Internet purchase completely dodgy, not sure what to do?

SueSmoss

I have just fallen for a dodgy website scam but am hitting brick walls in how to help myself.
So, I followed a link in what I thought was a magazine site to buy some Keto supplements. They were advertising a buy two get one free deal, so should have been 2x £39.99 for 3 pots. I put in my credit card details and hit next which took me to a page saying that I had been charged £248 for my purchase. There was no T&C to agree and no summary page, so at this point I realised I had made an error and been duped. I immediately looked at their Refund and returns policy, which linked to Error 404 - this page may have been moved!!! Their Contact us gave an email address and a UK mobile number. Despite having no confirmation of an order, I emailed a cancellation and text messaged the same to the UK number. I then phoned my bank which is First Direct, all of this within 2-3 minutes. The bank helpfully cancelled my credit card but confirmed two pending transactions on the account. I explained fully and the response was nothing we can do unless the goods have not been supplied: they wouldn't even have received the order at the point of my contact with them. A lengthy number of calls later they just stuck to their guns, so I now have to wait for the company to send me the goods or not and then I can open another dispute either as goods not supplied or return them at my cost, and they will help get me a refund. In the mean time they are going to pay what they know to be a dodgy transaction and I have to pay them, despite the information supplied. I have banked with them for 25 years so at the very least I would have expected them to put the Transaction on stop.

I know I made a mistake, the company charging my account is LFKeto.com so if anyone knows anything I can do or has a suggestion about how I can track this company and get some , again the landing pages are dodgy with nothing but mobile numbers and an email address.

I know I have made a mistake, my frustration is there is apparently nothing I can do and the bank is saying unless I can prove the advertised price ( which of course I can't) it is my fault. 
Any constructive ideas would be gratefully received.
Many thanks in advance

Sue

bradders1983

Surely the advertised price is still on the website?

As for the length of time you have banked with them, that means absolutely nothing in all of this. 

SueSmoss

bradders1983 said:

Surely the advertised price is still on the website?

As for the length of time you have banked with them, that means absolutely nothing in all of this. 

It is still advertised but the bank said that it would not prove that was the price at the time I "bought it"
The issue is they are going to pay a company which appears not to exist and they are doing so knowingly. I just can't believe they will just pay them in that knowledge.

bradders1983

SueSmoss said:

bradders1983 said:

Surely the advertised price is still on the website?

As for the length of time you have banked with them, that means absolutely nothing in all of this. 

It is still advertised but the bank said that it would not prove that was the price at the time I "bought it"
The issue is they are going to pay a company which appears not to exist and they are doing so knowingly. I just can't believe they will just pay them in that knowledge.

Thats because they legally have to. It matters not if you have been with your bank 25 years or 25 seconds.  And you cant claim it as fraud as you went and inputted your own details in.

Thrugelmir

Company name and address is on the main webpage.

bradders1983

Yup so it is

MAXEPCS LP

65 Compton Street, London, United Kingdom, EC1V 0B

MalMonroe

Hi, I've just googled LFKeto.com and this is what popped up - https://lfketo.com/
This would have worried me straight away because they've put Unites States instead of UniteD States.

Have you tried phoning that number, rather than texting?

Anyway, there's a company name at the bottom of their page and when you google that name, it appears to be a company that's actually registered at Companies House, link here - https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/LP020501

I would try not to worry too much because you have reported it to your credit company immediately so they have a record of your worry about a scam and have said that they will help you get a refund if it all goes wrong.

If you have indeed been charged £248, you should be able to use Section 75 to get your money back. (Even though the credit card has been cancelled.)

I know it's awful to think you've been stupid and have fallen for a scam but I think there's every chance you will get your money back since First Direct has said they will help you.  It appears that they're being obstructive, yes but they can afford to wait whereas it's a big worry for you.

I hope this is helpful, it's not advice as such, I know but it's meant to be supportive. I hope the links above are useful but if you do think that there IS a scam, you can report it all to Action Fraud, or even the police, to help prevent others being scammed and put the scammers out of business.

born_again

SueSmoss said:

bradders1983 said:

Surely the advertised price is still on the website?

As for the length of time you have banked with them, that means absolutely nothing in all of this. 

It is still advertised but the bank said that it would not prove that was the price at the time I "bought it"
The issue is they are going to pay a company which appears not to exist and they are doing so knowingly. I just can't believe they will just pay them in that knowledge.

Clearly they exist or they would be set up to take payments.
Your card provider do not police companies. When funds are requested they have to pay them.

I have seen this type of things for a few years. Sadly it clearly states when pressing confirm purchase just what they are taking.
Your only hope is that you have a email stating the amount (you thought you were paying) compared to what they took. Or that the goods do not arrive.
I would also make sure that your card co put a block on them taking further payments, as these type of companied are often linked to a CPA. Stopping the card does NOT stop a CPA.

As to above and S75. No chance as no breech of contract. Add in item price will be under £100.

>> they wouldn't even have received the order at the point of my contact with them. A lengthy number of calls later they just stuck to their guns<<
Once you press submit on the purchase page the order is submitted to retailer & they will request the funds from you bank. At that point only the retailer can stop the payment from being taken.

In effect what you have paid for is 2 pots a month for 3 months + P&P

whitesmith

Under the distance selling regulations (now consumer contract regulations) , you have 7 (14?) days from receipt to cancel the order and return the goods.

https://www.gov.uk/online-and-distance-selling-for-businesses

[Deleted User]

whitesmith said:

Under the distance selling regulations (now consumer contract regulations) , you have 7 (14?) days from receipt to cancel the order and return the goods.

https://www.gov.uk/online-and-distance-selling-for-businesses

Won't be a UK company so those regs won't apply. So many scam companies would close if everyone did their due diligence before entering their card details....

Shakin_Steve

No point in your bank cancelling your card because visa will helpfully update them with your new details.