Complaint Review: Shadow Shopper

The worst ripoff I have ever been victimized by was started by an e-mail that I answered in May or June of 2004. "Get paid to shop". Decided to look into it. Was offered a $5.00, 30 day trial membership and received an avalanche of e-mails everyday after being foolish enough to take the bait.

Checking into applying to accept these assignments was always quite time consuming and complex. Usually the business which was practically always an eating establishment or hair salon was many miles away from the area that I live in. Yet they seem believable because they don't ever claim that you will be paid hardly any money. Generally free meals for one or two people. Usually they want you to take a digital camera with you for the visit and sometimes even request that you ask your server if you can take a photo of him or her. The emphasis when you answer their e-mails is to "upgrade" your membership to a silver or gold level.

This implies that by doing so you will be eligible for more lucrative and exciting "assignments". I ignored and clicked out of these pop-up boxes and after awhile only rarely checked their e-mails.

Thirty days went by, I was busy, no longer considering that they would send me any info that I would in any way be interested in using. Needless to say, I never requested to subscribe to any extension of a membership with this company. No money was deducted from my account by them. I read their website to see if there was any phone number to call them and cancel. There wasn't any and naively I didn't delve further.

So naturally, about 90 days after I had given them my debit card number (and of course, only had about 20 bucks in my account) all of my little 6 dollar checks to buy groceries, etc. bounce.

I call the bank (now J.P. Morgan Chase) and am told that $59.95 was withdrawn from my account. After a few days, I call back and am told Shadowshopper took my money. No address or phone number. I e-mail these filthy sleazeballs. I dispute the charge with the bank, trying to stay calm but realizing that what I'm saying while completely true is making me sound like an idiotic mental case.

I have to pay all of these returned check fees which keep s****.> It still makes me sick thinking about this. This incident cost me at least $500.00. Of course the bank took their side because they are the ones that benefitted the most from it. Since this happened I have heard several advertisements for this or a similar company. I've received mail trying to get me involved in this again. Also e-mails. It upsets me that they've gotten away with this and is troubling because I've never heard any warnings out there about them.

Marcia
Dayton, Ohio
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 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, 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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