unauthorized charges on bank account
Complaint
christopher st st ange
Country: United States
I have been charged several times for Credit Report that I did not order or request. The first two charges were
as follows:
09/29/2011 Experian *FreeCredS 877-300-2507 $14.95
10/03/2011 Experian *FreeCredS 877 300-2507 $14.95
10/31/2011 Experian *FreeCredS 877-300-2507 $14.95
10/31/2011 Experian *FreeCredS 877-300-2507 $14.95
As a result of these unauthorized charges my account was charge 4 over drapft fees of $37.00 totallying $148.00 and 5 other checks were returned due to insufficient funds because of these unauthorized charges. That is a total of 9 overdraft charges at 37.00 each since September 29/2011.
Total amount to be refunded to my account is $59.80 for 4 charges at $14.95 and 5 insufficient fund charges of $37.00 for an amount of $185.00.
185.00+59.80=$244.80 to be refunded
as follows:
09/29/2011 Experian *FreeCredS 877-300-2507 $14.95
10/03/2011 Experian *FreeCredS 877 300-2507 $14.95
10/31/2011 Experian *FreeCredS 877-300-2507 $14.95
10/31/2011 Experian *FreeCredS 877-300-2507 $14.95
As a result of these unauthorized charges my account was charge 4 over drapft fees of $37.00 totallying $148.00 and 5 other checks were returned due to insufficient funds because of these unauthorized charges. That is a total of 9 overdraft charges at 37.00 each since September 29/2011.
Total amount to be refunded to my account is $59.80 for 4 charges at $14.95 and 5 insufficient fund charges of $37.00 for an amount of $185.00.
185.00+59.80=$244.80 to be refunded
Comments
http://www.experian.com/corporate/corporate-contacts.html
none of the contact numbers i found match the number that appeared on my statement.
to file a complaint with the FTC:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/filing-a-report.html
5/13 Experian *FreeCredScr 877-3002507 CA $16.28
5/15 Experian *FreeCredScr 877-2977790 CA $21.72
When I reported to card issuer (Chase), they immediately offered to refund the charges and canceled my card. They also mentioned that they would refund two additional charges from "FreeCreditReport.com" this month (June), although I was not aware of those yet. Based on my past experience, when they act that quickly - skipping the dispute process - then they had already marked the merchant as suspicious/fraudulent.
But if I had not noticed these charges on my statement and called, then the crook would keep his money, I would lose mine, and the card issuer would have had no need to bother....
This is a wide spread scam-- not by Experian, but by identity thieves. Your debit or credit cards are compromised and the scammers set up Free Credit Reporting through Experian by entering random SSNs. If you call the toll-free Experian number on your bank statement and provide them with your card number, they will likely list the names of individuals that you do not know. The scammers enter SSNs at random and then access those individual's full credit information. I had 5 different people's accounts linked to my debit card. Cancel your bank card/accounts if your debit card has been compromised or your credit card if it has been compromised. As others have suggested, please report this to the FTC and Attorney General's office in your state. Experian needs to have better security in place, such as not allowing card numbers that are not associated with the name and SSN to set up reporting. People's identities are being stolen and compromised-- most likely without their knowledge.
Use only credit cards, and if your bank asks why you are cancelling your debit card, tell them Experian has made them a fraud and theft risk.
Same story with me. 6 charges for $14.95/ea over the last 6 months. Wish I'd clued into it sooner. The 800 number listed above does not connect through to experian. My bank will only refund charges in the last 60 days, so don't be like me.
From the FTC site, Experian can be reached through:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/detect.html
Experian: 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742); www.experian.com
If you cannot reach them by phone, send them a letter, mailed certified, notifying them of the fraudulent charges, and demanding a refund. Copy FTC and your state Attorney General.
A story on Red Tape Chronicles reported that id thieves are using stolen credit card numbers to purchase credit reports for sale on black id theft sites. As a result, Experian and similar credit report sites have shown up prominently in consumer complaints, connected to fraudulent charges.
There are consumer reports that Experian has been reversing fraudulent charges originating from fraudulent purchases of credit reports by id thieves, after asking if you know some <first name> <last initial>. They have severe security problems that are resulting not only in fraudulent charges from stolen credit cards, but sale of credit reports to id theives.
If you have further problems in getting a full refund, contact FTC and your state AG for assistance.
Or contact a consumer attorney, as this is ripe for a class action lawsuit.
You can find a consumer attorney in your state through www.naca.net
Experian comarkets their credit monitoring services with id theft protection services, so when thieves fraudulently order through Experian, you are likely to also get hit with other fraudulent charges, also on an on-going monthly bases.
Dispute all fraudulent charges through your bank, and demand full refunds from these "merchants".
They are aiding and abetting the id theft problem they claim to be offering protection from.