Posted by Linda_H/FL on 7/22/09 3:21pm
Msg #296908

1-Stop Notary LLC....beware..

Notary directory website....I joined last July - $19.95/year...figured give it a try for $20...what the heck..

Well...I've gotten no traffic from there as far as I know...I've notified them through their e-mail and website twice this past year that I do not wish to renew my listing...they charged my bank account today....they are nonresponsive to my e-mails and the phone number I found for the agent has a full mailbox (how convenient)..

I filed a complaint against them today with the Michigan Attorney General....

Be very careful unless you want to list with this site ad infinitum with no way to get them to stop. Soon as this charge goes through it's going to be contested then I'm getting a new card so it can't happen again next July...

Boy..this is my day..

Reply by MikeC/NY on 7/22/09 6:29pm
Msg #296948

Just a heads up on this kinda stuff

You will usually win when you contest an unauthorized charge like this, because these deadbeats can't show that you agreed to it.

BUT...

Even when you cancel your card and get a new one, they can still ding you. I had this happen with AmEx earlier this year - a company got hold of my CC # and started charging me for stuff I never ordered. AmEx reversed all of the charges and issued me a new card with a new number, but in the next two billing cycles that company still managed to get some charges through. A phone call to AmEx cleared that up and the charges were immediately reversed - didn't cost me more than a little time and aggravation....

The point is that you have to watch out for these sleaze-bags, because they WILL try to continue charging you and sometimes they get through despite whatever measures you've taken.

Reply by SharonH/OH on 7/22/09 6:57pm
Msg #296953

For future use, check to see if your bank offers "virtual account numbers" on your account. It allows you to provide a temporary account number to use online that expires in about a month's time. That way, when "renewal" time comes around, they can't hit you again without your permission. Mine is with Citibank, but I know other banks offer them too.

Reply by Teddog/CO on 7/23/09 7:39am
Msg #297014

Great information Sharon. Didn't even know banks offered such a service. That is a good safeguard. Those companies count on you not noticing their charges. Very sly devils out there.
You can stop them if you use a debit card because it will show (Pending charges) then you can call your bank and tell them it is an unauthorized charge and that you cancelled the account with the people trying to charge you. Very good idea to check your accounts on line everyday for charges and balance.

Reply by Frank/NC on 7/23/09 8:30am
Msg #297019

Check with your bank in that you can probably remove that company from entering any unauthorized debits. In that way you would not have to do anything else.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 7/23/09 9:31am
Msg #297033

Teddog..just a quick note..that's what mine was

my debit card....charge is pending now and bank is waiting for it to clear then they're going to move from there.

I'm still furious....I just want people to be careful with this company - once you list you can't get in touch with them for anything...ESPECIALLY money!!

Reply by Teddog/CO on 7/23/09 11:00am
Msg #297062

Linda I don't blame you for being Steamed. Grrr n/m

Reply by MikeC/NY on 7/23/09 7:09pm
Msg #297165

Just an FYI, based on years of experience with developing and supporting retail systems in a past life - using a debit card is NOT a good idea, because the money is immediately transferred out of your account (that's why they call it a "debit" card) and then you have to dance with the bank to get it back if there's an error. What you think is a "pending" transaction is only pending until close of business that day- unless you catch the error the same day, the money is going to move overnight. I remember several incidents where one of our stores accidentally double-hit someone's debit card, and it took weeks for the customer to get the money back in their account - even though we admitted the mistake was on our side...

A credit card is much better, because the CC company will actually suspend the transaction while it does its investigation. Many debit cards can also be used as credit cards at the point of sale; that's how I use mine, because I know what can happen if things go wrong...

Virtual CC numbers are a great idea, and many of the major banks offer them. You can set them up as single use, or for a specific payer, or to expire after a certain date. Check with your CC issuer to see if they offer this, and if they do, take advantage of it.

Reply by jba/fl on 7/23/09 9:09am
Msg #297027

Sharon: your tip qualifies for final round in Tip of Year! n/m