Wpi.ifriends.com ripoff--charged our bank account without authorization Online internet

But, I called their 800 number and spoke with a rep.
She stated that it was not an unauthorized charge(BULL).
You have to read their very small(hidden) discaimer at the bottom of their sign up form(the one for $1.00 initially).
It states tht after the $1.00, you will be billed monthly(in my case $6.95)if you meet the criteria.
Actually, the response from her sounded almost scripted. They probably get alot of these calls.

But, she did cancel my subscription and refunded the $6.95 back to my credit card.

But, I called their 800 number and spoke with a rep.
She stated that it was not an unauthorized charge(BULL).
You have to read their very small(hidden) discaimer at the bottom of their sign up form(the one for $1.00 initially).
It states tht after the $1.00, you will be billed monthly(in my case $6.95)if you meet the criteria.
Actually, the response from her sounded almost scripted. They probably get alot of these calls.

But, she did cancel my subscription and refunded the $6.95 back to my credit card.

But, I called their 800 number and spoke with a rep.
She stated that it was not an unauthorized charge(BULL).
You have to read their very small(hidden) discaimer at the bottom of their sign up form(the one for $1.00 initially).
It states tht after the $1.00, you will be billed monthly(in my case $6.95)if you meet the criteria.
Actually, the response from her sounded almost scripted. They probably get alot of these calls.

But, she did cancel my subscription and refunded the $6.95 back to my credit card.

But, I called their 800 number and spoke with a rep.
She stated that it was not an unauthorized charge(BULL).
You have to read their very small(hidden) discaimer at the bottom of their sign up form(the one for $1.00 initially).
It states tht after the $1.00, you will be billed monthly(in my case $6.95)if you meet the criteria.
Actually, the response from her sounded almost scripted. They probably get alot of these calls.

But, she did cancel my subscription and refunded the $6.95 back to my credit card.

I was reading the comments by JAMES in TX and, though this may sound stupid, I was wondering if you were ever asked for your credit card number. I have charges on my account for this site but I don't remember ever giving my account number. I am very particular about where I use my card and account numbers because of scams so I know I would remember using it if I did. It was only for a dollar but I am curious about how this happened regardless. They have information down to email addresses, home phone numbers and names but none was ever given to my knowledge. It is possible,however, that I or my husband may have gone to a webcam/chat site and not paid attention to what was signed up for. I don't know if they would be able to get this information in other ways such as names and home addresses and such. If not I have more investigating to do. If you could please respond to this I would greatly appreciate it. I too would like to get to the bottom of this.

I was reading the comments by JAMES in TX and, though this may sound stupid, I was wondering if you were ever asked for your credit card number. I have charges on my account for this site but I don't remember ever giving my account number. I am very particular about where I use my card and account numbers because of scams so I know I would remember using it if I did. It was only for a dollar but I am curious about how this happened regardless. They have information down to email addresses, home phone numbers and names but none was ever given to my knowledge. It is possible,however, that I or my husband may have gone to a webcam/chat site and not paid attention to what was signed up for. I don't know if they would be able to get this information in other ways such as names and home addresses and such. If not I have more investigating to do. If you could please respond to this I would greatly appreciate it. I too would like to get to the bottom of this.

I was reading the comments by JAMES in TX and, though this may sound stupid, I was wondering if you were ever asked for your credit card number. I have charges on my account for this site but I don't remember ever giving my account number. I am very particular about where I use my card and account numbers because of scams so I know I would remember using it if I did. It was only for a dollar but I am curious about how this happened regardless. They have information down to email addresses, home phone numbers and names but none was ever given to my knowledge. It is possible,however, that I or my husband may have gone to a webcam/chat site and not paid attention to what was signed up for. I don't know if they would be able to get this information in other ways such as names and home addresses and such. If not I have more investigating to do. If you could please respond to this I would greatly appreciate it. I too would like to get to the bottom of this.

je constate que chaque moi mon compte banquaire et dbit d'une somme d'argent divis en deux retrais:

-le premier retrai correspon "frais inter resau wpi*if" ou il m dbit 0,15 ou0,14 selon les mois.

-le deuxime retrai correspon "wpi*ifriend 561-656-0500 955$us"ou il m dbit entre 7,50 et7,95 selon les mois.

je trouve sela inadmissible tant donn que je n'ais jamais eu affaire et encore moins command d'article ou autre service que ce soit au prs de ces personnes.

ma situation financire tant plus que limite et n'ayant rien demand j'stime ne rien leur devoir et demande un arrt immdiat de ces retrais abusif,ainsi qu'un remboursement dans les plus bref dlais,tant dans mon bon droit,contrairement eux.

Did you notice all the warnings as you signed up to WPI's iFriends service? Along the lines of "If you deny us funds, we have your IP address etc. and will sue you"? And on cancelling your account: "Any further charges to your account are from previous activities on this site"?

Looks to me as though WPI is running a VERY shady operation - their small print locks you into a deal, and their large print disuades you from taking any action against them. I'm waiting for my bank statement to see whether I've been charged again, after I closed my account.

RE: http://.ifriends.net/
and
WPI iFriend Elite 8 Bank Charges.

FOLLOWING: The order of events, WPI contact information, 800#, and my humble opinions.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE: All xpressed views are my personal feelings and opinions and may or may not reflect the truth; it is up to you to decide for yourself.

It is my feeling, that iFriends does business in a devious and misleading manner. They do appear to have over 3 million customers, but it may be that many of their "claimed" customers, consist of temporary so-called "Free" members and "Trial" members, who may be experiencing irroneous "billing" charges, becuse they did-or-did-not; check, or uncheck, the correct options when they were signing up for "free" service; and worse, I fear my friends may not discover an "unknown" charge on their Bank Statement activity for a month or three, and then they'll figure it's too much trouble to get a measly $8.95 + an extra $1.00, back from WPI, and they blow it all off... but it is my opinion that I had to act upon it!

If I did not act, refute, object, cancel; it is possible, I may have been billed again and again, AND in 30 days I could even be automatically entered into their next "promotion," or "premium" servic, and then billed even higher amounts. I had to stop it!

It is my opinion, that their website feels like a really sophisticated "porn" website, that make their main cash flow from the "adult" industry, but maybe I'm wrong, but then again, I may be right. My daddy told me, "Son, no matter how glossy I paint the same old barn, it's still a dirty old barn," ...and even if I did NOT "check" or "uncheck" the box stating, that I WANT "adult access," I was still faced with a list of the most offensive "user names" any pervert could ever dream up. I was bothered by this affront.

I found it IS relatively easy to get a refund, although I have not received mine, yet.
I called my bank and informed them that I thought I had TWO "fraudulent" charges on my account. My bank transfered me to an agent who established a third-party connection, where I discussed the charges, and they denied any wrong doing, and informed me, that "If I would have read page two, Charges and Billing, Section Three, Paragraph One, Clause Nine, of the 10-pages of the "FULL TERMS & CONDITIONS," I had agreed to their "terms"... and then the operator informed my bank, and me, "I had to of physically and knowingly "chosen" to check the box. I felt she was lieing to us.

I didn't check amything or purposely choose "elite" subscription. I returned to their site to verify, that the "check" is already positioned, by default, in the "Not-free-services" option.

I should have noticed the "check" and then I would naturally "KNOW" that by leaving the "Box" checked, on the first page, I was stating that I, "even unwittingly," AGREE!!! to their terms and were actually requesting "elite" services, and expressing my willingness to be "billed" monthly, even though I thought I was just entering my personal info to "verify" my age....

I feel certain that I personally did nothing but follow "free" links, just like millions of others... and got hit for money I can NOT afford to spend. I am handicapped, and on SSI, and I feel my money is too little, to allow any "Misrepresentation"(unintended or otherwise) to take ANY small amount, even $1.00, out of my account. Believe me, on SSI, it is possible to feel devestated by an unwitting transaction and subsequent overdraft charges.

THE ORDER OF EVENTS THAT LED MY FUNDS ASTRAY.

PAGE 1: http://ifriends.net
Lavender box in center...
"Need Help from one of our Pros? VideoChat with an iFriend! Search for ..."
The "[v] Include premium expert rooms"
-BOX IS PRECHECKED!!!!

PAGE 2: http://apps7.ifriends.net/~wsapi/ifBrowse.dll?type=L&kw=Counseling&catwords=Search
"Register Now - It's Free" -button in upper right corner.

PAGE 3: https://orders.webpower.com/iFriends/viewprefmain.htm
"Where would you like to go? Access Areas Rated PG to R Only. I checked "PG to R."
Another Lavender Box... I did not NOTE the two radio buttons beneath it. The "Access All Areas (including adults-only) is pre-checked! Not the "Access Mainstream Areas"

PAGE 4: https://orders.webpower.com/iFriends/vpNAmain.htm
(depending upon your own computer settings, you may, or may not, recieve a "Security Alert" advising you that the page displays both "secure" and "unsecure" information), "Do you wish to continue?
[ ] Access Mainstream Areas
[V] Access All Areas (including adults-only)
If you do not uncheck this one, you may be billed even more!
then their IS the fine print...:
(Please allow up to 60 seconds while we process your information) They are seeing if they can find your credit card and bill it...

I have been told that another "Trick" of the pornography industry is... They ask for your credit card info to innocently "VERIFY" you are 18 or over... and claim that you will not be charged...and then, when you are billed, you discover some elusive and obscure reference, "unless you call and cancel within 72-hours."

PAGE 5: https://orders.webpower.com/iFriends/vpNAmain.htm
I was informed, "You have free instant access PLUS "enhanced access," because I did NOT know that I should have "UNCHECKED" the box on the very first page, and then AGAIN, on the "Sign-up" page...

IN CLOSING: It is my opinion, I feel any company who may have to resort to devious methods to entrap their customers, unsuspecting retirees, and handicapped persons, is a company to have serious reservations about, even if it IS just the consequential "innocent" nature of the "adult entertainment" industry. Even had I wanted to stay a customer for just a measly $9.95 per month, I went ahead and cancelled as a matter of principle.

COMPANY INFO:
dba business on internet as "iFriends," aka "WPI";
aka WebPower, Inc.,
7765 Lake Worth Road,
PMB# 341,
Lake Worth, FL 33467-2536

The WPI TOLL-FREE number is: 800-243-9726
I called them on their own dime.

Option 1: I think it is important to find out all I can, and when I have eshausted this option, I transfer to the next option...

I thought I would have to just call back, again on their dime, and press Option 2: but I think it's important, in these situations, to get more informed and visit with them about their business, and sales, and members, and billing, and options, and policies, etc., etc., and then... after I feel I have learned all that I care to... I will transfer again,

or if necessary, I can call back and press Option 3: where I feel it is important to take the time to debate their nethods, make suggestions for improving customer loyalty and better representation, and most importantly, I didn't forget to contest the charges and cancel my subscription!

Sometimes, I feel it may be necessary to call again, just to make sure I got everything right and that my subscription HAS truly been cancelled; they are, after all, the ones who may have unscrupously violated me.

I do not like the time, I feel has been stolen from me, the calls I needed to make to my bank, and then call to the bank's "Fradulent Charges" department, or the time it took to call WPI, and to gather the information, to resurf their website and gather data to document my presentation, or most importantly, the heavy burden of responsibility I felt to compile this info and then the time required in posting it, all in order to protect others! I feel angry, violated, but I promise, I AM determined!

THEIR EMAIL INFO: ifriends spokesman
Allan P. Rogers
alrogers@ifriends.net

Ryan, I'm a longtime iFriends customer and it pains me to hear this kind of stuff connected with them. I would recommend just giving them a call (the number should be on your statement - if not call the bank, i'm sure they can provide the phone number) or dropping them an email (i use help@ifriends.net for all my concerns and they answer pretty quick) and asking them to cancel and refund you're money. It's possible someone got a hold of your credit card and used it at there site, however, considering the small amount of charges it's also possible that a friend or family member did it. In any case, they just refunded me an elite charge because I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing - I'm sure they won't have a problem doing so for you as well.