'Involuntary' memberships to web sites

[seeker630]

On 2 occasions (the second time was today), I found unauthorized charges on my credit card that led back to a billing agency for porn sites. On both occasions, the charges were for a site I visited to look at preview clips, but I NEVER clicked on anything involving membership. On the first occasion, I was told that because I had at one time subscribed to another site from the same group, there was a cookie on my computer with my credit card info and that caused me to be subscribed.

 

Today, the customer support person insisted that someone had used my card info to join.

 

My bank caught the charge today and that card is being cancelled. I'm about to clear ALL my cookies, and I'll have to notify my cable company and a few others who automatically bill to that credit card.

 

But the whole thing is unethical, since I was never even prompted about joining the site!

 

has anyone else encountered something similar?

[+ deej]

It's not uncommon. As a general rule, people are slow to make a stink about porn charges on their credit cards because they're afraid people will assume they made those charges in the first place and had buyers remorse or thought they might get caught. Also, nearly a decade ago a guy at the Adult Industry Expo (or whatever they were calling it then) told me that a site he'd closed five years before was still cranking out monthly recurring billing and nobody was complaining.

 

I presume many are operating on the assumption they can get away with anything they want. Unfortunately, that puts a stain on the honest guys, and when lawmakers start making noise about "evil pornography" they have plenty of examples like this to use.

[Diverdan]

I had that happen earlier this year. I was checking out a site and clicked on the "free tour"... later I decided to purchase the five day special and used my credit card... BUT, I never renewed after the five days, and they charged me for a full month. It turns our the credit card processer was in the UK. My credit card company called me and asked about having multiple charges on the same day. I told them that the first one was legitimate, but the second one was a scam. They told me that they would cancel the second charge and would issue a new card with a different number, which they did immediately. About two weeks later, I got a letter in the mail to give them further information and to verify that indeed the second charge was not authorized. About a week later, I got a call from the customer service representative thanking me for providing the additional information, and they put that processor on thier "do not accept" list !! So it pays to deal with these scams, and your credit card company appreciates your contacting them.

[seeker630]

I had that happen earlier this year. I was checking out a site and clicked on the "free tour"... later I decided to purchase the five day special and used my credit card... BUT, I never renewed after the five days, and they charged me for a full month. It turns our the credit card processer was in the UK. My credit card company called me and asked about having multiple charges on the same day. I told them that the first one was legitimate, but the second one was a scam. They told me that they would cancel the second charge and would issue a new card with a different number, which they did immediately. About two weeks later, I got a letter in the mail to give them further information and to verify that indeed the second charge was not authorized. About a week later, I got a call from the customer service representative thanking me for providing the additional information, and they put that processor on thier "do not accept" list !! So it pays to deal with these scams, and your credit card company appreciates your contacting them.

 

I think that what triggered the interest of my bank was that they tried to bill me twice on the same day - once from the UK and once from Florida.

[Jscott]

Simply not worth the potential bother IMHO. So I never subscribe to porn sites, as even the "free" ones request a credit card.

[Phlmuscle]

I never give my credit card number out over the internet. I use Bank of America, and they have a thing called shopsafe. Each time I want to charge something on line I go to my account and get a credit card number, specify the amount, and expiration date. I then use that number online, and when the bill comes in it is charged to my credit card. These numbers from Shopsafe are a one time deal. If anyone charges to it again it will be denied.

[seeker630]

I never give my credit card number out over the internet. I use Bank of America, and they have a thing called shopsafe. Each time I want to charge something on line I go to my account and get a credit card number, specify the amount, and expiration date. I then use that number online, and when the bill comes in it is charged to my credit card. These numbers from Shopsafe are a one time deal. If anyone charges to it again it will be denied.

 

Interesting - I've never used this & had forgotten about it. But it sounds like it wouldn't allow recurring charges (subscriptions)?

[Phlmuscle]

Yes, it does allow recurring charges. There are two choices, one time, and recurring charges. The recurring charges can only be to the person you designate via the first time charge.

[seeker630]

Thanks for the info.

[rentboytyson]

If you are using a Windows PC system then you should try using Spybot Search and Destroy. It gets rid of alot of junk like that most of the time that are cookies, bots, and programs running in the background by websites and backdoor IP hacks. There really isn't a huge need for it with a Mac PC. As somewhat of a computer nerd in high school and knowing a few other nerds (yes we hang in packs), we all use it because its easy to use and even if you arent computer savvy its easy to use.

[seeker630]

If you are using a Windows PC system then you should try using Spybot Search and Destroy. It gets rid of alot of junk like that most of the time that are cookies, bots, and programs running in the background by websites and backdoor IP hacks. There really isn't a huge need for it with a Mac PC. As somewhat of a computer nerd in high school and knowing a few other nerds (yes we hang in packs), we all use it because its easy to use and even if you arent computer savvy its easy to use.

 

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll look into it. I do run MalwareBytes & CC Cleaner occasionally, but should run them more frequently.

 

Re: the credit card, I think I'll reserve a card with a low limit for ONLY the occasional internet purchases, and keep my primary card for 'legitimate' purchases only.