MWI Connections ripoff fraudulent credit card billing Internet *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

Bear with me; I'm going to go into detail.

Today I received my Visa bill and found a charge for $159.95 from MWI*CONNECTIONS, phone number 888-868-6216, CT. I had never heard of them and had not used this credit card in months so I called to find out who they are. At first I got a machine asking if I wanted to check out all the deals on the web or if I wanted to check out my account over the phone.

If you choose the phone you will be prompted to give your membership number (???!!!) or your phone number. If you give your phone number it will ask you which of the numerous deals you're interested in, conveniently forgetting that you wanted information about your account. If you don't give out your phone number and wait, and wait and wait, then you will be directed to an account specialist (or something like that). Someone will pick up the phone and, could you guess it?, they know who they are speaking with! After you give them more information "to confirm" who you are; name, address, phone number, the happy voice greets you.

I asked Evie (number 17378) whom she represented and what it was that I supposedly bought. She told me I agreed to a trial period sign-up with DealPass in exchange for a cd player, and that the trial period had ended. I told her that I hadn't and that I wouldn't and that I wanted my money returned immediately. She kept telling me that I had done it some time in the past and that it was a "Web sign-up" I had done, perhaps by clicking on a popup. I told her that I didn't see how they would be able to get my Visa account number, phone number, address, and name by my clicking a popup. She continued to tell me that I had, and then started in on a sales talk about how much I could save yada-yada...

Finally, I told her to reverse charges and discontinue the purported membership. She said that she would but that it might take up to two billing periods to show on my account. Hmmm... I thanked her, hung up, and called Visa.

Connie from Visa said, "Oh, we've had several of these from this company. We know who they are." After talking to Connie and making sure that no new charges would come from this account she told me that MWI should be able to reverse immediately but that by law they were allowed 30 days. She asked if I got a confirmation number, which I stupidly had not, or so I thought.

I changed my Visa account number (because who knows who has it now?!?), and while I was at it, lowered my interest rate by saying that I was going to cancel my account (silver lining?), and then called MWI back.

Again I had to wait, wait, wait until they answered and again they knew who I was. I spoke with Krystal (number 17400) and told her I wanted to get a confirmation number for the reversal. It turns out that the number of the person you speak with is your confirmation number. How about that? Anyway, I asked Krystal to make certain that the charges were reversed, and as she was checking, her computer crashed. So, I had to wait for the reboot, and wait, and wait... After several minutes I asked her what was going on. She told me that she would use someone elses computer and figure it out. She then began yelling my name and phone number to someone, who was apparently quite far away by the sound of it, and told me after a couple of more minutes that, yes, I had charges reversed. On a hunch I asked how much. "$146.80" she tells me. I had to argue with her for a few moments before she added the $13.15 to the reversal.

Krystal (cog no. 17400 in the MWI machine) assured me that a reversal had been done. I'll check with Visa tomorrow. The problem remains as to how MWI got my information. When I asked Krystal (agent 17400) how this might have happened, she said she couldn't, or perhaps wouldn't, tell me.

Lesson #1: MWI, in any of its incarnations, is not to be trusted.
Lesson #2: Always check your statement immediately and closely. If something doesn't look right, follow up on it.
Lesson #3: Persist, persist, persist. Do what's right and fight them, because until they are stopped they will continue hurting more innocent people.

Peter
Denver, Colorado
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 you 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/comptroller 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!

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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.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on MWI Connections / MWI Homeswork / MWI Essentials

CLICK HERE ...*EDitor's NOTICE ..MWI Lawsuit filed