Complaint Review: IPOWERWEB

On October 31, a month before the domain and site were due to expire, iPowerweb renewed my website without my authorization for two years at $166. When I saw the charge on my credit card on December 5, I called immediately to ask why they had charged my account. After calling twice and waiting for over an hour and ten minutes the first time, and 20 minutes the second time, I was told I would receive a full refund. I was actually very irritated it took so long to get through, but pleased with the promise of a full refund. On December 22, I only received a credit of $126.80, and called back to try and get the remainder of the credit. The first time I waited twenty minutes, was told by the girl that answered (I didn't get her name) that it was a fee for registering the domain name. When I told her that I did not want the domain name she said she had to go and talk to her supervisor, she came back and said it was the initial setup fee. I told her that there should have been a set up fee two years ago when I first registered, but how could I be charged a setup fee when I didn't want the account "setup" again. She said she would talk to her supervisor again, then I was disconnected.

The second time I called, I waited another 15 minutes and I spoke to someone (Jose) who (after speaking with a supervisor) told me it was a non refundable set up fee (39.20). When I asked to speak to his supervisor he told me to hold on, then came back to the phone and told me that there was no supervisor there.

I called back to see if I could get the phone number for a corporate office and was told there wasn't one. I tried to email the president, but the email was returned as undeliverable. I filed a complaint with the BBB and contacted the credit card company to initiate a charge-back on the merchant account.
I am so ticked off that it didn't even make me feel better!

Jennifer
Portland, Maine
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 hasbeenmore 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 youproperly 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 dealwith 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 faxor mail toyou 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 theymake 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!

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We are not a collection agency.

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...the victims' advocate

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...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.