International Nurses Association Krista Lombardo Charged Months of Unauthorized Membership Dues to my Credit Card! Islip New York

Over six months ago a representative from this organization called to congratuate me on my nursing career, and told me all about this incredible publication that I would be featured in. Thought it was some kind of honorable thing, but then I was offered price points for full, half, and quarter page exposure. I thought, you gotta be kidding me.

The sales person then offered to include me for free online as a sponsored member, with a month of free membership, which included access to journal publications and jobs. Sounded nice, so I agreed and provided all my information. Securing it with a credit card was my mistake.

After two months, I had clearly forgotten about this, my credit card started being charged $34.95. I finished my bachelor's classes, got a new job, moved across the country, and life generally got in the way before I noticed my credit card bill was being charged. November, December, January, Feburary, March, all went by until I finally noticed the pending April transaction and contacted the organization immediately.

Despite having never logged into their website or utilized any of the unknown membership "benefits," the rep I spoke with refused to refund the dues. I argued that I never signed anything, never received anything in the mail, never even knew I was a member... but the rep didn't have any sympathy. I asked to speak with a manager and the truth came out: I was speaking with the organization Director! Refunding my money would have meant that it wouldn't have lined HER pocket!!!

If I had known that other nurses had been sucked in by these theiving con-artists, I would have hung up on them as soon as they called me six months ago. What a SCAM!! I am going to have to rely on my bank to reverse the transactions.