Webtechstrategies shop freedom online $4800 charged to senior's credit card, no services rendered Phoenix, Arizona
Webtech strategies charged my mom's credit card for $4800 for "255,000 hits" to a shopping website. I also talked to "Jiggs" in July & was told the site had received the 255,000 hits in 5 months & "checks and/or reports" were sent in June- nothing received! He also told me they couldn't possibly keep track of how many people actually make purchases after visiting the website & became defensive when I asked how my Mom was supposed to make any money from this. I sent a letter requesting a refund-no reply. I filed a complaint w/the AZ AG to which Webtech now replied that NO money would be made from this campaign & they had fulfilled the contract by obtaining the 255,000 hits. They sent an illegible copy of "statistics" showing this (a graph I could make on my home computer & a readable copy at that) which proves nothing. The "contract" in brief states Webtech provides "goods & services"-what that is I don't know, "authorizes them to act on behalf of companies listed"-there are none, & "does not guarantee increase sales to the website"- how does someone making a purchase at a store benefit my Mom in the 1st place? -if you were going to advertise, wouldn't you expect to make some income? My mom has some dementia, doesn't have access to the internet, can't even USE a computer, & is on social security. She doesn't remember authorizing this & in fact wouldn't remember the next day that she signed anything. Webtech is taking money from consumers under false pretenses, check out bbb.org-14 complaints since 5/07 w/a rating of F! File a complaint w/ftc.gov. I can't afford to fight in court, which is what they're counting on but maybe I can help prevent the next person the same grief. I'm sure if this company goes under, they'll just restart under a new name, probably what they've done before since they've only been "Webtech Strategies" since 5/30/07.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Adinrob
Greensboro,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Like talking to a brick wall...
#7Consumer Comment
Fri, December 18, 2009
My husband and I recently got a new cell phone and number. Apparently, the person who had our number previously had changed it because of these people. Now, they call us 2-10 times a day. These are some of the rudest people I have ever encountered, and I have worked collections, so that is saying something. My father in law answered the phone this morning, and when the conversation with the rep got heated, the rep actually hung up the business phone, immediately called back from a private number (personal cell phone is my assumption) and started cursing him out. I took your advice and filed complaints with the FTC, BBB and AZ atty general's office. I feel like even though we have not had any DIRECT financial loss, they are costing us indirectly in cell phone minutes and stress. I don't even want to answer the phone anymore, it's that bad. I wish you all the best luck with resolving everything with your mom. People who take advantage of the older generations should be hung by their "morals".
Jane
Dearborn Hts,Michigan,
USA
Attorney General complaints
#7Author of original report
Fri, December 04, 2009
I wrote again to the Arizona attorney general asking them to re-investigate Webtech Strategies as there have been 10 additional complaints filed w/the BBB since Sept 2009. The attorney general does not use information from other resources such as the BBB but replies to individual complaints filed by consumers. Once again I encourage everyone to file a complaint w/the Arizonia attorney general regarding this company. Maybe we can get some results this way.
Jane
Dearborn Hts,Michigan,
USA
credit card company helpful
#7Author of original report
Sun, October 25, 2009
I have been dealing w/the credit card company for 3 months as there were several other fraud charges on my mom's account- I called each company & discovered this. I almost think that 1 company got the card number & passed it on to the others, but I can't prove that. All the charges were reversed-after I finally spoke to 1 helpful person who called me on a weekly basis w/updates. Not 1 company responded except Webtech who refused to refund the $4800. My mom can't pay this so the credit card company will have to eat it but that also will affect her credit- which maybe is good since the telemarketers will leave her alone now that there's no money. I pay the bills now so I know she can pay her real expenses & buy food. These people don't care who they take money from, if it was legimate I might understand but this was definately a scam. We'll never see this money again but maybe we can stop this from happening to someone else.
Jane
Dearborn Hts,Michigan,
USA
credit card company helpful but contract signed
#7Author of original report
Sun, October 25, 2009
I have been dealing w/the credit card company for 3 months as there were several other fraud charges on my mom's account- I called each company & discovered this. I almost think that 1 company got the card number & passed it on to the others, but I can't prove that. All the charges were reversed-after I finally spoke to 1 helpful person who called me on a weekly basis w/updates. Not 1 company responded except Webtech who refused to refund the $4800. My mom can't pay this so the credit card company will have to eat it but that also will affect her credit- which maybe is good since the telemarketers will leave her alone now that there's no money. I pay the bills now so I know she can pay her real expenses & buy food. These people don't care who they take money from, if it was legimate I might understand but this was definately a scam. We'll never see this money again but maybe we can stop this from happening to someone else.
Nc
Grayslake,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Call the credit card company
#7Consumer Comment
Sun, October 25, 2009
Sounds like a total scam by this company!! You should call your mom's credit card company. They can check into this and possibly refund the money. You should also cancel the card and get a different number if possible They are taking advantage of an elderly person.
Good luck!
Jane
Dearborn Hts,Michigan,
USA
Now sold services not a website
#7Author of original report
Sun, October 25, 2009
This company can't keep their story straight. First I was told that no income would be made & now Webtech claims my mother purchased services for "her website". Funny, there was no website until they got the $4800. I guess I didn't know my mom set up a website to advertise for big name companies like Sears & Ebay & without access to a computer or any idea of how to use one! The only one benefiting from this company is Webtech itself.