What is TLC AMA?

[dougsbots]

On 21 December 2004, my wife discovered that �99.95 had been paid to a company called TLC AMA. She has never got involved in any kind of transaction with such a company! She contacted the bank and was told that she would have to wait for ten (10) weeks while the issue is investigated.
After trying to trace what TLC AMA was, I decided to make a random search on the net about TLC AMA. We were surprised by the findings. A lot of people have had a similar amount deducted from there accounts and at about the same time. Can any one out there help explain how this happened and what this company really is [Edited for legal reasons - AB Editor]

[Lindy Loo]

There is another question on the same matter on Answerbank Here .

I've also done some Googling and found this on another site Here . It seems to be relating to the same problem although the company name is slightly different.

 

I would suggest contacting the Bank again and insisting that any credit or debit cards for that account are cancelled, pin numbers changed etc (I assume that was the way the transaction took place) also check that the account details are secure or changed to prevent further problems.

10 weeks seems a very long time for an investigation and answer.  Insist on seeing the bank manager.

 

Also report this to the police. If you have no knowledge of the transaction it would be considered as theft/fraud and as other people appear to have had a similar problem it already be under investigation.

 

Good luck

[djseals]

i have had the same a �99.95 transaction from tlc-ama its an american based company who monitor card useage on the internet, if you have used your card on line or do online banking you are likely to get stung as this is the latest thing with fraud. my bank is natwest and they gave my money back within 5 mins. i also am working with the police to get this traced anyone who has this problem feel free to mail me i will pass your info onto the police and maybe we can stop these people . i have a special email for this fraud its [email protected]

[starrees]

This company is Vector Travel and Lesure. 

I had the same thing happen to me, I had purchased a Lateral Thigh Trainer through a shopping channel on SKY.  When I was on the phone they inticed me to take a holiday voucher scheme.  They told me that if I didn't want it I didn't have to do anything, if I wanted it I would phone to proceed and they'd take the money. 

I didn't phone, but they took the money anyway.

There phone number is 08709033790.  I had to return a voucher pack back recorded delivery and phone with the delivery ref number, then they give back the money.

Hope this helps.

[Laursino]

TLC AMA is a company associated with shopping channels. It stands for Travel and Leisure Club, AMA Communications. They are based in County Down.  If you have ordered anything off a shopping channel and received Travel Vouchers then 'apparently' if you didnt send them back to the company (if you didnt want them) within 21 days you are charged �99.95, i no this as it happened to me one week after christmas. At first i thought someone had my bank details and were fraudulently taking money out - turns out this is thru TLA AMA!!! I phoned the company and was refused to speak to  a manager and everything has to be put in writing. since i have trhown my vouchers away its up to the manager whether i get my money back.  This is utter rubbish - according to Consumer Advise this is unsolisited therefore they have fraudulently taken money out my account.  i have since emailed Watchdog who are looking into this and i would strongly advise everyone else affected to do the same!! Good luck

[carolk]

today is the 20/01/2005 I have had the same experience, I looked at my bank statement on the internet and descovered that there was �99.95 taken out of my account. i phoned the company and told them that my bank had told me that they had committed fraud and they were going to investegate immediatly and I was going to go to the police as they were not given permission to take anything out of my account and they told me I had to send the package back to them, (good job i still had it )recorded delivery which cost me �3.20 and they would refund my money. thanks to you writing this, that I knew who the company were.I will be taking this further. thanks

[Iggy1962]

I had exactly the same thing happen to me!  I purchased an item from a shopping channel on Sky and was asked if I would be interested in looking at literature relating to a Travel Club, I said no, then the sales assistant said "well it is free to look and you are under no obligation, just ring us if you would like to join".  I wasn't interested but decided to put the pack away just in case I changed my mind - smart move!  I was horrified whae I saw my statement with �99.95 on it and reported it to the bank and to the Police.  After a lot of investigating the bank found who had taken the money and gave me a telephone number.  The Customer Services guy at TLC was very helpful but was insistent that I had been told I had to contact them within 21 days or I would be charged.  I was emphatic that this was not the case and he said it was not a problem, just send the pack recorded delivery and I would get my money back.  It cost me �5.20 to send and I am hoping to get my money back this week as promised!  Please be aware that the small print states that if you do not cancel within 30 days of initial payment being taken you will not get a full refund!

I still think it is fraud as there is no way they should be taking money from our accounts for anything other than the items we originally purchased.  I even queried why, if I was now a member, had nothing been sent to me confirming this - there was no reply to this!

How many poor devils do not check their bank statements and have been charged!!!  I know this a lesson well learnt for me!