Caution: A word to the wise

I received an innocent looking email today, asking that I update the description of my website so I could continue being listed in the __________ _______ directory. The email stated, "Updating your listing is absolutely free."

I hit the button and began updating the ad description that they must have copied off some other site.

They did have a list of premium services for $5, $10, & $15 per month extra.

Fortunately, before I hit the "Update" button, I clicked on and read the Terms of Service:

Buried in the "Terms of Agreement", was the fact that hitting the "Update" button would have been the same as signing a contract for their services.

Here's a selection from the TOS:

6 Agreement Activation

6.1 Customer agrees upon activation of ____________ ___________ ____ services that _____ ________ _____________ rates were clearly visible, and have been communicated to the customer. Customer is also aware that rates may change from time to time, and in this case, customer will first be notified before any additional charges are posted on the customers account.

6.2 This agreement is active once the customer has submitted the information located at any of ________ _________ ____ Order Forms, and has been approved by ___________ _____ ___________. The duration of this agreement is automatically renewed every month and has to be cancelled by customer on his login screen in order for the cancellation to take effect. In addition the cancellation will only take effect the month following the cancellation. Internet services prices are subject to change at any time: Monthly Billing, Quarterly Billing, and Yearly Billing and customer will have to check ___ ________ ___________ site to know that the new rates are. Customer agrees to pay the new rates even if customer was not aware about the rates changes. All services are to be prepaid for a certain period of time, as set forth in the plan section of _______ ____ _______.com, and if the customer decides to cancel any services before they have utilized services that they have already submitted payment for, customer realizes that a refund is subject to _______ approval, or denial and the month in advance notice.
. . . . . . . .

Note on 6.1 - Just by hitting the update button, _______ __________ _______ would use their TOS to indicate that I had agreed to their Terms when I updated the listing and those terms indicate that I agree that their rates were clearly visible. The optional rates were clearly visible, but the TOS seem to imply that my update would make me subject to whatever monthly, quarterly, or annual terms they have displayed on their website.

However, the update action took place from a link in email that arrived as spam in my inbox. I have some many links, posts, and listings all across the www, that I didn't have a clue of any existing relationship with this company.

For those who always suggest paying by credit card, so you have the option of requesting a charge back, the World's Biggest hits you with a $250 charge back processing fee and then piles on with a $1500 charge back processing fee.

It might be possible to beat them, but I would imagine that when their lawyers start threatening, many will just pay the fees to end the dispute.

After posting, I decided it would be best to avoid any charges by the spamming company, so I deleted their name and substituted the lines. I know Lesley has had to deal with this before, and don't want to cause her any grief by my post.

This almost expensive lesson will cause me to be even more suspicious of update request I receive by email in the future.