UnIdentified Charge

[Mortis]

Greetings. I am posting this here as I think it fits this forum. If this is the inproper place- please let me know.

I just checked up on some online statements and on 4/16 I was charged 19.95 by "Cybernet *Venture" - no quotes. I contacted the bank who issued the card and questioned who and what this is... so I have started the paper work chain and am disputing. I would like to know if anyone here knows what this is and is there a way that I can go about trying to find what it is on the net? I have two Internet Accounts that I get billed for- one is ATT Cable for myself and the other is a local ISP that I pay for for my G/F. I spoke with both- they said they dont know. I asked my G/F if she could have done anything on the net that could result in my automatic billing- she stated not that she is aware of. I have done a God/Google Search for the above and was unable to locate anything specific... or atleast anything that "should" have my card number. Ideas, input and/or suggestions are appreciated- if one entity has one of my card numbers for unapproved billing, then another could...

Thanks,
Mortis

[osprey4]

If you have a back-up card, I'd request your CC company not to accept any charges without signature or phone authorization. They should be able to do that immediately.

We've had a couple credit card fraud issues and neither was due to on-line transactions. In one case, a card was stolen by postal workers and used without the card being "activated", a concept I no longer have any faith in.

John

[crystaldragon]

Found 'em! They are an internet billing company "label". The first hit came up advertising them as a "discreet" billing name for "Adultcheck" memberships

Ran the search through copernic and the trick was no asterisk and no space between the two words.

[Mortis]

Thanks CD- I did this also, but thought- No Way... not possible. As soon as I saw the erroneous charge, I thought "sex site" because of the word Cyber and immediately started to get fired up. I asked the bank about this possibility, they informed me that it was possible, but it looked like it was an authorized MONTHLY billing (where as one time fees show up somehow different). To sign up for a MONTHLY subscription of something- someONE would need my card number vs a one time visitation fee.

Hmmmm..... Interesting. Well, if this is the Case, then I have more work to do- Time to fire up the swinging over head light in an empty little room with a chair and question one young man and possibly a G/F (lol).

However, seriously- Any charges occured while online would need to be billed through my ISP- Right? If someone/something didnt have my permission or charge number- than that would have to be routed through my ISP- No? I dont understand and am starting to jump to conclusions out of anger/frustration. I plan to interrogate, but have to wait until more information becomes available.

I am going to try and be optimistic hoping that this is not the case- any other possiblities?

Thanks,
Mortis

EDIT: I emailed Adult Check requesting information and a Contact Phone Number. Called the Bank back and informed them of this information and requested that it immediately be removed from my card and am going to the Lumber Yard to pick up a sturdy 2x4 to beat someone with (or atleast threaten him and tell him that he should not do this from my computer or my house- then if chooses to browse... try newsgroups! There free! As for how he used my card? I am not sure- but will get to the bottum of that!).

Thanks Again. Time to lock the comps and do some grounding.

[Mortis]

Thanks CD! Just got off the phone with Adult Check and They *!!!DID!!!* have my card number and it was billed in APRIL! They are refunding the fee. GRRRRRRRR!

Now, how to deal with the trust issue and the unapproved use and in some ways theft of my Card Number. Curiousity- dont want to stifle that and want to support it in a healthy manner... but need to distinguish the "theft" and curiousity. GRRRRRRR! This is why I dont plan to have kids (youth in question is my junior partner- kinda like big brothers big sisters).

Mortis

[jman01pa]

Nice job on the research. I ddidnt understand what you posted. Do you think it is someone within your household or business or some freak from the net?


J

[cstierhoff]

Mortis,
Sad to hear this about someone you trust but Adult sites can be enticing to young minds. Have you searched your HD for cookies and or leftover files in the IE temp/cache folders? Sometimes kids know enough to use the CC #'s and not enough to erase their footprints.
Good luck with the interrogation and the discipline.

cstierhoff

[Mortis]

I "think" it was a young man (16yrs) that I work with- provide services to and am also a friend/role model to. Whether it was done from my house or his- I am not sure. He has netzero at his house (I installed it for him) and I know he has an active interest in the opposite sex - ofcourse. I have also informed him, because he has asked and I am not a prude of a free site that I know of that he can visit (with his mother's knowledge)- but it is what I would consider a "soft" site- kinda like playboy- nothing hardcore. But, there is links at that site as there always is... maybe natural curiousity led to temptation (hence my card). He is at my house atleast every other week- just here on Friday night past (gaming). To be honest, I dont want to outright accuse him- as I work with lots of youth who are resourceful . At this pt, I can not know for sure- but know that *I* did not sign up for it.

I have done some reading about "Adult Check"- it is claimed as an online age verification tool, but what it really appears to be is a membership subscription to enter THEIR paid sites- a Network of Adult Sites... It even has different levels- normal, gold and platinum (not sure what the different levels get ya).

So- If anyone sees this Charge appear, this is what it is.

Mortis

EDIT: Yea CST, I may have to start keeping an eye on my cookies. I normally dont search them but constantly keep up with system maintenance- including cookies, history and temp files (use system mechanics utilities). I have a home network and NoOne uses my machine... but several use my Second Gaming system to play with and browse the net. It could have been done from my house- but I am always here when others are and am usually in the same room gaming with whoever is here. So, I supect it was done out of my home... but, who knows. I have a card by my machine in my cd-rack that I use for online purchases and it was the card used for the "purchase." I have already cancelled it .

I have done similar things in my youth- bad choice, not a bad person. So, I need to turn this into a learning experience with whomever is responsible and stress how it affected me and my trust toward that person. I will also let whomever responsible read this post so that they know- all things get figured out .

I have done some reading about "Adult Check"- it is claimed as an online age verification tool, but what it really appears to be is a membership subscription to enter THEIR paid sites- a Network of Adult Sites... It even has different levels- normal, gold and platinum (not sure what the different levels get ya).

So- If anyone sees this Charge appear, this is what it is.

Mortis [/B]

yes that is exaclty what is. Not that i have personal experience with that