Sunday, August 10, 2008

Beware of Where you Click

A few weeks ago I joined Classmates.com. In an effort to reconnect with old friends, I decided to splurge and pay for a membership, instead of using the basic free service. And I have found a few old friends with the help of classmates.
One of the things that happens with a paid membership is you are offered really good shopping deals. When you click on the ads that come up, the trouble starts. I made the mistake of clicking on an ad that promised great shopping deals, I didn't buy anything I just looked.
Last week while I was balancing my checking account, I noticed a charge to somewhere called Shopping Discount for $19.95 from the previous day. In looking back I had 2 other similar charges under different names, back to shortly after I signed up for Classmates.
I called the phone number listed on the bank's entry for the 3 charges only to find out that ad I clicked on back in May signed me up for a 7 day trial, with the understanding that I would cancel in 7 days if I didn't want to use the service. I explained that I had never gotten an email or snail mail telling me I was part of this shopping plan or how to use it, and I would like all 3 months of charges credited. I was told no, we can only credit the most recent charge, but I can transfer you to my Supervisor. She told me the same thing and after I had a fullscale temper tantrum on the phone, I advised that I would be going to my Credit Union in the Morning to file Bank Fraud charges.
When I called in the Morning to make sure they had cancelled my account and my credit had been issued, I was informed that all 3 months had been credited.

So, beware of where you Click---- these people have 30 different names and will attach itself to many websites like classmates.com & restaurants.com and will charge you an equal amount every month to what you paid to the legitimate website. If you see a charge you can't remember making don't wait call right away. Insist they cancel your membership and issue a credit, Watch your account, because unless you cancel your debit or credit card they may keep charging you anyway. They make their money by people not noticing what they are doing.

2 comments:

Cheri J. Crane said...

Thanks for the warning, Mary. =) And welcome to the world of blogging. ;)Your ties are wonderful. I can see I'll be ordering some in the future for gifts.

Unknown said...

My goodness, I had no idea. I'll be very careful in the future. Welcome to Blogland, Mary. It's exciting to see you here.