i just got whacked by MWI Connections for $19.95 and MWI Simply You
for $14.95 starting in 4/may/2004 through 4/july/2004.  i called and
they could not tell me how these charges got on my bank statement or
what the product was.  i spoke to Don at extension #4231.  he said
that he would credit me and that they were cancelled now.  i
continually asked how did this happen.  he continued to say that he
did not know and that someone must be using my credit card.  its on my
bank debit card.  i don't know how this can happen when i never use
that card on any internet transaction.  could you please help me and
others who are being taken.  if you go into google and put this phone
number in; you will see what they are.  800-568-2386.  please help me
with this.  this is crime in the making and they are not going to
stop.  it refers to using aol.  i don't have aol.  what should i do? 
who should i be reporting this to?

Hello anniebee9940-ga,

You've taken the first correct step already, which is calling the
company and disputing the charges.

However, this may not be the company?s fault that charged you, it is
possible to generate random card numbers, which is what someone may
have done that matched your card. There are many reasons this could
have happened, but here are some steps to try to prevent this from
happening to you or others again.

I recommend calling the bank that holds your debit card, disputing the
charges with them, letting them know the situation, and seeing what
they could possibly do to not allow any charges of that nature.

You can also report the company to the Better Business Bureau, and
file a complaint.
http://www.bbb.org/

If this answer requires further explanation, please request
clarification before rating it, and I'll be happy to look into this
further.
Nenna-GA
Google Answers Researcher

Just to repeat what nenna said.

CALL YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY.  Most likely they will issue you a new
card and have it to you with in a day or two.

Furthermore, after charges like this happen it is up to you to
MITIGATE damages.  Meaning that if you don't call your credit card
company and someone continues to use your card, you may be held
responsible.

It costs nothing to issue you a new account number.

There's a form letter that you can use for your BBB letter at this
site: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/scam_alerts/mwi_do.html

The site also lists some ways that the company may have gotten your
information.  Do you use AOL as your ISP? Is it possible that you
clicked on a pop-up through them that you didn't realize? 
http://www.complaints.com/directory/2004/february/10/12.htm mentions
AOL pop-ups as a means of getting your information.

The new worm on the net uses a flaw in Internet Explorer to remote
control users who visit a website infected with this virus/worm.  It
was created and used by a illegal black-hat hacker group that is
russian based, they use the remote connection to collect info(even
encrypted and protected, regardless of firewall or virus protection)
like your credit card #'s, social, bank acounts and routing #'s, such
like that and the posting on MSN news said that the credit card #'s
usually go for $1 to $3 a pop on the black market, and considering
they have HUGE databases of already stolen #'s, the profit margin is
in the upper Millions for them, so play it real safe, do not use IE,
use Mozilla.