The Amazon judge and jury

[RetireAge50]

Perhaps another user was using your account with their own credit card ending in 47 or whatever. I would write them a letter asking for a list of your last 10 orders. Ask them to remove all fraudulently used credit cards from the account and reinstate or open a new account for you.

 

[Lsbcal]

...
edit/add: I just installed a new OS on my computer "Xubuntu 18.04", and need to reset this double space issue in FireFox:

got to about:config , search for: editor.use_div_for_default_newlines , set to false

I posted my concerns about using this workaround in the "Forum Admin" section.

 

[kcowan]

Wow. I am reminded of when amazon.ca cancelled all their Visa Cards in March. No reason given. Just tough luck. I thought it was arrogant of them to not give a reason. We were in Mexico and had to scramble to get another no-FX CC.

One thing I can learn from this experience is that 2FA is something I need to implement on all "essential" services.

I would definitely put together a comprehensive story about all the costs they have inflicted on you, including loss of any discounts from purchasing on their CC if applicable, loss of use of devices and any proprietary content. Where you take this is a matter that others have already suggested. State level would be my first choice BWTFDIK!

(Lucky you have not automated your home with Echo! Alexa, please sue amazon...)

 

[Sunset]

I’ve been thinking about my usage and dependence on the big tech companies. The FAANG companies if you will.

What if they ever collaborated with each other to share a ‘bad’ customers list? If you get on ones bad list, then suddenly you’re rejected from all of them. I’m sure this is just a thought exercise. Although there is cross pollination between these tech giants, I doubt they’d ever collaborate to that level.

I’m obviously going to have to live without Amazon now. I’m still wrapping my head around that. My life will be less convenient but I’ll adjust.

If Facebook kicked me out that would also just be an inconvenience. Id lose tracking ability and information related to family and some key hobby groups (running/hiking) that would hurt. But I’d adjust.

If Apple kicked me out that would hurt. I guess my iPhone/iPad devices couldn’t be supported and I can’t imagine not having those in this day and age.

I’d sure miss Netflix too. I’m already missing Amazon Prime video. But I’d adjust.

Getting kicked out of Google? Can they even do that? [emoji15]

Anyway, paranoia sets in.

Yes they can, I was banned for life by Google ....
(nope, not going to provide details).

 

[REWahoo]

This thread certainly gives me pause in "investing" more into Amazon technology.

I have to think (hope) this sort of thing is rare or there would be something out there on the Interwebtube decrying it. Numerous Google searches fail to reveal any information about Amazon customer bans similar to what befell MuirWannabe. Lots of links to customers banned for too many returns or having seller accounts and somehow running afoul of Amazon, but nothing about consumer accounts suddenly banned with no hint of why.

MuirWannabe, maybe you should talk to these folks about taking your case: The Innocence Project

 

[flintnational]

I would be tempted to make a protest sign and picket in front of a Whole Foods (public property). It might get Amazon's or the media's attention. Sorry for your troubles.

 

[Dash man]

By chance do you own any Amazon stock? Investor Relations may be a way in to get their attention.

 

[Sunset]

Anything is possible. But it seems unlikely. We use the default password that came with the router. It’s long and obtuse. And I’ve seen no other problems in my life that would indicate I’d been hacked in such a way.

This does not seem like a good idea

If you are using the default password, it is available on the internet, or could be calculated out, or guessed at based on the router type. Anybody driving by or your neighbors can login , shop at amazon with their own accounts.

Amazon will see the same IP address used for different accounts, which is not too bad, as businesses with many employees show up as common IP addresses. But you are not a business, and their cookies would show that over time from all the accounts at that IP address.

 

[Chuckanut]

Actually, it can get worse with banks. Banks can put you on a banned list and you have no rights to find out why and/or appeal the decision.

 

[copyright1997reloaded]

I look at some of these things in a more 'vengeful' way. If I am out $170 due to no fault of my own, can I cause them to spend much more time and money to defend themselves.

Small claim court
Sign's in front of whole foods
Posting on social media
Telling all my friends about what happened
and so on.

When you are retired, time is cheap. Amazon's workers, lawyers, and client relations time is expensive.

 

[GrayHare]

jet.com is a shopping alternative to Amazon, albeit with not as many items nor as well-functioning a web site

 

[Dash man]

jet.com is a shopping alternative to Amazon, albeit with not as many items nor as well-functioning a web site

Jet.com is owned by Wal-Mart

 

[ERD50]

Originally Posted by MuirWannabe
Anything is possible. But it seems unlikely. We use the default password that came with the router. It’s long and obtuse. And I’ve seen no other problems in my life that would indicate I’d been hacked in such a way.

This does not seem like a good idea

If you are using the default password, it is available on the internet, or could be calculated out, or guessed at based on the router type. Anybody driving by or your neighbors can login , shop at amazon with their own accounts. ...

No, I don't think there is any risk to using the default password that came with the router.

On the ones I've seen the past 4 years or so, this is a unique and strong password. Your router is the only one with that password.

They do some random generation at the factory, print it the label, and I'm willing to bet they don't store it anywhere, to avoid someone grabbing that data.

If someone has physical access to your router, they could read the label. But they could do lots of things then.

-ERD50

 

[USGrant1962]

This thread certainly gives me pause in "investing" more into Amazon technology.

I agree - that's why every time someone asks about a Fire stick versus Apple TV versus Roku I suggest Roku. Though I do have a Kindle paperwhite.

 

[JoeWras]

Jet.com is owned by Wal-Mart

Good. An alternative to FAMANG. (might as well add M*soft in there).

The pure tech companies are out of control. I am trying to reduce my dependence on them. I'm not boycotting, but limiting.

I know W*mart gets some people irritated, but man, look at the Big Tech companies too. They are really trying to rule the world.

The "free" Prime movies and shows in the last two years has gone downhill. That struck me last night when I was trying to find something to watch with my expensive yearly subscription. Then, this thread came along. I'm getting agitated.

 

[Splash]

I recently learned my IP address provided by Century Link is not always the same and does not reflect my actual geographic location. I wonder if this could create a problem like MuirWannabe's. Unfortunately, Century Link is the only internet provider in this rural area.

I only discovered this when I signed up for Directv Now and could not get my local channels. Directv uses IP addresses to assign your local channels and based on my IP address it appeared as if I was in another state.

 

[skipro33]

Amazon Prime account allows you to have friends and family open accounts without paying a fee. My DIL started me on Amazon this way. I think she marked my info somehow and I got an account. I later opened a Prime account of my own. I set up a friend and my son on my account as well now. Have you done that in some fashion? A friend perhaps, and you forgot about it?


Or perhaps you have an unusual shipping address that makes shipping to your home more costly than to, say a urban address?



Here is something, a CNET story how one banned Amazon customer got back on;
https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-banned-this-shopper-then-he-outsmarted-them/


Have you ever ordered something and had it shipped to another's address? If that other person has had issues with Amazon and gotten banned, then your and their accounts are associated. Seeing how they won't release CC info about the issue, perhaps that's a reason.

 

[MuirWannabe]

This thread certainly gives me pause in "investing" more into Amazon technology.

I have to think (hope) this sort of thing is rare or there would be something out there on the Interwebtube decrying it. Numerous Google searches fail to reveal any information about Amazon customer bans similar to what befell MuirWannabe. Lots of links to customers banned for too many returns or having seller accounts and somehow running afoul of Amazon, but nothing about consumer accounts suddenly banned with no hint of why.

MuirWannabe, maybe you should talk to these folks about taking your case: The Innocence Project

I’m confused ReWahoo. Looked at your link. That is for freeing innocent people from the criminal justice system. I am innocent. But I’m not in jail. I have received the death penalty. But it was only the Amazon death penalty. That’s bad enough, but your link is addressing poor souls in far worse fortune than mine.

Perhaps that was your meaning?.....buck up and move on. If so, that’s my most likely approach. I’m actually very appreciative of every responder to this thread, the empathy, and the ideas for help. I also relate fully to those who’ve expressed righteous indignation at the behavior of Amazon, along with the desire for revenge. I definitely have those emotions. But the reality is I’m probably not going to court. I’m probably not going to contact a news related consumer watchdog. I’m probably not going to picket Whole Foods. And I’m probably not going to flame on the web on any review site possible. I guess life seems too short for all that. I guess the bastards won.

I will probably start looking into Roku. I would like to watch tv again.

 

[Chuckanut]

I enjoy some Prime TV shows like Bosch and The Expanse. But, at $120 a year, I can order a lot of little filler items to get the free shipping. I would probably cancel, but that would mean I lose myh 5% reward when using my Amazon Prime CC. I need to go back to my records and see what that reward was for the last year.

Oh, I have an Alexa device which I find not very useful. It's kinda of cool, in the kitchen for things like "Alexa, how many teaspoons in 1/3 cup?" and to get an instant weather report. Not much else for me and my lifestyle.

Just ordered a cookie dough scoop from Ali Express for $2.57, about $4 cheaper than Amazon. No two day shipping though. It ships from China so it's about 3-4 weeks. I can wait.

FWIW, I used Capital One's ENO system that generates one number for use only by Ali Express. If that number gets compromised I just tell Cap1 to cancel it. All the other Cap1 numbers including the 'real' number on the card don't have to be changed. I do earn 1/2% less compared to my 2% card, but for a less than $3 item I don't think that will break the bank.

 

[Aerides]

I would at very least initiate a billing dispute via your CC for the refund on that prime fee and the other charges that you can no longer benefit from.

 

[Amethyst]

+1 Sure, they are a private company who can ban anybody they want. But it's a thoroughly churlish move, to keep your money and not respond to any attempts to communicate. One might call it "theft."

I would at very least initiate a billing dispute via your CC for the refund on that prime fee and the other charges that you can no longer benefit from.

 

[REWahoo]

I’m confused ReWahoo. Looked at your link. That is for freeing innocent people from the criminal justice system. I am innocent. But I’m not in jail. I have received the death penalty. But it was only the Amazon death penalty. That’s bad enough, but your link is addressing poor souls in far worse fortune than mine.

Perhaps that was your meaning?.....buck up and move on.

It was an attempt at a joke.

 

[cathy63]

In fact, we have and use the Amazon credit card for our purchases. Another irony is that card is still open and appears fine with no false charges. They closed our account but not our credit card (which doesn’t end in 37 btw).

The Amazon credit card is issued by Chase and you don't have to have an Amazon account to have the card, so it's unlikely that account will be closed. However, you will only get 3% back going forward instead of 5%, and you'll have to claim the rewards as statement credits instead of using them to buy more items on Amazon.

 

[dvalley]

Wow...I've been an Amazon customer since 1999 when they just sold books. However, I've become less and less of their fan over the last few years. Their policies and antics show so much arrogance that it's very upsetting. Out of all the suggestions posted if I were in your situation I'd simply post your story on a blog (similar to what you've done here) and then link to that story from all various social media i.e. post an excerpt and link on Amazon's facebook page, on twitter and whatever else the latest social media site they're promoting.

It's the easiest and free option and possibly that will net the most benefit. If and when you've completely given up on Amazon already I'd keep opening accounts and ordering stuff through them just to F with them. I mean all it takes is 5 mins to open an account, granted you'll be using a different cc# each time so you can only do it so many times but knowing myself I'd do that as a hobby. This is just for the personal sanctification after all the above has failed. However, I do think the social media will grab the attention if not Amazon's then a newspaper site etc.

 

[MuirWannabe]

The Amazon credit card is issued by Chase and you don't have to have an Amazon account to have the card, so it's unlikely that account will be closed. However, you will only get 3% back going forward instead of 5%, and you'll have to claim the rewards as statement credits instead of using them to buy more items on Amazon.

Actually, our Amazon card is with Synchrony. Not Chase. But everything else you said still applies.