I was linked to the SwipeAuction.com website via weather.com. The link appeared to be a valid news link http://www.channel9newsreport.com/finance/20689352/ athough in hindsight I have confirmed it is in fact an ad for Swipe Auction. I was interested to see how the "penny auction" worked and the site touts its commitment to integrity. One must scoll through several flashing testimonials, bid simulations that cause the heart to stir at the thought of a iPad for under a $100! Finally you are asked to give you information and select a user name and password so that you can "bid" on items. The online form at this point does not have T&C's associated with it, there are several places on the very busy screen that you could dig out to determine the current $159 membership fee, however, they have definetly made it a scavengerhunt to do so. After selecting your ID and password you are taken to another page to "finish" your registration. Again, this is not inutive, but rather you must again scroll through a few pages of flashing ads, auctions etc before you reach the next form.
At this point, I was under the impression I was sharing my credit info similar to paypal.in other words, IN CASE I bid on something and won, they would then know where to charge the purchase. Don't worry though, the second you hit submit, you are rewarded with an email from [email protected] confirming a charge to you for $159.00!!! I was stunned. This is followed up by an email from a company called buySafe. "SwipeAuctions has partnered with buySAFE to ensure you have peace of mind over your recent purchase. You are receiving this email as a receipt of the benefits described below." hahahaha if that isn't irony.
Thankfully Chase does its own monitoring of my Visa and immediately notified me of suspected fraudulant behaviour on my card! They indcated the transaction was iniatiated out of Germany and immediately stopped the purchase. Additionally the closed my account and are overnighting me a new credit card. They hope that SwipeAuctions trying to put the transaction through so they can track the bank account! Go VISA. When I contact Swipe Auction via live chat, they gave me the literall cut and paste answers that others have posted from their live chats. The script does not vary at all. They asked me to confirm the "order" and I noticed the screen shot they send you to IS NOT the exact same! Smoke and mirrors. I have contacted the BBB, the Michigan AG and VISA. Clearly many of you have done the same. I cant wait to see Jennifer from Swipe Auctions offer a rebuttal. She can cut and paste her standard resonse below!!
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