MEGA FRAUD: Streaming Flix LLC
Watch out for this shameless fraudulent scheme being executed though AT&T phone bills.

My AT&T home phone bill suddenly showed a $14.99 monthly charge for a service I never ordered. It's some kind of streaming internet video service when I don't even have internet though AT&T.

For more info on this fraud visit:

http://encinoblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/mega-fraud-streaming-flix-llc.html

or

http://encinoblog.blogspot.com/


The fraudulent charge shows up on your phone bill as:


STREAMING FLIX, LLC-VIP ACCESS MTH FEE

HBS Billing Services

Account Number
Billing Date Sept. 13, 2009
Questions- 1 800 687-5298

Important Information

This portion of your bill is provided as a service to the company identified above. Please review all charges appearing in this section. If you have any questions or concerns, call the telephone number shown above.

Current Charges

Billed on Behalf of STREAMING FLIX, LLC
Questions? Call: 1 877 768-3693
3-01 8-31 STREAMING FLIX, LLC-VIP ACCESS MTH FEE $14.95

Total HBS Billing Services $14.95

I only have basic telephone service so I know this isn't right.

I call the number and Bryan answers in a call center in Forrest Lake, Minnesota and get the usual "this call may be recorded for training purposes." I am sure this means they'll teach other telephone operators how to avoid questions like the ones I'll ask.

Byran asks for my account or telephone number and asks if this is "David Wichunga." This is not my name so I give him my real name and he says "oh there must be some mistake, I'll go ahead and remove the charges for STREAMING FLIX.

I hadn't even mentioned them but they knew *exactly* why I was calling. They knew I was calling because I had caught them and wanted the bill removed.

Why was my account charged?


-We received an order for this account number on the internet.

From who?


-I can't tell you

What? David Wichunga right?
-I cannot confirm that since you already said you didn't recognize the name.
-The charge may take 2 or 3 billing cycles to be removed.

What?? What is your name?

-Bryan

Last name?
- I can't give you my last name but here's my 4 digit employee number - Employee ID - 1232

What company do you work for "Bryan"?

-"My Eye Products"

Based where?

- Forrest Lake, Minnesota

Is that spelled like it sounds?


-No, it is spelled myiproducts
-www.myiproducts.com

And what does this company do?
-It's like Netflix but over the internet rather than mail

(I don't even have internet with AT&T)

Anyway, I also spoke to his manager or supervisor Darren (no last name) ID#0104

Neither could explain how the charge to my account was approved. Neither could explain why they went ahead and charged my account when they knew the names on the account didn't match. They kept repeating that they couldn't discuss that but that the charge would be removed...eventually.


This is obviously a fraudulent scheme meant to charge a large group of people with fictitious charges knowing that only a fraction will notice and take the time to call, wait, wait, wait, and complain. Even if 80% call to have the charge removed it can still bring in big bucks!

As a simple illustration imagine they sign-up 1 million active AT&T telephone numbers and 1 out of 5 people don't notice it on their bill. That means that 200, 000 would go on the streaming flix bill regardless of whether they even have internet access.

That is:

20%*1 million customers*$15/month = $3 million/month in THEFT from unknowing consumers.

The is obvious fraud and I would be very surprised if executive at the billing clearinghouse HBS Billing Services are not aware of these schemes. Who knows AT&T may even be in on this.

Well I called AT&T and the operator "Bill" knew exactly what I was talking about and agreed that this was blatant fraud but explained that "California Law" requires AT&T to put the charges through unless the customer requests these 3rd party blocks on billing (which of course I have now done). It's fraudulent and wrong that they check your identity with security questions when you call to cancel the charge but they DO NOT check before they issue the charge?? THIS IS FRAUD!!

Obviously this company is probably signing up phone numbers to their service, regardless of whether they even have internet, and making money off of those who don't notice and cancel the bill. Another reason not to have automatic bill pay!!! Once you pay them I bet you'll never see those funds again.

Where's the FCC on all of this??

How could this happen?

I did a little more research on the net and found the source of this FRAUD to be:
http://www.streamingflix.com/ <------ Souce of FRAUDULENT Bills In particular: http://www.streamingflix.com/signup/ Other companies involved in this FRAUD include:

HBS Billing Services
www.myiproducts.com
STREAMING FLIX or
STREAMING FLIX, LLC
STREAMING FLIX, LLC-VIP ACCESS MTH FEE

P.O 744 Forrest Lake
Minnesota
55025

On the Streaming Flix website: http://www.streamingflix.com/signup/

You will find the following activation window titled "Letter of Agency" -- this allows anyone to sign you up for service with Streaming Flix LLC at their $15/month rate and all they need to know is your phone number! No credit card info, no bank info, they don't even check to makes sure the name given matches the phone service account!! Unless you want to cancel the service, of course. They they make sure you are who you say you are! --- Total hypocrites, scammers, thieves.


By the way, they know all about this. On the streaming flix website it says:

AT&T End Users: You have the right to dispute the StreamingFlix charges billed on your local telephone bill. You are not legally responsible for StreamingFlix charges incurred by minors or vulnerable adults without your consent. Your local telephone service will not be disconnected because you fail to pay a charge by StreamingFlix, except that nonpayment of certain regulated telecommunication charges may result in disconnection of service in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina and Tennessee. Enhanced Telecommunications Service Providers may employ other agencies to collect delinquent charge, even if your local phone company has previously adjusted them from your telephone bill.

I BELIEVE THIS COMPANY IS ENGAGING IN FRAUD
StreamingFlix
24078 Greenway Rd, Suite 3,
Forest Lake, MN 55025

Let me know what you think: [email protected]

Statements made in this blog represent the opinions of Dr. Encino. The blogger.
Posted by Blogger at 8:01 PM
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Consumer and Social Watchdog
Telephone & Internet Fraud: Streaming Flix LLC

I BELIEVE THIS COMPANY

IS ENGAGING IN FRAUD


HBS Billing Services

&

StreamingFlix

24078 Greenway Rd

Suite 3

Forest Lake, MN

55025


I was charged via my AT&T phone bill without my authorization and I know I am not alone. I noticed it and it was immediately removed but what about all of those people with automatic Bill Pay? What about all of those that will NOT notice? They will be paying into there fraudulent scheme run by several companies including:


Let me know what you think: [email protected]

Statements made in this blog represent the opinions of Dr. Encino. The blogger.
Streaming Flix Fraud
Streaming Flix Fraud

This screenshot from http://www.streamingflix.com/signup/ (a larger version can be found in teh post text, below) shows how anyone can sign YOU up by making up a name and knowing your published phone number. Does that mean Streaming Flix affiliates can sign people up for there service? YES. Oh but that would be illegal, they wouldn't do that...would they?? It might be tough to prove...but they certainly stand to benefit if some random person put your number down. Hmmm. Any detective knows to FOLLOW THE MONEY. In this case it leads to HBS Billing Services and Streaming Flix LLC.