Over the last couple of years a friend of mine has registered various domain names through EASYSPACE.COM.

In the last month he's noticed some strange goings on with his credit card. It looks like another domain name company, has taken each of his domains and for each one has registered a .biz domain.

They've done this for about 15 of his domains and charged him accordingly. He's never even heard of this new domain name company never mind used them.

He's complained to them, they refute the allegation and are trying to say someone used his details, though why anyone would buy domain names with his details is beyond me!

Whats his next course of action ?

-DV

PS: Who governs the use of .co.uk domains for the UK ?


[Edited by DazV - 10/26/2001 12:15:01 AM]

Call the credit card company, it's not his problem.

He's spoken to them - they'll stop future transaction to the fraudulent company but they've told him his card wasn't reported stolen or lost on the dates the orders went through.

I thought that you only had to notify the card company within x-hours of discovering loss or theft?

How on Earth are you to know about any fraudulent transactions such as the one mentioned until your statement arrives?

mb

I get one or two a year that I find on my statement, just call then fill in a pain in the arse form and the money's put back on my account. Nat West Visa.

In July 98, I used my Visa card to pay for the domain name and web space for my first ever web site.

After the 1st contracted year was up, I moved the domain to a friend who was doing hosting at the time.

Fast forward to my Nov 2000 credit card bill. The hosting company has charged my card £151.58. I ring up the CCC and dispute the transaction. I don't know the exact rules (I believe they are set by Visa) but the merchant has to provide proof of the transaction being valid when "questioned".

The dispute process can drag for some time as each party is allowed x number of days for processing etc.

I was somewhat livid to find another charge for £151.58 on my March 2001 bill from the same company. I again dispute it with the CCC.

The October 2000 charge was refunded on 21st March 2001 (I was not asked to pay the disputed amount whilst it was under investigation).

The 2nd charge from 15th Feb was refunded 17th April.

My June 01 statement arrives with another charge from the hosting company but for £175.08 (dated 17th May). Whilst trying not to swear too much, I again dispute this transaction.

The £175.08 is refunded 28th June.

Not finished yet though! [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

On my July 2001 statement, I note the £175.08 refund but the next item is another charge for £151.58 from same company.

I'm still waiting for this last charge to be refunded.

At no point was my CC reported lost or stolen (as it wasn't). It's a fradulant transaction from a merchant and the credit company should be on the consumers side.

ChrisB.

My card is with MBNA and I did everything over the phone - no forms or nothing (apart from a few chasing calls).

who governs .co.uk?

www.nic.uk

Cheers All

Seems pretty obvious the ccc should handle all of this. Will get back to him and advise him so.

Thanks again.

-DV

PS: I'll keep you posted.

I vaugely remember a watchdog article on cards like MBNA. Because they're based overseas they dont have to play by the same rules as the established UK based cards or something.

Still it was watchdog so it was probably total pants anyway.

Interesting info.

MBNA's UK office is in Chester FWIW.