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BBB warns of mystery charges
'The (Better Business Bureau) urges consumers to check their credit card and bank accounts frequently for any unauthorized charges,' said Jeannette Kopko, BBB Dallas spokesperson. 'The unexpected and unexplained charges from iEarn LLC, now operating as Success Funding Now, are not just an inconvenience to the consumers whose accounts have been charged. The BBB is concerned that the charges may be fraudulent.'/File photo
From staff reports
Mysterious charges of about $65 to $68 from iEarn LLC are turning up on credit card and bank accounts across the United States, according to recent complaints to the Better Business Bureau.
Some complaints allege that accounts have been charged more than once by the Coppell-based business. Now the business is operating as Success Funding Now.
A woman in St. Paul, Minn., complained: "A bill of $65.32 appeared on my credit card statement ... I have never heard of let alone done business with this company and wonder where they got my credit card information. I am disputing the transaction through the credit card company but it concerns me that I have never heard of this company before yet they are billing me for what?"
iEarn LLC, now operating as Success Funding Now, is not a BBB Accredited Business. The business has a BBB rating of F, on a scale from A+ to F. Reasons for this rating include:
* BBB concerns with the industry in which this business operates.
* Length of time business has been operating.
* BBB does not have a clear understanding of this business.
"The BBB urges consumers to check their credit card and bank accounts frequently for any unauthorized charges," said Jeannette Kopko, BBB Dallas spokesperson. "The unexpected and unexplained charges from iEarn LLC, now operating as Success Funding Now, are not just an inconvenience to the consumers whose accounts have been charged. The BBB is concerned that the charges may be fraudulent."
Complaints report that not only is it a mystery where the charges come from, but also the business isn’t answering the phone or replying to e-mails.
A man in Phillipsburg, Kan., said: "On July 22, 2010, $65.32 was charged to my credit card without my approval. When calling the number on my statement I got a recorded message that said due to a large volume of calls any questions would have to be handled by email and they would get back to me within 24 business hours. If I wanted to cancel I would have to give them the last 4 digits of my credit card, which I will not do. I have emailed them twice over the last 7 days and have had no response."
One clue about the charges can be found on the website for Success Funding Now. The site offers a "coaching program" for small businesses, consisting of "educational tools and training needed to help you stay on the cutting edge of knowledge and profitability." The program is "only $68.74" which "will get you 60 days of access to our Hotline for continued support from our coaches."
Adding to the mystery, consumers report they’ve been charged varying amounts of $65.32, $67.34, or $68.74.
A woman in Muskegon, Mich., was surprised with two $67.34 charges: "I realized while trying to get cash back with a purchase at my local grocery store that there wasn't enough funds to get the cash back I wanted. I called my card company and requested my last transactions. That's when I was given the information of the charges made to iEarn LLC. There are two charges of 67.34 completed on the same day."
The BBB advises consumers that any unauthorized charges on credit cards or bank accounts should be investigated promptly. If the business does not resolve the problem, take these steps:
* Contact your credit card company to dispute the unauthorized charge. For an unauthorized debit on your bank account, contact your bank. You may want to consider reporting the charge as fraud to your credit card company or bank, and to your local police department.
* Continue to keep an eye on your account. Additional unauthorized charges could turn up.
* You may want to talk to your credit card company or bank to see if there are additional steps you can take to protect the account from future unauthorized charges.
* File a complaint about unauthorized charges with the BBB. See www.bbb.org.
* Report the unauthorized charges to the office of the Attorney General in your state. For a list, visit www.naag.org/current-attorneys-general.php.
* For tips on identity theft or to report suspected identity theft, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). On the Internet, visit www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/. Or call toll-free 877-438-4338.
To check out a business, find BBB Accredited Businesses, or file a complaint, start at www.bbb.org.
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