SkyBox TV strikes again, Rip-off by the Satellite Co. *UPDATE
On November 13, 2001, I received the email spam from Skybox TV regarding the satellite system with 2 receivers. I was in the market for a satellite system, so I checked out all the litature, read the web site carefully, and ordered the system. $39.99 was charged to my credit card on November 14, 2001.
I waited a week, however the email I received back from Skybox said the equipment would be received by me within 3-5 days. After a week, I began to get worried. After two weeks, I started calling all the telephone numbers I could find on SKYBOX TV with no answer. The phone would ring, ring, and ring forever with no answer.
On occasions, I would get a answering machine, telling me they were on the other line. I would also at times get a machine telling me I could leave a voice message by punching Whatever on my keypad. However, when I did this, the next message would tell me the voice message machine was full and could not take any more messages.
At this time, I called my Credit Card Company and disputed the charges of $39.99. I was sent the paperwork to fill out, which I did. The charges of $39.99 were taken off my credit card bill on December 24, 2001. I thought this was the end of it. NOPE, read on.
January 6, 2002, I received a box in the mail containing the certificate to get the satellite system in question. I had cancelled my order and did not want the certificate, so I sent it back to the adress on the invoice by UPS. This cost me $6-8...cant remember to send it back.
On January 20, 2002, I was checking my credit card account info online. I found I had a pending charge for $189 which I did not recognize. I immediatley called my credit card company to find out what the charge was. They advised me the charge was to SKYBOX TV. I again advised the Credit Card company to dispute this charge. I also changed my Credit Card number so no further charges could be made to this account number. I spoke with the Fraud Investigators with the Credit card company and advised them of all my problems with SKYBOX TV. They put this company on their HIT LIST to watch for further activity dealing with them. The Fraud investigator advised me that sometime this very day, SKYBOX TV had cancelled the $189 charge that was on my account and I should have no further problems with this company.
However, we will see in the future if this is true. At this time, my credit card company says the charges are gone, and I will receive no more regarding this situation.
Best thing I can tell you others, whom have been RIPPED OFF by Skybox Tv, call your credit card company and dispute the charges. If you have emails saved showing you tried to cancel, etc. it will help. but if you dont at least dispute them, You will end up paying them.
SKYBOX TV.....Rip-Offs
Keith
Click here to read other Rip-off Reports on Sky Box TV
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Update to MORE Rip off by Skybox
#20
Tue, January 22, 2002
As of today, January 22, 2002, I have had more charges added to my credit card. As of this time, I have been charged the $189 three times. I am awaiting tomorrow to see if I will be charged a 4th time.
I have reported this to the credit card company security and fraud department. They are investigation, and as of this time, I have disputed the charges. I even sent back the certificate they had sent me the same day I received it. If nothing else, this should be like any other contract you enter into. Federal law states you have X ammount of days to cancel a contract you enter into. How do you cancel a contract, if you cant get in touch with the people you contracted with?
My next thing, I will be reporting this company to every Federal Law enforcement agency I can get on the phone tomorrow. I do know the FBI has a task force in place just for this sort of thing. I will also be contacting my local U.S. Prosecutors office in the morning. Guessing those connections would pay off sooner or later. I would suggest all you out that whom have been burned, dont take it lying down. Do what you can. Report this to your credit card company, the fraud investigation department, Law enforcement. Feds, FBI, whomever. Let them earn their pay, protecting the people from trash like this.
Also, if any of you need info, the spams that were sent to you, copies of what was on their web site...etc, whatever, write me, I have kept most all my documentation. I am ready to fight the Skybox trash. Would gladly help out any others wanting to fight them.
kstraub@bop.gov