posted on May 27, 2001 12:53:02 PM new
I am livid about a recent chargeback from Billpoint. I am a lawyer and I totally understood the risk of chargeback when I used the Billpoint services. But NEVER did I expect that Billpoint would provide me with a false name -- a name which had nothing whatsoever to do with the name of the credit card holder. In fact, I am not even sure how that is possible. But I know it was wholly negligent on Billpoint's part. I know that it was a risk I never agreed to take ...
The below email correspondence should speak for itself (and I would love to hear from you). My email address is [email protected]
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From: [email protected]
Posted At: 12:55:38.000 05/08/2001
Posted To:
Subject:
I am very unhappy about the recent chargeback and I believe that billpoint is acting unlawfully. The problem I have is that billpoint told me that the "buyer" name was Darrel Kennedy and Billpoint provided me with an address. I carefully checked this information and I was able to verify the MATCH. That is the reason I trusted the payment and sent the item. In doing the chargeback, Billpoint informs me that the OWNER of the credit card is really someone named Cynthia Donaldson. This is not acceptable. I agreed to your fee schedule and charge back policies but not to allow you to provide me with FALSE names.I will be filing a claim in the small claims court here unless proper resolution to this problem is made.
Subj: Re: Unauthorized Purchase Attn: Matt
Date: 05/16/2001 3:15:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Sefemma
To: [email protected]
Dear Matt:
Well, thanks for your nice note.
I do think it's "funny" for you to call me "a merchant" though. The real merchant here is Billpoint (part of the bigger Wells Fargo).
And, I am a lawyer. I read the user agreement. And, I understand that when I sell on ebay (a HOBBY) and use Billpoint (which I actually try to avoid), I accept some risks. But, again, I never never accepted a risk with a person named Cynthia Donaldson. I accepted a risk with a person named Darrel Kennedy -- the name which Billpoint provided to me -- and as to that name and address, I was able to satisfy myself from other sources of the "match."
I am surprised Billpoint continues to avoid responsibility for providing me with a false name. It's simple. Had Billpoint given me the correct name on the card, I NEVER would have been able to verify the address to that name, and I NEVER would have sent.
I think Billpoint has acted incredibly negligent and irresponsibly. I think Billpoint's taking my money (and then some !!) after giving me such FALSE information constitutes an unfair and deceptive practice. Since your company seems unable to accept it's more than substantial role in my loss, I will pursue the legal options as I feel strongly about this.
(Just so we're clear, if Billpoint had provided me with the REAL name of the credit
card owner, I NEVER never NEVER would have sent and suffered a loss. Under the circumstances, I am somewhat amazed by the corporate response).
Regards
Sharon Feigenbaum
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In a message dated 05/16/2001 2:53:04 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
I read your email and I understand your concern regarding this matter.
Chargeback liability is a fact of life to merchants who choose to accept
credit cards. The fact that the seller is ultimately responsible for all
chargebacks is clearly stated in our User Agreement. Consumers have enormous
confidence in credit cards and have come to use them extensively, especially
for purchases over the web. This confidence has resulted, in large part,
from the many consumer protections that generally give the cardholder the
benefit of the doubt- chargebacks being one of those protections. The vast
majority of consumers do not abuse this situation. Unfortunately, there are
always a few who do stretch the boundaries. Billpoint does its best to act
as a fair and neutral third party in mediating these tricky situations, but
the final decision is made by the card issuer.
Should you have any other questions or comments regarding this matter,
please contact us at [email protected].
posted on June 9, 2001 10:07:36 AM new
Billpoint, like so many other online payment services does not verify the card holder.
Point two. They did not give you a false name, your crooked bidder did that.
Its a big risk taking CC on line. There are a lot of people who like to play this game. Even if you catch up to them the law is as weak as used dish water.
Put the blame where it belongs. Just like E Bay, they are only a venue.
