Wow, my credit card company just called me and asked me about some strange charges on my business credit card (as if those of us with MS have enough money to just give it away). They explained that there are two companies that are being investigated. Visa explained to me that some on-line surveys can result in instant charges to your credit cards,..., even if you don't give them the number!

I am still on-hold with one of those BS companies to have all of their charges credited to our account.

It seems that hundreds of thoudands of people are being scammed for $39.95/month and $14.95/month.

The companies are TodaysEssentials and ShoppingEssentia. You will read about these companies in the Wall Street Journal within a few weeks.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Be aware.

-Vic

Here is the public complaint website asscoaited with this mess. Our local TV reporter is now taking action too!

http://ap9-shoppingessentia.******co...218113376.html

-Vic

Yeah !!!

VISA is nailing these guys! They just told me that not only will all of the money be refunded, but they are also billing the offenders $25 per charge in additon to what they charged me. So, a $1 charge will cost them $26 !!

I could not be happier!

My company will get a credit of $471 !

The offender will have to pay a wopping $771 !

This feels so good!

-Vic

Glad that was caught and a good fix for ya

Have you bought anything from any of those "as seen on tv" things?

I used to work for a company that took the inbound calls for most of the crap that's sold on infomercials, and the wording the TR's (Telephone representatives) have to use is scripted in such a way that they can trick or mislead you into buying something that was not advertised and not quite totally explained when they read the scripting to you. (they're required to read the script verbatim)

I wont buy anything off of an infomercial now because of all the different things that they can talk you into. It was getting more and more deceptive sounding at the time I got fired (yay! they fired me! I was so happy!)

Erin,

We have not used the credit card at all this year, and we destoyed all of our other credit cards after paying them off.

Nobody in my company has an active card but me....and I have not purchased a Chia Pet in weeks.

LOL

You have a good point. Everyone should be aware of how their cards are used.

-Vic

Oh my gosh, Vic! That is WILD!!! Thank goodness they got caught.

Geez, we always have to be on the defense anymore.
At least your story turned out OK. Think of the scams out there duping people. Dateline had one last night...


Thanks for the info..

Good for you! Glad your credit card co is stepping up and nailing them!

Thanks Vic!

Another Lesson Learned:

I should have known....

My wife and I have done everything possible to rid ourselves of debt. We all strive for that, I am sure.

Right now, I am watching the House Finance Committee discussing HR 5244 which is the credit card holders bill of rights. It deals with credit card rates and credit card company practices. Obama & Maloney are the authors of HR 5244 I think. There have already been Credit Card Company representatives under the gun (earlier in the week) regarding their practices.

So, what did I learn????

By paying-off 95% of our debt, and all of our personal and business credit cards....our FICO scores were blasted! We went from the 825 range down into the bottom of an outhouse. I just checked my FICO score as of 15 minutes ago...and it is unreal.

Fortunately, both democrats and republicans support this bill in a one-sided slam-dunk.

When it passes, the FICO scores will be returned to their previous standings and nobody will get wacked by these companies.

Sorry for the rambling,..., but I am stunned.


C-Span is a great way to see what the Congress does...