Shoppers Advantage - Netmarket.com - Trilegiant Corporation ripoff Makes it impossible to cancel membership and annual charges to credit card and undelivered items Norwalk Connecticut *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!

I've been a member of Shoppers Advnatage since the mid 1980s, and used the service for phone/mail orders ocassionally over the years. Since the arrival of Internet shopping in the late 1990s, I've used the internet based Shoppers Advantage (Netmarket.com) very little, while the annual membership fee has steadily increased and the level of services have drastically decreased.

For my last two orders in January and February 2004, I ordered 3-year replacement warranties for the electronics items. I received the items, but I received nothing indicating I had the warranties. I notified Netmarket of the problem via email, and their response was that the warranties had shipped at a date following my inquiries. However, I received nothing further for Netmarket. So in essence, I have no written rights if I needed warranty service and they refused to provide it.

After noting that Netmarket (Trilegiant) had charged my credit card for annual membership fees in May 2005, I called and tried to cancel my membership. I provided all the information from my credit card statement which included a 7-digit member number I was given many years ago, but rarely have to use. However, the rep could not find any record of my membership, using this number and all the addresses I've had over the last 10 years. Being very busy at the time, I didn't follow up.

Then about two weeks ago, my credit card statement showed the new $69 annual membership charge. This time I was determined to cancel the account and get the card charges reversed. I called Netmarket and the same story continues. The rep clained she couldn't find any record of my membership, and that my 7-digit member number was not a valid member number because their member numbers are 8-digit numbers. Even with my name, address and phone number still on the netmarket.com website, and with my credit card number, the rep claims to be unable to link me as a member. The rep asked me to send a copy of the credit card statement, though I had provided verbally all the items of information on the statement. It was as if my claim to have been charged for membership fees were bogus charges, and that Netmarker.com would not do any further checking of their records unless I sent the written materials.

I had spent nearly an hour on the phone with two levels of reps, and I felt that if they could not find any information on me as a member, considering the information they already have, they were simply buying time, hoping I would forget as I did before. So, I am in the process of having the credit card company to reverse the charges, and expected no problems.

After searching the internet for Trilegiant, I now realize that my credit card is in the hands of someone who has accumulated a mass of complaints, including making it difficult for customers to cancel memberships, and continuing to charge credit cards after memberships were supposed to be closed.

Thomas
Auburn, Alabama
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!

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CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.