STAMPS.COM...eKKK! -IT'S RESOLVED!!!-

[Anonymous]

So about four years ago I signed up for Stamps.com. After two months of not using it, I canceled.

Today, I went and checked an olllllddd e-mail account (haven't checked it in a long time) and saw a slew of stamps.com e-mails syaing my credit card expired and I have a balance of $475!

Since I assumed it was canceled so long ago and I stopped using this old e-mail account I haven't seen any of these bills! However, they've charged me this whole time!

What do I do? I have a feeling if I call they will simply demand I pay it and unfortunately, I can't find any of the documentation regarding my cancellation - it was four  years ago - I've lived dorms at the time - who knows were anything went! Luckily, none of this has been reported to the CRAS - but I'm unsure if it even will...I never provided them with my ss: # or anything (at least I don't think).

This is just really upsetting because I've been getting bills on an e-mail account I haven't used in years and I really did cancel this service so long ago. I have no idea what to do?

Message Edited by pjriverap on 10-29-2007 12:44 PM

[SmartCookie]

I just read their FAQ, which might have been different years ago but now says 'cancel anytime, no cancellation fees, 4 week trial, no long term commitment' etc.

I would want to take care of it and I think I would start with a very brief email to them that simply states that you cancelled this account years ago and upon re-opening the old email account that was related to it, you discovered that they did not process correctly it as you see a balance.   Just ask them to please explain what happened and assure you that it is now corrected.  Simple is better. 

Hopefully they will respond letting you know that all is now well.  If not... well we will see.

[SmartCookie]

Also read their termination terms here:   http://stamps.com/conditions/  so that you know how to respond to any claims of theirs that you had a delinquent account and were therefor assessed fees.

"This was their error, not yours".

[Anonymous]

Hmmmmm.....tough deal, especially with no original supporting documentation, to back up your case.

A.)Apparently charges continued accruing after you closed the account. My question is:
1.) were these charges only due to monthly service fees/late payment fees/interest fees, that could have accumulated in a dormant account?
2.) or were they usage fees(account activity after you stopped using it)?

B.) An observation: If they sent you paper statements via snailmail, and you moved and left no forwarding address, then the statements probably got sucked into the black hole of the "undeliverable mail" dept. of the U.S.P.S. Which resulted in the only way they could contact you was via the email addy you gave them, which is apparently still valid.

C.) Shame on you for not checking a valid email address you have, that you used for personal business. ('Nuff said)

I'd say start a file of all the emails you got from them, after you stopped checking it. As it hasn't hit your CR (yet), be prepared that it may. If it does, dispute as "not mine", do a DV letter, and make them prove their case. If they do, then PFD.(you could do that anyway, even if it doesn't show up on CR.

Not much help, I know, but I don't know what else to suggest. Good luck

[Anonymous]

Thanks all - I'll guess I'll start with an e-mail.

[Anonymous]

I just checked the website again and found this:

"ACCOUNT DELINQUENCY: In the event your service fees are delinquent for three months or longer, your account may be subject to closure or suspension by Stamps.com, in its discretion. In the event of any closure of your account as a result of unpaid service fees, Stamps.com shall charge a $25.00 processing fee related to this account closure. "

Doesn't this mean they should have closed my account years ago?

[Anonymous]

It means they "COULD" have closed the account. It's at their discretion.

And they opted not to close it so they could keep billing you for services you did not use. That's disgusting, imo.

What kind of commitments did you make with them to get the service? Like a contract or something?

[Anonymous]

I didn't sign/agree to any contract and I remember canceling during the first two weeks, because I never got the software to work!!

I'm nervous about calling after seeing other posts on different forums. It seems its impossible to get a hold of a supervisor and when you do, they seem to be very unfriendly and rude. This really stinks! I feel stuck.

[SmartCookie]

Not sure if you are able to tell if they are still billing you or if that was the final bill with the penalty included.  If their emails to you have the account number that would be helpful to you but I wouldn't access your old account though to find out.  They should be able to locate your account by email anyway. 

Don't worry about bringing the delinquency information into play, but you do have to start somewhere with this.  Just keep it very simple and brief, stick to the your facts... and see what happens.  Don't drive yourself crazy with a big email to them defending yourself.

Simple simple...

Dear sir/madam:

Upon reactivating an old email account of mine I have come to find bills for an account I had with you some years ago.  This account was supposed to have been cancelled as I had requested with you approximately 2 weeks into the trial period as I could not get your software to work on my computer. 

I am obviously concerned as to why this account is still active and would like stamps.com to kindly correct this error which as well includes an incorrect balance.  I was not supposed to have been charged anything at all as the trial was supposedly 'no risk'. 

And then optionally:

The credit card that this was billed to was cancelled around that time as well, so I would be fine with this balance just being zeroed out since there is no active card for any credits to be applied to.

Thank you,

XXX

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I wouldn't push for a refund check though I'd be tempted.  Just use this as a basis.  Hopefully they will just settle the complaints in this email and not come back with a no... but this should be a fine start.

Message Edited by SmartCookie on 10-24-2007 02:21 PM

[haulingthescoreup]

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@SmartCookie wrote:

... I think I would start with a very brief email to them that simply states that you cancelled this account years ago and upon re-opening the old email account that was related to it, you discovered that they did not process correctly it as you see a balance. Just ask them to please explain what happened and assure you that it is now corrected. Simple is better.

Hopefully they will respond letting you know that all is now well.

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I REALLY like the tone of this sample letter, and of Sylviatob's. Project that tone of mild surprise that they have made this mess, and your calm expectation that they will clean it up properly. No drama. It's also possible, depending on what info they have on you, that the g.mail address (or whatever it is) is a complete dead end. But I would have troubled sleep, waiting for them to hunt me down.

Who knows if a human is even involved? This could be HAL, back on Earth and set to a new task.