Movie Gallery Hollywood Video Powerplay Credit Card Subscription Scam Internet
I am an employee of a Movie Gallery store and have noticed a trend not just at my store but at many others. Movie Gallery has a subscription service called PowerPlay where you sign up with a credit or debit card for a monthly fee to rent movies in the store, well...
Everyone who has wanted and tried to cancel the renewal charges have been charged on their cards even after canceling. The paperwork clearly states that you may cancel in the store or by phone and will not be charged. We've (employees/manager) had customers cancel a week after joining (you have to cancel at least 7 days before the renewal date in store) and we've personally canceled the subscription, but these customers come in showing us their monthly charge even nearly 3 weeks after canceling. There is no powerplay still on the account, and the records in the computer indicate that it was cancelled, but the money is still withdrawn. Even employees who have bought powerplay have fallen victim to the charge.
Now we have the phone number to deal with, 1-8-speak-to-us for people to call when they want to cancel within the last 7 days of the first month of powerplay, BUT, not only is there almost always a one hour wait on the hotline, but we've had customers and employees who have waited the ridiculously long wait and gotten in contact and had them cancel their subscription so there will be no charges on their credit card... and they still received charges.
I'm tired of dealing with the angry customers (who have a right to be, they did just get scammed) and I'm tired of being held accountable for pushing powerplay and selling to a ridiculously high goal just to keep my job. I highly suspect this is happening everywhere.
Seriously, do not get powerplay on your credit or debit card, you will be screwed if you try to cancel it.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Nobody Knows
United States of AmericaWhatever it takes
#7Author of original report
Sat, February 06, 2010
Movie Gallery has filed for Chapter 11 again and it's also good that they recently switched managers over to hourly pay. As a result, managers of closing stores will not get severance. You can go to the store locator at movie gallery dot com and scroll down through the listings of stores to see which of the 700+ are closing.
Jason
Winchester,California,
U.S.A.
Bankruptcy again
#7Consumer Comment
Sun, January 31, 2010
Well some of you may know or not know, but as of 1/27/2010 it was reported that Movie Gallery / Hollywood Video will possibly filing for Chapter 11 protection once again. I have been told that the continued charges are as a result of computer issues however this is not an isloated event like previously stated. It happens everywhere. Why not try to rip off consumers before they file so their executives can fatten their wallets and screw everyone else. I have tried calling the customer service line and yes it is a 30 minutes wait everytime. I used to like Hollywood Video but ever since Movie gallery took them over, down the tubes with that company. i feel sorry for all the employees who have told me that they can lose their jobs for not selling enough powerplays weekly. I really feel sorry for them.
Kathey
Houston,Texas,
U.S.A.
POWER PLAY CANCELLED BUT CC STILL CHARGED *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account that someone wrongfully takes it from you!
#7Consumer Comment
Thu, January 28, 2010
I cancelled Power Play in store and received a receipt evidencing cancellation in December 2009. The receipt states no further charges to be made after 1-4-10.
My credit card was CHARGED $27.05 on January 5, 2010.
There is definitely a problem with Hollywood Video/Movie Gallery regarding charges AFTER membership is cancelled.
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
RipoffReport.com
Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
Rip-off Report
PO Box 310, Tempe, Arizona 85280
Flynrider
Phoeix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Not exactly.
#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, January 27, 2010
"Customers are suffering huge overdraft fees that the banks and the customers have to resolve themselves."
That's not how it works. If a company makes unauthorized charges which result in overdrafts, that company will have to make good on those charges. It is their responsibility to ensure that a charge is valid before they submit it. The bank is not going to resolve this with the customers, as it is not the bank's problem.
Customers that have been negatively affected by unauthorized charges should first ask the charging company if they will take responsibility for their actions. If they will not, a quick trip to the local courthouse to file a small claims action is in order. If there is compelling evidence that the customer was charged in error, the company will be ordered to make good on their obligation, as it was their error that caused the problem.
Nobody Knows
United States of Americacomment
#7Author of original report
Wed, January 27, 2010
It has happened to everyone who has canceled so far, by phone to the official 1-8-speak-to-us number or in the store. Movie Gallery hasn't given us permission to refund the customers either. Customers are suffering huge overdraft fees that the banks and the customers have to resolve themselves. It's not fun when a customer points the finger at employees saying they promised it was possible to cancel the membership and all we can do is shrug our shoulders and listen to irate customers. We shouldn't have to take the blame and consequences for this.
Dan Ahlers, Director of Support Ser
Wilsonville,Oregon,
United States of America
Response to Movie Gallery Billing Issue
#7UPDATE Employee
Tue, January 26, 2010
Movie Gallery apologizes to customers whove been affected by some technical issues weve had with billing for our PowerPlay program, which resulted in some credit cards being charged after a customer cancelled their membership in the program. While this affected only a small percentage of our PowerPlay customers who wanted to cancel, please be assured that we have taken steps to correct the data processing issue that caused it, and we are now reaching out to each affected customer to ensure the situation is made right.