I got scammed, I'm not sure what to do....Help me please?

Question

There is a reputable mineral makeup company called Raw Minerals.

A month ago, I saw an ad on the homepage of Yahoo! for a free 30-day trial ($4.95 shipping) of RAW. I assumed it being Yahoo!, that the company was legit - no, it was a poser company - Intelligent Beauty LLC apparently changed one of their things' name to Raw Minerals/Signature Raw after the REAL Raw Minerals gained popularity.

BUT I didn't find this out until after I had given them my credit card information.

I read the Terms carefully and the base of it was; return the containers even if empty within 30 days after calling for a return number, and they will not charge the $100 or send me anything else.

I called the number after 20 days - "We're sorry, you have reached a number which has been disconnected and is no longer in service."

I try again a few times. Same deal. I log into the website. Says to call.

Now it's been 31 days and I checked my bank account - $100 has been taken from them. I logged into the site again. "You have no shipments or orders scheduled."

I know it's "only $100" - but being 16 years old, having no job, and needing the money for books for another semester in college - it's a big deal to me - and now that they have my credit card number, they can do this every 30 days....

I have no idea what to do.

Can I use the fact that I'm a minor to my advantage somehow (I live in California, pretty sure no contract with a minor is valid here)?

What do I do?

I'm kind of panicking.....

Thanks

Answer 1

Please start by contacting your local law enforcement agency immediately.  Good luck.

Answer 2

First, if you are 16, how did you get a credit card and how can you be held accountable.

Second, you are in college at 16, you should be more careful or more honest.

Answer 3

obviously call card company and block any future deductions from this company.  they may also refund you.  maybe.

what are you, at 16, doing spending $100 dollars on a jar of makeup?

Answer 4

Talk to your bank immediately ( take your father along).

The bank has debited your account for an amount that you did not authorize.  

They are absolutely not allowed to do that.

They should reverse the entry and they can if you jump on them hard enough.

Make sure you give them written notice.  If necessary, go to the local media with the story and, as a last resort, you could sue them in Small Claims for it.

Answer 5

Call the credit card company and dispute the charge.

Also see if your city or the state's secretary of state office has a consumer affairs division. They may be able to help you.