Description

I own no land, instead I have wheelestate. I’ve been a full time RVer since 1997. Working summers as a Park Ranger takes me to many beautiful places and playing during the winter takes me to many more. This blog is simply the story of my life's adventures.

Moved

Thank you for stopping by. Just to let you know, I'm still blogging but have moved to Geogypsytraveler. Hope you'll follow my adventures. Just click here.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I Scream FRAUD!

I stupidly bought into something kind of unknown online with Google Fortune/FunWebProfits, a way to make money, and agreed to pay $1.97 for information. I know it was stupid and rarely buy anything online. Ten days after the authorized charge they charged me $69.97 for who knows what. I called immediately to cancel and get a refund on the second charge, which they agreed to. There are many complaints. Another 10 days go by and I find an unauthorized charge of $29.95 from Altfunding.com which my bank credited me for. Five days later MyResource.com clips me for $24.95, and they don’t even seem to exist. I had to get a new debit card being mailed to my seasonal address, which the bank was not very cooperative about doing until I explained where I was, five hours from the nearest bank branch and seven hours from my permanent residence. I have to wait 30 days to see if FunWebProfits does credit my account before I can file a claim against them. I went to the Florida Better Business Bureau, where they do business, and filed a complaint. I could also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center but upon reading their Privacy Policy (see I am learning) decided I didn’t want them to have that much access to my information.

It’s hard to believe that our private banking information can be passed around like this.

Please take heed and be extra careful when spending on a “money making” opportunity. I’ve learned another life lesson.

21 comments:

Jeannette StG said...

Sorry Gaelyn that you have to go through that! We had something similar happen that someone charged my son, who is abroad as you may know, six hundred dollars for something he did not buy. We traced it back to a video company who is into video gaming.
It's good that you immediately responded, so the nasty critters can still be caught!

Quiet Paths said...

That is just plain infuriating and freakish scary. I am glad that you took care of it so quickly and didn't let it go. Don't ever order Time Mag handled by a third party -- with no way to contact customer service nor cancel the subscription. It was 74 bucks not a big deal but hey. I'll never do that again. I finally had to file a credit card complaint and got my money back.

Liara Covert said...

Every experience is a blessing in disguise. Pinpoint the blessing or advantage at a given moment and negative energy no longer controls you. You rise above it.

Susie of Arabia said...

That's just terrible! I'm so sorry you've had to go through all that for a seemingly innocent little charge. And I'm glad your credit card company has been so cooperative. What a nightmare!

Diane AZ said...

Nice of you to post your experience to warn others. My husband saw that ad and thought it was legit since it was through Google. Says he nearly paid the $1.97 for the info because it looked so interesting. Phew!

Ms. Fiddlesticks said...

I agree with all the above especially Laria's comment "you rise above it". As always thanks for sharing.

Sally in WA said...

What a bummer you are having to deal with all of this, Gaelyn. But thanks for the warning. I think I'd have to complain to Google as well.

Unknown said...

What a rip off! I hope the bank makes you good for all of it. I wish you would reconsider reporting them to the FBI, beause they will continue to scam people until they are caught.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Gaelyn: That is awful and it should never happen. How can they charge you that amount? I think you can immediatly file a complaint and should. Get with the FBI and get serious with the complaints.

Arija said...

Oh Gaelyn, you did not twig? The name alone was exactly what it said, Fun Web Profits....for them!!!
On the other hand, may be it was a cheap way to learn the lesson, if inconvenient.

Louise said...

My dad and his wife had a similar problem. It too a long time, but they finally got it straightened out, but still... the stress and time involved. Such a bad experience.

Bill S. said...

Thanks for the post - your experience will help others. Sorry you had to go thru that. All honest people have to be careful of the crooks out there.
Thanks.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

What an awful thing to happen Gaelyn!! I do not trust ANYONE anymore because of things like this not even my bank!! I do hope you can get that money back!!

Jo said...

Hi Gaelyn;) Sorry you had to go through this. I agree with Tom (Fishing Guy) file a complaint now and go to the FBI if you can. Best to you. (((Hugs))) Jo

Ruth said...

I use the internet more and more now for purchases and I know there are risks. However, card skimmers can get your bank info at any store. The ATM at our bank was tampered with and I was caught one weekend. THe bank cancelled all the compromised cards quickly.uperphod

Loran said...

We live in trying times, the challenges have changed due to the electronic world we live in. That is the pits.

Janie said...

Scary that so many places got your banking info out of one purchase.
I've had a few bad internet experiences. Getting the money back is difficult, but I've always managed to get the refund.

Eve said...

Oh my goodness - what a mess!!

I purchase online pretty frequently (a lot of my gluten free items are cheaper online), but I had something similar happen to me once.

Now, if I haven't purchased from an online company before, I do a google or yahoo search for them first to see if there is any customer feedback floating around (other than what's on their site and might be fictional). If there is anything negative or questionable, than I won't make any purchases through them.

I hope you can get all of this straightened out quickly!! How frustrating!

Eamon Dillon said...

That's a real pain to have to deal with banks and credit card company when you are out in the wilderness. You gotta read the small print...
It's a scam, even if they are within the letter of the law.

Martha Z said...

Most cards will alow you to generate a "virtual number" good for a defined amount, limited time and only one vender. He uses these for most online purchases. I'm not as careful but do use it for unknow companies.

Anonymous said...

HI! Like your blog page,beatiful pictures,lucky you,love nature,great job!I got scammed by funweb,they charged me 1.97,now 24.95 ,I had to close my credit card.They shouldnt get away with this its terrible.Im going to see you my email,would like you to send my pictures of Grand canyon.You go AdventureGirl! take care.Dolphingirl.

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