Passport To Fun unauthorized withdrawal from my checking account Internet *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!

At this time, I am submitting a rip off report for both The Pyramid Collection and Passport to fun. The Pyramid Collection is reported separately; however, the story is the same, as they are involved in this.

A little over a month ago, I ordered an item from The Pyramid Collection. I ordered this item over the phone and paid with my debit card. Everything was fine with my item...I received it in a timely fashion and all that. No problems.

Last week, I noticed that $9.95 was debited from my checking account for something called Passport to Fun. Being that this was something that I had never heard of, I immediately thought that my identity had been stolen somehow.

Luckily, there was a number attached to this debit at the time that I noticed it. The phone number did disappear after the debit was cleared at my bank. Had I not noticed it when I did, I would have been even more unlucky.

I called this number and they wanted my membership number, which I didn't have, being that I had absolutely no idea what this was in the first place. They finally found my information by using my email address.

Once they found my information, they advised me that The Pyramid Collection had signed me up for a 30 day free trial with Passport to Fun. Being that I didn't cancel within the 30 days, they charged me the $9.95 for the membership.

The thing is....I was never informed of The Phoenix Collection signing me up for anything. There is nothing on their website, no one told me at the time of my order, and I never received anything in reference to this at all.

How can I cancel something I don't know I have? I am absolutely appalled that this company just took money from my account without any warning or authorization whatsoever.

I have called them twice in the last week and have been promised twice that the money that they had taken from my account would be refunded. As of yet, I haven't seen any refunds in my bank account.

Sarah
Richmond, Virginia
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.

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.
We are not a collection agency.

We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate

WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists

We are a Worldwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...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.