Hi,
One year back, when I didn't know anything about webhosts, I fell for one of the super nu companies especially on seeing the reviews at recellar.com. I paid for one year while signing up.

Now, that account is going to close within one month. Now, I want to cancel the account with them when the contract ends, as I might shut down the website for good.

I emailed them not to renew the account, and I'm closing my account 5 days back. They haven't replied. I'm worried whether they may charge my card without my approval. If they reply positively, that's okay. But otherwise...

I paid using a Standard Chartered Visa. I'm in India. I contacted StanChart to inform them to deny payment for a particular merchant, say, if they charge me after 2 weeks. They replied that StanChart won't do that. If at all they charge my card, they will do "their best". When I asked them if they will *definitely* get my money back, they started backing off.

Is there a way to deny the payment to a merchant? I told them like so-and-so may steal my money and dont pay them, the bank is refusing to co-operate. And the company is a potential one to charge my card without me actually renewing the account. Holy Crap! These banks.


In fact, I read that Citibank (atleast in India) calls and confirms with you when you make an online payment. StanChart doesn't do that either.

So, somebody please tell me if there is a way to block a payment to a particular merchant beforehand.

Because the Visa Online Zero Loss liability does not apply to countries other than US. I'm in India and so I think I cannot avail that facility.

I cant run after the BBB or the Attorney General. I want a prevention (I have two weeks), not a cure.

TIA.

Wing.

I think you should let them charge you,[ which I think they wont ], and then when your credit card bill comes, deny any such payments made from you. Something similar happened to me. The money was refunded to me. I am in India to :)

[Edited by kunal on 02-13-2001 at 03:12 PM]

Kunal,
Was it an online transanction in US dollars? What card and what bank? Was it Visa on StanChart?

I just called up Visa in the US. They said I have to deal with the bank and Visa cannot help with this.

Why don't these banks understand this much clich`ed saying - prevention is better than cure?
I know the name of the merchant, the approximate date they may charge my card and even the approximate amount. But these dumb ppl won't co-operate. This way, it's better for both the bank and the customer. Are they this dumb?

Yeah, I know you are in India. Amchi Mumbai. Right? We have talked on ICQ remember?

Wing.

Amchi Mumbai :D

I thought you woudlnt remember me ;). I remember you :)

I think it was Standard Chattered. And it was in US $$. Someone made a payment of 70$. They refunded it. It took about 2weeks for the entire process, but it was refunded :)

The same old never ending saga
http://www.hostspot.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000248.html
I think the best thing to do would be cancel the credit card entirely!!

No Martie,
They haven't charged my card yet. I just want to inform the bank beforehand to prevent it. I have two more weeks. These fools in the bank dont seem to understand before my one-year period ends. They said they will take action only after the payment has been made.

These are the kind of guys that wont believe in vaccines. All they believe is an autopsy.

Wing.

Many banks won't block payments until the payment has been posted. Just keep a close watch on your account. They may yet honor your request and not renew your account.

Read the TOS! You should go to their website and read the terms of service. Some hosts are weird and require a written statement SAYING that you want to cancel. I personally think this is dumb because I know when they are taking your money they don't ask for any written statement. Also, print out the emails you sent them and make sure the time + date are printed on them. You can send this to your CC company to prove it. You may also want to ask the host you are sending through for its maillog of the events (pretty easy for them to get). That will prove that they received the email.


James R. Clark II
Nethosters Inc.
http://www.nethosters.com

Jic,
Now, I'll do that and also ask for a maillog. Also, I'll send a bcc of these emails to another account of mine at a different ISP and also to the bank. That way, I can substantiate my claims. Thanks for the idea.

Jaiem,
No. These guys are notorious for such things. That's why I am so concerned. Let's see what happens...

But then, being a physician, it sounds weird to me that these banks believe in autopsy than a vaccine. Is it really weird, or is it just me?

Say, if a bank can block a cheque (check in US), why cant they block a CC payment? After all the merchant has charged my card last year, and all their details will be in my transanction log. It's not going to be a new merchant from Mars this time.

Wing.




[Edited by TheWingThing on 02-14-2001 at 01:50 PM]