Rob in BC
Maple Ridge,#2
Tue, August 25, 2009
I too have become a victim of the Canadakits.com scam (billed to my credit card under the name "Income from Grants"). When I initially saw the ad for Canadakits.com on another website I thought this might be the answer to the cash shortfall of the company I was working in. I went to the website and noticed that my credit card would be billed for $1.95 to access the site. I thought, hey, this is okay. I'll just take a look and if it's not for me I'll let the company know. I did look through the website, but all the grants didn't apply to me because I wasn't the owner of the company.
I never saw the part that said you had to contact Canadakits.com (1-866-978-9373) within 24 hours if you decide not to continue on the website. After that time they will bill your credit card for $57.61 US each month. I happened to be watching the local TV news in Vancouver and the consumer reporter had someone contact him to see if the Canadakits.com was legitimate. He said it was a scam and to stay away.
Unfortunately, three days had passed before I saw what the consumer reporter was saying about this company. So, I immediately got on the phone to the company (at the number listed above). I spoke with a very nice lady. I explained the situation saying I wasn't interested in the information on their website and that I didn't see the time limit of 24 hours. The lady said my credit card would not be billed and she assured me no further billings would occur.
At the end of the month I was checking my credit card statement and there was a charge for $57.61 US for "Income from Grants". I immediately got on the phone again calling the same number. I spoke with Jay and explained the situation AGAIN. She told me no refund would be coming as I didn't contact them within 24 hours of signing up. I explained the whole thing again to her. Then I told her about the TV consumer reporter and that he called their company a scam. Jay placed her hand over the receiver, but I could hear muffled discussions going on in the background. She came back on the phone and said a refund would be coming and she assured me no further billings would occur (where had I heard that before). I asked Jay for some kind of written proof that this conversation had taken place. She said an e-mail would be sent to me when the refund was issued.
On my next credit card statement - guess what I found again? Another charge for $57.61 US. I was fuming this time. I called my credit card company and spoke with the resolution department. They told me without written proof, whether in the form of a letter or an e-mail, it was my word against theirs. So the credit card company didn't seem eager to help me.
I am going to try to get a stop put on my credit card so this company can't bill me anymore. If the credit card company won't do that I intend on going into my bank and cancelling the current credit card and replacing it with another credit card, but with a different number. I hope this will help. We're getting towards the end of the month and that's when they put the charge on my card. I have to take time off from work to go to the bank to get this all sorted out. Save yourself the grief - do not sign up with this company.