17 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
17 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

2Checkout accusing me of "Fraudulent Activity"

by Cynthia Mosher
14 replies
A couple of months ago I registered for an account with 2Checkout thinking I'd use it as an optional processor in case I had problems with Paypal when I launched my membership site. My account was created and they sent me the steps to get approved. They also asked me to confirm my US address because I had contacted them and opened the account from Saudi Arabia (where I live part of the year).

I don't even recall if I replied to that email. Paypal was doing fine so I decided to not use 2checkout.

Today I get an email from their fraud prevention unit telling me my account is being closed. I called to ask why and they tell me my website is associated with fraudulent activity. I asked what the fraudulent activity was and she does a bit of checking and asks if the business is owned by or if I know a David Scott Mosher. No, and no I don't. She goes to ask her supervisor and comes back with a "We can't convey any information about what our investigation found. Your account has been closed so you'll need to find another payment processor."

I don't need their services but I'm a bit irked and somewhat concerned that my business is, according to 2checkout, associated with fraudulent activity and they won't clear my name or tell me more.

If this happened to you would you be concerned? What would you do?
#2checkout #accusing #fraudulent activity
  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Cynthia Mosher View Post

    I don't need their services but I'm a bit irked and somewhat concerned that my business is, according to 2checkout, associated with fraudulent activity and they won't clear my name or tell me more.
    I don't know if I'd be "concerned", but I'd be annoyed.

    I dare say they have the right to close your account (it'll say in the fine print that they can do that without giving a reason, I expect?) but I think they owe you at least a formal letter explaining themselves.

    Originally Posted by Cynthia Mosher View Post

    What would you do?
    I think I'd write to their CEO and marketing director, drawing their attention to this thread in this forum and pointing out that their intransigence, behavior and attitude are entirely understandably causing them some bad publicity, and asking them what they propose to do to correct that. Just a suggestion. (And it might be a courtesy to ask Allen Says first, as the owner of this property, whether he objects to that. He could possibly have a problem with it! ).
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3478491].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    Google the name. Assuming the results are accurate, you'll see why they might want to avoid any connections...
    Signature
    .
    Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3478512].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Cynthia Mosher
    No, he's not related to me. At least as far as I know he isn't.

    I did Google the guy and I see the myriad of posts on sites about all he has done. So I do see how they might be concerned and want to avoid business with me because of the last name and the international residence. But it feels like an accusation and I wonder if this will happen to me elsewhere.

    Thanks for the suggestion Alexa. I may just do that. The gal I talked to told me to call back on Monday if I wanted to try to talk to someone else about it. I can live without the account with them but I do want my name cleared of any suspicion.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3478621].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Cynthia Mosher View Post

      The gal I talked to told me to call back on Monday if I wanted to try to talk to someone else about it.
      I'd certainly do that, anyway.

      I'd think it's extremely unlikely you'll persuade them to let you have an account, but this appears not to be your primary objective, anyway.

      I was thinking that they may possibly appreciate that there's a sufficient degree of overlap between this forum's members and readers and their own existing and potential client-base for them to be eager to take any steps they reasonably can not to leave you feeling, understandably, "irked" by their behavior.

      Good luck!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3478643].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    Folks, do not even think of attempting to use this forum for purposes of that kind of leverage.

    Seriously. Just don't.


    Paul
    Signature
    .
    Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3478656].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Noted, Paul - thanks. I wasn't sure whether it was a "legitimate suggestion" or not.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3478796].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
    Originally Posted by Cynthia Mosher View Post

    A couple of months ago I registered for an account with 2Checkout thinking I'd use it as an optional processor in case I had problems with Paypal when I launched my membership site. My account was created and they sent me the steps to get approved. They also asked me to confirm my US address because I had contacted them and opened the account from Saudi Arabia (where I live part of the year).

    I don't even recall if I replied to that email. Paypal was doing fine so I decided to not use 2checkout.

    Today I get an email from their fraud prevention unit telling me my account is being closed. I called to ask why and they tell me my website is associated with fraudulent activity. I asked what the fraudulent activity was and she does a bit of checking and asks if the business is owned by or if I know a David Scott Mosher. No, and no I don't. She goes to ask her supervisor and comes back with a "We can't convey any information about what our investigation found. Your account has been closed so you'll need to find another payment processor."

    I don't need their services but I'm a bit irked and somewhat concerned that my business is, according to 2checkout, associated with fraudulent activity and they won't clear my name or tell me more.

    If this happened to you would you be concerned? What would you do?
    The only way you are going to get it out of them is by getting a judge to make them do it at this point.

    If you think it's worth pursuing, then by all means get a lawyer and file a suit requesting the info.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3479296].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Cynthia Mosher
    No, my interest has nothing to do getting them to approve my account. And my post here is not something I used as leverage to get what I do want. I was hoping someone might have experienced this and could tell me what they did.

    I will call them again on Monday. I just want them to tell me that they did not find any fraudulent activity by me or my business. I'd be happy with that.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3479516].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
      Originally Posted by Cynthia Mosher View Post

      No, my interest has nothing to do getting them to approve my account. And my post here is not something I used as leverage to get what I do want. I was hoping someone might have experienced this and could tell me what they did.

      I will call them again on Monday. I just want them to tell me that they did not find any fraudulent activity by me or my business. I'd be happy with that.
      In order to find out what happened, and get this cleared up...you have to get the details of their investigation.

      The reason they won't give them to you is simple: You are not the person they are actually investigating. They are doing this to protect themselves from lawsuits.

      So you will need to get a judge involved at some point to compell them to tell you.

      If you feel this is worth going through this, then by all means do this. But that is a decision you need to make, along with the advice of a competent laywer.

      Whatever you decide, I wish you good luck in this.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3482082].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Cynthia Mosher
        I guess how far I would take it would depend on the potential this would have to affect me elsewhere. Because they have flagged me as a concern would that carry over in some way elsewhere and effect my business?
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3484381].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author John Broberg
          Cynthia,

          Just as a customer, they've flagged some of my purchases and refunded them when I was traveling internationally. That was for purchases of internet service for global travelers. When I emailed them attempting to appeal to their common sense, I was run through the support ticket wringer where they just kept passing the buck.

          I think their fraud meter is a bit too sensitive... that's all. I don't think you're going on any industry blacklist.

          Take their advice; use another payment processor.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3484601].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Cynthia Mosher
    Thanks John. Things are going just fine with Paypal so I'm not in need of their service. I was just worried about this label affecting me in some other way.

    Thanks for all the advice everyone.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3486505].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Cynthia Mosher
    I'm very glad to say that this issue has been resolved. I received a wonderful email from their Risk Manager today. With his permission I'm sharing that email:

    My name is Sebbe Jones, and I manage the Risk and Fraud departments here at 2Checkout.com. I saw the forum post from you on warrior forum and to say the least I was concerned.

    I have been here 9 out of our 11 year existence and have been part of the Risk and Fraud areas for all 9 years. As you can imagine we see a lot of fraudulent schemes and activity, and many times will even see fraudsters posting on forums to pledge their innocence. Your post however sounded different to me. Therefore, I inquired with my people in the department. I found the case they were working on, and we dug deeper. Normally Cynthia, my employees in the department are not only extremely diligent, they also take a lot of pride in that diligence. Unfortunately, that was not the case this time. You were incorrectly and inappropriately caught up in this ring when you should not have been.

    I wanted to call you to ease your mind that the issue we are having... does not affect you in any way. I could not get through to you on the number we have for you however. You will not be reported to anyone, or anything of the sort. I refunded your $49 sign up fee and you should see that refund come through on your VISA before the end of the week. I have made comments all over your 2CO account confirming that neither you nor your website was part of this investigation.

    Oddly, I am happy you weren't using 2Checkout as this would have been a lot worse if your business were affected by our error. If you would like to have a phone conversation about this, I am more than happy to do so.

    Cynthia, it goes without saying if some day you are searching for an additional payment method other than PayPal just let me know and I will manage your account myself.

    Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

    Kindest Regards,

    Sebbe Jones
    Risk Manager
    2Checkout.com, Inc. (2CO)
    1785 O'Brien Road
    Columbus, OH 43228
    614-921-2450 ext. 109
    2Checkout.com
    Thank you Sebbe!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3490522].message }}

Trending Topics