name of Cassandra. After answering the questions asked, Cassandra was able to determine that someone has used my debit card number, home address and phone number with a fictitious name and e-mail address to sign up. She initially said she was processing the cancellation and refund. When asked when I could expect the refund, she stated I wouldn't be getting one because the charges were valid. She agreed to cancel the "membership", but would not refund the charges which had already incurred totalling almost $100, even though we were able to determine it was neither me nor my husband who authorized the charges. She did recommend I contact the "authorities", whoever they are, to claim identity theft. I informed her I would be contacting authorities all right, but they would be the ones who would file a claim against her company as well for not providing great customer service to someone who was obviously the victim of fraud.
In requesting to speak to a supervisor, I was placed on hold for over an hour and then told her supervisor, Jay, was very busy, but that she would connect me to his voicemail. She would not provide his last name for "security" reasons (funny how they're concerned about their security but not mine) and said he did not have a direct line. Apparently the toll free number you dial is the only number for the whole company.
Beside filing a claim through usacomplaints. Coms, I will be contacting the Better Business Bureau, FBI, Consumer Protection Agency and whatever other advocacy entities might be able to assist me in getting my money back and protect other consumers from being a victim of fraud.
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