AP9 Passport For Fun Unauthorized charges to my debit card Internet
After discovering an unauthorized charge for $14.95 to my checking account that was linked to my debit card, I searched the name of the source as it appeared on my statement "AP9*PASSPORT TO FUN" and found that I am not the only one this has happened to.
I was terrified to read on as many others have claimed that this company will charge your credit card numerous times, not just once. Luckily I caught it the day it was charged and I instantly contacted my bank and had my account frozen. They only got $14.95 out of me, and I realize it could have been much, much worse.
Their website makes it impossible for you to contact them, as the "Contact Us" link never really gives you any means to contact them directly. In a world where things like this may be traumatic to a victim, yet a complete and total low priority to authorities, I would like to offer a couple tips on how to avoid this happening to you.
1) When I contacted my bank, the Supervisor advised me to be leery of online purchases with my debit card. There are many fine print statements at the end of online transactions that state something like "If you do not uncheck this box you will automatically be enrolled..." and they actually save the credit card number you used for your authorized purchase - to later charge you for something unauthorized. I knew exactly what she was talking about because I have seen these before, perhaps this time I overlooked one.
2) I have since gotten a debit card that is not linked to my bank account or any credit card, it is simply an empty card that I load money on to either via bank transfer or Western Union (almost like a gift card). I use this card for all online transactions, and never have any significant amount of money on it. There are minimal annual fees attached to this card, but definitely worth the peace of mind that I am not giving anyone direct access to my bank account or charge cards so that I may be left with the unpleasant experience of disputing any unauthorized charges in the future.
Traci
Temple City, California
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Traci_v
Temple City,California,
U.S.A.
Vista Print
#6Author of original report
Fri, September 21, 2007
I have found the source of the unauthorized charges to my account - VISTA PRINT. Last month I placed an order online with Vista Print, I specifically remember the fine print to "uncheck" a box at the bottom of the transaction if I was not interested in some sort of membership; I unchecked the box. The following day I received an email stating that I have been successfully registered and if I did not want to be charged I needed to contact Customer Service. I called the 800 number, the person I spoke with assured me that it was canceled and I would not be charged. Later that day I received an email confirming the cancellation. A whole month later and I still got charged. Today I received yet another cancellation notice via email - I can only assume this is a result of my bank disputing them for the charges.
Traci_v
Temple City,California,
U.S.A.
Vista Print
#6Author of original report
Fri, September 21, 2007
I have found the source of the unauthorized charges to my account - VISTA PRINT. Last month I placed an order online with Vista Print, I specifically remember the fine print to "uncheck" a box at the bottom of the transaction if I was not interested in some sort of membership; I unchecked the box. The following day I received an email stating that I have been successfully registered and if I did not want to be charged I needed to contact Customer Service. I called the 800 number, the person I spoke with assured me that it was canceled and I would not be charged. Later that day I received an email confirming the cancellation. A whole month later and I still got charged. Today I received yet another cancellation notice via email - I can only assume this is a result of my bank disputing them for the charges.
Traci_v
Temple City,California,
U.S.A.
Vista Print
#6Author of original report
Fri, September 21, 2007
I have found the source of the unauthorized charges to my account - VISTA PRINT. Last month I placed an order online with Vista Print, I specifically remember the fine print to "uncheck" a box at the bottom of the transaction if I was not interested in some sort of membership; I unchecked the box. The following day I received an email stating that I have been successfully registered and if I did not want to be charged I needed to contact Customer Service. I called the 800 number, the person I spoke with assured me that it was canceled and I would not be charged. Later that day I received an email confirming the cancellation. A whole month later and I still got charged. Today I received yet another cancellation notice via email - I can only assume this is a result of my bank disputing them for the charges.
Traci_v
Temple City,California,
U.S.A.
Vista Print
#6Author of original report
Fri, September 21, 2007
I have found the source of the unauthorized charges to my account - VISTA PRINT. Last month I placed an order online with Vista Print, I specifically remember the fine print to "uncheck" a box at the bottom of the transaction if I was not interested in some sort of membership; I unchecked the box. The following day I received an email stating that I have been successfully registered and if I did not want to be charged I needed to contact Customer Service. I called the 800 number, the person I spoke with assured me that it was canceled and I would not be charged. Later that day I received an email confirming the cancellation. A whole month later and I still got charged. Today I received yet another cancellation notice via email - I can only assume this is a result of my bank disputing them for the charges.
Traci_v
Temple City,California,
U.S.A.
AP9 Passport To Fun - unauthorized debit charges
#6Author of original report
Mon, September 17, 2007
The report I submitted earlier today did not get entirely posted; please see below.
You cannot contact these people, the "Contact Us" link on their website is bogus and it just loops your around in the same circle.
In a world where something like this can seem traumatic to a victim, yet on a low priority basis to authorities, I would like to give a couple tips that could prevent this from happening to anyone else. 1) When I contacted my bank, the Supervisor advised me to be leery of online purchases. Often at the end of a transaction, there is some pretty well hidden fine print that says something to the effect of "If you do not UNCHECK this box you will automatically be enrolled...". I can only assume that this is what happened to me, as I have been making a lot of online purchases lately and have actually seen these before. I must have missed it, and that is how I incurred these charges. 2) It is best to purchase a re-loadable debit card at your local drug store (example: "Green Dot Visa") and use that for your online purchases, that way you are not giving anyone direct access to you bank account or charge cards. The User Agreement Terms of these debit cards contain the same Customer Rights and dispute resolutions as a regular Visa Card. There are some minor monthly fees associated with the card, but well worth the peace of mind in my opinion.