Credit Card Scam Warning
Les Stewart
a purchase I did not recognize. It was a $49 (US) charge for a "Purchase
Shield Membership". This is a credit card "insurance policy" for bad
purchases, stolen cards, pay off the card if I die, etc. Nothing that I
want.
I called MasterCard and ask them about it. They said that, "You were sent
a letter by the company and the fact that you did NOT respond, meant that
you wanted this "service"!
Stunned, I ask how this could happen and was told something about
"subscription" purchases which I didn't understand. I ask if this could
happen again and was told, "yes, unless you would like a block placed on
your account for subscription purchases?" (DUHH!!) When I answered yes,
she asked if I would also like to have "telephone subscription purchases"
blocked. What that is, I don't know but I guess if you don't answer the
phone or call back, it means you want to buy something.
I will admit to not reading all the fine print on the credit card forms
that I have signed, but I have never heard of anything like this, so it
may be a new thing. I am also guilty of not checking my statements closely
(it looks about right...) so I may have been hit before and don't know it.
You would never know about it if you missed it on the statement it was
charged on.
Anyway this is just a warning to watch your statements and/or have
"subscription purchases" blocked from your account.
There is no telling how many millions have or will be stolen from the
public with this scam.
Les Stewart
Beaumont, Texas
ste...@ih2000naespam.net Remove naespam to reply
Christoffersen
Thanks for the warning, Les. I'll check my statements even more
carefully now.
Carol
Dan McKinnon
>a letter by the company and the fact that you did NOT respond, meant that
>you wanted this "service"!
>
Les< our cable companies up here tried such "negative options" when
they added a new "tier"/bunch of channels and tried to charge everybody
more money.
Our ineffectual CRTC (Same as FCC in States - Canadian Radio
Television-telecommunications Commission) finally took action and stopped it
ONLY because of public outcry.
I can't believe it is legal - at the very least, you should
challenge the charge and ask fro "Proof of delivery" of the subscription
notice, and you can bet they won't have it!<G> Sneding out every letter at
REGISTERED lates would probably not be cost-effective based on returns!<G>
The potential for abuse here is SO large - it would be in a
companies interst to senfd out letters in envelopes tha tlook like the most
unattractive and disposable of junk mail, so that nobody bothers to even
open them!<G>
I'd phone your government rep., too, at the appropriate level down
there, to cmplain!<G>
Good luck!
Dan
star
> a letter by the company and the fact that you did NOT respond, meant that
> you wanted this "service"!
Is that even legal?? Would that not be like them placing an un-authorized
debit to your account? Something is just not right there, I would check into
it. :-)
BTW.. hello, new to the group I am :-) !
--
bey ti' ka'an, bey ti' lu'um
"As is the Sky, so is the Earth"
~Words of a Mayan Shaman
Dan McKinnon
A note to you and other people that may not be aware - Cheryl ("Spuddie"
<G>) has a www page called THE APFPY ROGUE'S GALLERY at
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/spuddzz/gallery.html
it has a number of pictures and self-descriptions of members, a birthday
list, pictures from various "meets" in North AMerica and Europe, and so on.
At the bottom she has an email link if you want to be added. It is quite an
attractive web page, to boot!<G>
>Is that even legal?? Would that not be like them placing an un-authorized
>debit to your account? Something is just not right there, I would check
into
>it. :-)
>BTW.. hello, new to the group I am :-) !
Yoda you are? <G>
> bey ti' ka'an, bey ti' lu'um
>"As is the Sky, so is the Earth"
> ~Words of a Mayan Shaman
Koyaanisquatsi (Hopi for "life out of balance" - a fascinating images
film in slow and fast motion with no dialogue or narration, only music by
Philip Glass. It counterpoints the beauty of nature with man and his
fast-paced world. SOme of the images have been used din commercials, such as
people moving rapidly in New York's Union Station, others jsut copied the
ideas.)
Dan
Bette
>From: "Les Stewart" <stewar
>Anyway this is just a warning to watch your statements and/or have
>"subscription purchases" blocked from your account.
Another company to be aware of that has very high pressure telemarketing sales
type solicitors is Forum.Credit Card Registry. For $289.00 they will insure
your credit cards for 10 years!!! Beware.
chatsbet
Spuddie
<danmc...@home.com> being distantly related to Count Dracula, was
able to spit out:
>Welcome, Star.
I'll second that and say welcome too, Star.
>A note to you and other people that may not be aware - Cheryl ("Spuddie"
><G>) has a www page called THE APFPY ROGUE'S GALLERY at
>
>http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/spuddzz/gallery.html
Geez, Dan, you hoser!...if you're gonna post the URL, at least get it
right! :-pppp!!! It's acksherly:
http://members.xoom/com/spuddzz/gallery.html
>it has a number of pictures and self-descriptions of members, a birthday
>list, pictures from various "meets" in North AMerica and Europe, and so on.
>At the bottom she has an email link if you want to be added. It is quite an
>attractive web page, to boot!<G>
<blish!>
The only stipulation I have for being added is that you actually are a
recognized member of the group and not just a "one-week wonder" which
we do seem to get a lot of around here, unfortunately. I've been
thinking about adding a "Lurker's Page" but I don't think I'd have
much business. LOL
Cheryl
~~~Sometimes when I'm told to use my own discretion, if no
one is looking I'll use someone else's. But I always
put it back.~~~ (George Carlin)
harriet neal
monthly brochure with a slip to return. If you don't return the slip within 10
days....you get the book/cd/record. If you don't want the item you have to go to
the post office, or ups, or fedex and return it. It's called no means yes. Sorta
like governmental doublespeak.
queenbe
Bette
>From: harriet neal
>The book clubs/cd/record clubs have been doing this for many years
Montgomery Wards does this as well on their warranties.. for t.v.'s whatever.
chatsbet
Christoffersen
Sure enough, they called to offer me new membership with no "return
or else" stipulations. I now get only what I order.
Carol
Dan McKinnon
><danmc...@home.com> >
>>A note to you and other people that may not be aware - Cheryl ("Spuddie"
>><G>) has a www page called THE APFPY ROGUE'S GALLERY at
>>
>>http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/spuddzz/gallery.html
>
>Geez, Dan, you hoser!...if you're gonna post the URL, at least get it
>right! :-pppp!!! It's acksherly:
>
>http://members.xoom/com/spuddzz/gallery.html
CHERYLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you trying to confuse the poor lady? <G>
Again, here it is, I jsut went to the web page, and will cut and paste it,
AS DID ABOVE YESTERDAY!<G>
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/spuddzz/gallery.html
(As an afterthoguht before posting, I just cut and pasted the above URL into
IE, and it works fine<G> - it appears as though there is a BLANK before XOOM
because there is actually an underscore mark, which makes up that whole
underline above!<G>)
What is with a SLASH before the (dot) COM?
That is not proper URL format...
You HAVE been checking too many bills!<G>
I hope your face is red - something else should be too, for this!<G>
Folks, what is the proper punishment/penalty for this!? <G>
And calling me a _hoser_, too......................Geez!
Dan, who hopes you are OK...? <G>
jj
remember that my house insurance policy has a "credit card protection" clause
built-in. Another insurance scam is "car rental" insurance and the
various "deductible waiver" charges. If you already own a fully insured
automobile - you might not even NEED the car rental company's insurance !
Your own policy might cover you ... check with your own insurance agent.
Our recent week of car rental cost $240 plus a whopping $80 for insurance.
The premium credit cards will often cover a portion of your rental car's
insurance too. (read the fine print of your cardholders agreement)
As for credit cards ... we keep a special "low limit" credit card ($500)
that we use for telephone/internet credit card transactions. We are also
careful to only deal with reputable companies. Checking each item on the
bank account/credit card statement is important.
John T.
On Sat, 28 Aug 1999 02:50:10 -0500, "Les Stewart" <ste...@ih2000naespam.net>
wrote:
>A couple of days ago, while looking at my MasterCard statement, I noticed
>a purchase I did not recognize. It was a $49 (US) charge for a "Purchase
>Shield Membership". This is a credit card "insurance policy" for bad
>purchases, stolen cards, pay off the card if I die, etc. Nothing that I
>want.
>
>I called MasterCard and ask them about it. They said that, "You were sent
>a letter by the company and the fact that you did NOT respond, meant that
>you wanted this "service"!
>
>Stunned, I ask how this could happen and was told something about
>"subscription" purchases which I didn't understand. I ask if this could
>happen again and was told, "yes, unless you would like a block placed on
>your account for subscription purchases?" (DUHH!!) When I answered yes,
>she asked if I would also like to have "telephone subscription purchases"
>blocked. What that is, I don't know but I guess if you don't answer the
>phone or call back, it means you want to buy something.
>
>I will admit to not reading all the fine print on the credit card forms
>that I have signed, but I have never heard of anything like this, so it
>may be a new thing. I am also guilty of not checking my statements closely
>(it looks about right...) so I may have been hit before and don't know it.
>You would never know about it if you missed it on the statement it was
>charged on.
>
>Anyway this is just a warning to watch your statements and/or have
>"subscription purchases" blocked from your account.
>
>There is no telling how many millions have or will be stolen from the
>public with this scam.
>
star
and errrr... as for the Yoda crack... LOL, only when I am outta Oil of Olay!
*blink* !!
~Star
Spuddie
<danmc...@home.com> having not been out of the closet very long,
articulated:
>>>http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/spuddzz/gallery.html
>>
>>Geez, Dan, you hoser!...if you're gonna post the URL, at least get it
>>right! :-pppp!!! It's acksherly:
>>
>>http://members.xoom/com/spuddzz/gallery.html
>
>CHERYLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gads, keep it down, I gotta headache already!!
>Are you trying to confuse the poor lady? <G>
No sir, I wouldn't knowingly do so!
>Again, here it is, I jsut went to the web page, and will cut and paste it,
>AS DID ABOVE YESTERDAY!<G>
>
>http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/spuddzz/gallery.html
>
>(As an afterthoguht before posting, I just cut and pasted the above URL into
>IE, and it works fine<G> - it appears as though there is a BLANK before XOOM
>because there is actually an underscore mark, which makes up that whole
>underline above!<G>)
Well, Dan, I tried cutting and pasting the URL you posted into *my*
Netscape browser, and it doesn't work! That's not the URL as I created
it and that's not the one in my bookmarks. There is no extra "_XOOM"
in it...I have no idea where it came from! I did try your version at
work on Internet Explorer and it worked...which is really weird. I am
NOT pleased with the fact that either XOOM or Microsoft is playing
games with a URL that I created! :-((
> What is with a SLASH before the (dot) COM?
>
> That is not proper URL format...
Yeah, yeah, yeah....I typed it by hand instead of doing it the lazy
man's way....cutting and pasting. <dig, dig, dig> LOL
Sorry if I caused anyone confusion. :-)
> You HAVE been checking too many bills!<G>
Oh, but it was fun tonight...I found $2,500 for the hospital! Spuds to
the rescue! Weeee heeeeee!
> I hope your face is red - something else should be too, for this!<G>
It's a mite pink, but that's only because Bacardi 151 and Coke tends
to do that.
> Folks, what is the proper punishment/penalty for this!? <G>
Don't even *think* about touching that bottle...my rapier's *very*
sharp and I'll lop your hand off without event blinking! ;-)
> And calling me a _hoser_, too......................Geez!
That's a term of endearment, ya big schmuck! And you being Canadian
and everything too...sheeeez....:pp
> Dan, who hopes you are OK...? <G>
I'm fine, Dan. Just human, like everyone else. 'k?
Cheryl
~~~A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in
such a way that you will look forward to the trip.~~~
Dan McKinnon
Spuddie wrote in message <37cbce77...@news.uswest.net>...
>><danmc...@home.com>
>>CHERYLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!
>Gads, keep it down, I gotta headache already!!
Had to get your attention. m'dear!<G>
>> What is with a SLASH before the (dot) COM?
>>
>> That is not proper URL format...
>
>Yeah, yeah, yeah....I typed it by hand instead of doing it the lazy
>man's way....cutting and pasting. <dig, dig, dig> LOL
And _I_ did it the careful man's way <G> I was at the www site, and jsut
cut and pasted the URL from the top of my IE browser!<G> That is why I did
not notice that extra _XOOM
myself...oviously, an dI know they can do this, the web site detects which
browser you are using, nad redirects it to different versions of the same
page, tailored for your browser - something like that...
>> I hope your face is red - something else should be too, for this!<G>
>
>It's a mite pink, but that's only because Bacardi 151 and Coke tends
>to do that.
Rum go!
>> And calling me a _hoser_, too......................Geez!
>
>That's a term of endearment, ya big schmuck! And you being Canadian
>and everything too...sheeeez....:pp
Welllllllll - I don't know if ALL of us up here take that as
endearment... I loved SCTV, but the McKenzie brothers got on my nerves after
a while, and "hoser" is almost NEVER used up here in conversation, at least
in my personal experience. May depend on the company you keep, but I can't
recall hearing it on Canadian TV _except_ on SCTV!<G>
>> Dan, who hopes you are OK...? <G>
>
>I'm fine, Dan. Just human, like everyone else. 'k?
Geez - you menan I'm not the only one who makes mistakes!<G>
I guess I WAS a _little_ bit upset at being "dissed"<G> publicly, when
I was not incorrect!<G> But I _thought_ I was just fooling around with my
message... Sounds like we've both been having some bad days! <G>
Apologies and {{{{{{HuGSSZZZZZZZZ}}}}}}}}} all around? <G>
Dan
>
>Cheryl
>~~~A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in
> such a way that you will look forward to the trip.~~~
--
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little
statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has
simply nothing to do. . . . Speak what you think today in hard words and
tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard words again, though it
contradict everything you said today.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Essays: First Series [1841].Self-Reliance
Jane Benn
>
> Thanks for the heads-up, Les. I'm not an insurance expert but I seem to
> remember that my house insurance policy has a "credit card protection" clause
> built-in. Another insurance scam is "car rental" insurance and the
> various "deductible waiver" charges. If you already own a fully insured
> automobile - you might not even NEED the car rental company's insurance !
> Your own policy might cover you ... check with your own insurance agent.
And even if it doesn't now, you can probably have a rider added to cover
cost of rentals. I think it's about $15.00 (Can) with my insurance
company.
--
Jane (Replace hearth by home to reach me)
Whatever women do, they must do it twice as well as men to be thought
half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.
-Charlotte Whitton-
Spuddie
<snip>
<snipt>
<snip>
> I guess I WAS a _little_ bit upset at being "dissed"<G> publicly, when
>I was not incorrect!<G>
Awwww, Dan....I wasn't dissing ya....I created the URL, so I *knew*
that the extra _XOOM didn't belong there....but I tried it on my
browser anyway, and sure enough, it didn't work. I just didn't want to
give people wrong information, that's all. How was I to know that Xoom
plays fast and loose with people's URLs? :-(
> Apologies and {{{{{{HuGSSZZZZZZZZ}}}}}}}}} all around? <G>
>
> Dan
No apologies necessary, but I never turn down a hug from a friend! :-)
Cheryl
~~~If everything in life had a point, there'd be no place
to sit down.~~~