Digital Star unauthorized charge

Complaint

0
Steve
Country: United States
A preauthorization for $74.95 from Digital Star with a bad phone number (208-123-7377) showed up on my debit card account 1/29/12.  Called bank fraud department and had the account killed immediately.  They stopped the charge since it had not completed.  Do not know who Digital Star is or what the charge was for.  I use the card for online purchases mainly through Amazon.  No purchases in the last 30 dqays.  However, I placed orders in the last 60 days from a company called Turncraft (woodworking plans), Personal Creations, and Entirely Pets. I wonder what companies others have used recently.

Comments

  • 0
    David M
    | 4 replies
    2 charges of $74.95 were taken from my account on 2 Feb and 20 Fe - I rang the UK number and got through to a "receptionist" who told me that they were a ticket vendor - when I asked what exactly I had been charged for I was told that she (the "receptionist") couldn't deal with my query but she would have someone ring me back!! Guess what - no call back! I'll try again tomorrow - meanwhile I've cancelled my HSBC card!

    Is this the Russian mafia raising funds for Putin?
    • 0
      tj replies to David M
      | 1 reply
      Earlier reports were that the number was disconnected.
      Interesting that you actually reached a "receptionist".
      Looks like they are trying to keep the scam going a little longer.

      Based on numerous consumer complaints, their "business" is still just fraud.
      • 0
        Dave replies to tj
        TJ   Is it possible the company is legitamate but someone is using there account information and diverting funds elswhere.  I think in many failed states (Somalia  etc...) banking rules and regulations are not followed or enforced and it is possible for a bank entity to be set up entirely as a fraudulent front operation.  They then have access to the international banking system on a level that is assumed by US banks to be secure.
    • 0
      tj replies to David M
      Dispute all fraudulent charges, including sending your bank a fraud affidavit.
    • 0
      tj replies to David M
      Calling them back will accomplish nothing, unless you want to fish for information from these scammers.

      Any indication where they are really located?  Ask how the weather is.
      (Forget the mail drop address on their website.  They could forward anywhere.)
      Any accents?
  • 0
    tj
    Police complaint (appears to be from Arkansas) of fraudulent charge to credit card by "Digital Star".

    http://thecabin.net/news/local/2012-02-27/police-beat-022812
    "...
    10. Fraudulent use of a credit card. The victim stated that someone used her Centennial Bank account to make an unauthorized purchase with a company called Digital Star for $149.
    ..."
  • 0
    Ram
    I had the same issue. Digital Star +442081237+442081237377 charged 149.99 to my chase visa credit card on Feb 15th. I called chase but they say they haven't heard about this. but at least my card is cancelled and i'll be refunded the amount. I did not use this card at amazon but did use it at other online retailers.
  • 0
    Steve O
    Same thing.  I didn't look at my statement until now.  $74.95 from Digital Star on 1/28.  When I called my bank (Chase), they informed me that there was another for $74.95 on 2/20.
    However, they gave me no trouble.  Canceled the card and transferred to a new one, which they are expressing to me.  No arguing.
    It would make sense, of course, if they blocked all transactions from this company for all their customers.  I don't know if they will.
  • 0
    tj
    The large banks don't appear to have very good communications between their fraud departments and their customer service departments.

    Consumer reports are all over the map, from already being aware of this scam, to never hearing of it, at the same bank.
  • 0
    From Canada
    Checked my Visa statement tonight and noticed two charges of $74.95 USD with Digital Star.  Did a search with the phone number and found this site and many links to forums expressing how others  have received such charges.  Called my bank to have my credit card cancelled, and set the wheels in motion with the fraud department.  Charges were for Feb 3 and Feb 20/12.  Looks like these guys have been busy with all the posts here.
  • 0
    Jim
    | 1 reply
    Same thing happen to me, twice this month on my credit union account.  In addition, there was a 60 cent foreign transaction fee.  My transactions have been with iTunes and NETFLIX, but not AMAZOM.
    • 0
      tj replies to Jim
      Check your other iTunes transactions to make sure they are really yours, as any intangible purchase is a potential channel for "pinging" a card to test valid exp. dates.
  • 0
    Ripped off
    I had the same on a mastercard for $74.  they used a ping for $1 itunes purchase and the $90 itunes purchase as well, I have had the charges reversed but what the outcome may be or if this fraud company just goes on with business as usual is my question???
  • 0
    JP
    Yup, me too. Fraudulent charge to my visa for Digital Star +442 +442081237377 ON 01/29  $-74.95. Caught it on my monthly statement. Canceled the cc and the bank is looking into it.

    I have bought lots of small computer hardware stuff on Amazon with this cc.  I'm guessing they got the cc number from one of the Amazon secondary online vendors.
  • 0
    barky
    | 1 reply
    Sounds like the same basic situation -- a charge for 149.99 showed up with the payee listed as Digital Star +44208123 +442081237377 GBR.  Checked my records; I did make a few Amazon purchases that day...  I don't know if there's a connection -- a lot of people seem to be making an Amazon purchase and then seeing charges from Digital Star.  Could just be that a lot of people are getting scammed and a lot of people use Amazon (coincidence), but since a lot of purchases can be made *through* Amazon that actually are fulfilled by 3rd party vendors, my money is on one or more of them being responsible...  

    I disputed the payment with my credit card, and we'll see what the outcome is.
    • 0
      tj replies to barky
      Have your bank block your card as well, since there are starting to be reports that the numbers are being reused for a second round of fraudulent charges.
  • 0
    lin
    | 1 reply
    I live in eastern Pennsylvania and just got a bill from a credit card that I haven't used for over a year.  Unfortunately it wasn't expired yet.  I am not sure if I will have to pay the charges yet or not, $74.95.  I see a common theme here with Amazon.  I did use the card to purchase books online from them.  I can only hope it was a business that got hacked and not my computer.  I cancelled the card.
    • 0
      tj replies to lin
      File a fraud dispute with your bank, and follow up IN WRITING, with a FRAUD AFFIDAVIT to protect your rights under FCBA.
  • 0
    Beth
    | 1 reply
    Finally -- some media on this fraud.  Today's Toronto Star:

    http://www.moneyville.ca/article/1139772--bel ... or-topped-3-000
    • 0
      tj replies to Beth
      They make it sound like the "company" was charging people for something they ordered, then "not delivering any goods or services".

      The reality is that all of these consumer complaints are alleging that they never even did business with this "company", yet somehow they got their credit or debit card information and used it for these fraudulent charges.  Despite these consistent allegations in fraud complaints to the banks, THE BANKS HAVE NOT SHUT THIS DOWN.


      "...
      If you don’t check your credit card bills, you may not spot dubious charges from companies whose names you don’t recognize.
      ...
      Beth O’Shaughnessy found a $76.72 charge from a firm she didn’t know while looking at her CIBC Visa account online.

      “On further reviewing our bill, we realized this was the second charge from the same company, with another one in the same amount two weeks ago,” she said.

      The company, Digital Star, has attracted many online complaints across North America for charging people’s credit cards and not delivering any goods or services.

      George Wark found Digital Star charges of $74.95 and $2.16 on his BMO MasterCard bill. He, too, didn’t remember dealing with the company.

      “I’m very meticulous about checking my bank accounts regularly, despite whatever security measures are claimed to apply,” he said.

      He was told to fill out a fraud form and wait for the bank to investigate the suspicious charges. He would get a refund in a few months if the charges were indeed unauthorized.

      O’Shaughnessy didn’t like the lengthy refund process. After contacting me, she got her money back from CIBC within a week of finding the charges.
      ..."


      "refund in a few months if the charges were indeed unauthorized"
      And that is why DEBIT CARDS ARE NOT SAFE.

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