And 99% of those people disputing the charges actually did use the site, it's just that their wives found out what it was and they denied it.

@MeSoHornsby: Actually, they charged *me* (the wife). However, here in my house we have a saying: If you're paying for porn, you're doing it wrong.

Who pays for porn anymore?

H@jurijuri: Any idea how they got your Credit Card number?

How are they getting credit card or bank info out of people?

@Jubilance22: I thinks its probably a trojan or some other spyware, keylogger thing. You'd be suprised how easy it is to get this stuff. You mis-type jcrew as jcerw, then the the website mirrors jcrew's and before you know it yes, you are going to receive that nice red cardigan but some other charges as well.

Actually, it was not our credit card number they got, but our checking account and bank routing numbers they used to forge an electronic check. I'm surprised, as I'm very careful about shredding anything that might possibly contain those numbers. Maybe we need to invest in a better shredder.

Anyways, the fact that it was a check is how we caught it -- a check appeared in our statement, when we never use it for anything other than debit transactions. When I get the account changed over, I'm going to ask them if it is possible to deny ALL check/EFT transactions on the account.

That "guilty until proven innocent" style comment was out of line, incidentally, and shows exactly the sort of attitude the scammers are hoping for -- shaming innocent people into accepting the fraudulent charges for fear of being judged. Frankly, as my wife noted, the embarrassing part is the implication that anybody would PAY for porn on the Internet. That seems like paying for sand while standing on a beach.

I wonder if this is the same fraud ring that was making the rounds a few months ago charging smaller amounts ($9.99-12.99) to people using fake company names (such as Sensate, ATALA DESIGNS, etc) and fake ebook and website template sites. That ring would periodically change the business type they would charge people using, so it wouldn't surprise me if they moved on to 'e-magazine subscriptions'. There is an ongoing saga about them detailed here: [www.dslreports.com]

Recently my credit card company called me about some charges. It turned out that with in 6 hours of me ordering some electronics from 2 different discount electronics sites. Somebody tried to register for some pay websites. It happens.

@RedShirt: Your post appears (at least for now) directly next to the Fleshbot sidebar link... Nicely done.

@Jubilance22:

I learned how just this week while disputing a fraudulent charge on my checking account from "EST Company".

I some cases merchants can SELL, ccard numbers to other merchants they have a relationship with. Its perfectly legal, I was told from the fraud department at Bank of America!!

@jdhuck: That's the thing - they didn't get my CC number. They got my checking account information and posted an e-check. I have no idea how they got it, since we never use checks out of that account.

I had this happen to me. I called up and threatened a chargeback, telling the woman (who had a Caribbean accent) that there's no way in hell a gay man would EVER go to hotyoungcunts.com. She reversed charges but fast!

@jurijuri: Do you ever do business online with that account? I know paypal often uses e-checks, and if there was a security breach with a site that you do business with, it could explain the problem.

No Honey, I have no idea what those charges are for. wink*wink*

@jurijuri: Is it possible they simply generate RANDOM account numbers (knowing the correct number of digits for that bank) plus bank routing number (routing numbers are common knowledge), post e-checks as you said = go for a 10% success rate and viola, free money?

@Hohoemi: A ring like that (or could be that one) got me for $0.10. That's right - they did a fraudulent charge on my debit card for an entire 10 cents. The guy at the bank seemed to think they're trying random numbers and random amounts under $15.

@Difdi: I wondered that too. The only place that has that info is PayPal, like you said; however, I haven't sent out an e-check in years. I wonder if what usa_gatekeeper said below is what happened.

@GoVegan: Hint: read the first comment and thread. Your little joke's already been posted and responded to.

What I'm wondering is...can't they trace the money back and bust them (assuming they are in the US)?

Happened to me and I just got back from the bank! I am a woman and I did NOT use the site (for all you people that are giving others the old "wink wink"!). They didn't use my CC number, but my checking account number!!! I just got done closing the check account (what a hassle) and filing a police report to give to the bank. All this over $39.99. I am really ticked off!!!!

when I called about a refund they told me sure no problem and advised me to contact me bank because of fraudulent use. they told me this had to be ordered by computer which is really funny because this is for my 85 year old father that wouldn't know a computer from a typewriter-- he doesn't have either by the way.