Angry at site
Amanda M. Swartz, Emporia
Friday, January 16, 2009
MY NAME is Amanda Swartz. Yesterday I was checking my online bank account, as I do every day, and noticed a very strange charge that I knew I never made. According to the statement, I had purchased something through shoppingessentialsplus.com. So I did what anyone questioning what that Web site was and I googled it. Hundreds of fraud reports came up. I started to read them and found that people from all over the country had many of the same charges I had.
I had one link to a woman in Catonsville, Md. She and I had both made recent purchases through restaurant.com and then both saw charges from shoppingessentialsplus.com for $14.95. I had to call my bank, and cancel my debit card. The bank gave me the number to call the place where the charge had come from. I called the number right away and asked for a supervisor. I told the woman how upset I was with the way they conduct business and that I wanted my money back and to never see any charges again.
She replied with “Yes ma’am, I can cancel your membership and credit back the 14.95 charge within two days.”
I asked her what membership and where she got my info. She said that I clicked on a side bar while on restaurant.com and approved to have them use my info to set up a membership.
I know for sure that I never approved anything of the sort and that I will never shop restaurant.com again. I would like to make other consumers aware of this behavior. Other Web sites do the same thing. Shutterfly.com also shared a woman’s info after she ordered from them.
How can we make people aware and get this stopped?
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
Myself,I only deal with real brick and mortar businesses with a reputation.They can't screw up my account,or charge my credit card because I haven't one in 25 years.I give no company my bank information-It's not even in my PC.Both my vehicles and my home are paid for,and I'm debt free.If I want to order two new PC motherboards and some parts,the company will take a USPS money order,or I tell them they lost my business and hang up.I know lots of people shop on the 'net,bank, and pay bills the same way.Even local banks have internal ID thieves on occasion.Someone might snag your SS number to get a job.Some of these companies on line aren't even in the US-No way am I gonna take a chance that I'm sending money or info to some crook in the Ukraine!
Too bad about your situation with these thieves.I don't see things getting any better. With the economy going in the direction it is,the world is beating a path to your PC.Don't take chances.
January 16, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gunn (anonymous) says...
My story is almost identical to Amanda's: unauthorized charges on my checking account. When called, the operator at Shopping Essentials Plus told me my "membership" would be canceled immediately, and that my money would be refunded. The cancellation confirmation was received by email, but the charges have yet to be removed from my account.
I never solicited this "membership" - this "company" is an outright fraud that sneaks in until discovered.
Beware
January 16, 2009 at 3:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Cliffy (anonymous) says...
You should call the Kansas Attorney General's Fraud Division. They can help and would appreciate the information on this scam.
January 16, 2009 at 4:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
positivethinker (anonymous) says...
Contact your bank. They should be able to credit your account by returning the withdrawal as unauthorized.
January 17, 2009 at 7:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
1. You obviously some of your financial information stored in your internet browser, that is dangerous.
2. Always shop with a CREDIT card. Banks are spineless and will not stand up to retailer 9/10 times. Credit card companies are ruthless in that one can refute a charge such as this and it will almost always be expedited very quickly.
3. A good anti virus/spyware suite will always tell you when you are transmitting sensitve information or if a program is asking for access, a great many now even catalog what sites are bogus like this one and let you know when you go near them.
January 17, 2009 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grace (anonymous) says...
A few months ago I was thinking of using some Coke Rewards points to get a gift certificate from restaurant.com. But, they're scamming people in more ways than one. They have listed fictitious restaurants, even though their website says they visit any restaurant that wants to partner with them. Put in 66056 and look at Luna Bistro and Zoe's. Neither exists. Just two of the many non-existent restaurants in Kansas!
Many credit card websites will create a unique card number for each online purchase, even allowing you to limit the amount that may be charged to that card number. The peace of mind is worth the extra minute it takes!
January 29, 2009 at 10:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )