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DRI Element 5.com

DRI Element 5.com review: Fraudulent Charge 42

Author of the review
7:49 am EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

When checking online for charges made to my credit card, as I do every evening, I found 2 charges made by DRI element5.com for 29.95 each, still in pending. I do not even know who the company is or what they sell. I called my credit card company. At first they told me I had to wait until the charges were actually on the card and off pending. I told them no dice. So they took them off and are sending me a new card.

In the meanwhile I am card-less and have to notify all my automatic payments on bills to this card tomorrow, that they will need to wait until I receive my new card and new number. What a pain! Who are these people and where did they come from?

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

42 comments
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wildcat214
Wichita Falls, US
Jun 09, 2009 1:51 pm EDT

I have a chage on my wal-mart credit of $61.48 that you charge on my credit with out my permison. Now I have a negative on my card. Now If you don/'t contact me and reimdurst me for my lost and any incovience you and on to my card for late fees. 75.00 dollars. Please contact right away. Sincerley Karen Seay

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Juan Colon SR
Jacksonville, US
Jun 15, 2016 7:00 am EDT

I was checking my account like every other day when I found two charges (29.95 and 39.95) that do not belong to me. I don't even know about this company, all I know is that this is a scam. I went over to my Credit Union to complain about it, but they can not erase the charge before they get the money? What a sham!

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Wendy
,
Nov 25, 2008 9:18 am EST

there is a charge on my Debit card for 29.95. i did not know who you are and I did not authorize this. I will be filling a complaint with the police department - right after I submit this form to you. This is a crime.
Wendy Gallagher

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LOUD & Clear Consultancy
, GB
Mar 17, 2015 11:16 am EDT

Similar issue. And the problem seems to be the company isn't very good at indicating what product you may have bought. Turns out that I did actually buy some project management software (Merlin2 for Mac) and this is what the Dri Elements5.com was on my statement. It took two phone calls — one to my credit card company and then Element5 to find this out.

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clark131
Cary, US
Jun 09, 2009 5:33 pm EDT

fraudulent charge of 139.95 with a 3.95 click and buy charge, caught in time

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Robin
Spartanburg, US
Apr 19, 2009 1:16 pm EDT

I had a $29.95 charge on my bank account and I have never heard of this company! This is fraud!

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Fireflyy
Bellevue, US
Dec 16, 2013 1:09 pm EST

Jetbrains. It's an IDE..whatever that means.
I had this charge and my husband said "that is my IDE"
"Jetbrains released an update"
"They changed the model with this one so that any updates in the next year are free"

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Sally S Miller
Midvale, US
Nov 09, 2013 11:51 pm EST

Going over my monthly statement I noticed a couple of withdrawl that I have no ideas what or who they are. I am trying to cancel these and get my money back.. pcbooster.com $60.80 --eslr8.com ref 134 uslocalteam org #1236 I've looked them all up and they all have a scam warning on them. But no way to cancel or contact them.

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Kplank
, US
May 12, 2011 5:02 am EDT

I recently recieved charges on my debit card, one of many from multiple companies examples www.eslr8.com, CCILLEU.com, emirates em air, Bahrain Air Company, ABT X Travels, ABT limited, all where made within 2 days. I had recently been out of town and it happened while I was in San Antonio Texas at a convention. I don't know how they obtained my information. I have a suspition but it has not been confirmed. I purchased an item at the convention I had only used my debit card 2 other times and they where both at fast food places so this is the only other likely source. They had one of those portable credit card units and I wondered if this is how they got my information. Before that I only used secure sites that had been used in the past to pay bills so this was probably not where they got the info.

mustsoftware
mustsoftware
, AS
Feb 27, 2011 5:05 pm EST

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gvonnieda
Lancaster, US
Dec 07, 2010 7:57 pm EST

just found 2 charges from element 5 one for 149.85 and one for390.90 you all got off lucky and i am damn sure i never purchased any software from any one.

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I*hate*phonies
Torana, CA
May 04, 2010 10:26 am EDT

I work for American Express, this charge is definatly Fraudulent, it is supposed to be anti-virus software, when you install it it will ruin your computer and do nothing. Dont download anything from these kinds of company. Buy legitimate software from Best Buy or something like that.

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Kat. M.
Greensboro, US
Mar 17, 2010 9:55 am EDT

I have been reading the complaints against this company "DRI Element5.com", and some of you think the charges are legit.
I DID order software, and I DID get an email confirming the order.
When I checked my bank account this morning, I had a DEPOSIT for the cost of the software, and a WITHDRAWAL for the cost, + $10. What is up with that?
I DON'T think this is a legitimate company, or service, and made sure I cancelled my debit card this morning. If it was indeed the charge for the software, I am sure I will be hearing from them. In the meantime, I am not taking any chances, and will be a little more gunshy when ordering anything online.

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beachett
Dana point , US
Jan 23, 2010 2:13 pm EST

We woke up this morning with a 39.90 charge on our account?
Looking for info on this matter I came across this article ...
We are now in the process of cancelling our card reporting the scam Thank you for the feed back ! This is Bull #$@!

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Roger Wernersson
, SE
Jan 18, 2010 5:27 am EST

At first I was worried, but mine was legitimate. I bought an application for my Palm phone which went through Digital River.

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Pinkcloudz
Holden, US
Aug 13, 2009 8:55 pm EDT

Upon checking my credit card on line I also discovered a charge of $38.95 from DRI*WWW.ELEMENT5.INFO element5.info MN which I KNOW I did not authorized. I have NEVER EVER bought computer software of any kind on line or with this credit card. When I spoke to the fraud department they also discovered two other charges pending within a 24 hour time period that I had no knowledge of. The first one was $51.50 from MAPINOs pANAcIqTHs NIKAIA which has no phone number nor do I find it when I google. The second was $.10 for a donation to the blind which I was told is a common way for a scam to find out a good card number and then they hit it with even larger amounts. I was very lucky to have a credit card that immediately returned these funds and connected me with the fraud department who have even taken the time to call and update me with additional progress reports. Yes I did have to cancel my card but that is better than more charges appearing that I would have to take the time to dispute. Good luck to anyone else in this position!
Pinkcloudz

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dee1977
, US
Jul 15, 2009 10:41 am EDT

I just received a charge for 29.95 from these people. I have NEVER purchased anything from them. What I don't understand is how did they even get my card info? It's a brand new card and I haven't used it online for anything but a small purchase from Amazon. Luckily, my bank filed a claim and I will be reimbursed, but I had to cancel my card and now I have to wait for another. Watch out everyone!

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Henrik Landmark
, DK
Jun 14, 2009 3:36 pm EDT

DRI Element5.com
I have 2 charges of 74, 61 EUR date *09.06.2009 ? something is wrong...
This is completely unauthorized! I have complete records of what I ordered and who the payments went to.

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workinforalivin
Indiana, US
Jun 12, 2009 1:18 am EDT

Hi All,

Just thought I'd jump in on this one. These charges are not fraudulent and the companies are legitimate. They are a payment processing service for software publishers and Mike has the information correct.
Share-it! - Digital River, Inc.
9625 West 76th Street, Suite 150
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
USA
The original company, element5/shareit was purchased by Digital River (hence the DRI) and they process payments for thousands of software purchases. Please check out the website and the companies. If you would like to cancel your 'autorenew' you'll have to log into the website of this company and change the option. In most cases, all it takes is one or two clicks. They ususally send you a confirmation email once your purchase is complete and it should explain it there as well and also if you carefully review your order page before you confirm it, there may be an option to change the autorenew before you purchase.

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Upset
somewhere, US
May 18, 2009 8:56 am EDT

Customer service USA
(Language: English)
share-it! - Digital River GmbH
c/o Digital River Inc.

9625 West 76th Street, Suite 150
Eden Prairie, MN 55344, USA

Tel.: +1.952.646.5747 or +1.800.903.4152
Fax: +1.952.646.4552

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tntimaging
Chandler, US
May 14, 2009 12:06 pm EDT

Got a similar charge. Finally found an "after" email for renewal to a software we no longer have. No notice of renewal time coming. About to quit buying ANYthing on-line. Too many stores in the Phonex area whose charges are recognizable.

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flashrob
Mays Landing, US
Apr 09, 2009 12:13 pm EDT

correction to my above post: I DID GET AN EMAIL FROM PC TOOLS with access to a full invoice...

flashrob

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flashrob
Mays Landing, US
Apr 09, 2009 12:11 pm EDT

I saw this on my online bank statement: DRI*ELEMENT5.COM

It turned out to be a AUTOMATIC RENEWAL FOR "Registry Mechanic" from PCTools...for 3 licenses at $39.90

It appears they have an "automated annual renewal" similar to many "recurring monthly charges" I get because of subscriptions to STUFF LIKE RHAPSODY, COAST TO COAST RADIO, etc.

I didn't expect it, don't know whether I want it... but I was about to renew a RegCleaner anyway, so I'll probably keep it...just have to download the software again...this by the way, is from Ireland...

...and I didn't get an email from PC Tools on the pending billing date... just don't read all my eamil ontime...

So, at least it WASN'T A PHONY CHG... that's what I was really concerned about.

regards,

flashrob

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caliqueen
Round Rock, US
Mar 31, 2009 8:01 am EDT

I just received an email from the bank stating that there was irregular activity with my debit card. I looked at my statement and saw 2 charges for 29.95 from dri element5.com and one for 9.99 form eslr8.com. I didn't make any online purchases or any software purchases so I don't know how they received my credit card info. Now I have to wait for my bank to place a stop on my card and reissue me another. What a pain in my ***.

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John Patersonski
Belgrade, US
Mar 26, 2009 6:52 am EDT

I too had a $29.95 charge which the credit card folks said was for a software charge. I just purchased a PC from a local store 2 months ago. I never used my CC number for anything and I did not use the garbage software antivirus. If somehow these schmucks got my cc number from some database and associated it to my IP address, now that is big brother at its best.

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Mike
Toronto, CA
Mar 13, 2009 10:25 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Share-it! - Digital River, Inc.
9625 West 76th Street, Suite 150
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
USA

THIS IS WHO THEY ARE

But my charge was legit, I bought software from them

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Frank Bank
, US
Feb 03, 2009 2:47 pm EST

It's a charge from PCTools for their spyware program. It has an ANNUAL subscription charge of $29.95. If you buy this and forget about it, THEY STILL CHARGE YOU! I called their 1-800 number and got a refund in FOUR days!

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onebadninetytwo
Waterloo, US
Dec 09, 2008 12:05 am EST

boy am i gald i came across this.. 39.95 pending on my checking account... where did that come from? funny thing for pc tools to send the email of my renewal 2 weeks earlier and i get charged by this unknown company today.. like that gentleman said above stupid companies..

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Robert F. Landon
,
Nov 19, 2008 12:41 pm EST

After threats to both Element5 and PC Tools, I received a credit back. Anyone wishing contact info for either, please email me.

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Robert F. Landon
,
Nov 18, 2008 2:46 pm EST

I too have been scammed by Dri Elements5.com and confirm its origin is PC Tools.com. I have contacted all parties possibly complicit in fraudulent acts and have contacted both the California and US Attorneys General's Office and Fraud units. My next step is to file a Class Action case against these parties and would seek others to join. Contact RF Landon at info@thec3group.com

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chris
,
Nov 15, 2008 10:18 am EST

I did some research and found that pc tools do an automatic update every year on your software via the unauthorized charges on my account.When I spoke with them they claimeed to have sent a varification email which I dont recall seeing. If you have any questions for them just customer service at [protected].evidently when you by software from them you are also signed up for a yearly fee for each product you purchase.Some of the products will come out for payment at different times depending on how you ordered them the previous year.

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janice
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Nov 12, 2008 12:08 pm EST

I never purchased anything even remotely related to dri elements 5? Never heard of them! WIll definitely dispute this $39.95 charged on my card!

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Laura
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Oct 01, 2008 1:06 pm EDT

Upon researching my pending charge of $29.95 from DRI*element5.com, I have figured out what it is from. This website will tell you, http://ccc.element5.com/ccc/getinfo.html what you purchased and what the charge is for.

I purchased a spyware doctor last year, apparently their website sets you up to renew annually, thus the charge. I have sent the company an email, Support@pctools.com in hopes to get this taken care of.

Good luck to all with it.

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Ken Krause
,
Aug 31, 2008 4:49 am EDT

I hate when these stupid companies use the different names on the charge than what was the name of the product you actually purchased. I too was dumbfounded by this charge and could not remember spending $15.00. Then I finally found this page and saw the name Share It. I totally forgot I upgraded, my CuCuSoft software that was originally $39.9* when I bought it. CuCuSoft allows you to rip DVD to your Zune or Ipod. Great software by the way. So thank you above for the info. It saved me from cancelling another card. I just had my GM Card stolen last month with almost $400 of fraud charged on it from 6 or 7 different vendors?

Why can't these companies (banks and vendors) have a 1-800 number on the Paid to line so that we can call. I always suspect that it is fraud if there is no number.

Thanks again and I hope this information helps someone.

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Txspecialgirl
,
Aug 24, 2008 10:58 pm EDT

When checking online for charges made to my credit card, I found charges made by DRI element5.com for 29.95 each, still in pending. I do not even know who the company is or what they sell. I did not authorize this Charge I went on line to find out what company this is and it was a website selling (Regcure) back on 07/05/08 i purchase a product Key for SafeCart.com for (Regcure) it was my first time to every buy something on line and now this DRI element5.com for 29.95 is charging me for The same product i purchase from SafeCart.com

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aadz
,
Aug 22, 2008 1:46 am EDT

Go to
http://ccc.element5.com/ccc/getinfo.html

'www.element5.info' - Where did this charge on my credit card come from?
element 5 - A Digital River Company You have placed an order for a product-typically, a software product-via the Internet. Your credit card has been charged by element 5 / share-it!. You should have received a confirmation by e-mail at the time the credit card was charged. element 5 / share-it! manage online software sales for tens of thousands of publishers.

Here you can identify orders that are charged to your credit card by this identification code. Please enter into the fields below the last four digits of your credit card number and the e-mail address that you assume was used to place the order, then click "Start search." An overview will then be displayed listing all orders where this credit card number and e-mail address was used.

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DJ Sullivan
,
Aug 19, 2008 4:46 pm EDT

This is most definitly a scam folks. Found a charge to my card for 29.95 from dri element5.com. I immediatly cancelled the card and i am disputing the charge to my account. Also did a little research to find out that this is some marketing and/or advertising company based in Pompano Beach Florida. This is most definitly a scam. Im not sure how these people aquired my credit info but, in due time I will find out. I also have a phone number, business name, web site address, and street address to this so called company if anyone is interested.

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FREDERICK T KNUTSON
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Aug 15, 2008 6:04 am EDT

WANT TO CANCEL

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showgirl
,
Aug 06, 2008 9:31 am EDT

Just found a charge for $29.95 from Drielement5.com after my son used it to order computer parts. This is completely unauthorized! I have complete records of what we ordered and who the payments went to.

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dave
,
Aug 04, 2008 11:22 am EDT

i also found a double charge of 29.95 each on my credit card on 8/3/08. called & cancelled card. don't know who these folks are or what scam they are running.