Complaint Review: Intelius - IDProtect - Belleview Washington

I received a refund for all 3 months........thanks to Jon.............to all who have been victimized, stick to it and, like has been said don't take NO for an answer!!!!

My $.95 one time fee,for a person search, has cost me $60.00 of unauthorized charges to my account.  I cancelled my "subscription" on line on 02/07/10.  The cancellation would not be put into effect until 02/28/10.  Thus, the end of the billing cycle and another $19.95 fee for a service I did not want, and did not order.  This "company" was not available by phone over the weekend.  I called this morning.  Crystal, Agent #5150, told me I did subscribe to this service?  Further inquiry led to her telling me, "when I ordered the person search for $.95, I was automatically signed up for a "free" trial of ID PROTECT".  Logic would imply, if it's free, where's my $60.00?  I was then informed, I failed to "unsubscribe" to this "free" trial, thus my automatic enrollment and fees.  I was told they would only refund $19.95.  Like Jon, I have never used this service.  Now that I have read his posting,  I am calling these scammers back for a full refund.

 

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 RipoffReport.com Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com

Rip-off Report PO Box 310, Tempe, Arizona 85280

I too, like Jon from Arvada, CO, experienced the exact same transaction as he did with the Intelius ID Protect product.  The only thing that was different was that I was in to them for 3 months worth of charges.  I followed the protocol that Jon had described in his report. 

The representative said she would cancel my account and give me back one month.  I said that wasn't good enough and I wanted to speak to her supervisor.  A women named Barb Embree, badge number 874675, spoke with me and after I told her that I was going to report this as Jon was going to do she said that the best she could do was give me back 2 months.  I told her that I still wanted the 3 months and that I would follow through with reporting the incident.  I also told her that I expected to have my account closed and the 2 month refund anyway.

This is definitely a scam and something should be done.  Everytime you go to a people search and don't get all the info you want, this company pops up as the way to go.  If you only need info infrequently 95 cents seems harmless enough but not when you are dealing with people like this.

I appreciate finding Jon's report, it was extremely helpful.

Here's a link to a good expose that the Seattle Weekly did on Intelius.  They are already in trouble with the FTC, the Washington State Attorney's Office, and the BBB.  I wish I had read this before giving them my credit card #!

http://www.seattleweekly.com/2009-03-18/news/intelius-and-the-dubious-art-of-post-transaction-marketing/