Complaint Review: 1 And 1 Internet Inc.

In February, 2006, 1 And 1 Internet, Inc. was offering up to 25 "free" .info Internet domain names per new customer. I vaguely remember signing up on a whim. It required a credit card number in order to place the order for the "free" domains. I was just switching banks at that point, so I gave them the number from a canceled debit card from my old bank because I did not have a debit card from the new bank yet (thank goodness).

In March, 2006, I relocated overseas to Thailand. I have been residing overseas since March, 2006. In fact, I completely had forgotten about the "free" 1 And 1 Internet account. I never used the account. I never used the domain names. I assumed that after one year the account would be automatically canceled. I thought that once they attempted to charge an expired debit card that the responsible corporate thing to do would be for 1 And 1's Billing Department to realize the non-validly of both the account and debit card. In fact, they should have realized the card was NOT valid from the day that I first signed up. But they didn't. This 1 year "free" domain name was suppose to be absolutely "free" like they advertised on their web site in February, 2006. I had no idea they would automatically try to renew the domains on an expired debit card a year later. To me that just seems a very dishonest and unethnical way of trying to force their customers into paying.

I signed up for the 1 And 1 account using an e-mail address that I primarily use for SPAM (junk) e-mail. I did not log into said e-mail account for almost a year until yesterday (04/17/07). This is when I found 1 And 1's e-mails dated 02/28/07, 03/03/07, and 03/08/07. Mind you, I did not check these e-mails until 04/17/07!

Here is an except from the first e-mail dated - 03/03/07:
>>We recently attempted to debit your credit card with the outstanding balance for your >>1&1 package.
>>
>>However the transaction was declined by your card issuer.
>>
>>Please note that we will suspend your 1&1 package in accordance with our terms and >>conditions, commencing in 8 days for dedicated server packages and 14 days for all >>other packages unless we receive either a reply to this letter or payment in full.
>>
>>In order to avoid future settlement difficulties, please check your credit card details >>and update them, if necessary, as follows:
>>
>>Please go to https://admin.1and1.com, and log in to the Control Panel with your
>>customer ID or a domain name assigned to one of your packages and your
>>password. On the My Account page, please click on 'User Settings' >
>>'Credit Card Details'. After updating your credit card information,
>>click on 'Save'.

Then here is an except from their e-mail dated - 03/08/07:
>>Our declined debit note informed you of the current amount due to your customer >>account, and
>>we politely requested settlement.
>>
>>Unfortunately, we have not to this date received payment.
>>
>>If we do not receive payment within 7 calendar days we will have no alternative but >>freeze your
>>account and to transfer this matter to a debt collection agency and/or terminate your >>account in
>>accordance with our terms and conditions. In addition to any agency costs there will >>be a service
>>charge of $18.95 added to your outstanding amount.
>>
>>Go to https://admin.1and1.com, and log in to the Control Panel with your
>>customer ID or a domain name assigned to one of your packages and your
>>password. On the My Account page, please click on 'User Settings' >
>>'Credit Card Details'. After updating your credit card information,
>>click on 'Save'.

This is surely some form of extortion. I never agreed nor asked them to renew these domain names, unless, there was something covertly hidden when I signed up. However, I was not aware at any point in time that I gave 1 And 1 the authorization to renew any of these five domain names that I registered for "free". Furthermore, I have not resided in the U.S from March, 2006 until Present.

I searched the Internet for billing scams related to 1 And 1 Internet, Inc. It's no surprising that I have found a plethora of web sites where people are complaining and/or very upset about the unethical ways that 1 And 1 likes to use to coerce people out of their money. These sites are not spanning weeks or even months, but rather YEARS.

Here are a few of the links to cheated 1 And 1 customers:
http://www.wasitfree.com/ - "Was It Free? A group-web site for disgruntled (ex)customers"
http://dancameron.org/general/929 - "1and1 scams at Shattered"
http://forum.icann.org/alac-forum/msg00057.html - "Unethical business practices at 1and1.com"
http://tester.dreamhosters.com/ - "1and1 Internet - The Worst Company in the Universe"
http://elliottback.com/wp/archives/2006/03/22/1and1-sucks/ - "1and1 Sucks: 1&1 Will Rip You Off"
http://ask.metafilter.com/48773/CANCELLING-a-1and1-hosting-account - "CANCELLING a 1and1 hosting account"
http://investigate1and1.blogspot.com/ - "Investigate 1and1 Internet"

...or just go to Google and search for the terms '"1 And 1" billing scam'....

Please take the time to check out at least some of these links I have posted above. This is a serious problem for many people in their dealings with with 1 And 1 Internet, Inc. and not just me.

It's not only me. There are many victims of 1 And 1 Internet, Inc. I am not going to pay 1 And 1 anything. I don't like how they have threatened to "transfer this matter to a debt collection agency" and try to charge "agency costs" and a "service charge of $18.95".

I signed up when what they advertised they said was free. The debit card I used to sign up was not valid. I have not resided in the U.S for almost a year and a half. I never used the domains. I don't want to be a 1 And 1 customer. I never wanted them to attempt to renew the domain names. After the debit card authorization failed then why did they still try to charge it again. I didn't even recall signing up for this account until only two days when I checked an old e-mail account.

All of these things do not add up and do not make sense.

It's unfair and unjust for 1 And 1 to threaten me with these things. My hands are tied and there's nothing I can do at the moment regarding it from overseas, except to file a complaint with the BBB. This is my first complaint that I have ever filed with you.

Thank you,
Shaun Apple

Personally, I want 1 And 1 to drop this matter with me. I also hope that someone (like the BBB) can stand up to 1 And 1 Inc. to prevent them from abusing consumers with false advertising and unethical billing practices.

Shaun
San Francisco, California
U.S.A.