Dear Readers,
(Last Updated May 8th, 2013 @ 5:25 pm EST) RC 6.0 MO
For this week’s “Scam Watch” feature. I thought I would tell you a little about the Internet service called JustAnswer.com
JustAnswer.com is a Question/Answer site where you can go to ask any kind of question to a so called “Expert” Which is supposed to answer your question.On their homepage they claim their service works this way:
But for most users it is more like this: Ask a question, Make a user account, write a bit more about your problem, contact with the “Expert” then you choose what you want to pay him for his services. Like $10, $20 or $30 dollars USD, and they claim you will get much faster and better help if you pay more. Anyways, the next step, you pay, you wait, you wait more and then you wait a little more. Then you check your bank account and you might see that they have “taken out more money” than you actually agreed to pay for a service you never even received.
On their site there is a complaint section, I have copied some of the post from the section (This complaint section has since been removed):
“I needed some advice on a wound my cat received by a raccoon. I needed the information immediately and this seemed like a good option. I asked the question and was asked how much I would pay- I chose 13.00. It directed me immediately to Paypal where I paid the amount. in full using my bank acct. Received the receipt and waited. About an hour later I got an email that I had a response. I went to retrieve and it asked me to pay… I contacted customer service and they said I had not paid. Checked Paypal and it was received by them- also deducted from my bank acct. I sent them the receipt and went back and forth with about 20 emails. Got no where but the run around. I asked for a phone number – I called, no one answers… so left a message. 2 days later and have gotten nowhere. I am really ticked off- not even just the money- but the principal and the time I have taken on this! Ridiculous… DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY- YOU WILL BE SORRY!”
“I clicked the $10.00 box that I am willing to pay for recommendation of a simple drawing software program.
They charged me for $175.00.
I sent them an email and claimed a refund. No response yet. I was in touch with their ‘Expert’ waiting for further advice because the first was not fully usable. I am waiting for both responses. 08 / May/ 2009″
“i did not accept any answer’s i received so they told me i would receive all my money back in my account in four days but instead the took twice as much more out and made my account over drawn by $148.00.”
“I submitted a question to Justanswer and paid £6.30. I was told the money would only be taken from me if I accepted an answer. I haven’t had any answers at all but the money has been taken.”
Also important to note that if you decide you want to exit their site. You end up getting this message:
WAIT! Your question has not been posted yet. This is what you get by placing a fully refundable deposit into your JustAnswer account:
* Experts are reassured that you are serious and are willing to reward them for a helpful answer.
* You will be able to preview and “Accept” your answer before deciding to pay for it.
* Deposits are fully refundable for any reason until you are happy. Satisfaction guaranteed!
Thank you,
JustAnswer
JustAnswer also tells you that if you are not satisfied with your experts answer. You do not need to pay, but how can this be when you need to pay to get in contact with the said “expert” ?
I would highly recommend you stay away from this site. Now I am not saying that they only scam people. JustAnswer.com may help around 25% or so of people. But when someone loose $100 USD when they only choose to pay $6 USD something is very wrong !
From the comments I have read throughout the net it seems like around 50% actually get what they are told to they will get. It also seems like they have had some inside scamming themselves, people who claimed to be experts and were noting of the sort.
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Now the link I am about to share with you all is 100% legit and is in fact on the JustAnswer.com website. Via the link we have provided for you. So you all can see how counter productive and really silly it seems. HELL…..I maybe DEAD wrong but you just need to click on the link and read the proceeding text to DECIDE FOR YOURSELF……
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One Of JustAnswers.com Claims:
**Image directly taken from JustAnswer.com website
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JustAnswer.com Wikipedia Page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justanswer.com
**Link Provided By (CSW) -Moderator- Erin
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JustAnswer.com Better Business Bureau (BBB) Profile: http://www.bbb.org/us/Find-Business-Reviews/url/justanswer_com/
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JustAnswer.com Promo Link “The Shockingly Simple JustAnswer® Promise” – http://ww2.justanswer.com/shockingly-simple-justanswer-promise
**Link Discovered By Nico
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JustAnswer.com HELP And REFUND Section “Blackbelt Support” Quality. Access. Compassion – http://ww2.justanswer.com/help/topics/143
**Link Discovered By Nico
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JustAnswer.com How Can I Request A REFUND ? Link – http://ww2.justanswer.com/help/how-can-i-request-refund
Verification Status: Confirmed as a SAFE LINK. Confirmed via (CSW) readership as useful. But you must be registered to see page.
JustAnswer.com REFUND Link – http://www.justanswer.com/refund/refund.aspx
Verification Status: Confirmed as a SAFE LINK. Confirmed via (CSW) readership as useful. But you must be registered to see page.
**Both JustAnswer REFUND LINKS Were Provided By Commenter Ethan
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JustAnswer.com Customer Service E-Mail Address – cs@justanswer.com
Verification Status: E-mail Address is Confirmed via (CSW) readership.
**E-mail Address Provided By Commenter Ethan
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JustAnswer.com Non-Corporate Customer Service Phone Numbers -
Toll-Free: 888-587-8220, 888-567-8220, 1-888-862-9212
Canadian Toll-Free Number: 1-888-587-8220
UK Toll-Free Number: 0-800-452-621
Australian Toll-Free Number: 1-800-679-634
New Zealand Toll-Free Number: 0-800-452-621
Intl: 650-385-2899 and 1-650-985-2899
From The Rest Of The World: 1-650-385-2899
Verification Status Of Non-Highlighted JustAnswer.com Customer Service Numbers: Confirmed by (CSW) readership.
Verification Status Of RED Highlighted JustAnswer.com Toll Free Customer Service Number: Confirmed via (CSW) readership and Scam Watch Team.
Verification Status Of Orange Highlighted JustAnswer.com Canadian Toll-Free Service Number: Confirmed via (CSW) readership and Scam Watch Team.
Verification Status Of Brown Highlighted JustAnswer.com Canadian Toll-Free Service Number: Are not confirmed via (CSW) readership and or Scam Watch Team.
Verification Status Of Blue Highlighted JustAnswer.com Toll-Free Service Number: Are not confirmed via (CSW) readership and or Scam Watch Team.
*Non-Corporate Customer Service Numbers Provided By Commenter Ethan
**Second Toll Free Number Customer Service Number Provided By Commenter Plain Jane
***Canadian Toll-Free Number Provided By Commenter Daniel
****All Numbers In Brown Were Provided By Commenter Mike H.
*****All Numbers In Blue Were Provided By Commenter Alan
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JustAnswer.com Direct Corporate Phone Numbers: 1-415-929-9923
Verification Status: Confirmed via (CSW) readership and Scam Watch Team.
The 1-415-929-9923 corporate phone numbers above have been confirmed by both our “Scam Watch Team” and (CSW’s) readership. On a number of occasions. But please feel free to comment below if you have indeed called one or both of the above numbers and let us know if they are indeed helpful. In solving any issues you came across.
*Phone Numbers Provided By Commenter James Fox
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If you guys have any question regarding this or any other similar subject. Please don’t hesitate to comment or e-mail us @ computer.savvy@hotmail.com
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Important Side Note: Please guys could you speak English in the comments section. If you can’t speak English please use the following embedded link to GOOGLE TRANSLATOR. It’s 100% free and very easy to use.
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DISCLAIMER: The Computer Savvy Weblog has no control over the ads Google decides to display on our blog/site. Due to the fact The Computer Savvy Weblog is using the free version of WordPress. Sorry for any inconvenience or possible misunderstandings this may of caused.
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Later Dayz,
Post Written By Nico
And
Scam Watch Feature Was Created By Remy “Se7en”
I have been a ja customer since 2009. They have helped me every step of the way. I have received money back because of computer.ja contacted me. I always contact by phone.every problem is address quickly. Ja has heart. Please contact ja and they will help u.
Dear Alice
Ehrm, I’m glad your experience where all good with JA, good to hear that some people have only those too ;D !
-Nico
Don’t be fooled . Don’t give them your credit details . Warning .
YOUR POST WAS IN 2009. Sorry to hear about your experience. Since that time, (as a customer)-current they have fixed the glitches you mention. It is obnoxious for you to keep them on a scam list since there are so many satisfied people, legitimate experts etc. Yes, sometimes the IM can be problematic but you can always post new question to same person again or get another to help. Could you kindly re-evaluate and change your post? It is hurtful and misleading. At least give it another look and don’t just have a constant weekly updater. If it is truly a scam- write me a specific current instance YR 2012. thanks.
Dear Mary,
Yes, indeed the post was published back in 2009. But as you can see by both the sheer volume of comments by both experts and other JA users that there is still a huge problem with JA.
Again not everyone who comments here has something negative to say about JA. But there are quite a few that do. So that is good enough for me to know that this issue is not dead.
We are also not stupid people Mary and I do have a Scam Watch Team who does weekly sweeps of the sites we talk about. And JA still sadly fits this catogory. true not as much as it did originally. But still way more then both ourselves and our readership is confortable witn.
I truly hope one day that this post will indeed be no longer needed and there for obsleete. But Mary we are very far from that point in time at this time.
Now about a current 2012 instance of scam like behavior. All you need to do is read any of the over 1,160 comment. To see case and point likly you would not need to go that far back to get what you are asking for.
Later Dayz,
Remy “Se7en” (Editor-in-Chief -CSW-)
Remy Heyo’s,
I have been keeping an eye on this thread and as my experience online broadens so has my understanding of how it works. I am still an expert on JA and have yet to see any evidence to make me believe that JA is anything less than legitimate and respectful. I see interactions going in direct response to complaints which I have not seen on other similar sites. Most without a favorable response afterwards, or made mention of from the readers. Your responses to Ethan have been quite honorable a quality I have come to respect you for. Every expert I associate with have the same work ethics as any that I have met in the field. We monitor our categories offering advice and direction if needed to maintain a high standard for our categories, none of which I have seen mentioned in the posts {which is one of the reasons I watch this thread}. I have gotten to know the monitors of my categories with nothing less than positive experiences from each. I have talked with my clients about their experience prior our connecting, as well as my associate experts reports of the same. The majority {90%} found the site difficult to negotiate with cost and waiting time splitting the remainder. I then went into the chat-rooms and blog sites in JA to find evidence that these matters as well as the ones mentioned on this and other sites are being discussed and addressed by those who make the decisions. I find no reason to relax my position on this matter in fact seeing it first hand now only strengthens my stance. When I was told that the response to this thread at 1100 comments was abnormally high. As a Project Manager in the construction industry my first thought was why! I started researching posts that get good responses and those who don’t. I found it was relative to the targets popularity overall {I am only including the sites who proved to be professional and neutral in it’s monitoring of their blog sites. Most seemed to be performing for a set audience and was discarded}. It was not until I factored in the differences did I have any questions though. Now I know you have done your homework in researching your posts another respectful quality of yours; and I know your not dummy’s so please don’t take my questions as anything but true inquiries that they are. Taking into account all the responses, the hundreds {or thousand? I’m sorry I’m not sure which was said} of complaints you get a week, the mention of the thousands of those who do not speak up, and those who had favorable experiences, this must be a pretty popular site.
*So my first question is regarding the before mentioned categories for JA clients as a value or percentage.
1) Does your research include a representation of the ratio of these values as well as other like sites for comparison? If not, are there resources available for online user sites, to obtain the amount of visitors, reported complaints and achievements?
*I do not regard the information on the JA site as unbiased and discard its data, as well as unconfirmed or implied amounts within.
I also had to ask myself what it was that gain popularity for that post, of which the title or heading is foremost the reason. Not just for it’s wording as a catch line but where it will be most seen. I have been told of hiring outside companies to strategically place your post, advertisement, whatever were it stands the best chance of exposure to your targeted audience. I then searched Just Answer on Yahoo and guess who was just before their site listed in my findings? Not this site but this post as a link. I then put myself in the shoes of a distraught client searching for a link to gain redemption and understood the responses a little better.
**The second question is in regards to the marketing techniques used when calculating the heading or title.
2) What is taken into consideration when posting a blog thread like this, including any outside influences in it’s handling?
I know that the majority of complaints can be attributed to client not understanding what they are agreeing to, regardless of the reason why. Unfriendly user site or not reading all the fine print is inconsequential, as it is the sites responsibility to represent itself with clarity for all levels of internet users. Including the now commonly used rollover subscription thing we all agree to dislike. This makes JA not a scam nor a bad investment, but a Q & A site with poor site design. They have shown poor judgement in clarifying itself, but unfortunately are in good company. I have found two identities of sites. Sites your looking for and sites that are looking for you. The sites you are looking for are usually user friendly, without obligations, or marketing ploy. The ones looking for you need to use marketing skills they are not under obligation to disclose. Roll-over subscription, “just click here and you pc troubles are gone” {after registering and purchasing a key}, or trying to download something without agreeing to download other stuff or making them you default to name a few. No different on TV or any other media survival of the fittest, which doesn’t make it right or ethical just legal. This brings me to the responsibility of the consumer or user. We are exposed to hundreds if not thousands of choices a day. When we choose to experience something we usually want to be educated or aware of all the options which is required by law to be available to us. When we give up that right to know by not reading all available data given to us we should give up the right to gripe about the outcome. If a site is difficult to negotiate and I’m going to give them my card number I aether go elsewhere, or if it’s the only site then I read everything.
***BTW I advise to use a card with a low limit {$100-$500} exclusively for all online transactions, a prepaid card works as well. It’s easier to see irregularities and can’t be used enough to make too much of an impact if stolen or misused. It is our responsibility to protect ourselves by being aware, as much as it is the sites responsibility to be clear and forthcoming in their intent and use. I also want to thank the JA patrons who took the time to share their positive opinions of their experiences with JA. Not driven by anger or redemption by way of words, they chose to take the time to be heard. Thank you.
Dear Mike,
Thanks for the long comment…..
But I sorry I can’t answer you in detail. As I have no time and am only online to work on (CSW). Also trying to be on Vacation. But I’m sure that any questions or comments you may have..Can be directed to Nico.
Sorry for the quick and lack lustier reply….
Later Dayz,
Remy
They haven’t changed as of June 2012. Offered very simple advice on my truck problem (my dog could have done as well). Debited my VISA immediately upon receiving account number. Nearly impossible to reach “refund rep”. Rep is in foreign country and speaks English very poorly. Got a credit to VISA a week later and consider it a miracle. $59 for one poor answer from company designed to screw you.
Dear Mike Obrien
Sad to hear bud, give their customer support a call and demand a full refund, tell them the story, most likly they will give u a refund !
-Nico
JA psychologist helped me + + + with mental health questions at a price I could afford when I needed the help without me having to wait for an appointment. I really appreciated their help. I am a satisfied customer.
Theresa
Dear Theresa
Glad to hear, I would also guess that if there were any serious psychologist at JA that it would be worth the money ;D !
-Nico
I have no doubt whatsoever this “Just Answer.” is a total scam…..,
my advise to anyone if you have given bank details is get your card changed now…they will continue to take your money……they are crooks….
What i don’t get is how this can go on without them being prosecuted.
“
Dear Mike,
Thanks for your reply on this Scam Watch post.
Dear Mike Dean
I’m getting the feeling you had some inconvinience with JA lately? Would you feel like telling us your story, sounds like you got it bad :/ Looking forward to your reply
-Nico
I want to cancel my subscription i didn`t want it in the first place.
Dear Keith,
Thanks for your reply on this Scam Watch post.
Hi Keith,
My name is Ethan and I am the Customer Service Supervisor for JA. I am sorry for any frustration this may have caused you. Please email me at CS@justanswer.com so I can get this resolved for you.
Regards,
Ethan
Customer Service Supervisor, JA
Dear Ethan,
We appreciate JustAnswer sorting out all of these issues that we have been receiving on our posts, so that everyone is happy once again.
Dear Keith Harding
There are two things you can do:
1: log into your accunt, and look at your account options to turn of the subscription, should be easy enough to find !
2: Call customer support and ask them to stop your subscription, you can also try asking for a full refund.. Cant promise you anything on that though, but seems a bunch of people are recieving it.
Hope you figure it out ;D !
-Nico
I ASK “ JUSTANSWER “ TWO INFORMATIONS TO FIX A PROBLEM ON A WHIRLPOOL FRIDGE IN APRIL 2012.. IT COST ME 2 x $ 38.00 =$76.00 ON MY MASTERCARD FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2012. THE $ 76.00 WAS PAID IN MAY 2012.
—– AM I SURPRISE TO RECEIVE A BILL OF $ 38.00 WHEN JUNE ARRIVE ? YES INDEED. THE PROBLEM WAS FIX, ,AFTER ALL , IN APRIL 2012 .
— AM I SURPRISE TO RECEIVE ANOTHER BILL OF $ 38.00 IN JULY 2012 ? YOU BET. REMEMBER, THE PROBLEM WAS FIX IN APRIL 2012.
—SO BETTER TAKE NOTE THAT J.A GOT YOUR CARD NUMBER AND AND CAN KEEP ASKING YOU FOR MORE MONEY…
—BETTER KEEP ALL YOUR INVOICE IN CASE…
J.A . CAN GIVE YOU GOOD ANSWER BUT CAN ALSO TRY TO MAKE MONEY ON THE SIDE…
R.PRESCOTT MONTREAL CANADA
Dear Prescott,
Thanks for your reply on this Scam Watch post.
Dear R. Prescott
Just to start this off, it would be nice if you did not post the whole thing with caps lock, other than that I can tell you that what you have encountered is the subscription feature from JA, when you made your account it was automaticly set up for a subscription with JA, which sucks money from you every month.. its a hidden fineprint on the account creation page and its really hard to spot unless you know its there, this is a really big flaw with JA and we give them a lot of hate for it. Which I think they deserve
I would suggest you to give customer support a call, and ask for a full refund, tell em your story, tell you feel cheated, they should set things straight with you hopefully, you can find their number in the feature ;D !
-Nico
I made the mistake of using JA for an agreed upon price of $30. My visa has now been debited twice and JA rep was less than useless concerning this additional unauthorized debit. I have contacted my credit union and am sending an email with all information to my states attorney general due to concern for fraud from this company.
Do not use!
I can not believe someone felt they have recieved adequate mental health advice from this site. Much better off going to the CDC, NIH, etc. Or if in true need, amazingly enough, many counties/cities can have you seen through the DOH and if a veteran-GO TO THE VA!
I urge everyone to avoid JA. Just another scam….
Dear Chris,
Thanks for your reply on this Scam Watch post.
Hi Chris,
My name is Ethan and I am the Customer Service Supervisor for JA. I am sorry for any frustration this may have caused you. Please email me at CS@justanswer.com so I can get this resolved for you.
Regards,
Ethan
Customer Service Supervisor, JA
Dear Chris
Sorry to hear about your inconvinience with JA, I can tell you that this is the subscription which you where set up with as you made your account at JA :/ its a mean trick..
You have a couple choices, two good ones:
Call customer support, ask for refund
Send Ethan a mail on his mail ;D !
EIther of them should be able to set things straight with you ;D!
-Nico
Ethan you did great in helping resolve my issues with JA and to everybody with gripes, do contact Ethan, he will help you. In the same breath, Ethan, this seems to be ongoing, don’t you think that its time to alter the auto subscription info so that it is clear to everyone wanting to use the service that they have a choice of a once off and auto renewal. I do feel JA have to address this urgently.
Hi William,
Thank you for your response and I am glad that I was able to resolve your issue. When a customer accepts our free trial offer, we send them an email confirming that they’ve enrolled. In that email we state, “Your account will be automatically billed…”. We also send out an email when a customer is getting close to the end of their trial. Billing automatically after the end of a free trial is a commonly accepted business practice. Netflix and Amazon Prime are two examples. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Regards,
Ethan
Customer Service Supervisor
Dear William,
Good questions, and good answer Ethan, but like William I feel like you can do more, since a bunch of people still walk away feeling cheated cause of it ;D! Thanks for sticking around Ethan, and thanks for the comment WIlliam ;D !
-Nico
Dear Tony
Ehrm, gonna skip to the direct threat to JA: Why attack them like this, their website shutting down wont affect them much, they will just get a new adress and/or domain, they still have their google contacts for sure, so they would jump straight to the top of searches in no time. SO I do not really think that your attack will do that much… But I do not support this kind of attack, their concept is not bad, its just not yet fully operational as it should :/
-Nico
The answer to their scam is to warn people off dealing with them .