That *was* going to be my next site with detailed instructions on how to properly deal with them.
Unfortunately, moving to a new web host will take ALL my time until I'm done and everything works again. Only God knows how long that'll take, moving domains is always a nightmare, but with with all the forums, blogs and guestbooks, it's going to be the worst move ever.
So in the meantime:
- call for cancellations and refunds
- make sure you keep a call log
- by law you have only 60 days to dispute fraudulent charges with your bank or credit card. But even if you're over the 60 days, try to dispute.
Get them where it HURTS! Those chargebacks can get expensive.
Don't close your bank accounts due to their unauthorized and FRAUDULENT charges, SUE!
Dispute and sue. Getting served is really the only language they understand, my faxes have been ignored.
And I do believe that there is a law suit against ConsumerInfo.com, just haven't had time to look for it.
Posted by Christine at December 4, 2003 12:53 AMI have been considering another lawsuit over non pp's. Creditguard pulled my reports twice after having cancelled service. I am also considering suing Orchard Bank. They were doing account reviews for months after I closed an account with them. I needed some credit for a new furnace. I received a preapproved offer. I applied and was approved. BUT they would not give you a credit limit untill you called to activate. After calling and hearing a totally inadequate limit (especially with a annual fee) I chose not to use the card and hung up during the activation call.
They sent a bill next month with a minimum because of the annual fee. I ignored it. The next month they added a late payment and then I reemed them one on the phone and said we never had an agreement. They cancelled the card, but continued to peak at my report. More details if you want.
Posted by: randy at December 4, 2003 11:16 AM
Sue Household/Orchard!
"Creditguard pulled my reports twice after having cancelled service. I am also considering suing Orchard Bank."
How could THEY pull your report? For what????
Posted by: Christine Baker at December 9, 2003 06:43 PM
FYI:
"About Experian Consumer Direct
... More than 9 million consumers visit Experian Consumer Direct's Internet sites on a monthly basis including FreeCreditReport.com, ConsumerInfo.com, CreditExpert.com and CreditMatters.com ..."
Posted by: Christine Baker at December 9, 2003 06:52 PM
i got the same thing done to me for 89.95$ i just. i called the same day i learned that this had happened contacted them and they cancelled it and said it would be refunded in 7-10 days...
Posted by: david at December 16, 2003 06:08 AM
I called my credit card company and they did a chargeback on the 79.95 and closed the account, so I at least got out of this one. I found it helps if you tell the credit card company that the BBB has issued a scam warning.
Posted by: Erik at December 28, 2003 08:48 AM
It definitely helps to mention the BBB record, make sure you actually get the credit.
Posted by: Christine Baker at December 28, 2003 01:38 PM
They did the same thing to me -- I called to cancel, was told it was cancelled, then I got billed a week later and had to call back. Disgusting.
Posted by: Matt at January 19, 2004 11:45 AM
I too have been ripped off by these crooks. There is strength in numbers. Notify your elected officials, after all, it is an election year and you may find that your representatives in DC would love to right a wrong.
Posted by: Jasper at February 3, 2004 08:13 PM
I noticed two charges for $79.95 on personal checking account. I requested a free credit report through Quicken software, so beware!!! I read the fine print, and it does state anything about thier company having balnket access tomy funds. Here's the solution...1) Call or visit your bank 2) Cancel your debit cards and checking accounts and open new ones 3) File a dispute form with your bank with information about CIC Credit Monitor, Orange CA 4) In two to three weeks, your bank will get it's money back and deposit it into your new account 5) If you want, notify your local news department or file a claim to your states Atty. General, you can do this online in most states 6) Purchase "firewall" software and install on your computer if you have dsl/cable connection....This will keep the Rat Trojan Viruses out...
Posted by: Randall Theerman at February 28, 2004 03:25 PM
I just got a $79.95 bite out of my Discover Card from CIC. I had cancelled my "Free" trial within ten days of starting it after I was tipped by a friend that they were scam artists. I have notifed Discover to disput this. I can't even believe Discover let this go through without notifying me of the numerous problems they have had with this company. I live in Illinois. Does anyone know of a class action suit here against them?
Posted by: Linda McGrane at February 28, 2004 07:40 PM
Randall's suggestions are missing the part about compensation. I'm no slave, are you?
And Linda, there are at least two state class actions and one attorney is looking for consumers to participate in a national class:
http://forum.creditcourt.com/discus/messages/3301/3301.html
If you have any questions, either e-mail him directly or post in that thread.
Posted by: Christine at February 29, 2004 02:48 PM
I just read "Cancel your debit cards and checking accounts and open new ones" from Randall's suggestions.
Don't you realize that you will lower your credit scores by:
1) getting credit inquiries when you apply for a new bank account and credit card.
2) closing an existing credit card and opening a new one, lowering the average age of your open accounts as well as lowering the scores for a NEW account.
Don't you realize that even auto and homeowner insurance is based on credit scores in most states?
Don't you have anything BETTER to do than spending your time on opening and closing accounts?
When someone tells you to jump, you ask: "How high?"
Stand up for your rights!
Posted by: Christine at February 29, 2004 02:51 PM
Please include the fact that consumerInfo.com is an Experian company in all websites about this scam. They state this on their website let’s hurt the valuable Experian brand.
Posted by: Mike at March 13, 2004 02:00 PM
Am in the middle of a situation much like everyone else here. Did not authorize the charge (or even to my recollection sign up for a free credit report) of 79.95 for credit monitoring. Have called CIC, they say they will refund my money in 7-10 days and filed a dispute with my bank. Has anyone managed to actually get their money back?
Posted by: Erika at April 8, 2004 10:00 AM
HOUSEHOLD CREDIT SERVICES: This company has messed with the wrong individual. Sent me a cc that I did not apply for, I called, cancelled, then they sent me a bill for an annual fee! (They reversed charges) However, I was told that the only way I could have been sent this card was to have had to apply at Best Buy (didn't) so I asked for a copy of the original application. 6 phone calls and now a certified letter, it has not been sent. I will NOT let this fraudulent access to my credit file go unturned. All appropriate government agencies have been notified and I will pursue damages against company. If anyone else has had the same situation, please contact me at email address.
Posted by: Teresa at June 2, 2004 12:51 PM
Teresa, I have a similar problem with Capital One.
http://www.creditsuit.org/blog/archives/000473.html
It is unbelievable that they protect the privacy of the THIEF!!!!
Also, post your problem at http://www.fight-back.us/forum/ and have a look at the http://www.fight-back.us/
I'm also about to refile my complaint against Capital One (dismissed because I served them late) and I'm including this issue of willful enablement of identity theft.
Obviously why need to find out WHO is impersonating us and I can't even begin to imagine WHY the credit card companies are protecting the criminals!
I'm going to send out a press release about this issue and will be happy to include your problem too.
I
Posted by: Christine at June 2, 2004 01:41 PM