Author Topic: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud  (Read 2974 times)

Offline TzviR

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2020
  • Posts: 668
  • Total likes: 665
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
    • [b]Learn to play for a kumzits in 5 weeks!
  • Location: Fl
Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« on: January 19, 2021, 09:26:41 PM »
I recently purchased an iPhone 11 with an iCloud lock on it.
A friend recommended me to use iphoneimei.net to unlock the phone. I tried paying the $41 fee with my chase debit card (yes I know that using a debit card was my first mistake :-[) and received a text from Chase saying:
Quote from: Chase SMS
Chase Fraud: We declined $41.99 with card ending ---- at NCX*D UNLOCK LTD USD.
Was this you? Reply YES or NO. If yes, you will not be charged unless you try again. If no, we will close your current card and send you a new one.
I replied yes, went through the purchase again and my card was charged. (not sure if that text should have been a red flag for me that the company is fake, would love to hear what others think, for the future)

On Monday morning I received an email saying that they couldn't unlock the phone, and they would give me a voucher to their site. They included a screenshot from their T&C somewhere in the middle in the fine print which said that in my particular case they would only give a voucher and not refund to my card.

Now my question is can I go ahead and dispute this transaction;
1. I approved the transaction when Chase asked if it was fraud
2. It apparently says in their T&C that they don't need to refund me
On the other hand, they promised to deliver goods that they never delivered.

I am going to send an email to the company asking them to refund it, but I am not expecting a refund at this point.
I think my only real option at this point is to acknowledge I got scammed and move on.
My question is, am I able to dispute the charge?

(I looked around before posting but didn't see a thread for this, If it belongs on a different thread please direct me there :D)

Also if anybody knows of a way to get through iCloud lock- that THEY themselves have tried, and it worked successfully I would love to know about it.

My  prizes from CV :)

Offline CardNut

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Jan 2021
  • Posts: 11
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: USA
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2021, 10:49:02 PM »
Go ahead and request a refund from the merchant via email and call if possible if they don't respond in a reasonable amount of time.  And keep the email to show you did your due diligence in trying to work with the merchant if Chase questions it. If the merchant does not refund, definitely dispute the charge with Chase. The merchant did not deliver the service you paid for.

Offline SearchGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 6254
  • Total likes: 205
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 103
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn exodus
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2021, 11:54:57 PM »
I got scared when I saw the title... $42... meh

Offline TzviR

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2020
  • Posts: 668
  • Total likes: 665
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
    • [b]Learn to play for a kumzits in 5 weeks!
  • Location: Fl
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2021, 12:24:16 AM »
Go ahead and request a refund from the merchant via email and call if possible if they don't respond in a reasonable amount of time.  And keep the email to show you did your due diligence in trying to work with the merchant if Chase questions it. If the merchant does not refund, definitely dispute the charge with Chase. The merchant did not deliver the service you paid for.
ok thanks will try this

My  prizes from CV :)

Offline TzviR

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2020
  • Posts: 668
  • Total likes: 665
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
    • [b]Learn to play for a kumzits in 5 weeks!
  • Location: Fl
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2021, 12:28:34 AM »
I got scared when I saw the title... $42... meh
lol couldn't think of a good title, finally just put that down....still not fun to get scammed, but b"h not a big purchase.

My  prizes from CV :)

Offline Yo ssi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Aug 2019
  • Posts: 6657
  • Total likes: 2588
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 60
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2021, 01:12:55 AM »
It seems your chances via the company are slim
_    ,
' )  /
 /  / __   _   _   o
(__/_(_)  /_)_/_)_<_
 //
(/

Offline TzviR

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2020
  • Posts: 668
  • Total likes: 665
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
    • [b]Learn to play for a kumzits in 5 weeks!
  • Location: Fl
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2021, 01:24:55 AM »
It seems your chances via the company are slim
figured, just thought if I threatened to dispute they may think twice. Thanks for the link ( I probably should have done much more research on this company before giving them my money, It was 45 min before shabbos and I was rushing)
Do you think I can just dispute the charge with chase?

My  prizes from CV :)

Offline Yo ssi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Aug 2019
  • Posts: 6657
  • Total likes: 2588
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 60
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2021, 01:32:39 AM »
Do you think I can just dispute the charge with chase?
Yes sure.
_    ,
' )  /
 /  / __   _   _   o
(__/_(_)  /_)_/_)_<_
 //
(/

Offline YitzyS

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 5552
  • Total likes: 13695
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 34
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood, NJ
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2021, 01:44:57 AM »
What about calling the bank and being very open with them. Tell them the whole story and ask them if you can dispute it. I never tried it, but I would imagine it's the safest way to do it.

Offline gozalim

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Oct 2008
  • Posts: 4255
  • Total likes: 812
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2021, 03:55:39 PM »
It seems your chances via the company are slim
Do you think I can just dispute the charge with chase?
the premise of the previous suggestion wasn't that they'd refund you, but mainly
Go ahead and request a refund from the merchant via email and call if possible if they don't respond in a reasonable amount of time.  And keep the email to show you did your due diligence in trying to work with the merchant if Chase questions it. If the merchant does not refund, definitely dispute the charge with Chase. The merchant did not deliver the service you paid for.

Offline TzviR

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2020
  • Posts: 668
  • Total likes: 665
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
    • [b]Learn to play for a kumzits in 5 weeks!
  • Location: Fl
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2021, 03:59:02 PM »
the premise of the previous suggestion wasn't that they'd refund you, but mainly
I sent them an email today, waiting for a response.  How long do I wait for a response before calling chase? 24 hours good?

My  prizes from CV :)

Offline CardNut

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Jan 2021
  • Posts: 11
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: USA
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2021, 06:46:29 PM »
I sent them an email today, waiting for a response.  How long do I wait for a response before calling chase? 24 hours good?

Yeah, call them tomorrow. Leave a message if they don't answer. Good chance they won't answer. If you still don't hear back by Friday,  contact Chase and let them know you emailed and called and got no response.

The fact that your purchase tripped the fraud detection mechanism has no bearing on your outcome. I got a fraud alert by ordering a pizza a few days ago (which wasn't fraud).

Chase may ask you for their email address and phone number and may try to contact them as well before pushing your claim through.

Offline TzviR

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2020
  • Posts: 668
  • Total likes: 665
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
    • [b]Learn to play for a kumzits in 5 weeks!
  • Location: Fl
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2021, 08:10:05 PM »
Yeah, call them tomorrow. Leave a message if they don't answer. Good chance they won't answer. If you still don't hear back by Friday,  contact Chase and let them know you emailed and called and got no response.

The fact that your purchase tripped the fraud detection mechanism has no bearing on your outcome. I got a fraud alert by ordering a pizza a few days ago (which wasn't fraud).

Chase may ask you for their email address and phone number and may try to contact them as well before pushing your claim through.
I dont believe they have a phone number to call but I emailed them so hopefully that will be enough. Thanks for your help

My  prizes from CV :)

Offline PlatinumGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 14958
  • Total likes: 2421
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2021, 08:59:58 PM »
Generally a company like that will already have a high chargeback ratio and you'll automatically win the dispute.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline AsherO

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 30K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 30533
  • Total likes: 7829
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 79
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2021, 11:41:31 PM »
Generally a company like that will already have a high chargeback ratio and you'll automatically win the dispute.

OP used a debit card...
100% of Likes will be donated to support our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael

Offline PlatinumGuy

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 14958
  • Total likes: 2421
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #15 on: January 20, 2021, 11:45:31 PM »
OP used a debit card...
Doesn’t make that much of a difference
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline AsherO

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 30K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 30533
  • Total likes: 7829
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 79
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #16 on: January 20, 2021, 11:54:37 PM »
Doesn’t make that much of a difference

Didn’t realize it was that easy to file a non-fraud chargeback using a debit card.
100% of Likes will be donated to support our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael

Offline CardNut

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Jan 2021
  • Posts: 11
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: USA
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #17 on: January 21, 2021, 08:32:09 PM »
I dont believe they have a phone number to call but I emailed them so hopefully that will be enough. Thanks for your help

Well doing the best you can trying to work it out yourself with the merchant is all they are asking for. And if email is all you have, you did all you can. Banks want you to do that first, and then they will handle it.

Offline TzviR

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2020
  • Posts: 668
  • Total likes: 665
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
    • [b]Learn to play for a kumzits in 5 weeks!
  • Location: Fl
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #18 on: January 21, 2021, 11:53:18 PM »
Update: I disputed the charge today, and they will look into it and get back to me within 35 days or something like that.(and they credited my acct in the mean time)

My  prizes from CV :)

Offline CardNut

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Jan 2021
  • Posts: 11
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: USA
Re: Disputing charge on a purchase that bank verifies isn't fraud
« Reply #19 on: January 22, 2021, 11:55:30 AM »
Update: I disputed the charge today, and they will look into it and get back to me within 35 days or something like that.(and they credited my acct in the mean time)

Good to hear. You should win the dispute, but we'll see. I think you will.