Comments on: A business headache

By: DAWN THOMAS

DAWN THOMAS — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:25:58 +0000

John,
I noticed this today on our bank statement. After looking back I found where it was hidden in our Discover fees from the bank. You are correct, this is very distressing. Fortunately, we have only been taken for 3 months and I got one of those back. Mine was the Discover Merchant Healthcare Plan, so tell everyone you know!!!!

By: John

John — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:19:56 +0000

Hi Barbara, Thanks for your comment. I have not yet made formal complaints to the various enforcement agencies. This time of year I am trying to get my books/taxes done and I am way behind. I hope to get an employee to put together all the facts and make a stink about it.

By: John

John — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:16:52 +0000

Thanks for the comment Stacy. It’s crazy that this activity isn’t treated as criminal.

By: Stacy Miller

Stacy Miller — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 20:33:54 +0000

This happened to me too! I too, filed complaints with the BBB and the Federal Trade Commission! Mine was the health plan through Peoples Health Express and Discover Network Merchant Sevices. I also got my money back by disputing it with my bank. They need to be stopped!

By: Cheryl Sawyer

Cheryl Sawyer — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:53:06 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing this infomation, I work at a bank and just had a client call asking what this $49.95 charge was from UMG*Merchanttec, I did a google search and found not only your situation but many more. Thank you for sharing and I agree get online banking and check your accounts weekly. The earlier you contact your bank the more likely they will be able to help you.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:55:03 +0000

John have you tried the federal trade commission? maybe there is something they can do to help you.

By: Warning to businesses « Torch Lake Views

Warning to businesses « Torch Lake Views — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:54:41 +0000

[...] John King’s post, A business headache, on the Orchard Talks blog for the details. Then check your own statements and accounts. Then [...]

By: Gerry Sell

Gerry Sell — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:08:45 +0000

John that’s awful. I’ll put a note and link to your post on Torch Lake Views. I think it would be useful to do a service piece for the local papers, too.

I’m pretty sure telemarketers tried the same thing at the market. They try to get someone to say “Yes” to some innocuous question, but after the “Yes” is recorded the question is re-dubbed. I’ll warn Donna to check her accounts.

You might not want to stop accepting Discover altogether, but you could ask people when they pull out the card if they would mind using a different one . . . and you could definitely stop using it for any purchases of your own. I’ll bet your bank has some ideas for enhancing security.