I do not know how to word this problem without divulging some information

I need to no how to stop FREEWEBLAND,INC. charging me every month for a service
that is not wanted.

Respectfully Submitted,  jimjam-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by missy-ga on 28 Mar 2003 17:30 PST

Hello jimjam,

To help me help you, I need a little information from you.  We can try
to get this straightened around without you providing personal data.

First, check your credit card statement.  Is there a telephone number
listed next to the entry for FREEWEBLAND,INC.?  If there is, what is
it?

Next, did you sign up for a service with this company?  If yes, what
is the URL of the service you signed up with?  I've searched on [
"FREEWEBLAND,INC." ] and [ "FREE WEBLAND,INC." ], and have only come
up with a Fax service.

Last, who is your credit card provider?  I don't need your account
number or your name, just the name of your credit card company (like
Citibank or Bank of America, etc.)

--Missy

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Clarification of Question by jimjam-ga on 28 Mar 2003 18:29 PST

It was not a credit card transaction.  It was a check authorization
for $1.00
I received an e-mail offer regarding a free web site for free   It
turned out
to be some type of a porno page  (I had authorized the orignal
transaction for
$1.00) I signed and forgot about it.  Later in reviewing my checking
account
I noticed the original charge for $1.00 on 3/18/03,  however there was
an additional charge of $39.95 on 3/21/03.  I checked with my bank and
they had
no procedure to cancell my authorized withdrawals unless I issued a
"stop payment order at a charge of $29.50 at the first of each month
if I was concerned that they would continue to charge me each month.  
do not have any
other information other than the name Freewebland, Inc. listed in my
check
register.  I realize that this is difficult so if there is any further
charges I am willing to pay them to resolve this stupid mess I got
myself into.
Respectfully Submitted,
jimjam-ga

Jimjam, 

Under the Federal Electronic Fund Transfer Act, your rights to stop
payment on this activity are limited:

"When you use an electronic fund transfer, the EFT Act does not give
you the right to stop payment. If your purchase is defective or if
your order is not delivered, it is up to you to resolve the problem
with the seller and get your money back -- just as if you had paid
cash.

There is one situation, however, in which you can stop payment. If you
have arranged regular payments out of your account to third parties,
such as life insurance companies, you can stop payment if you notify
your institution at least three business days before the scheduled
transfer. The notice may be oral or written, but the institution may
require a written follow-up to be made within 14 days of the oral
notice. Your failure to provide the written follow-up ends the
institution's responsibility to stop payment. This right to stop
payment does not apply to mortgage or loan payments you owe to the
institution that issued the EFT access device.

Although federal law provides only limited rights to stop payment,
individual financial institutions may offer more rights or state laws
may require them. If this feature is important to you, you may want to
shop around to be sure you are getting the best "stop payment" terms
available."

Electronic Banking - Limited Stop-Payment Privileges
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/elbank.htm

What this means is that in order to permanently cancel the "service",
you must contact the company that is charging you and cancel your EFT
authorization.  Until such time that you do so, you must notify your
bank in writing to stop payment before *each* impending transfer, and
pay all fees associated with each stop payment order.

Your bank should be able to provide you with the contact information
for the company that is debiting your account.  You'll need to stop by
your branch and ask a teller to pull the documentation for the
transfer - you are entitled to this documentation under the EFT Act,
which requires paper documentation for all electronic transfers into
and out of your account.  Your bank may charge you a fee to provide
you with this information, you'll need to check your bank's EFT
disclosures.  If you do not have a copy of your bank's EFT
disclosures, they are required by law to provide you with a copy upon
request.

While it's true that banks can't permanently stop selected authorized
transactions from occurring, your bank should have a procedure for
freezing *all* electronic activity on your account.  Unfortunately,
this means electronic deposits as well as direct debits.

You have a few options:  

-- freeze all electronic transactions (very bad if you have Direct
Deposit and pay your bills online or through ACH transfers)
-- issue a stop payment each month on a specified transaction
(expensive)
-- get your account numbers changed (inconvenient, but allows you to
resume your Direct Deposit/Bill Pay services).

Speak with your branch manager and explain the situation in detail. 
Be certain to note that you signed up for a "free" offer, and are now
being charged.  S/he should offer to change your account numbers
immediately.  If s/he doesn't, *ask* for this.  You'll need to then
contact your employer and resubmit your direct deposit information, as
well as make any necessary arrangements with any companies you're
paying by EFT (such as car, mortgage or utility payments).

If your bank refuses to change your account number, you're best
advised to immediately close your account and take your business
elsewhere.

I hope this information is helpful to you.  If you need further
assistance, please ask for clarification, and I'll be glad to help.

Good luck with your bank!

--Missy

Search terms [ "electronic transfer" stop ]