At 03:36 AM 8/20/2008, you wrote:
So, I thought it was a good idea do buy Army builder online from lone wolfs homepage. On the last step on the buying process the page told me that it was something wrong with my security code on my credit card and it urged me to try again. So I tried again, still the same error. I thought that it might be something wrong with my credit card so I changed to antoher one. Still the same error.
So I thought well, it didnt work no big deal.
A moment later i loged in to my bank account and there I saw that 39.99 dollar times 3 had been charged on my account. I dont really know what to believe. The page clearly said that it didnt work, and still they charge me for a lincense THREE times? And ofcourse I dont have any license, I just have 120 dollar less on my account.
I did mail lonewolf but I still have not recived an answer. So Im trying my luck here.
Some help would be nice.
I would bet *lots* of money that you used an ATM/debit card instead of a normal credit card for your purchase. I just checked our system and confirmed that we did *NOT* take any money from your account. It's time for you to call your bank and yell at them, since *they* are the ones who need to give you your money back.
Now I'll explain what's going on....
Banks will report charges and authorizations immediately to your account. This allows them to take the money right away and start earning interest on it. However, they will delay as long as possible in reporting when a credit is applied or an authorization is cancelled. This allows them to keep your money as long as possible. With ATM cards, banks are motivated to do this, as they have your money in the checking account already and want to place a hold on it. With credit cards, they don't have the money already, so they aren't motivated in this way.
There is a formalized process for the verification of addresses and security codes when credit card charges are processed. When you submitted your order(s), we obtained an authorization from your bank which "reserved" money from your account - but never actually took that money. A second step is then required from us to either "capture" (i.e. take) the money from your account or "void" the transaction. In each case, your bank reported to our server that they do *not* provide any verification of security codes on transactions when they processed the authorization. So they authorized the charge and told us that they refused to confirm whether or not your card was being used legally or fraudulently. In the interest of security, our server then immediately voided each authorization with your bank, reporting to you that the needed security information could not be verified. Doing this releases the money back to you, but your bank is playing games by delaying the actual release (i.e. to hold onto your money and earn some extra interest on it).
If you contact your bank again, they will be able to verify that each authorization was immediately followed by a subsequent "void" of the transaction, so no funds were ever actually taken from your account. I can also send you the detailed transcripts of the transactions if you require them. What your bank may not admit to you is that their computer systems are not providing the security they advertise to you as a consumer. Although a security code is likely printed on the back of your credit card, their computer doesn't bother to check it when we ask for verification. So merchants are left with the choice of either hoping your card isn't being used fraudulently or erring on the side of safety. Our server uses the latter method (for everyone's protection).
We take these precautions to protect both our customers and ourselves against fraud, which is rampant in internet sales. In situations like this, we then ask you to send us a physical signature or use a different credit card.
Hopefully, the above explanation will be helpful in understanding what's going on. I recommend using your credit card with extreme caution over the internet, since your bank does not provide good security checks against fraud. And I recommend trying an alternate credit card, if available, to complete your order using our system. If you don't have another credit card, please mail us a signed order form (link below) and we'll process your order right away.
http://www.wolflair.com/download/ab/ab_purchase.pdf
If you have additional questions about how this all works or need any additional information when contacting your bank, let us know and we'll be happy to provide whatever you need.
Thanks, Rob
