Internet subscriptions from parent companies help!!

hagans

Hi all

I ordered a tooth whitening system on the internet for $15 in August (too good to be true) this was apparantly a two week trial which locked me into a subscription, when my bill came through I noticed £55 of charges from 2 different american companies. I phoned Virgin who were very friendly and put me on conference call to USA to both companies who cancelled the subscription, one of which said they had sent me goods which were in the post and told me to return the goods when they arrived with a reference number then they would refund the money with 5 -7 days. I did this and kept a proof of posting.

Today my next credit card bill comes in and surprise no refund and another £55 worth of charges but with different company names, again I phone Virgin and have told them this is obviously the same company with different names and again they said they would put me though to USA although less friendly this time.

Sorry for the long rant but I cleared my bill last month except these charges and now the I need to make a minimum payment on this now £110 bill which I am disputing.

Do I pay the minimum? Pay the card off and mark it down to bad judgement? Get Virgin to push to get these charges cleared? Or something else? Any advice is greatly appreciated x

olly300

You need to pay the minimum while you are disputing the charges to avoid having your credit record destroyed.

Then if the charges are unauthorised send a recorded delivery letter with the title "Formal Complaint" to Virgin at the address they have for complaints.

State clearly that the charges have been taken from your account by the American Companies without your authorisation. Don't go into to much complicated detail but mention the times and dates that you spoke previously to Virgin about it and to the American companies, saying the situation is still not resolved. Also add there is clearly some fraud going on as the American concerns take the money in different names.

If you send a "Formal Complaint" in writing it's easier for you after 8 weeks to take your complaint to the FOS. Use recorded delivery so there is no argument about when Virgin would have received the letter.

I had an issue like this with AMEX where they refunded me , cancelled my card and they got a refund from the company concerned.

ElkyElky

This is something I've said many times before... always always ALWAYS read the terms and conditions.

I'm sure the website in question has detailed all of the charges and such in the terms and conditions. You could have signed your house away and not even know it.. well, not in this situation but that could happen because you fail to read the small print.

These kind of companies (inc con men) take advantage of people like you not reading the terms and conditions. If you fail to do that, then you are only digging yourself into a hole.

hagans

Thanks Olly

I spoke to this company through Virgin yesterday and they have said again that they will refund the £110 and they have sent me email confirmation to confirm this, which Virgin say is good enough to clear the outstanding debt even if they do not refund Virgin will chase the money from them not me.

The more I have looked into this company on the iternet I have found that a large number of people have fell into the same trap and had the same problems. In short do not buy anything from dazzlewhite.

ElkyElky thats very good advice however we are all human and sometimes get caught no matter how careful we are but I will heed your advice in future.

Thanks again

ElkyElky

hagans wrote: »

ElkyElky thats very good advice however we are all human and sometimes get caught no matter how careful we are but I will heed your advice in future.

I completely agree. It's good that you've got it sorted.

competitionscafe

There is a thread on this scam here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1781301
Be careful that they do not charge your card again next month event though you have cancelled!