Grant Master - Raven Media Unauthorized charges revealed by attempt at phone fraud. Las Vegas Nevada

I received a phone call from 'Raven Media'. The woman droned on that 'because of a prior purchase from one of our affiliates to a credit card ending with NNNN, you are eligible for a $25 gift card from Wal-mart'. The phone call was awkward. She didn't seem to like me asking questions about the company she was calling for. I was being careful not to give too much information - she wanted to get my correct address. She had everything right but the state.

She hung up on me as soon as I said 'yes, that's correct'. I didn't agree to pay for or buy anything from her. The call made me uncomfortable so I searched the Internet for the phone number.

The 'purchase' she aluded to was for a $2.29 CD titled 'Grant Master'. Yep. I did buy that. (It had arrived opened, dirty and scratched beyond use).

Still feeling uneasy I looked further, finding many complaints about Raven Media. I looked at the scratched CD - it was from 'Raven Media' too.

I then went and checked my credit card bill; sure enough, there was the $2.29 charge, but split out as $1.00 and $1.29. 'That's odd' I thought.

I looked down a bit farther, and there is a charge for $39.95 from Raven. I *never* agreed to that charge. I pulled up the e-mail confirming the $2.29 purchase - it made no mention of a $39.95 purchase or agreement to be billed for that amount.

I called Raven. Within 10 minutes the account was cancelled and I now have a confirmation number of the cancellation of the charge to the credit card.

Not trusting them, I then called the credit card company and registered a dispute about Raven regarding the $39.95 charge. The credit card folks told me *not* to pay that charge, that I would not be liable for it until the dispute was settled.

That was important - it prevents Raven from getting the money, and me from having to pay it. I have every faith that the matter has been solved because of the credit card company being involved.

It was also important to specify the correct charge to the credit card company: remember - they billed me three times - once for $1.00, once for $1.29 and the third time for $39.95.
I was afraid they would refund the $1.00 or $1.29 charge, instead of the $39.95. *Nowhere* on the 'refund confirmation e-mail' did it mention an amount. Raven said it could take up to 75 days to process the refund.

Because I disputed the transaction, it isn't a refund, it is simply a cancellation - but Raven doesn't know that. If they try to refund one of the lesser amounts they will end up caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

Now it will be interesting to see if a 'wal-mart' gift card shows up. I neveer agreed to accept it. For all I know there will be a $1-$2 credit card charge (not agreed to) on my card next month.

I do not want to ever deal with these people again. They are not reputable.

Chaz
Mendon, Massachusetts
U.S.A.