I just discovered a recurring $15.99 charge my card, courtesy stamps.com which charged me to use the service. Even though I remember signing up for the service to buy stamps, I don’t remember agreeing to pay $15.99 or having got a single email that my credit card was charged.
I don’t remember an email notifying that my trial period got over. Or an invoice or some kind of billing alert each month. Nothing. I don’t remember seeing anything tangible anyone would get out of signing up for this service. They give you free downloadable printer software. they give you the ability to buy postage. Nothing else. I checked out their help section, videos etc. They explain about USPS and how to order stamps online in an elaborate fashion. There’s nothing much there, really.
If this is not a scam, what else would this be?
Here’s how the scam works.
Users signup for the service without clear information on how much they are going to be charged.
Step 1:
Step 2: I highlighted the language in green. Notice, “If you continue..” doesn’t this require consent to continue?
And you’d think that you’ll get a notification before they start charging you, right?
Nope. Here are all the emails..
Lets look at the 5 page sign up email
Page 1: No information on charges
Page 2: No informaiton on charges
Page 3: I definitely overlooked page 3.
What exactly was I getting in return for $15.99 a month?
Ability to print stamps? Wasn’t I able to do that for free at USPS.com?
Page 4: We get automatic address cleansing..I see. But I have no idea why that is of value for me and why it needs $15.99 a month.
Page 5: Ever seen a 5 page sign up email? Here you go.
It is surprising that in this day and age, such scams operate openly. I have as as next step, raised a complaint with stamps.com. Waiting to see how this pans out.
Update:
Stamps.com first charged me additional for a month (for cancellation for their scam service).
Spent 30 mins on their call centre threatening legal action plus that I will ensure that the tech bloggers will know and will write about the scam spurred them to action. They refunded all money collected thus far.
While I am happy, I still think that stamps.com is still a scam and that there are probably half a million gullible souls (according to their call center agent) out there who are paying $15.99 for no reason at all.
