The Apple Specialist Inc - Warning

billykid

I recently had the misfortune of being stung by this company who offer the new iphone at a greatly discounted price with a UK phone contact number.

I was requested to pay via credit card which obviously offers the buyer some protection, I then received an email from the company stating that the card was invalid and could I do a bank transfer. Which for the first time ever I did since then they stated at this point that my iphone was ready for dispatch, this was the 7th July 2009. After waiting several days I emailed them asking a delivery date /time they stated there terms and conditions detail up to 90 days for delivery. Further emails were exchanged for next few days and there response was Terms & Conditions. I requested after 4 weeks a refund needless to say its now September and still no phone or refund.

I strongly urge you to avoid this company like swine flu!! Do not send them any payment what so ever. I do not believe they have the phones or are a valid business in any shape or form.

watcherman

Might be worth letting the fraud department of whichever bank you sent to know. There are other reports on the internet of similar, and both their London and US addresses seem to just be mailbox addresses, no physical shops or anything.

A whois search shows
Admin Name: George Ash
Admin Organization: Unknown
Admin Street1: 40 E Main st
Admin Street2: Unknown
Admin Street3: Unknown
Admin City: newark
Admin State: DE
Admin Postal Code: 19711
Admin Country: US
Admin Phone: +1.3024824878
Admin Fax: Unknown
Admin Email: [EMAIL="sales@apple-labs.com"]sales@apple-labs.com[/EMAIL]

You could try emailing the Newark police department, sending them links to other internet reports, they may be more proactive than our own boys in blue here.

HTH

billykid

Thanks for that never thought about contacting the police over their, will get onto it.

TerryLock

I agrree with the above comment... I ordered a phone, It didnt arrive so I try to contact them without any luck. I must have sent 20 E mails and left 10 Voice mails. I had no choice in the end but to phone up and cancel my debit card as there is no fraud protection with this. I only thought of this after finding by mistake your notice.... so may I please thank you very much. I also have just recieved an e mail asking for direct money transfer to there account in the U.K.

billykid

Glad to help Terry, I have contacted my own bank and Lloyds who they seem to use but they have been useless, they just just don't seem to care that people are being ripped off by this company.

OneADay

As well police and bank, contact the FSA over this plus Apple.
Whether genuine or not - I am sure Apple would be interested out of all the above four.

Additionally - contact media orgs like BBC, Sky - they usually have space to fill with warnings about such "alleged" frauds.

OneADay

Just seen this article about them

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/wwwapple-labscom-c230263.html?sort=dated

and an earlier thread

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1863809

Someone is actively seeking people who have had experience of this scam.

UnoriginalGuy_2

If they want a money transfer and you don't know them (on a personal level) then, yes, it is a scam. Credit Cards and PayPal to a lesser degree both offer protection for purchases.

maxtweenie

Guys, just reading this thread and realised that these people are also involved in another scam as BMC Media running from the same address ripping people off for mobile phone unlocking codes.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1646549

Jbrm

Yet another victim, although I was recommended them by a mobile phone network provider so thought it was bona fide. As a Lloyds customer I am making sure that they know what one of their accounts is being used for and I am also reporting it to the police. Not sure how effective I will be but I do not intend letting the *!*!* get away with it, or let anyone else be conned by them

tisumisu

billykid wrote: »

I recently had the misfortune of being stung by this company who offer the new iphone at a greatly discounted price with a UK phone contact number.

I was requested to pay via credit card which obviously offers the buyer some protection, I then received an email from the company stating that the card was invalid and could I do a bank transfer. Which for the first time ever I did since then they stated at this point that my iphone was ready for dispatch, this was the 7th July 2009. After waiting several days I emailed them asking a delivery date /time they stated there terms and conditions detail up to 90 days for delivery. Further emails were exchanged for next few days and there response was Terms & Conditions. I requested after 4 weeks a refund needless to say its now September and still no phone or refund.

I strongly urge you to avoid this company like swine flu!! Do not send them any payment what so ever. I do not believe they have the phones or are a valid business in any shape or form.

I have same problem. Sending 400.00 euros to Lloyds bank, and never get the Iphone 3gs. I tryed to pay first with visa, but then payd by IBAN-bank transfer. After 3 months they charged my Visa 150.00 usd, anyway.
I don´t know now what to do?