rwp@apple.com (11/14/89)
A word of warning to all current and potential PC Pursuit subscribers. I cancelled my account on May 31, in writing, and they are STILL billing me! The account was definitely cancelled. I tried it two weeks into June, and it was closed. However, the bills kept coming. When PC Pursuit raised the rates, they sent out a card for everyone to sign, authorizing them to bill a credit card account. I did not return this card. I specifically withdrew authorization to debit my credit card when I cancelled my account (also in writing.) I gave them until two months after the cancellation date to clear up any outstanding charges. The date passed, but the bills keep coming! I sent them a registered letter explaining the situation, and again denied them authorization to debit my account. They ignored the letter. This month, I got my account statement, and lo and behold, another $30 charge from PC Pursuit! The credit card company marked the first two charges as disputed, and I assume they will so mark the third when I notify them tomorrow. I am also going to have them treat it as a stolen card and change the account number. This will not get the $90 back from Telenet, however. Making charges to a credit card account without the owners consent is theft through credit card fraud. After all of the correspondence (registered and otherwise) I can only assume that it is deliberate, with criminal intent, or a result of extreme incompetence. Are the savings in connect charges (much less after the rate hike and cap) worth giving your credit card number to thieves or, at best, incompetents? I doubt it. Before you sign up for PC Pursuit or recommend it to someone, consider the risks. You may end up paying more in the long run! Roger Preisendefer [Moderator's Note: When Mr. Preisendefer first sent this note to me, I told him I would make inquiries in his behalf from Telenet. I asked Dave Purks, a representative of Telenet/PC Pursuit to investigate the complaint, and seek a resolution. Mr. Purks' findings and resolution are in the message which follows, which has been forwarded to Mr. Preisendefer. PT]