NSW Fraudulent Invoicing - How to Make it Stop Under Australian Consumer Law?

[Samuel Martin]

I signed up to a website for the purpose of receiving web hosting. It was supposed to be a free service but I've received invoices for over $160USD. The invoices state that the charges are for volume and has been billed at the rate of "278.06111 Hour".

The problem is that the type of web hosting offered by this service was too technical for me, so I never actually got a website stored on their servers, therefore I don't understand what "volume" I've been using. What can I do under Australian Consumer Law to get this company - which is in Panama - to stop invoicing me?

 

[Paul Cott]

I signed up to a website for the purpose of receiving web hosting. It was supposed to be a free service but I've received invoices for over $160USD. The invoices state that the charges are for volume and has been billed at the rate of "278.06111 Hour". The problem is that the type of web hosting offered by this service was too technical for me, so I never actually got a website stored on their servers, therefore I don't understand what "volume" I've been using. What can I do to get this company - which is in Panama - to stop invoicing me?

Samuel, you could write them a letter outlining your view. Or just ignore the invoices unless and / or until they start threatening legal action which they may well not, considering where they are and the relatively low amount of money involved.

Hope that helps.

 

[Rod]

Reply back, then ignore them.

Keep your original paperwork saying you signed up for a free service.

 

[Wiggins]

Being based in Panama its most likely a scam anyway. The cost to prosecute you from overseas would be extremely prohibitive and I suspect the question of Jurisdiction would come into question (even if they were stupid enough to try and Sue you). I'd just ignore it.

I have people who live within 30k of where I live that owe me $200 or $300 and it's frankly just not worth the hassle, nor would it make good financial sense given the time and costs involved