Avoid online scammers

I HAVE always thought myself as savvy enough not to be taken advantage of in an environment where IT selling is taking over from retail selling.

And I have spent two years writing articles in Haydon Wick’s Living magazine, extolling the virtues of care and scepticism when engaged in any kind of web dealings.

So imagine my chagrin when I found myself £99.99 out of pocket.

I was seduced by a very impressive and sophisticated web page with lots of (now clearly made up) high complimentary and positive reviews for the product.

Even though I sought to recant in seconds, the deal was seemingly done.

I specifically only authorised £4 to cover post and packing for a free trial of a food supplement.

When the order confirmation came through by return, I had indeed obtained a free trial, 20 per cent provided free, with the 80 per cent charged at £99.99 plus an ongoing commitment to repeat the order on a bi-weekly basis.

This was all quite new. The full sum had already been taken from my card.

My next and immediate call was to the Barclaycard Fraud Office.

They told me that as I had freely provided my card details it was a commercial dispute they could not get involved in.

I argued that I had authorised only £4, not £100 and what if they had taken £1,000 or £100,000, but they suggested veiled T’s and C’s will almost certainly give the scammers the legal footing needed to keep my money. (This conversation is by no means finished).

Anyway, where did I go wrong?

Well quite simply I followed none of the advice I have been dolling out for the last two years: 1. I was asked to provide a debit card not credit (never, ever use a debit card on line unless it is a company you know or has national repute).

2. I dealt with a business with an overseas number (legal redress outside UK? Forget it).

3. I dealt with a business with no published operating address (decent companies tell you were they can be found).

4. I did not independently verify on Google (had I done so I would have seen pages and pages of independent reviewers’ advice to stay well away).

5. I did not search for, see or read the terms and conditions (if they are not prominent alarm bells should ring).

I have now re-educated myself and hope sharing my shame with your readers may save at least one or two from similar criminality.

When it is so easy to click that mouse, and no way back, ‘caveat emptor’ has never been more true!

JOHN STOOKE Haydon End, Swindon

Climate change exists

DAVID Collins’ letter denying climate change must be the most bizarre letter the Adver has ever printed.

Firstly he quotes figures that disprove his own hypothesis. His figures show that up to the 19th century, floods in Cumbria happened once every 100 years, then as the industrial revolution gathered speed the frequency of flooding increased culminating in five times so far this current century.

He denies climate change exists, but then he quotes a Professor Singer as an expert.

Professor Singer claims climate change is not man made. Professor Singer is a serial denier.

He denied UV light caused melanoma, he denied passive smoking causes illness and denied that CFCs cause ozone depletion. I invite you to draw your own conclusions.

David Collins is particularly incensed because he feels global warming is being referred to as climate change.

He seems to see it as a rebranding to make it more acceptable to climate change deniers.

What these people don’t understand, or pretend not to, is that global warming means the average temperature of the world.

Some parts will be warmer, some colder but on average the global temperature will increase.

This temperature gradient will cause wild weather and this is called climate change.

STEVE THOMPSON Norman Road, Swindon

Your unpopular views

IN RESPONSE to Mr Adams’ letter of January 2, he accuses me of digging up muck from letters past. Is asking questions of someone digging up muck?

You throw in a ‘please’ for me to answer your questions, so I’m pleased to do so Mr Adams.

You asked people to boycott a certain restaurant because allegedly there were undocumented immigrants there. Is that a reason for you to ask people to boycott it?

You used derogatory terms re a local charity that helps refugees etc escaping war torture. You tell me Mr Adams why you use such derogatory language?

Judging by your comments on HMS Bulwark is it because you don’t approve of people helping their fellow human beings in times of need? ie fleeing war, famine or torture?

Finally, you wrote re homosexuals in a letter that how can something that causes so much disgust among heterosexuals be normal?

You may not be homophobic but that statement tells me you don’t like their lifestyle, do you Mr Adams?

MARK WEBB Old Town, Swindon

Praise for the hospital

I WOULD like to say how fantastic the Great Western Hospital is.

My mum was taken into hospital three weeks ago and I would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and ambulance crew who have looked after her with great care.

I am also impressed with the cleanliness of the hospital.

In particular I would like to thank all the doctors and nurses on Meldon Ward.

My mum has been looked after so well. So thank you to the Great Western for all your help.

I would also like the top bosses to visit the wards to see our fantastic doctors and nurses on the Meldon Ward and see how they do such great work.

SUSAN KAYLOR AND FAMILY especially Jean Pointin Shrivenham