How to Get Your Money Back After Being Ripped-Off on an Internet Sale
The Internet offers easy shopping because you can find what you want online and have it shipped right to your home. Merchants accept credit card payments to make the process convenient. But sometimes you get ripped off by a website that never fulfills your order, sends damaged merchandise or sends something completely different than what you ordered. You can usually get your money back if you follow the right process, although it takes some time and effort.
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Instructions
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Contact the Internet merchant and attempt to resolve the problem directly, PA consumer attorney Cary Flitter advises on the MSN Money financial website. Credit card companies require you to take steps on your own before they intercede. Use the telephone, postal or email contact information on the merchant's website. Send any letters through certified mail, send a copy of emails to yourself or take detailed notes of phone conversations.
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Write a dispute letter to the credit card company that issued the card you used for the problem transaction, MSN Money writer Lucy Lazarony advises. Use the billing inquiry number on your statement or get the correct dispute address by calling the customer service department at the phone number on the card back. The Pennsylvania Attorney General website explains that you must give a detailed explanation of how you were ripped off and how you tried to resolve the issue, and include your name, address and account number.
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Enclose proof of your resolution efforts before you mail your dispute letters. Your documentation might include a print-out of your telephone conversation notes, emails or photocopied letters. This proves you have already made a good faith effort and need the credit card company's help.
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Appeal the credit card company's decision if it decides not to give you back your money after investigating your complaint. The Pennsylvania Attorney General explains that the company has 30 days to investigate the rip-off and 90 days from the time it gets your letter to decide on a settlement. You have 10 days to appeal if you are dissatisfied.
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Tips & Warnings
Prevent Internet sales rip-offs by carefully choosing the merchants and websites with which you do business. The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse recommends working only with well-known companies and using secure payment forms. A secure form has a web address that starts with "https," not "http." It should have an unbroken padlock or key at the bottom of the browser window.
You only have 60 days to dispute a rip-off charge with your credit card company under the Fair Credit Billing Act, MSN Money's Lucy Lazarony warns. Start your resolution efforts with the merchant as quickly as possible and mail your dispute letter to the credit card company within the proper time frame or you may not get your money back even if your complaint is valid.
References
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