Streamate credit card scam

[HiGirlsRHot]

I'm also wondering how does the closure of Cyprus’ banks affect Streamate's business? I mean isn't it hard to run daily operations when all bank accounts are frozen?

I've been watching this unfold via the media and was waiting to see if anyone would mention it on the forum. I would think that SM would have money in other places but I can't see how this won't affect their company in some way.

Part of the allure of banking in Cyprus was the high interest rates bank accounts were paying there 4%. Disclosure laws are lax. In addition to Streammate, porn giant Manwin runs most of their banking operations out of Cyprus, and so you wonder about payment to camgirls for sites Manwin controls. If you have alternate cam sites I sure would be using those instead of Streammate until people start getting their April payments.

 

[starsign]

They will just move to Bulgaria, which has same tax rate as Cyprus. Romanians and Greeks are setting up business there like crazy(over 3,000 businesses since 2008). In fact the highest tax payer to Bulgarian government is a company owned by a Romanian living in Bucharest.

Actually they are planning on moving to Ireland but got caught 'with their pants down' so to speak.

 

[starsign]

I'm also wondering how does the closure of Cyprus’ banks affect Streamate's business? I mean isn't it hard to run daily operations when all bank accounts are frozen?

I've been watching this unfold via the media and was waiting to see if anyone would mention it on the forum. I would think that SM would have money in other places but I can't see how this won't affect their company in some way.

They have a local office in Seattle so I'm sure they can still handle the payments for a while. But if all the members contributions go to Cyprus and no money is leaving the country then this can get unbearable. And it's not just performers' payments but they have their own employee salaries, office rentals and general business expenses to take care of.

 

[joshreges]

Just joined streamate tonight. There was a check mark thing on the page where it talked about the trial membership for eroticmatch.net or whatever.

I then tried to find the site to cancel, couldnt locate it/if I did indeed find it I couldnt login to to try and cancel.

Checked all the billing sites they list as possible billings, nothing as of yet. CS said that they wouldnt know till I was charged if I was enrolled :shock:

Im gonna be pretty angry if they charged me...

 

[Eddie77]

That check mark thing was well documented among members a far or so ago---a real sneaky technique.

Didn't I read that Brazzers bought Streammate in the past few months? If so, I doubt they were very affected by the Cyprus trouble. Now, if Brazzers would only get rid of the outrageously bad customer service department. Perhaps people like me wouldn't be so happy to leave.

 

[starsign]

Haha, you mean Streamate customer service?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE2WGrO0_ws

 

[starsign]

I was talking to a model recently and I felt like this thread needs a bump. It's still not widely known but if you register on Streamate (with you CC, they also have free accounts) they will sign you up for one of three possible dating sites they have with monthly fees. The activation mode varies from clicking emails to "checking boxes" by default and is depending on which dating service is the one promoted with SM at the time. Even models have signed up for member accounts and had to fight with SM to get them cancelled.

I cancelled all my accounts with SM and was able to escape any fixed monthly fees. I just can't see the point of irritating new members and losing business because of this. Plus models will receive traffic from dating services and I'm not so sure if they'd all like that.

 

[CamillaJay]

I originally posted this in the models only section but thought I'd post it here too as a warning for members.

Just checked my email and found this. I remember specifically not checking that subscription off and they charged me anyways? Then I called customer service and the chick said something about when you get a membership they send you an email and when you click that email they automatically start billing you. The thing is I never clicked that email.

Kind of funny that the charge happened at 2:10pm which is right around the time I called customer service for that one issue. Well anyways, there taking care of it.

About 4 weeks later and still no refund. This is really upsetting seeing as I called the day after my initial call to make extra sure that it was listed on my account and that I would get a refund. I remember the guy telling me "were not in the business of ripping people off", well apparently they are unless the person is on their ass everyday.

I called today to ask why I still didn't see the refund reflected in my account and the guy said that there was only a note about cancelling the subscription but nothing about a refund (which I know is complete bullshit). Well anyways he said he'd make sure I get a refund and gave me his name.

 

[Koolguy321]

Thanks starsign for posting all about this.

It is shocking some of the things i've read about Streamate. :snooty:

 

[starsign]

Thanks starsign for posting all about this.

It is shocking some of the things i've read about Streamate. :snooty:

No problem, Koolguy. I managed to escape SM but I wanted to warn others.

Looks like Streamate is going downhill ever since the new owner took over.

 

[elmarshal]

I think I've had a similar experience. However my account was closed when I told the online support about unauthorised transactions on my account. I was then told that my account will be closed and the case will be put to the local law enforcement, but I wasn't told anything about a refund.

I then received an email claiming I have outstanding charges of over $2000. This has all happened just a few days ago so I wouldn't expect any funds in my bank account yet. But would I receive a refund? They have not mentioned anything about it at all, they are just claiming i owe them money.

 

[elmarshal]

does anyone know how long refunds typically take to reach your bank account?

 

[goldenaye666]

This is reminds me of the South Park episode where Kyle doesn't read the terms of service on an iTunes update, becomes property of Apple, and gets turned into a Humancentipad. :lol:

Streamate/Cammodels/etc... has hundreds or thousands of different wrapper sites using the same system but with domain names. I assume they allow affiliate advertisers to create their own domains. They all appear at least a little bit different. Your experience will be different depending where you signed up. I actually signed up a 2nd time with them years ago on a domain I thought was a completely different site. Then both accounts were put on hold until I contacted them. Flirt4free/VideoSecrets/Etc... also does the same thing with many sites that use their same system.

Streamate's support related to billing issues isn't terrible. Cause if they don't do refunds, your credit card will. But when it comes to scammer model accounts on their site, they're terrible. Reported a lot of model accounts who are running recorded videos of famous American porn stars, while some person types in the chat, who barely speaks any English, acting like they're the model in the video. Their support says they'll look into it, but nothing ever happens from the average user complaint. The accounts just keep running making them money off gullible users, until I tell the porn star or her agent, and they get the account shut down.

 

[AllisonWilder]

I think I've had a similar experience. However my account was closed when I told the online support about unauthorised transactions on my account. I was then told that my account will be closed and the case will be put to the local law enforcement, but I wasn't told anything about a refund.

I then received an email claiming I have outstanding charges of over $2000. This has all happened just a few days ago so I wouldn't expect any funds in my bank account yet. But would I receive a refund? They have not mentioned anything about it at all, they are just claiming i owe them money.

It's standard for Streamate to close accounts for even suspected fraudulent activity, they want to make sure that nothing else can go wrong. Have you asked directly about a refund and been ignored or are you just waiting for them to mention it? If the former, don't hesitate to ask again. Even models sometimes have to ask the same question a couple times before they get a response. If the latter, of course, definitely mention it yourself.

I don't really know how to help, but SM is pretty good about these things, so good luck. I hope it turns out in your favor.