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Orbitz Sharing Customer Credit Card Information

Posted by timothy on from the to-err-is-corporate dept.

tstorm writes "ConsumerAffairs.com has a warning about Orbitz and their affiliation with a company called MWI. Apparently numerous people who have booked travel through Orbitz are finding unauthorized $9.95 monthly charges on their credit card bills from MWI for membership in a 'discount entertainment service,' despite that fact that MWI doesn't appear to provide any actual product or service. It's also very difficult to opt-out of this membership, some people have gotten refunds for what they were already charged only to have another charge appear the following month."

5 of 65 comments (clear)

  1. this stuff never happens to me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    maybe it's because I

    1) READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS .. people think I'm some kind of dork for reading them all the time (which I am, of course :) but that's where they hide this bullshit. READ IT BEFORE CLICKING!

    2) I use a one-time virtual number from Citibank. Not sure if this can thwart the scam but they seem to do the trick.

    3) READ THE TERMS!

  2. Bastards by elmegil · · Score: 5, Informative

    MWI have been doing this in conjunction with Harris Publishing (aka those idiots who call you up trying to sell you class reunion directories) for a long time. Just WONDERFUL to see Orbitz in bed with them.

    --
    7 November 2006: The day Americans realized corruption and incompetence weren't addressing 11 September 2001
  3. More Info by tstorm · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here is the Orbitz response and the Better Business Bureau's take on the issue.

  4. Just deal with visa instead by Macgyver7017 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If it is difficult to get them to refund your money, contact your bank instead. Usually they will refund the charge and deal with the investigation themselves just on your word that the charge wasn't authorized. Last time this happened with my American Express card, they just said "the charge has been reversed, if we need any forther information we will contact you, otherwise consider it taken care of". Your bank and ultimately visa/mastercard has a lot more leverage with a given buisiness than you. They can threaten to not allow them to process visa/mc/amex transactions if they are the cause of too many fraudulent charges or complaints.

  5. Orbitz Orig Press Release... by sahtanax · · Score: 4, Informative
    Here's the Orbitz side of it... the Original Press Release

    IMHO, Clicking 'yes' 2x and entering your e-mail address, while definitely interactive, is not sufficient enough process to allow sale of your CCard info. I'd prefer an e-mail/reply system, or something more explicit

    --------

    Orbitz Statement on Inaccurate Media Reports Regarding Memberworks (MWI) Connections

    Chicago, IL, April 20, 2004---Orbitz has partnered with MemberWork's Connections program to offer customers increased savings opportunities at America's most popular retailers and restaurants. MemberWorks assures us that it follows National Best Marketing Practices that go far beyond its competitors in pro-consumer protections and the company maintains a "no questions asked" refund policy.

    To ensure Orbitz's customers are aware they are signing up for a paid membership, they must enter their email address twice and click "yes" to enroll in the Connections program. Each step of the sign-up process includes disclosures about the program and how much and when the customer will be billed. Customers who change their minds about membership receive ongoing opportunities from Memberworks to cancel and request a full refund through its "no questions asked" policy.