Dear BBB,
I just noticed on my credit card statement that I have been charged nine dollars a month for the past three years for a membership in somesort of buyers club that I have never knowingly participated in. Is this some sort of scam and does this mean I am a victim of identity theft?
~ Confused Consumer
A: Confused Consumer,
You are RIGHT to be concerned that you have become thevictim of a credit card scam and the possible loss of your identity. The BBBhas received reports from others who have suddenly one day realized that theyhave been paying for a buyers club membership that they do not recall evertaking advantage of. From what we can tell these membership charges aren’t theresult of a scam or I.D. theft. What most likely has occurred is that you, atsome time, unknowingly signed up and agreed to the terms of the buyers clubmembership. This probably happened when you took advantage of a discount,cashed a coupon or entered a draw. This case is an example of how important itis to ALWAYS carefully read the fine print and to never accept the terms ofagreement without truly being aware of what they are. Another lesson I hope hasbeen learned as well — check your credit card and bank statements on a monthlybasis to make sure you don’t end up paying for products and services that youdon’t want!