Is This Us Company Entitled To Charge Me Vat?

[221b]

Hello

Just bought some online photo software [through digital download] direct from an American company.

They have charged me VAT, which I know some companies can do, if they're in the EU, but this is the States, so I'd like to know if they're legit.

They're VAT number is: VAT ID EU826011714

How can I find out if this is theirs and not just a made-up set of figures?!

I know about the site where you can verify EU member states' numbers, but obviously, they're not EU to start with...

Many thanks

Helen

[221b]

UPDATE:

Hmmm...

This seems to provide some answers, although this isn't the company I was purchasing from:

http://support.hostgator.com/articles/pre-sales-policies/payment-fees/european-union-value-added-tax-vat

Still seems odd to me...

[bednobs]

it seems pretty clear to me - you bought the goods and they were supplied to you in the UK, therefore they are subject to VAT, no matter they were delivered from USA