peoplefinders.com Peoplefinders.com And Privacymaters123.com INTERNET FRAUD AND SHAMEFUL BUSINESS TACTICS California Internet
I signed up with peoplefinders.com to request a report for information to track down an old friend. While the report in this instance was not at all useful to me since the phone numbers were out of service, that is not the worst of it. I looked at my credit card statement today and noticed a $19.95 charge that read "MY CREDIT PRIVACY CHK CARD PUR 877-993-6264 IL 032352 $19.95". I called the number and asked what the company did and they knew who I was immediately, scary! I informed them that I did not sign up for services and the employee mentioned peoplefinders.com.
This complaint I was lodging felt like an old hat as the employee and supervisor eluded that this was fairly common. When accepting terms in the "checkout" process on peoplefinders.com, they make it very misleading and you also can easily signup for monthly membership services at privacymatters.com.
I am sick to my stomach over this and I caution anyone in considering doind business with these internet companies to RUN! I spent a brief time searching the internet and found numerous comlaints on different reason on both of these internet businesses.
Consumer2112
Albuquerque, New Mexico
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Anthony
Minotola,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Regarding Employee Rebuttal
#3Consumer Comment
Sun, May 30, 2010
Frankly, despite what the employee response to this report states this is a scam. The practice may not be illegal, but it is most certainly deceptive. I signed up for a peoplefinders.com membership looking for an old friend. I selected the $0.95 membership for 24 hour access. As described in the rebuttal, you are warned that you are being enrolled in a free trial for privacy matters 123 and will be billed after the 7 day period expires; however, this is in fine print and not located near the area where you enter your email address. Moreover, I thought that entering my email address twice was required for confirmation, it wasn't clear that it was a choice. I did not see the no thanks button that the employee described. After signing completing the enrollment process, I received an email from people finders confirming my purchase, but received nothing from privacy matters. Concerned that I may end up being billed, I went to the privacy matters website. In order to log in there is a 9 digit membership id required. I was not emailed this id or given any information on my account. I completed the membership id request and sure enough I had an account. I was then able to log in and cancel. The whole set up is clearly designed to trap people into paying for a service that they do not want. If it was legitimate they would email you your account information and terms from the start. Further, the one day membership with people finders was worthless (I guess you get what you pay for). While I did find the person I was looking for, when you click on any of the links provided by the search you are prompted to purchase more services to view the results. I would advise finding a more reputable search provider. Clearly the management of this company is unscrupulous and will do anything to make $.
Drummer1
Carmichael,California,
U.S.A.
Advertisement only
#3UPDATE Employee
Mon, February 16, 2009
The offer for Privacy Matters 123 is shown to you after the purchase of a report with PeopleFinder.com; however, this is only an ad, just as many websites have. I noticed on your complaint you stated that in order to accept the terms of PeopleFinders.com you have to sign up with Privacy Matters 123. This is NOT true in any way. You always have to accept the Terms before you order something, not after. If you stopped the read the ad, you would see that it stated to enter in your email address twice to accept the terms and conditions for Privacy Matters 123. Directly under the link that reads "yes" there is a link that reads "No thanks, take me to my report".
You were billed by Privacy Matters because you entered in your email address twice (which it does states that in doing so, it will constitute your electronic signature) and clicked on "yes". The offer details explain what Privacy Matters does, and also indicates that you would be singing up with them, and that you could call to cancel at any time. It also clearly states that you will be billed $19.95 a month if you don't.
If you didn't wish to sign up, then you could have clicked on "No thanks". Privacy Matters also sends you confirmation emails and provides you with a member ID number.
You simply need to stop and read what you are signing up for. If you would like PeopleFinders.com to send you a copy of the advertisement that was shown to you, feel free to contact their Customer Care at 1-800-718-8997. If you have a concern with the charge from Privacy Matters 123 you will need to contact them directly.