Healthy Discount Card Took an Unauthorized UnHealthy Bite out of my Bank Account On-line Based Internet
Several days ago I received an insufficient funds notice from my bank. I had no idea how that happened as this particular bank account is one I am phasing out. I had only left a small amount of cash in it to cover a few small purchases that had not cleared the bank.
Imagine my horror when I opened the notice and saw I had been billed $99.95 for a "POS". And of course adding insult to injury the bank had billed me $34.00 for being overdrawn.
I immediately went online and looked up the transaction. The creditor was listed as One Pharm Services and a phone number and reference number were included in the information. I telephoned One Pharm Services was given the standard message about all service representatives being busy but "your call is very important to us" and please stay on the line.
After a minute or so a woman answered and I explained my problem. She was very sympathetic but explained that they were basically a billing agency for something called "Healthy Discounts" I asked her what that was as I had never heard of it.
She told me the original transaction appeared to have something to do with downloading music. She also had a telephone number for Healthy Discounts which she gave me.
I tried several times to reach them by phone. Each time I got the standard message about waiting for the next representative.
It was a long wait. The first time I waited about ten minutes. I did hear a voice on the other end of the line but it was very garbled and heavily accented, I repeatedly said "hello" but couldn't get a response. The second attempt resulted in another 10 minute wait and when the line was picked up all I heard was
static and crackling noises.
My plan now was to approach the bank first and try to unravel this from their end. As it was after banking hours I thought I'd surf the net and see if I could find out anything about "Healthy Discounts". That led me to Rip Off Reports.
I was astounded reading reports from other consumers who had had the exact experience I was now facing. I have printed several of these similar reports and will take them with me to the bank first thing in the morning.
The most puzzling part of this is "how did this fraudulent company get my VISA debit card number?" Maybe you folks could enlighten me about that.
JT
Jacksonville, Florida
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Jt
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Healthy Discount Card Update!
#2Author of original report
Tue, May 09, 2006
At 9:02 on 5/9/2006 I called and wad put on hold. No identification with greeting, just the statment that all agents were busy and someone would help me shortly. At 9:03 the "please hold" message was repeated. It was repeated again at 9:04,9:05,(hold music is extremely garbled). At 9:06 a woman answered with a heavily accented voice. She did not give her name, but did say "Healthy Discount Card".
I asked for an explanation of the charges, emphasizing I had no knowledge of this company.
She said on 2/24/2006 I had registered at a free music to download site. Within 30 days afteryou are signed onto this site
they automatically enroll you in the Healthy Discount Card and debit your account. I asked all association with any of their sites be cancelled and a credit issued for the $99.95 charge. In order to do that I had to give the credit number on which the charge was debited. I admit I was reluctant to give her this information.
She informed me it would take 20-25 days (business days) to issue the credit. That would be 4 - 6 weeks. I'm not holding my breath.
I told her I had filed a "rip off report" and Healthy Discount Card had many such reports. I suggested she speak to her superiors about their bad business practices.
It would seem to me that the "scam" motivation for Healthy Discount Card is even if they follow through and issue a credit, they will have had the use of my money and anyone else's during the time the charge goes undisputed and in the 4 - 6 weeks before a credit is issued. I am assuming they make their profit investing this money.
I would be interested to know if anyone is repeating a benefit using this card.
I'll watch and wait and keep you posted.