WPI*IFRIENDS UNAUTHORIZED CHARGES TO CREDIT CARD Internet
I did sign up for a free membership with ifriends, but did not purchase anything from them. I gave them credit card information to verify my age but did not authorize any charges to that card. Over the next few months I noticed three charges of $1, $5.95 and $6.95. I called their customer service line and told them the problem at which point they said they'd refund me the charges. After a bit of research I found that this is something they have been repeatedly accused of doing. Their rebuttal to identical claims from other people states that "All prices and terms on our service are clearly and conspicuously disclosed, including use of a prominent icon and multiple clickthroughs in any instance in which a customer will incur charges." Not once did I see or approve any charges to my credit card. There were multiple click throughs in the registration process, but no reference to anything other than a free service. In fact, the only thing that was prominently and conspicuously advertised was the fact that registration is FREE.
Miles
Berkeley, California
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Steven
Lake Worth,Florida,
U.S.A.
Reply from iFriends/Webpower Customer Service - 1-800-243-9726
#3UPDATE Employee
Fri, January 20, 2006
Hello Ed,
We are resubmitting this response as RipoffReport.com seems to have inadvertently posted only the first few paragraghs of our rebuttal, leaving off the last paragraph -- the full rebuttal reads:
Not true. While we always respect a customer's perception of events and abide by whatever outcome or resolution they seek, Miles is simply mistaken about our practices and his experience with our company.
Our company has a spotless 10-year-record with all of the leading consumer protection agencies, and is well-recognized as an industry leader in the development of model consumer best practices in its internet business segment. Every one of our web services is verified by TRUSTe to be on its sealholder list of "the most trustworthy online businesses" ( https://www.truste.org/about/member_list.php). All prices and terms on our service are clearly and conspicuously disclosed, including use of a prominent icon and multiple clickthroughs in any instance in which a customer will incur charges (in this situation, the charges incurred were prominently displayed in close proximity to the button a customer would click to proceed with the registration). In addition, our "Customer is Always Right" policy ensures that we take action sufficient to obtain each customer's complete satisfaction, including making refunds for any charges which a customer has incurred but disputes.
We have been in contact with Miles both prior to (as mentioned by Miles) and shortly following the posting of this complaint and we were able to resolve this matter to his satisfaction. Should there be any further questions or concerns, Miles can contact our Customer Support Department 24/7 at (800) 243-9726.
Steven
Lake Worth,Florida,
U.S.A.
Reply from iFriends/Webpower Customer Service - 1-800-243-9726
#3UPDATE Employee
Thu, January 19, 2006
Not true. While we always respect a customer's perception of events and abide by whatever outcome or resolution they seek, Miles is simply mistaken about our practices and his experience with our company.
Our company has a spotless 10-year-record with all of the leading consumer protection agencies, and is well-recognized as an industry leader in the development of model consumer best practices in its internet business segment. Every one of our web services is verified by TRUSTe to be on its sealholder list of "the most trustworthy online businesses"
All prices and terms on our service are clearly and conspicuously disclosed, including use of a prominent icon and multiple clickthroughs in any instance in which a customer will incur charges (in this situation, the charges incurred were prominently displayed in close proximity to the button a customer would click to proceed with the registration). In addition, our "Customer is Always Right" policy ensures that we take action sufficient to obtain each customer's complete satisfaction, including making refunds for any charges which a customer has incurred but disputes.