TWX AOL : free 1-year subscription with Gateway computer purchase will fraudulently bill credit card without authorization Internet
In May 2003, I purchased 2 Gateway computers that came with free one-year subscriptions to AOL. Around the one year anniversary (June 2004)of the computer purchase, AOL fraudulently began charging my credit card for $23.90, two times per billing statement, and have continued to do so to date. We've always used another internet service provider and recent calls to AOL customer service reps have verified there has been no activity. Numerous phone calls to TWX AOL to remedy this billing error have been met with similar Rip-off Reported difficulties including mysterious disconnections after waiting several minutes to be transferred to other departments. Previously we've been given AOL cancellation confirmation numbers only to be later told they have no record of these numbers. I've contacted my credit card company to dispute these fraudulent billings. In addition, I have written a letter to the Gateway computer warranty department to let them know of my displeasure with their arrangement to release my credit card number to AOL. AOL must be stopped from their effort to deceive and steal from the innocent.
Ann
McCordsville, Indiana
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Hunter
Denton,Texas,
U.S.A.
Yep. That does indeed stink.
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, April 11, 2005
There is one thing you need to be aware of with these free subscriptions to AOL when purchasing a new computer. They clearly state, if you consider fine print clear, that at the end of the free period, if you do not proactively call AOL and cancel, they will start billing you until you contact them.
Now, since you have contacted them after the fact, they should have stopped billing you. Disputing with your Credit Card Company is good, but you need to have them place a block on that vendor. This is something that can be done over the phone, so don't delay.
Finally, you need to call them up and speak with a supervisor and tell them to cancel the account completely, and if they don't, you will take them to court. Companies these days don't need legal headaches, and this is one that sounds like it's building into a lawsuit.
This is my advice. Take it or leave it...
Hunter
Denton,Texas,
U.S.A.
Yep. That does indeed stink.
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, April 11, 2005
There is one thing you need to be aware of with these free subscriptions to AOL when purchasing a new computer. They clearly state, if you consider fine print clear, that at the end of the free period, if you do not proactively call AOL and cancel, they will start billing you until you contact them.
Now, since you have contacted them after the fact, they should have stopped billing you. Disputing with your Credit Card Company is good, but you need to have them place a block on that vendor. This is something that can be done over the phone, so don't delay.
Finally, you need to call them up and speak with a supervisor and tell them to cancel the account completely, and if they don't, you will take them to court. Companies these days don't need legal headaches, and this is one that sounds like it's building into a lawsuit.
This is my advice. Take it or leave it...
Hunter
Denton,Texas,
U.S.A.
Yep. That does indeed stink.
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, April 11, 2005
There is one thing you need to be aware of with these free subscriptions to AOL when purchasing a new computer. They clearly state, if you consider fine print clear, that at the end of the free period, if you do not proactively call AOL and cancel, they will start billing you until you contact them.
Now, since you have contacted them after the fact, they should have stopped billing you. Disputing with your Credit Card Company is good, but you need to have them place a block on that vendor. This is something that can be done over the phone, so don't delay.
Finally, you need to call them up and speak with a supervisor and tell them to cancel the account completely, and if they don't, you will take them to court. Companies these days don't need legal headaches, and this is one that sounds like it's building into a lawsuit.
This is my advice. Take it or leave it...
Hunter
Denton,Texas,
U.S.A.
Yep. That does indeed stink.
#5Consumer Comment
Mon, April 11, 2005
There is one thing you need to be aware of with these free subscriptions to AOL when purchasing a new computer. They clearly state, if you consider fine print clear, that at the end of the free period, if you do not proactively call AOL and cancel, they will start billing you until you contact them.
Now, since you have contacted them after the fact, they should have stopped billing you. Disputing with your Credit Card Company is good, but you need to have them place a block on that vendor. This is something that can be done over the phone, so don't delay.
Finally, you need to call them up and speak with a supervisor and tell them to cancel the account completely, and if they don't, you will take them to court. Companies these days don't need legal headaches, and this is one that sounds like it's building into a lawsuit.
This is my advice. Take it or leave it...