My "Free" Membership Experience

I do a lot of web-surfing, too much in fact. It seems like I am always finding my way into some kind of trouble. On November 8th, I entered a site and it seemed like a place that I would like to visit now and then. The site is membership only, but it is a free membership. The only thing is you have to enter your credit card information to verify your identity.

So, I entered all the required information and, lo and behold, I became a member immediately. After surfing page after page, I decided to check my email. I was shocked when I got an email stating that I had my three day free trial to another membership site, only this time my credit card was already charged $32.47. This email stated it was part of my membership of their "sister site", which was the one I signed up for.

Now, I was thoroughly shocked and mad at the same time. I went to the new site that had the three day trial and cancelled that membership. Then contacted their "live help" and was assured that no charges had been applied to my credit card. But when I checked my bank, there it was, big as life, a charge for $32.47. So, I contacted them again. I was told that it was an original hold on my account and that my bank would be responsible for releasing it.

After waiting nearly two weeks the hold was still on my card. I wish I could find a telephone number and address for these jokers. I again had to contact them through the website. Same story, they keep telling me it is my bank that is responsible for releasing the money.

I gave it another week and the charge was still there. So, this time I went straight to my bank. I told them what happened and they opened an investigation, give me a "temporary credit" but told me that if the company disputed it I could lose it. But at least I felt a little better.

Now, it has been nearly two months since all this has started. I had to fill out an affidavit stating exactly what happened along with the cancellation number and fax all that to my bank. It is just a waiting game. I am very frustrated but have decided it is really my own fault. From now on, if I see a site I want to become a member they better not ask for credit card information as I will just surf on somewhere else.

Even if I lose the money, I hope this will help others to be more careful. I know it has taught me a valuable lesson.