I purchased this iPhone on 14th July 2009 for £400 and paid with my credit card
http://www.apple-labs.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=81

I received a confirmation email. Then another saying it was ready for shipping but problem with payment as they can't verify my address and that I must pay into their bank account below (which obviously I didn't)

LLOYDS TSB BANK
Sort Code: 30-99-09
Account: 02188248
BIC: LOYDGB21187
IBAN: GB67 LOYD 3099 0902 1882 48
Account Name: P4S/Apple Specialist.

I told them I wanted to pay via credit card and that I've been using it online for years without problem. Rang the credit card company and checked with them. There was no problem. Apple-labs had applied to take £95.72 for some reason which later became clear. I asked them to try the payment again and they kept emailing saying same problem. Then asked me if I wished to cancel. Of course I had no option but to cancel the order if they 'couldn't' take the payment

They then forward my order to the 'cancellation department' and I receive an email telling me that a cancellation fee applies as per their 'terms and conditions' which I accepted apparently.

The cancellation fee is $150 - approx £95, which is the only amount they applied for immediately after I made my purchase. They never tried to take the £400 because they know I could get my money back when the item didn't arrive, but they've covered themselves in their terms and conditions with a cancellation fee knowing that everyone will cancel or pay the money into their account and lose even more money.

Is there anyway to stop this happening to someone else? I've done a search and found someone else has been scammed by them too. http://www.justanswer.com/questions/1th1s-purchased-iphone-www-apple-labs