Saturday night around 10pm (UK time) I was updating my facebook page when I noticed a sponsored ad for cheap cameras. I clicked on it and got the Ziinga.com site which had very tempting bargains. I registered on the site and ticked the "terms and Conditions" box, having satisfied myself that there was not an unfair clause. Last line under "Registration" said " You may cancel your account at any time by sending an email to [email protected]"
After registration I paid a £35 deposit with my credit card and started bidding for "Bargains". During this time my account showed £60 all the time. Eventually after some 90 minutes I gave up and went back on Facebook and also checked my email - there were emails from Ziinga. One said I had been billed £34 £1 and had been enrolled on their PLATINUM SERVICE at a monthly charge of £59.99 which was binding for 3 months. It also said that the first 7 days were FREE and I could cancel any time. The 2nd email said I had bought a £250 bid package for which they had billed me £1. I went to bed around midnight but was so worried that I got up around 4am (15 January) and sent an email to cancel my account emphasising that I had not signed up to that service.
I got a reply to my email saying that I would be charged £28 for cancellation as well as £59.99 for next 3 months. I am looking at potential losses of over £300 even after being ultra careful.
My credit card provider says cancelling my card will not help as they have got authority to bill me as I gave them my details but will help to dispute the charges. I have made a report to UK Consumer Credit who have noted the complaint but cannot help to recover any monies. Uk Fraud Action line have also noted the complaint but said I may have few rights as the company is not based in the Uk.
I am disputing these charges as the "Terms and Condituons" do not mention PLATINUM SERVICE, BINDING CONTRACT FOR 3 MONTHS OR CANCELLATION CHARGES OF £28.
As I have sent them an email about this I expect they will AMEND their TERMS and CONDITIONS IMMEDIATELY.
I think these out of date TERMS AND CONDITIONS as well as their blatant FALSE ADVERTISING and MISLEADING LANGUAGE such FREE 7 DAYS CANCELLATION without meaning it gives the scammed individuals such as myself some hope. Please ADVERTISE this COMPANIES Scams as widely as possible - ie FACEBOOK, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, SENATORS etc. THEY MAKE ME PHYSICALLY SICK and if ANY VICTIM COMMITS SUICIDE or DIES as a result of their actions then this company should be sued for CULPABLE HOMICIDE.
Act now - get your card provider to dispute these payments
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