Ripoff Report Needs Your Help!
X  |  CLOSE
Report: #333144

Complaint Review: WPI*IFRIENDS - Internet

  • Submitted:
  • Updated:
  • Reported By: Kansas City Missouri
  • Author Confirmed What's this?
  • Why?
  • WPI*IFRIENDS iFriends.net Internet U.S.A.

Ifriends - WPI*IFRIENDS Pending transaction Since when did I give my approval for that? Internet *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!

*Author of original report: response

*UPDATE Employee: Reply from iFriend

*Author of original report: ifriends reverses charge

Show customers why they should trust your business over your competitors...

Is this
Report about YOU
listed on other sites?
Those sites steal
Ripoff Report's
content.
We can get those
removed for you!
Find out more here.
How to fix
Ripoff Report
If your business is
willing to make a
commitment to
customer satisfaction
Click here now..

I was just checking my online bank account, this morning, when I noticed that my balance was in the negative. I thought "what in the world happened, here?" Maybe I accidentally used my debit card instead of my credit card for something? Upon investigation, however, I see "Pending CHECKCARD WPI*IFRIENDS INTE 800-243-9726 ON 5/16".

Where did this come from? I don't remember having even entered my personal bank account information for ifriends, let alone purchasing any services from them whatsoever. I make sure that if I pay for anything online, I use my credit card, not my debit card.

I don't need this hassle. I just need my $6.95. It's not right to charge someone without actually getting their approval.

Thomas
Kansas City, Missouri
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 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.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 05/17/2008 10:12 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/wpiifriends/internet/ifriends-wpiifriends-pending-transaction-since-when-did-i-give-my-approval-for-that-in-333144. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

Search for additional reports

If you would like to see more Rip-off Reports on this company/individual, search here:

Report & Rebuttal
Respond to this report!
What's this?
Also a victim?
What's this?
Repair Your Reputation!
What's this?

Updates & Rebuttals

REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
0Author
3Consumer
0Employee/Owner

#3 Author of original report

response

AUTHOR: Sophomorethomas - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, May 28, 2008

In response to "iFriend" reply:

The reason you were "not able to find the account in question" is because as soon as I saw the charge on my credit card, I went to the site, emailed them and asked them to remove the charge, and promptly deactivated my account. So of course you were not able to find the account in 'question'.

Second, I never "affirmatively chose" a VIP upgrade. Just so you know.

Respond to this report!
What's this?

#2 UPDATE Employee

Reply from iFriend

AUTHOR: Sarah - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Unfortunately, based on the information provided by Thomas, we were not able to find the account in question. In order to create an iFriends account, a user must enter correct personal information, including the credit card number, billing address, and email address. When the account is created, the user has the option to upgrade to a premium VIP membership. This membership carries a $6.95 fee, which is clearly stated in advance and must be affirmatively chosen by the user. It seems likely that this is the reason for the $6.95 charge that Thomas received. All charges on the iFriends service are clearly and conspicuously disclosed in advance, and a user must participate in numerous click-throughs to indicate both acknowledgement and consent to the cost of participating in premium areas.

The second post made by Thomas seems to indicate that he contacted our Customer Care department and, as a result, received a refund. We encourage Thomas to contact our Customer Care department if he has any further questions. Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can be reached by calling 1-800-243-9726, a toll-free call in the US.

Our company has an exemplary 11-year-record with all of the leading consumer protection agencies, and we are "best in class" in our industry in the development of model online consumer best practices. Every one of our web services is verified by TRUSTe to be on its sealholder list of "the most trustworthy online businesses."

Respond to this report!
What's this?

#1 Author of original report

ifriends reverses charge

AUTHOR: Sophomorethomas - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, May 24, 2008

Update:

Okay, so ifriends just refunded my on my bank account. The total of $6.95. Too late, though. I've already been charged $25 dollars by the bank, for overdraft. My next step is to call Bank of America, and see if they will reverse that charge...

Respond to this report!
What's this?
Featured Reports

Advertisers above have met our
strict standards for business conduct.

X
What do hackers,
questionable attorneys and
fake court orders have in common?
...Dishonest Reputation Management Investigates Reputation Repair
Free speech rights compromised

WATCH News
Segment Now