Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Running a Web Hosting Business : Instabill

[jimb]

I just had a client come back to me (we sold our company) and tell me that Instabill had charged twice on his credit card. He emailed Instabill and told them that it was a mistake and to take it off. The Instabill Staff emailed him back and said they were sorry, and that they would refund him that money, if he sent his order number and credit card number. Now, the client did what they asked and emailed both numbers back to Instabill. Instabill emailed him and told everything was cleared up, and that he had nothing to worry about.

Two weeks later, the customer got a call from American Express. They said multiple credit card charges were made from unknown people, and credit card signatures from the receipts did not match the customers signature. Now, American Express was able to trace the charges all the way back to the Instabill company. Apparently, someone, somehow, received the email the client sent with the credit card number on it. The person was someone in Instabill.

I suggest that you be careful when emailing people your credit card number. Now, everytime I deal with a Instabill member and I need a refund, I send them only the Order number.

My trust has been shaken with Instabill.

Jim

[TechnoHosts]

something sounded very fishy when I read that story. I'm moving to revecom soon!

[SoftWareRevue]

I can appreciate a good tip when I read one.

Thank you!!

[Get-Hosted.com]

Terrible. You do realize they are owned by the same company right? I wouldn't doubt if workers worked for both.

I also have found out CC fraud goes unpunished 95% of the time. Meaning... CC companies don't press charges.

[thereismore]

Jim,

That is indeed a scary story. It has become painfully obvious over the last year that credit card fraud is now a HUGE problem, and not just in the web hosting arena.

The thing I can't get my arms around is Why.

Why set up bogus web hosting accounts?

You will be found out and deleted/prosecuted if possible.

That is the part I don't get.

I guess my hacker genes are fading with age...

I guess it is just a Game....but chargebacks cost us all big bucks every year... Just to play the Game

[Andy128]

UGH i emailed my credit card number with my addy on it to someone that owns a NOC........ Since its Pwebtech.. I can trust them right?

[Get-Hosted.com]

I think you'll be fine... did you PGP encode it?

[David@Digisurge]

Don't send your credit card info over plain email. It is totally unsecure. If you HAVE to send it over email encrypt it first with PGP or the link.

[jimb]

Its really too bad that the internet is so unsecure. Even within a company, crooks can pop up everywhere. Its gotten to the point where sending a seemingly secure email can be intercepted and all the data can be stolen.

Its really too bad.

Jim

[erickoh]

Hi,

I use instabill.com for credit card processing

Recently, I have had customer complaints of unauthorized credit card charges, and their only internet transaction made was via instabill.

Here are the 2 charges:

1) WP-Intercard Finan Mail Order GB for US$9.95
2) WP-Global Shop RIGA GB for US$9.95

The interesting thing is, I myself have these 2 exact fraudulent charges on my own card! I did submit my card info to instabill to test the payment process.

Are there any instabill users who have had the same problem? I wonder if their security had been comprised, given the frequent downtimes lately?

Thanks

[jimb]

My customer has those exact charges, as well as others that were made by instabill.

This is getting more interesting....

Jim

[zbco]

http://www.ifccfbi.gov

[jimb]

I just sent the former customer the IFCC's website and phone number. He said he did a chargeback to instabill, and is getting mad. Luckly, we didnt use re-occuring billing, so he shouldnt have to worry about being billed again. But you never know.

Jim

[zbco]

The problem now is that InstaBill.com already has your credit card number(s).

Citibank reissued all my cards with new numbers... they do it automatically for you in Malaysia if you report a unauthorised transaction and it is over the Internet.

[SuperSim]

Hey I have been charged with WP-Intercard Finan Mail Order GB for US$9.95 too, And guess, the same month I made a purchase with an instabill merchant

Instabill is a big BIG FRAUD