I was checking my online banking today and noticed that my account balance had dropped by $60 some dollars over nite! Knowing I hadn't used my Visa Check Card in the last 24 hours, I researched this further, and found a charge that appeared on my statement as *HMS Blue Long Distance*, in the amount of $61.02.
Never having heard of this company before, I immediately called my bank. They informed me that the charge was made at 2:03pm on 12-16-02. I was in a 2 hour business meeting during that time! I then informed my bank that this had to be an unauthorized charge. I would have remembered making it. And as I run my own long distance company, it could not have been a charge for long distance service!
I asked my bank to track down contact information for the company, and they were unable to find any. Generally when a credit card charge is made, a phone number is attached for customer disputes. But not in this case. My bank informed me that I would have to file paperwork for the unauthorized charge and it would take a few days to get reversed unless we could track down the company and get them on the phone.
I then spent about a half hour on the internet running every search I could imagine. Finally I found a link to usacomplaints.com, where I read an interesting tale by another user who had the same thing happen to them. And what do you know, the person had a contact number with their report!
I called immediately, and told the operator that I had an un-authorized charge to my credit card. She apparently needed my card number in order to look up the transaction. I told her I did not want to give her my card number and asked for a supervisor. They promptly transferred my to voicemail.
Well, you don't mess with a man's money, especially a week before Christmas... So it was time to play hard ball. I ran my phone system through my computer and set it up to record when I made the call.
I called back and was told the same thing, that they needed my credit card to lookup my account. I informed the operator that the call was being recorded (I come from a law enforcement background... It is perfectly legal to record any phone call as long as the other person is aware it is happening). When I informed her of this, she almost hung up on me and started ranting and raving about how she never gave me her permission... (keep in mind this is 30 seconds into the call)
I finally asked her, "Are you going to provide me with customer service, or are you refusing to answer my query as long as we are on a recorded line?"
She finally decided to ignore the fact that there was going to be a record of everything she said. Before giving her my card number (I mean, obviously they already have it, right?) I explicitly told her that I was not authorizing any more charges to this card. Sure enough she found my account.
To make a long story short, this is what happened. Apparently one of the many places I use my credit card, SOLD my CREDIT CARD NUMBER and ADDRESS to HMS Blue. (Didn't know you could buy random credit card numbers... Hmmm). Then I was supposedly sent out a calling card that had a month of free long distance. (I never got anything of the sort, nor requested it) The terms and conditions of this offer that I neither requested nor received was that if I did not cancel the card within 30 days, my *purchased* credit card number was automatically charged.
Well... I just have to wonder how many people don't catch this on their bill? That is a lot of money they get to keep.
As a little treat to everyone out there, I have sent the recording of myself and the customer service representative to the webmaster of this site, and I believe he will be uploading it for your enjoyment. I bleeped out my credit card number, but otherwise the call is uncensored.
I also contacted the Federal Trade Commission with my recording and story, and am waiting for them to get back to me.
On top of that, I have an attorney friend who owes me a favor, and I am going to be exploring the option of putting together a lawsuit against this company. Hopefully with the unification of people like the users of this site we can get this company shut down. If you would be interested in taking part or being a witness in a lawsuit (if I can get it to come to that) please e-mail me at [email protected] and put "HMS Blue" in the subject line.
And if you're reading this far, thanks to listening to my story... Hopefully speaking out will help with consumer awareness so that less people are victimized.
0 comments