WPI*IFRIENDS Over $900 in UNauthorized charges. Beware! Internet *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account that someone wrongfully takes it from you!
Entered my CC# for "age verification" and did not find out until I was contacted by my bank that WPI had charged me more than $966 and change IN ONE NIGHT claiming that I used their services.
Because I never authorized any of these charges (ten unique hits, each for a different amount) I contacted their customer service - who said they could do nothing without a police report. Once I filed with my local PD their fraud department offered to refund 1/2 the charges - trying to stick me with almost $485 dollars, still!
Obviously I will be disputing the charges. If you were thinking about using this ifriends.com (or any other website affiliated with them), THINK AGAIN.
<b><font size=+2><font color="#0000FF">EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back! </font></font></b>
<b><font size=+1>HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO: </font></b>
Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.
According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.
If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.
Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!
<b><font size=+1>DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER! </font></b>
Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.
And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.
Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.
If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.
<b><font size=+1>CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD</font></b>
If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.
Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. <i>The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action. </i>
And good luck Let us know how you do!
ED Magedson Founder
RipoffReport.com
Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
Rip-off Report
2 Updates & Rebuttals
gesthin
USAStill no resolution.
#3
Wed, August 19, 2009
The company recently responded to this report claiming that they had processed a refund - I called them today because a refund would have literally been impossible. The account in question is locked; no transactions can be processed (I spoke with my bank to verify this, to verify that no transactions had taken place, and to make arrangements in case the company was attempting a refund).
After waiting until 3pm to speak with someone in the fraud department I was told that they had "already processed" a refund. They insisted that my bank would cut me a check if my account had, in fact been closed when the refund went through.
I called my bank to check on this claim; they do not have any such policy. The refund would simply have been refused. The fraud department, however, claims that my bank is incorrect (about their own policies!). They have refused to give me a transaction number OR the amount of the "refund" they processed over the phone...they went so far as to ask that my bank's branch manager contact them, stating they needed to "straighten her out".
I would never have known that they even "attempted" to refund me had it not been for this website - there has been no communication from iFriends to me at all. (My bank, however, has been spectacular so far!)
Sarah
Lake Worth,Florida,
U.S.A.
Reply from iFriends
#3
Tue, August 18, 2009
Geshtin created his iFriends account on July 21. Immediately after creating his account, he began to use premium pay-per-view services on the iFriends website. Geshtin spent more than two hours fully engaged in both text and video chat, with clear disclosures made to him that he was being charged on a per-minute basis for those services.
Before Geshtin entered the premium areas of the service, he was presented with a price confirmation page that clearly disclosed the rate at which he would be billed. In fact, during the time that Geshtin used the iFriends services, he was presented with a price confirmation page more than 10 times. Each time he was given the option, he said yes to the charge and deliberately chose to access the pay-per-view areas of the website.
Users of the iFriends service have numerous options to choose from. Some areas are free, and some, like the area that Geshtin chose to visit, cost money. The only time that anyone is ever billed by iFriends is when that person has affirmatively chosen to visit areas that cost money.
Shortly after Geshtin filed his ripoffreport, he contacted us directly and spoke to a Customer Care representative. Geshtin, in fact, confirmed to us that he created the account in question and entered the sessions for which he was billed. Nonetheless, we have refunded all of the charges he has incurred.