Rip Off!

Sad to say, but True...  This company is sly and very adept at ripping off their customers.

Many years ago, when I first got my Internet connection I signed up

with NetZero.....  Everything was wonderful until I signed up for their paid Internet service, because as soon as I decided to cancel my paid service and switch to another Internet provider I got Ripped-Off.

I cancelled my subscription in September and then in February of the following year I changed my bank account information..... So imagine my surprise when I received a bill from NetZero statting that I owed them money for Internet service that I was not receiving.

I immediately called NetZero...they were very nice, and they agreed that they had been billing me even though their records showed that I was no longer a customer!  Of course, the young woman apologized and told me that I was due a refund of $49 and assured me that I'd be receiving it immediately.

Well, two months later, I had still not received my money but instead received a letter stating that I was being sent to collection for $33!  So once again I called NetZero and explained the situation.  Once again they agreed that they were in the wrong and that they owed me money and that I would be receiving a refund.

The refund NEVER came and I just gave up.....  Which brings me to my current problem with:
 

Guess who owns Classmates.com? 

Ayup...

Are you surprised?  I am, and I am very unhappy.....because I originally signed up for a one-year paid membership to Classmates because I wanted to contact a friend that I had lost touch with...and she was on Classmates, but they refused to give me her contact information unless I paid them for a One Year Subscription.  No problem, right?  Wrong, very wrong.

Today, I opened a Visa bill and there was a charge for $39 from Classmates.  Now I Know for a Fact, that the charge is incorrect...  I Know for a Fact, I only registered for a One Time charge.....  So, I went into my Classmates account and imagine my surprise to find out that they have me signed up for "Automatic Renewals". 

I am rather peeved about this...so I wrote them and told them to cancel my paid membership and I filed a complaint about how they do business.  I receive many many e-mails from Classmates in regards to: who viewed my profile, who signed my guestbook, who wants to contact me, reminders that it's time to update my profile, etc.  But I have NEVER Once received any type of notice that my subscription was up for "renewal" and that I had an option to opt-out or be charged for another year of service.  A service that I have not used for 2 years!

I'm not a happy camper.....  So all of you out there, just beware of United Online and their subsidiaries, because not only will they not stop charging you for services even though you have cancelled your account with them, they will very sneakily put your account on an "Automatic Renewal" system and NEVER let you know when your next bill is due or even give you the option to cancel or change your billing options!

Take Action NOW: Credit Card Reform: May 20, 2009

The Senate just PASSED credit card reform today. The bill goes back to the House for a final vote TOMORROW.

But the banks hope to derail reform at the very last minute with scare tactics trumpeted on the front page of today's New York Times.

After months of raising rates and lowering credit limits for responsible card holders to make up for their bad investments elsewhere, they say these rules will hurt those very same responsible customers.

These rules are not the problem. The banks are the problem. Don't let them change the subject. Make sure your Representative hears from you right now.

The banks can raise your interest rates, and then slap that higher rate retroactively on charges you already made. They can add fees, lower your credit line and change your due date at any time and for no reason. They like that power, and will say anything to keep it.

After they gambled away their own capital on risky investments and then borrowed to the hilt to gamble some more--they now say the problem is irresponsible American credit card holders. Hardly.

These rules make sure you get the deal you signed up for. If you are offered a low rate, and you charge something at that rate, you will repay that debt at that rate. If the banks want to add fees, they have to give you notice and time to find a better deal. Instead of tricks in small print, you get a card agreement you can count on.

The banks hope to pit Americans against one another so we will stop looking at them. It's the oldest trick in the book. Tell your Representative you aren't falling for it.

The Senate passed this bill today by a large margin--90 to 5! Let's make sure every Representative votes with you, not with the banks.

Sincerely,
Pam Banks
CreditCardReform.org
A project of Consumers Union
1101 17th Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036