CRICKET COMMUNICATIONS ripoff dishonest fraudulent billing Internet : *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!

TRANSACTION DATE AND ADDITIONAL CHARGE DATE

3/23/06- phone purchase charged on debit card- $149.24- contact person, d**k, at Cricket Communications.

3/23/06- only hours later- cancelled online order-contact person, d**k, informed me that order could not be stopped. I inquired what the next step was. He said to refuse the order when Fedex delivered it 3/25/06; and after Cricket received the return- I would be refunded.

3/25/06- Fedex did not deliver.

3/28/06- I called Fedex to inquiry about the package. They said the package had not been shipped on the 23 -but later and they believed the order could have been stopped had d**k wanted it. Later that day, Fedex delivered- the package was refused.

4/7/06-Cricket refunded $129.99 of the $149.24 charge ($19.25 short).

4/14/06- 7 days later Cricket Comm. charged an additional $28.21 to my debit card.

ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER WITH WAMU AND DIRECTLY WITH MERCHANT

4/20/06- I called Cricket Comm. at the number given with the $28.21 on my online bank statement. Immediately- on answering- an automated message gave me another phone number- stating there would be a .99 per minute charge. I was unable to connect with a live person. I hung up and called WaMu- spoke with a live person that took a report on the charge of $28.21 as an error.
Immediately on completion of that call- I called the other number at Cricket. I spoke with, d**k, again. He stated he needed my debit card number again- which I gave him. He stated he could not pull anything up on the computer with my number and had no record of the transaction. He seemed to ignore my statement that not only had I cancelled the order, returned the item and been given a refund- short $19.25- then was charged an additional $28.21. Since his answer to me was -he would not be able to help me instead I would have to go to a local Cricket outlet. My response to d**k was- that since I had ALL my dealings with him it seemed strange that he could not help me.

5/17/2006 My bank statement showed another charge from Cricket today of $48.10. I went to the WaMu bank branch at the Fred Meyer's on the corner of Overland and Five Mile roads, Boise, ID. I told the teller and he filled out a report on it. This is yet, another, fraudulent charge to my debit card by Cricket Communications.

Melody
Kuna, Idaho
U.S.A.

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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, 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!

We are not lawyers.
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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