Instant Checkmate Charged me for one month ($19.98), when I cancelled service 20min after signing up for it. I thought legally you have 3 business days to cancel a business contract unobligated. Las Vegas, Nevada
I had received a email regarding Instant Checkmate which is a background research agency. I applied for the $9.29 a month for 6 month service not realizing that they were going to charge me not monthly but at one-time. I searched 2 people (myself and another) for 15 minutes only to realize that the info was not accurate or better yet non-existent on persons I know had a criminal background in their pass. I called them 20minutes after obtaining service and they told me that I could cancel but I would be charged the $19.89 a month rate. When asked why when I will not be using service again and why can't I be pro-rated for one day at the most? They were indignant and told me I couldn't do that. When I asked about legally being able to cancel a business contract in three days unobligated, they (LaDonna, Manager no last names supplied) said they didnt know about that either. I asked to speak to someone higher and they gave me the name Michael (no last names) who is a manager too. I told them that I would be filing a complaint as soon as possible. They said they would refund my $39.89 within the next 5-7 days.
I should be allowed to change my mind before three days, and not be penalized for a service that I do not want nor is it what it proported to be.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Bill and Judy
Snow Hill,North Carolina,
United States of America
File a Complaint with the BBB
#5Consumer Comment
Thu, March 01, 2012
I had this happen, and contacted my credit card company. They spoke to a rep from the company that was charging me, and they said they wouldn't credit the charge. Then, I contacted the BBB in the city the company called home. Within a few hours, I got a email from the company stating my credit card account would be credited for the full amount they charged me. Good luck to you.
Scott
Wilmington,North Carolina,
United States of America
Information compilers are often not the problem
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, February 27, 2012
If you know one of the people you searched had a criminal record, but it didn't show up, do you also know if the county in which he was found guilty has made their county criminal records available online? As a private investigator (NC PI# 3450) I can tell you that the only way to really be sure to find such records is to have some one visit the county clerk of courts and search the county records personally. It is not uncommon for older records to not have been put in and new records can take several days to be entered. Information services rely on PUBLIC records to generate their information. They are not a magic source that can find out anything. They simply compile public information into a easy to read format. Investigators don't rely on a single provider as different providers use different information sources to compile the information. Two providers will often give different results.
Checkmate also clearly states on their home page, " There may be criminal history and/or other records that are not present in our results for a variety of reasons and users should be aware of
such possibilities." It took all of 15 seconds to find that statement.
I am shocked when people use a service, find out they don't like it, and expect to get their money back. The bottom line is you used the service (twice by your own words) so you should pay.
I really don't understand why you seem to feel you should be allowed to use the service and then cancel it before three days. If that was so what would stop some one from doing several hundred searches in two days and then cancelling?
You clearly used the service. They offered to give you a refund on the discounted 6 month fee and charge you the one month rate. That seems fair.
Righteous1
York,Pennsylvania,
United States of America
Reverse charge
#5General Comment
Thu, January 19, 2012
Correct as stated before that a service contract under membership ruling may not be open to Voiding within a three day time frame. Did you read the TERMS AND CONDITIONS Page ?
What can be done is simple: When using a credit card to pay for such service, contact the card company to dispute the full charges. If under a certain amount..Usually $50.00 or less they can refund or recredit you til the dispute is resolved. Read your card agreement for proper dispute procedure on purchases/charges.
I have to agree that getting a "free" report at the cost of this company fullfilling your report is a wee bit on the shady side. Sounded like you were willing to pay a single report cost for this in recognition of the service. They are under no obligation to pro rate it, Although from a business stance its better to appease then displease a potential member. Not a good way to retain a positive relations.
Ashley
springfield,Missouri,
U.S.A.
Law
#5Consumer Comment
Sun, December 11, 2011
Unless your particular state has a 72 hour law, there is no law requiring a 3 day window on contracts. What you are referring to has to do with door to door salesmen if I remember correctly. There is often a 72 hour clause on real estate and automobiles too. I don't believe there are any laws protecting you from this sort of contract.