legal/financial advice

[Fawkes]

So earlier today I got caught up in an online scam (https://www.onlinetradetraining.com/) and haven't been too lucky in finding advice on what to do. I responded to an e-mail and enrolled in a program I was led to believe cost $98 (there was also a $97 charge I was unaware of) using my debit card. Odd considering I'm normally really cynical and good at spotting this type of stuff, but what's done is done. Anyway, a few hours later I cancelled my debit card and e-mailed the company demanding a full refund as is "guaranteed" in their terms and conditions. My credit union was closed for the day, so I have yet to speak with any of them. I'm curious though about what the most appropriate course of action for something like this is. It may be too late, but does anyone here know if stops can be put on debit card payments? Also, does anyone know if canceling a card will also halt any incomplete transactions/withdrawals? Given that I willingly purchased at least a part of the "product", do I have any legal grounds upon which to demand a full refund if the company refuses? Keep in mind this is a debit card, not credit card. Thanks mofuckas

[Rusty Shackleford]

i made the same mistake when some fuck company kept calling me about gas coupons and shit.

i caved after a few weeks after they said it wouldnt cost anything.

they charged me and i didnt get anything. i took up my case with my credit union and they refunded me everything and gave me a new card.

talk with your credit union. also, credit unions > banks. ALWAYS. theyre usually better about things.

[Fawkes]

Yeah, credit unions tend to be way better. I'm curious as to whether I should do anything regarding filing a police report or if that would even amount to anything....

[Rusty Shackleford]

leave the police out of it unless it becomes a real issue. and even then, the police arent the way to go.


the Better Business Bureau deals with that kind of stuff.

Also, raise hell with the company that screwed you and keep in contact with your CU.

[praxis1966]

I used to know all sorts of shit about this... There's actually some specific government agency whose name I can't remember to which you can report it, but good luck getting any results out of them inside of a year.

Your best bet is to follow Rusty's advice, both in his first and second posts. You can put stops on debit card payments, and I've had occasion to do so, but that'll probably cost you like $50 bucks. As Rusty described, though, if you tell them you were a fraud victim they will in most cases refund everything and give you a new card. That used to affect your account back in the ol' days, but debit cards no longer have the same number as your checking account... So all they have to do is map a new card to your actual account and cancel your old one.

I would definitely call the BBB, though. Those guys rock my socks when it comes to this sort of thing. I remember I ordered an $800 mattress/frame set online from Sears once. Should've been cool, right? I mean it's Sears, not some random ass fly-by-night company. Well, they never delivered my mattress and I went round and round with them for over six moths, meanwhile I was sleeping on a 15 year old mattress and box spring set on the damned floor... I called the BBB and within 24 hours Sears called to confirm my shipping address so they could send me a new set.

[tachosomoza]

I think praxis is referring to the Federal Trade Commission.

[praxis1966]

I think praxis is referring to the Federal Trade Commission.

Sorta. I think there's a special subdivision of it that deals specifically with this sort of thing IIRC.