The first I heard of this company was when I checked my checking account statement. There was a $14.95 charge from a company I had never heard of,
11/02/2009 |
Debit Card Transaction |
UMG*BUYEG(888)326-71 888 10/31UMG*BUYEG |
$14.95 |
Since I had no idea what this charge was, I tried calling the number provided as reference. I got a message that said the number has been changed with a new number to call. When I called that number, it was some state's 411 phone directory. I contacted my bank and they gave me another number. I called, and I was told that I had signed up on the internet to their membership program which provides discounts to different retailers. When I asked for copies of such enrollment, and something showing how they got my debit card information since I absolutely have never given it to this company. They said they cannot send them to me, but that I had somehow enrolled with them when I signed up with Credit Report.com, and that they received my debit card information from Credit Report.com. They further stated that a membership package has been sent to me via USPS, which I never received. When I asked for the membership package to be sent to me again, they said I have to remain a member in order to receive the package. When I pointed out that I had already been charged for one month's membership, they did agree to refund me my money. What really worries me is the fact that these companies exchange peoples' personal information, including their bank card numbers without the customer even knowing about it - and then the other company goes ahead and starts charging the customer. This is a HUGE scam. Do not ever sign-up for anything with this company, or with Credit Report.com. It has to be illegal to give your customers' payment information to another company, and even more illegal for the other company to use that information and start charging the unknowing customer. How many times do these companies get away with this? Many people do not notice such charge, or just think that maybe it's something they don't remember buying. DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS COMPANY, THEIR PRACTICE IS NOT ONLY UNETHICAL, BUT ILLEGAL.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Tarja
Palm Beach Gardens,Florida,
USA
THIS COMPANY IS BREAKING THE LAW
#2Author of original report
Wed, August 18, 2010
Third call to the company after speaking with Lt. Olsen with West Palm Beach Police Department and the branch manager at my bank - who both assured me that of course I have a right for any and all information in writing regarding purchases made with my bank card. I am the account holder, and legally entitled to any and all information regarding purchases made with this card. This company creates their own laws - totally different from the laws all other businesses have to obey.
Again, I spoke with Miss Mary Sehellhammer - she seems to be the only person working for the company. When I asked to speak to her supervisor, no such exists. When I asked who the company's executives are, she gave me names Jake Nickell and Tom Ryan. Jake Nickell in fact exists in the state's business records. No record of Tom Ryan. When I asked to speak with either one of the gentlemen, I was told that both are out of the office.
I followed their website's instructions and sent the company an e-mail yesterday. So far, I have not received anything regarding my written complaint.
They promised to cancel the transaction. My bank says it has not been done.
Mary Sehellhammer told me that they do not keep records of purchases in file????? Of course they do. I audit business records for living, and I know that by law they are required to keep such records for up to seven years. That's the law.
I pointed out that I went to their website and printed out their order form, which includes the information of the buyer as well as shipping information, Miss Sehellhammer disclosed that in this case there is no shipping address because a gift card was purchased on my card (so the record of the purchase exists and she admitted lying to me). She said the only thing they have is my information as the buyer, and the e-mail address the gift card code was sent to.
When I asked for a copy of the order to be faxed to me, she refused. I am beginning to think that no actual purchase was ever made. Why else would they have any problem disclosing the recepient of this "giftcard" that I supposedly purchased and paid? This whole thing is a professional cover-up of a non-existing, fraudulent transaction processed by (((Redacted))) - owned and operated by Skinnycorp, LLC in Chicago, Illinois, and they fail to obey the law and give me the information that legally needs to be disclosed to me upon my request.
I notified Miss Mary Sehellhammer of this report in Ripoffreports, and asked them to respond to this publicly, in writing, so that every one of their current and future customers can see. I am truly looking forward to seeing what their explanation will be. If there will be one. In the meanwhile, I continue to do updates on my facebook, myspace, and also on my blog about the progress of this ordeal. I think that this kind of business conduct needs to be published as much as possible to warn other possible victims.