Complaint Review: EQUIFAX

Today my wife looked on her bank account and noticed a charge of $79.95 on our bank account, and on her band debit/credit card. She immediately called them to dispute this charge and they after about an 30 minutes said they would refund her money. She then asked them to check my account since I had purchased their "SCORE POWER" for $7.95 which I thought was for a 3 months and that was it. They looked up my account and we found out that they had charged my bank debit/credit card $7.95 for 12 months, and then switched to her bank debit credit card for the next 2 years totaling 3 years of total money out of our account. They said it was in the "Terms of Agreement", and that they would continue to charge until I had canceled it in writing. I said I wasn't aware of this charge because it wasn't on my card number but hers, but the person on the phone said that we could have called to cancel by now. Well I told him, had I had known of this small, "under the radar" charge" I would have canceled 3 years ago after the 3 months, not 3 years later when we finally see a huge charge show up. He said there was nothing he could do. So we talked to his Manager, and they asked about the situation and we told them that it was Fraud that they switched cards, and the "Terms of Agreement" didn't say they would continue this. He disagreed and said it was there. We were reading this agreement as we were talking to him and put on hold for about a total of about 45 minutes and he said the same thing that someone else had said to the exact words. "I'm sorry we can't pull up your account now our computer is down, but we will e-mail you the "Terms of Agreement", stating that they could continue this small but costly charge over time. Well my opinion is they are stalling us so they can write up a legit looking fake "terms of agreement" policy and write whatever they want in an e-mail. We are going to pursue this with our bank as a fraudulent charge since they switched cards, and charged us for that long a period. We are also going to the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint with then also. They also happen to be the lowest Credit Bureau score we both have by 50 to 60 points. I hope this is covered more by many more people that have encountered this, and speak out. This is Fraud even if they had continued with charging my card alone, but they took it a step further by charging her card since they are linked to the same account. A charge of that size doesn't get noticed when you are balancing bills that are well over $50-$1000 each. This is a scam and it needs to be addressed to the other people that have been victimized the same way and just let it go. Please speak out. Thanks and I hope this helps.

Jason
Ocala, Florida
U.S.A.

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.

We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate

WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists

We are a Worldwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...by consumers, for consumers

CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Equifax