Several months ago, my friend in a different country was trying to send me the money so that I can order some merchandise in the US and send it back to him. I tried Paypal first, but for some reason, they limited the amount to $49 each time. Can't wait that long, we decided to try somewhere else. Without doing a search, we picked Moneybookers and then realized it was a big mistake. Everything else about this company, you can read in here and I'm sure there will be more people filing complains about them.
I was just doing a simple cash transfer, not purchasing anything and pay anything throught them. But they hold my account, and then my friend account, asking us to provide proof of identity although we both register our bank accounts and credit cards with them. We sent everything promptly and accurately. They responded very slow.
Each time I send, a week later, I called them and the customer service rep. told me that she will transfer my info to the security dept. for verifying. Yeah right, it means my paper faxed to them stayed there for at least a week and nobody bothered to look at it. If I didn't make that call, it would be there for... ever.
Then, another week later, they sent me an email said that my IDs is not enough and ask for the IDs of the sender. My friend sent it to. The waiting process repeated exactly like before. We need to call to remind them to read our paper.
Yet, it tooks us more than a month and 4 international phone calls for this transaction and the money was still frozen there. Thanks Skype we only paid a few pennies for the calls to UK. But it caused our business late and we can't do anything with our money being held.
Finally, they said they decided to close our accounts without any convincible explanation. First, they closed my friend's, the sender's account and still hold my account for verification althought I sent my IDs many times. Then, my friend emailed to complain, they were not only didn't answer or explain but also ask my friend not to contact anymore nor create another account.
Next step, they closed my account which the money was still in. I emailed them and called them many times to request the money refund to my friend's bank account. Still they did not respond. Then I did a search and find out I'm not their only victim. Many people are being ripped off by this company.
I filed a complain to HMCS, a UK Consumer Legal Service, like Federal Trade Commission of the US. Also I filed another direct complain to www.moneyclaim.gov.uk. They've already have forms for you, just need to fill in. While filing those, I also keep calling and emailing Moneybookers, politely asking for refund and let them know I'm filing complains to the court. I don't know what those court did, but Moneybookers agreed to refund me very soon after.
If you're a victim, your money is being hold by moneybookers, don't panic, be very patient and maintain communication with them. Sometimes you need to bomb mail them to get a respond, don't hesitate. But again, be very patient. Let them know you will file complain or lawsuit to the London court if they don't release your money. If you're lucky, you'll scare them off and will receive the refund before you really take action. But if they remain quiet, then file the complain on the place above.
Thank you all for reading my report. Good luck to us all.
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