Scammed! Any Advice

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24
Not sure if this is in the right section so excuse me if it is not. Not looking for legal advice just a nod in the right direction.

I bought a nursing text for $35 and then never received the text. I felt like something was up so I contacted my bank (I bought the book on my bank debit card/MC). They said the charge was for $435! I tried to contact the company and the chat room was no longer available and the 800 number directed you to leave a mssg.

I emailed the company and they showed me in fine fine print that I authorized prompt service, by checking the box. Sure enough, the fine print said they can charge up to $300 as the middle man as scarcity of the book meant they would be able to charge up to that amount. I did sign under all that fine print (I realize I acted foolishly).

Also, the person on the "Live Chat," said I would have the book online within 5-7 minutes. It has been 5 hours and still nothing. I explained that I wanted a refund and they said that the fine print said it all. I did contact my bank and they said they would fight it and I should be able to get the money back. I'm starting to freak thinking they will not be able to due to the fine print.

Any thoughts or heads up on this situaion? Please save the "Your a fool" comments as I am already admitting to this. Thanks again.
#off topic forum #advice #scammed
  • Contact your state Attorney General Office and file a complaint against them as a scammers and they should take care of it for you.
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply

    • The company I bought it from is out of state.
      • [1] reply
  • Have faith in your bank. Ask for a manager and tell them about the situation. If you have had some time with them you should be able to get that reversed.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Yeah, they are already looking into it. I'm still in shock that some actually operate this way and often get away with it.
  • I say move on, make one complaint publicly in the internet that has the most impact and then move on
    • [1] reply
    • Move on?! He bought a text for $35 and got billed $435, and didn't get anything. This isn't the time to move on. Go get it back. Your bank should be able to help.
  • Yes, your bank has to deal with it since you can't do much. However, you can contact the company via email as send them a legal letter asking them to refund.

    Many times these dodgy companies are afraid of legal action because their whole system will have to be changed if found guilty.

    Other than contacting your bank and getting a letter sent to the company, I am not sure what you can do. but then again, I am no attorney.
  • I think you should leave it to your bank to investigate as I am sure they have much more experience than us.
  • Another tip - always pay with a credit card online from places, especially the ones you don't know. You get certain legal rights that you may not have with a debit card or PayPal even. Trust me PayPal doesn't protect you anywhere near where even your basic credit card rights do.
    • [1] reply
    • Some debit cards come with similar rights as well.

      I have a visa debit card and know that I can often get money back if I haven't received the service I paid for (similar to a credit card).

      Also it might be worth looking at the distance selling laws in your state/country. It maybe that you have a period of time in which you can cancel the agreement, especially as you haven't received the product. Your bank may know more, but either way, you need to act fast and be proactive if you wish to see the money again.
      • [1] reply
  • Any company that depends on "the fine print" to stay in business is doomed to failure.

    I'm almost certain your bank will reverse the charges so don't worry too much.
  • I agree with all above but also have to be the guy that spells out the obvious, ALWAYS READ THE SMALL PRINT.

    It is small for a reason, they dont want you to read it. Every company does it, even the legit ones although they arent as blatantly scamming as much as this mob.

    You should be able to get your money back however I hope you didnt tell your bank guy about the small print info. A helpful bank manager will see youve been scammed and help you. A letter of the law bank manager will say they did say they can charge up to ??? figure and they have.

    At the end of it at least you now know to read EVERYTHING. Good luck.
  • That are really many scammers online. So we should be very careful. A friend of mine too was scammed last monday amounting $9,000.. He sent the amount through the bank account of the guy he trusted online. And his bank can't do anything about that..
  • Banned
    Hopefully, your bank will do a chargeback. It is your best solution to the problem. I would also contact the state Attorney General as mentioned. This is a scam, fine print or not.
  • Marhelper,

    Contact YOUR state attorney general, AND theirs! If they are incorporated, contact THAT one! Dispute te charges at your bank. If you bought the book from them thinking it was simply new or used, REGARDLESS OF AGE, the price should have been the price! If they wanted to include 400, it should have been part of the price. I assume you were NOT expecting them to hunt for the book.

    After all, there are some FREE references and materials that now cost a FORTUNE! Even some of the cheapest and recent things. One stamp is famous because they printed part of it upside down. Some coins are famous because they are double struch and UGLY. Yet they cost a LOT.

    As for small print, it is SUPPOSED to be for inane things and details, NOT for material facts. It seems to me that, if such a thing hit the courts, it could be argued that you were not informed about it, clearly thought the price of the book was roughly what you had to pay, and that it is excessive. Also, the sellers misrepresented their position in the deal. You will note that AMAZON doesn't do this! They have only THREE types...1. We, or other seller, has the book NEW, at THIS price. 2. We, or other seller, has the book USED, at THIS price. 3. Out of print, sorry... Maybe latter.

    And WHAT nurses reference could be worth so much?

    BTW $435
    - $35
    - <=$300
    __________
    >=$100

    So I HAVE to ask! WHAT is the $100 for? I mean it CAN'T be for looking! That is the <=$300! It CAN'T be the price! THAT is the $35! If it were shipping and handling, one would have to ask WHY so much, and why it wasn't with the other charges.

    Steve
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Is it possible that we ask our bank to blocked the account of those scammers so they can't use or withdraw the money that they scammed to us?
  • Just get the company's address go there and kick his *ss.Hunt him down or just hire a hacker and rip his site it will be the best way then only he will be on his feet.I know how to pay back this kind of junks.
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    Scammed! Any Advice

    Not sure if this is in the right section so excuse me if it is not. Not looking for legal advice just a nod in the right direction. I bought a nursing text for $35 and then never received the text. I felt like something was up so I contacted my bank (I bought the book on my bank debit card/MC). They said the charge was for $435! I tried to contact the company and the chat room was no longer available and the 800 number directed you to leave a mssg.