Complaint Review: usenet.nl

Usenet.nl advertised to teachers that there were online teaching resources available for users of usenet, subject only to a modest subscription. A 14-day free trial was being offered, to show how useful and worthwhile those teaching resources could be.

I signed up for the free 14-day trial but, to avoid any possible online scams, I declined to provide any credit card or PayPal details.  I wanted only the 14-day free trial and would then decide if it was worth setting up a regular subscription.

Usenet.nl still operates the same scam it has been running (according to "ripoff report") for over 5 years - there were no worthwhile teaching resources available. I therefore didn't set up a subscription or have any further online dealings with usenet.nl or enter into any correspondence.

The absence of any credit card details doesn't stop usenet.nl from pursuing their scam. I received a threatening letter from German debt collection agency Tesch Inkasso claiming that I owed 134 Euros for usenet services. I responded that I had never used their online resources (because, frankly, they don't exist) and that I had chosen not to extend the 14-day free trial.

Having made my own enquiries, I am aware that Tesch Inkasso is a legitimate organisation, but it has been made aware that I did not use these online services yet continues to threaten court proceedings for this non-existent debt.  It must be aware that usenet.nl is running an international scam, but continues to harrass individuals on behalf of the scammers.  I have today received a letter from Tesch Inkasso requiring payment of a compromise sum of 110 Euros, to avoid "further legal steps" being taken against me.