Description

I used the Public Records US service to secure a document from the state of NJ. I paid for that ONE TIME use plus an additional charge for a report via credit card. Without authorization, the company began charging me $5 monthly recurring charges and $1 'test' charges. I monitor my credit card bills monthly and noticed the unauthorized charges. I contacted my bank and Public Records US. Both were responsive. The company did refund my money because it was clear the charges were unauthorized. However, they did try to insist that I had signed up for an "account" with them to allow me access at any time. Yet, testing that account revealed that no such account existed and this is how they make money by charging small fees to anyone who has used their service once when there are no subscription services available from this company. It is unethical. I am a professional archivist and use databases and systems of this sort very often. I always read the fine print, this company did not indicate there would be a recurring charge.