Hi,
I'll tell you my story and try and tie-up some of the other emails here. Let's be clear from the off, unless you did actually register on one of there sites THIS IS A SCAM. Most people's PC's are infected without signing up/permission and is basically a virus.
My story started in late '08 when the Platte invoice for £49.99 (used to be £29.99) appeared on my PC. I phoned Platte straight away via the number on the invoice on what was the forth day after the so called registration (the day after the 3-day cancellation period ended, it is very clever that the invoice appears on the forth day but unfair that no formal notice is sent by email etc advising you you have registered or that a 3-day cancellation period even exists) explaining I did not join ANY of there websites and could they please delete the invoice and remove there software or give me a code to do so etc.
At this stage Platte only had an IP address which means nothing legally. However, after sometime trying to make them see some common sense all they would say is you do have to pay to get a code to remove the invoice/software or provide proof that an under age person registered by way of a passport!! Unless you honestly did registered, I would suggest you DO NOT send them copies of any passports as they can not be trusted.
After the phone call I found THIS website and if you use the information on this site you CAN REMOVE the software completely without having to contact Platte or pay them anything. Read the instructions carefully, be patient and backup your PC before hand as this allows you various attempts to 'fiddle' with your PC's settings without damaging it. I am not a PC expert by any means but I managed it, worse case take your PC to PC World or Comet etc for a fresh clean start. So having got the software off my PC I thought that was it.
IMPORTANT - Then 2-3 weeks later I got my first letter from Platte asking for the £49.99. They ONLY WAY Platte had gained my address was because I stupidly gave it to them when they asked me to confirm my postcode and then the first line of my address to find my account over the phone. IT IS A TRICK, DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR DETAILS!!!
They tricked me and I knew it the moment I had done it, as I thought getting something in writing would protect me somehow. We are programmed to 'get things in writing' to be safe but in this case don't!! If Platte can't confirm your address to you, it is clear you haven't registered properly, they can't then write to you so simply hang up the phone.
The first letter went in the bin, then a second arrived early '09 requesting the £49.99 within 7 days or Oriel Collections would be involved at a further cost of £25.00. At this stage I followed the advice on this website and contacted the West Yorkshire Trading Standards at PO Box 5 Nepshaw Lane South, Morley, Leeds, LS27 0QP - 0113 253 0241; the OFT via
enquiries@oft.gov.uk and my local MP detailing my story, dates, figures etc and that I ad ot registered or downloaded anything as confirmed by Platte. Send all letters via recorded post so you have proof of postage and a copy of the letter sent and any response.
REMEMBER -I only responded as I had given Platte my address.
I also wrote back to Platte (at PO Box 9934, CM6 1XZ) telling them of my inital phone call on day 4, that they/Platte confimed I had not used the service, that I had seen there sign up process at (plattemedia.com/signupprocess) and I had NOT followed the 7 stage sign up process and that there request for payment was unreasonable and would NOT be paid. IMPORTANT - As advised by the OFT I also asked them in my letter to confirm back to me in writing the following which they must have taken as part of the online sign up process and in order to form a legal online agreement: -
- Date and time of sign up.
- Website address I accessed.
- My date of birth (given some of the video are over 18).
- The user name I provided for my account.
- The password I provide for my acount.
- My emails address as they must have confirmed sign up and sent terms and conditions.
- Bank account or credit card details for payment of the downloads.
- Confirmation that I had accepted there sign up process.
Of cousre I KNOW they CAN'T as I didn't sign up!!!!
A few weeks later Oriel Collections then wrote to me requesting the £49.99 plus an extra £25. Again as per instructions on this website I phone Oriel, spoke to a representative and politely explained the story (Oriel are not the bad party here so be polite). IMPORTANT - I also confirmed verbally and then again in writing to Oriel that I had written to Platte prior to the Oriel letter and that I had had no response from Platte AT ALL and that I was 'IN DISPUTE WITH PLATTE'. My understanding is again via this website is that Oriel can't action anything while you are 'IN DISPUTE' with the company so I stated it various times.
To be fair to Oriel, the chap I spoke to was helpul, understanding and actually said to me he would do his best to see if he could convince Platte to drop the claim and see some common sense. I also stated in the letter to Oriel (and Platte previosuly) that I would be more than willing to go to a local county court to let them decide who was being unfair and unreasonable.
We are now at the end of June and I have heard nothing since from Oriel or Platte, so even if they did now try anything my understanding is it is to late.
In summary;
- If you DON'T give them your details via phone/email in the first place they can't write to you requesting money.
- You CAN delete the software via the instructions on the web.
- If they do get your address either ignore the letters or reply if you are at all worried formally in writing explaining everything in detail.
- DO NOT send them any money at any stage.
- Invest in good anti virus lik Norton or download AVG for free.
You will ask why I bothered writing if Platte can't/will not do anything. It is your choice, but it made me feel safer but then I had already given Platte my address hadn't I!!!! My research shows that not one person has actually been taken to court by Platte as I am sure Platte know that no court would side with them and a verdict against Platte would effectively shut them/this scam down.
PS - One other thing, I read someone was worried about bailiffs knocking at there door to collect the funds or possessions for Oriel. Again I can find no proof this has happened to anyone. But from what I have read online elsewhere, bailiffs do not have the legal right to enter your home and take possessions unless you invite them in. I suggest you simply phone the police and let them check the legality of the paperwork and arrange a formal legal hearing. BUT I AM 99.999999999% SURE THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH PLATTE.
I hope this helps.
