11 replies to this topic

[HelperGuy]

Counting me, three people I know in the last couple of months have received a $7 charge on their credit cards for something called "Movies Mexico". This happened for each of us the day after we booked flights on United. These bookings were on different cards, done weeks apart, for different flights. United told us we must have watched in-flight movies... yet none of us had actually taken our flights at the time.

MasterCard insisted on cancelling and reissuing my card, calling it attempted fraud. United, after I sent them proof, sent me a travel voucher, as they appeared to agree with me that someone was in their database who shouldn't be.

The day of the return trip, for each of us, another $7 charge appeared on all of our cards.

I am once again bringing it up with United, for the same reasons. Imagine a thousand people booking a day, and 500 of them don't notice a little $7 charge, or ignore it if they do. And I would say that's a pretty conservative guess at how many people book online. And being in Mexico, I now have to have my new card mailed down from my home address; god knows how long it will take to get here.

If you book United, keep an eye open. This is one reason I am notified by email every time a charge is made on my card.

[johanson]

Thanks for the warning, say I, at the Houston Aireport flying via United Airlines back to Lake Chapala

[HelperGuy]

Did you have to sign on to pay for the wireless at Houston like I did a couple of weeks ago? I ended up using my Skype account to pay for it. VERY expensive.

[johanson]

I used a free wireless signal offered if you buy a cup of coffee.

[angela04101]

I also got the $7.00 mystery charge -
06/27/2012
INFLIGHT US AIRWAYS PHOENIX AZ Othe...(7.00)

But not worth it to me to go through the hassle of getting a new card unless I see more charges...please post here if you guys see more charges like this, or if you want to take some sort of group action, I'll join.

[NoCanDo]

Thanks for the warning. I'll be arriving on United soon. Will keep a lookout on my card.

[Viajero-Tiempo]

Call the bank and dispute the charge.
See who calls - or not.

[HelperGuy]

I also got the $7.00 mystery charge -
06/27/2012
INFLIGHT US AIRWAYS PHOENIX AZ Othe...(7.00)

But not worth it to me to go through the hassle of getting a new card unless I see more charges...please post here if you guys see more charges like this, or if you want to take some sort of group action, I'll join.

Therein lies one of the dangers. How many people would have the same reaction. In fact, how many would not even realize it was on their card, being such a small amount? And now multiply that by the number of people who book online every day?Thousdands upon thousands of bookings every day. Whoever is doing this is pulling in thousdands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of dollars, every day with this scam.

The bigger danger is that this means someone has broken into, and is utilizing, the United Airlines customer database. This is a hugely anti-social crime. We could discuss the implications for hours. And what if United ignores this... then they are allowing our private information to be manipulated for gains not even of their own, against their charter and against the law.

I tried to dispute the charge. MasterCard told me they did not even know who the offending company was, and since it was a charge I did not make, it was fraud. They do not dispute fraud: they cancel the card and seek legal action. The amazing thing to me is that they allow pretty much anyone, obviously, to become a credit-using company, without knowing who they are or signing the necessary papers.

As to the $7 charge for "inflight", that's what United initially thought... but we hadn't even taken our flights, and the charge plainly said "Movies Mexico", not "inflight". But, if it's the same scam, that means U.S. Airways has had their databanks hacked, as well. For the first time, I'm worried about using my credit card online.

[verchiel]

This is an outrage. I think you should take it to a wider audience ... United sends you a travel voucher?!?! Unbelievable!

[MountainGal]

I'm wondering if there is something on the website that tries to sell you prepaid movies and you would have to see it and "uncheck" it or you will be billed? I've never seen this, but lately they are going to lengths to add charges. For instance, both US Air and United give you a price for a ticket, say it's available, but then when you go to choose your seat there are none available at that price and you have to pay extra to reserve an available seat.

[johanson]

I just flew on United. I got in Friday night. As of today, I had no extra charge

[HelperGuy]

I would start a blog along the lines of "Unitedairwaysmoviefraud.com" or something, but I'd be wary of what I can and can't say. And I agree with MountainGal about those hidden extra choices on sites, but there was nothing like that, and I spoke at length with a rep from United who assured me they had nothing to do with it. In the end, I emailed United a copy of my transaction receipt from MasterCard so they could do their own research. Obviously, they were either unsuccessful, or they didn't really bother.