Online Casino Chargebacks

[KKing]

Back in March I played at an onlne casino and won, having a payout processed and deposited into my account. In August I deposited 100.00 again at this casino and lost. No big deal, or so I thought. When my credit card bill came, there were over $2300.00 in charges from a merchant that my credit card company identified as an online electronics store from singapore. Not to mention another $800.00 in charges last month.

I initiated a chargeback through the credit card company for the charges, but I didn't tell them about the casino because the casino charge was not on my bill at all, though I suspect it was the online casino that charged up my account. There was not even a charge for the $100.00, or the casino name listed anywhere on the bill.

Now my main question is, when I withdrew from this casino in March I had to email/fax back a fax-back form, picture ID, and copies of my cards used at the site before they would process the withdrawal. The only date on this form is the one next to my signature. If they send this form to the credit card company will I be liable for these fraudulent charges that occured after the form was signed? The form clearly stated casino on it, so I am led to believe that they won't implicate themselves with the credit card company, but I am so scared that I will be stuck with this debt, or worse, be thrown in jail or something. Any suggestions?

[KeyWestDan]

Are you dense? This has already been answered in another thread. How many people here to you think have any clue about this?

Make the so-called store in Singapore prove they shipped you the merchandise. You were stupid to provide personal information like that to an online casino. Whatever happens you deserve.

P.S. It has NOTHING to do with criminal charges. It should not even be in this forum. Just how stupid are you?

[KKing]

I forgot to say that I live in FL.

[stoic]

This could be a little more complex, in that the party in question is all the way over in
Singapore.

What exactly was on that form that you faxed? Did you read all of the fine print?

[Mr. Knowitall]

My suspicion is that the casino places the charges as a merchant in order to try to circumvent U.S. laws against online casinos. For now, I'll take you at your word that the charges were not valid - or, should I say, were greater than what you authorized.

With your having disputed the charges, the vendor in Singapore will have to try to validate them. If they wish to try to defend the charges against your dispute, they'll use whatever you sent, plus whatever records they have (e.g., shipping records) to try to establish that you did in fact make the charges.

Meanwhile, ask your credit card company to issue you a card with a new number, or at least with a new verification number on the back.

[KKing]

My bank has already closed the account and is sending me a new card.

As for the merchant, I don't see what kind of records they could send to the bank, since nothing was purchased from them. The form I signed only gave persission for the casino to charge my account, not launder the money through a third party processing merchant. Since it's illegal for the casino to charge my card under the UIGEA, the signature is void, right? How long would a signature be good for anyway. I mean if I order something and sign a form, does that give them perission to charge whatever they want to my card for all eternity.

Also, I have asked the casino to produce this document, and they are claiming they don't have it, or any document like it.

Upon further internet research, I found a document released by mastercard this year which states that any merchant that is participating in a crime, or intentionally misleading the bank will be investigated and forced to refund the money. So I am thinking this is what will happen.

[Scott67]

An additional thought. While the timing and circumstances appear to point to the casino, and I personally consider all on-line casino's to be suspect, you don't actually know that the casino is the entity that passed your card number and charge information to the merchant. You may have a different information leak.

You've done the right thing with the credit card company, but it is probably worthwhile to think over your other transactions for the timeframe and see if there is another that may be the culprit.

[KKing]

I'm pretty sure its the casino. I've never really used that card for anything else. Plus there is only one merchant listed on my bill. If it wasn't the casino, then there should be more than one merchant listed since I did make a deposit with them. I'm just kinda scared that the authorities will get involved since the charges are over $3000. I mean, at what point do you think a red flag goes up.

Also in re: to Stoic - even if the form gave permission for the casino to charge through a third party - does that make it anymore legal? Isn't a contract that goes against public law void. It's illegal for the casino to mask the charges as anything other than what they are. And there is no other proof that this merchant could possibly send the credit card company asides from that form.

Ugh, what a pain this all is.

[KKing]

I am wondering if I can include a debt validation letter with the affidavit to my credit card company; or specifically state that I refuse to accept the charges without verification of products purchased, shipped, and received.
I am pretty sure that the casino has a copy of my credit card on file - as it was required for the withdrawal; and I am not sure if they will send this to the credit card company to validate the charges. I don't think they have a signature on file at this point, atleast one that is less than a year old.

Does anyone know the specifics of what a merchant must furnish to verify a charge?

Can I require a debt validation with my affidavit? Or alteast proof of purchase?

[aaron]

The requirements for verification vary with the merchant's contract.