WPI*IFRIENDS WPI*IFRIENDS continues to take money from my bank account. Lake Fort Worth Florida *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account that was wrongfully taken from you!
I was checking my bank statements, and I found a charge from Ifriends, a site which I have not signed up for. Upon searching the internet for that company, I found that many other people have had the same thing happen. I am continually charged $6.95 by this company. I never gave my card number with the knowledge that it would be used to draw money out of my account.
Manolo
Sacramento, California
U.S.A.
EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!
HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:
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!
DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!
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.
CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD
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 .. 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.
And good luck Let us know how you do!
ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@ripoffreport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com
Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!
We are not lawyers.
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...the victims' advocate
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...by consumers, for consumers
CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Steve
Lake Worth,Florida,
U.S.A.
Reply from iFriends/WebPower Customer Service
#4UPDATE Employee
Wed, December 27, 2006
Since becoming aware of the above RipOffReport complaint, we have located Manolo's accounts. Because customer service is our number one priority, we have issued refunds for the charges in question. We have attempted to contact Manolo directly via email, at the email address we have on file for him, to inform him of the refunds. Should there be any further questions or concerns, Manolo can contact our Customer Support Department 24/7 at (800) 243-9726.
Manolo had in fact created two accounts with iFriends. The first account was created several years ago, and the second account was created more recently. Our transaction records indicate that the accounts in question were created using Manolo's personal information, including credit-card number, mailing address, email address, and IP address. The foregoing information was independently verified using records supplied by Visa, as well as by internet IP-address registries.
The scenario presented in Manolo's report is not one that realistically could have occurred on our web site. We offer several different types of memberships. While the standard iFriends membership carries no charge, and Manolo did opt for this standard membership on the account which he created several years ago, he chose to enroll in a premium membership when he created his more recent account. All charges incurred by Manolo on the account were clearly and conspicuously disclosed in advance. No customer could incur charges as specified in Manolo's complaint without advance disclosure of such charges and numerous multiple click-throughs by the customer to indicate his acknowledgement and affirmative consent to such charges.
Our company has a spotless 11-year-record with all of the leading consumer protection agencies, and we are an industry leader in the development of model online consumer best practices. 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 prominent icons and multiple clickthroughs, in any instance in which a customer will incur charges. 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.
Steve
Lake Worth,Florida,
U.S.A.
Reply from iFriends/WebPower Customer Service
#4UPDATE Employee
Wed, December 27, 2006
Since becoming aware of the above RipOffReport complaint, we have located Manolo's accounts. Because customer service is our number one priority, we have issued refunds for the charges in question. We have attempted to contact Manolo directly via email, at the email address we have on file for him, to inform him of the refunds. Should there be any further questions or concerns, Manolo can contact our Customer Support Department 24/7 at (800) 243-9726.
Manolo had in fact created two accounts with iFriends. The first account was created several years ago, and the second account was created more recently. Our transaction records indicate that the accounts in question were created using Manolo's personal information, including credit-card number, mailing address, email address, and IP address. The foregoing information was independently verified using records supplied by Visa, as well as by internet IP-address registries.
The scenario presented in Manolo's report is not one that realistically could have occurred on our web site. We offer several different types of memberships. While the standard iFriends membership carries no charge, and Manolo did opt for this standard membership on the account which he created several years ago, he chose to enroll in a premium membership when he created his more recent account. All charges incurred by Manolo on the account were clearly and conspicuously disclosed in advance. No customer could incur charges as specified in Manolo's complaint without advance disclosure of such charges and numerous multiple click-throughs by the customer to indicate his acknowledgement and affirmative consent to such charges.
Our company has a spotless 11-year-record with all of the leading consumer protection agencies, and we are an industry leader in the development of model online consumer best practices. 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 prominent icons and multiple clickthroughs, in any instance in which a customer will incur charges. 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.
Duane
Monroe,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Watch what you click online!
#4Consumer Comment
Sat, August 26, 2006
You contradict yourself in your post. You first say that you did not sign up for this site; and then you say you didn't give your card number with the knowledge of it being charged - which means that you gave your card number while visiting the site.
You can join Ifriends for free. They ask for your credit card info when signing up. You would have had to create an account in order for that to happen.
Any time you do anything like that, especially on the internet, you have to watch what you are clicking on or agreeing to. It sounds to me like you signed up for a preium account which has a recurring monthly fee....and you probably did this unknowingly because there was probably a checkbox on the sign-up info accepting that by default - you would have had to unselect it in order to not get that charge.
I do not like it when places trick people or try to take advantage of people. But I do not believe that this is a reip-off as you could have avoided the problem entirely by watching what you were agreeing to when you signed up.
One last thing. If you call the customer support they will more than likely refund your money and stop the recurring charges. They actually have very helpful customer support.