Discover Card Wallet Protection Scam

[kldang]

I got a call from Discover and said I had a late payment. I was really surprised as I haven't used this discover card for over 2 years.

Of course, I called Discover immediately and it turned out that the charges was from the monthly service fee of Discover's Wallet Protection since Feb this year. However, I am pretty sure I never enrolled in such service. I called their Wallet Protection department. They told me that I had enrolled since 2002 and they already charged me over $50 for 3-year service. The monthly fee since Feb was the charge after the 3-year period. I am like what the heck! I didn't even notice that I was charged for 3 years.

So I asked them to refund me at least the charges since Feb but they refused. They reasoned that I already paid the $50 for the 3-year service, so they were sure that I was enrolled in the program. Then I recall I probably received some advertisement letter from Discover saying that if I didn't response, they will assume me joining their Wallet Protection service. I thought it's just advertisement so I didn't response.

I am really angry now as I am pretty sure that I never signed any document / application form to join the program. Is there anyway that I can fight my money back?????? I feel it's really non-sense that they send you some advertisement letters. If you don't response to the ad, they will assume you agree to join and start charging you for the service.

Please help!!!!!! Is there any agency or association that I can report Discover's practice???

 

[huberm]

BBB

 

[finite automaton]

I think it's more likely they sent you a check, you thought it was free money, and cashed it. There's no way a company like that could think what you say happened is legal.

 

[biggestmuff]

I don't buy your explanation.

 

[Zorro]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
I don't buy your explanation.

 

[Spineshank]

They did it to me as well. I called and canceled the service right away.

 

[edro]

You can't sound wishy washy when ranting online.

 

[sourceninja]

I don't know if I would use the services of a company that calls me a liar.

I have found that if you just attempt to cancel your card (and not threaten, just inform them that you want to cancel it) they do wonders to fix their problems.

I had an issue like that with my bank. They sold to a new bank and the new bank changed my bill pay account from free checking to standard checking. Well I only keep just enough to cover my bills in my bill account (all my other money goes to savings/market accounts) so I went under their limit. They charged me for that and those charges caused a check to bounce and so they charged me again. I called them up and they refused to help saying I knew what kind of account I had.

So 120.00 in the hole, I head into the bank the next day. I walk in ask for a banker and tell him I want to move just enough into checking to cover the checks I have out, close all my other accounts. He asks why and I tell him. 15 minutes later, They removed all the fees. I decided to stay with them. They also fixed my checking back to free checking and told me that they had a lot of customers from that branch that got changed to standard checking after the buyout.

 

[KB]

I was going to recommend what sourceninja says. Many organizations have retention departments that can bend over backwards pretty far to keep you there.

 

[TruePaige]

The big thing companies are doing these days is sending you a gift card or a check and when you use it enrolling you. Chase has sent me 2 checks, and a Circuit City gift card, and if you use any of it, they enroll you into some protection program.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: finite automaton
I think it's more likely they sent you a check, you thought it was free money, and cashed it. There's no way a company like that could think what you say happened is legal.

That's what I was thinking. If not then he had to have approved or participated in something which required him to call and tell Discover to not enroll him in the program. Regardless though, I still think that kind of crap is deceptive bullshit.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: finite automaton
I think it's more likely they sent you a check, you thought it was free money, and cashed it. There's no way a company like that could think what you say happened is legal.

That's what I was thinking. If not then he had to have approved or participated in something which required him to call and tell Discover to not enroll him in the program. Regardless though, I still think that kind of crap is deceptive bullshit.

Discover also tries to trick customers into signing up to those services like credit protection when you call to activate your card, telling you that they're "free". Yeah... they're free if you carry a zero balance, but they charge you a percentage of your balance if you use the card.

I had to threaten to cancel my card to get them to reverse the charges.

 

[krunchykrome]

Sounds like you deposited one of those $5 checks that automatically enroll you.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob

Discover also tries to trick customers into signing up to those services like credit protection when you call to activate your card, telling you that they're "free". Yeah... they're free if you carry a zero balance, but they charge you a percentage of your balance if you use the card.

I had to threaten to cancel my card to get them to reverse the charges.

Lots of cards are pulling that one upon activation these days. It's very annoying.

 

[RightIsWrong]

Dispute the charges with your credit card company.

Tell them that you'd like documented evidence/proof of enrollment and if they cannot produce it that you will file a fraud complaint with your state's AG office. It amazing how quickly they move to "resolve" petty issues like this once they clue in to the fact that you know your rights.

 

[edro]

Every time I have activated a card in the last few years, the automated system says "Your card is now activated. Please hold the line for further instructions."
Then an Indian tries to sell you protection services.
I just hang up.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: edro
Every time I have activated a card in the last few years, the automated system says "Your card is now activated. Please hold the line for further instructions."
Then an Indian tries to sell you protection services.
I just hang up.

The automated systems for my card give me a shitty 5 min speech about their additional services and ask me to press some number to be transfered after they are done giving me the speech. It informs me that my card is now activated after that is done. I have learned that I can hangup during the speech and my card will still be activated, but it still makes me nervous to do so. It's very annoying.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: huberm
BBB

tell me, what exactly is a private company like the BBB going to do about it?

 

[Genx87]

It really sounds like you got some check from them and cashed it. I see these all the time. here is 20 bucks cash it and go out to dinner or a movie. Then we will enroll you in a getting scammed program for 40 bucks a month.

It gets shredded.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: Citrix

Originally posted by: huberm
BBB

tell me, what exactly is a private company like the BBB going to do about it?

The BBB writes a letter demanding that said company write a letter in response explaining what they did to resolve the situation. If that company is a member of the BBB and the response is deemed to not be satisfactory then there is a possibility that they will get kicked out of the BBB. To many companies, this is a very big deal especially to those who head customer service. Execs do not looking kindly to being kicked out or even threatened to being kicked out because of the bad publicity that it generates. When a company does get kicked out that usually means someone gets fired which can even go public sometimes in order to try and prove to the masses that their company is undergoing change for the better. Obviously that person who's ass is on the line would rather not even deal with that problem so when letter from the BBB comes in they are often instructed to resolve it immediately. Resolving the issue quickly is often best taken care of by just giving the customer what he wants especially if it is only a matter of a few bucks.

Now, keep in mind that I realize that response letters to the BBB often just cite policies and procedures and that is that. However, it's worth trying at least from a customer's stand point.

 

[dud]

Very similar to the scam run by Chase, that and I continue to get calls from their India call center asking me if I want their "protection package".

Do what I did ... cut the card up and stop using it. That'l teach them ...

 

[kldang]

Finally, I got the lastest 3-month fee refunded by calling them over 5 times!!! The last time, the operator didn't even argue with me and just agreed to refund. You have to fight against them persistently!! And STAY AWAY from DISCOVER!!!!


I also tried to ask for a copy of my statement back in 2002 as they claimed they charged me $50 for 3-year service. However, discover said they didn't keep such old statement, so my $50 has gone completely!! once again, stay away from DISCOVER!!!!

 

[palswim]

Originally posted by: kldang
Finally, I got the lastest 3-month fee refunded by calling them over 5 times!!! The last time, the operator didn't even argue with me and just agreed to refund. You have to fight against them persistently!! And STAY AWAY from DISCOVER!!!!


I also tried to ask for a copy of my statement back in 2002 as they claimed they charged me $50 for 3-year service. However, discover said they didn't keep such old statement, so my $50 has gone completely!! once again, stay away from DISCOVER!!!!

I think any Credit Card company will do this to you. If you like Discover's benefits, then use Discover.

I have several Chase cards with various rewards, but I've had to do my fair share of phone calls to cancel the wonderful extra services they offer. I don't mind this, since I can just sit at my desk and do work while I hold, and I've learned to speak calmly and firmly about canceling their services.