$1700 Scammed By Roomorama.com

drspy00 on 19/02/2016 - 18:00

My Mum booked an apartment in London last week with Roomorama.com she was happy she found a cheap deal after looking for a long time. Unfortunately almost straight after booking we researched more and found the apartment didn't exist, and the so called host was exhibiting scammy warning signs. By both email and phone being used in scams found on google.

We contacted the site straight away, and the Commonwealth Bank and they cancelled the card. Roomorama took 5 days to reply and all they did was state that we could find another apartment. We expected a full refund and they have now admitted it was a fraudulent host who posted the deal on their site.

They haven't refunded any money, and $1700 nolonger pending on the card, now she has a new card but its gone through anyway. Called the Commonwealth Bank and they said there's nothing we could do, even though card was cancelled whilst it was pending and hours after payment was taken.

Does anyone have any experience with this website or a similar situation? My Mum believes the money is now gone but I am not so sure. They seem to be like Airbnb, and call themselves a startup. I dont believe the site are scammers just yet but they are very unprofessional and take forever to get back. Apparently they are based in both New York and Singapore.

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Comments

  • mhecker on 19/02/2016 - 18:25
    +14

    If you have paid via Credit Card then just put in a dispute with CBA. As the goods or services were not delivered there is an excellent chance to get the money back this way but it will take a few weeks at least.

  • PVA on 19/02/2016 - 18:35
    +2

    put in a dispute with the bank.

  • drspy00 on 19/02/2016 - 18:39
    +1

    They cancelled the card immediately, and they've said there's not much they can do, but they may investigate it. We have always found them good in the past so I hope they can do something. I still dont think it was a scam by roomorama just yet but they must have really enjoyed we didn't use the paypal option and they keep trying to find replacement apartments, because it was a cheap deal for the area of London there wouldn't be anything in the price range anyway and we feel its either really unprofessional staff who dont understand the situation and we want a refund or they're using it as a delay tactic.

    • The tiger on 20/02/2016 - 09:54
      +1

      Hi,drspyoo,
      Don't regret over not using PayPal . Few days ago , I made a silly mistake by making double bookings one day after another with AirAsia. The booking was made on Friday evening, and nothing much could be done till Monday. PayPal made two payments of same amount to AirAsia. I called them for reverting back one. The staff just pushed me away by saying , no, no , they could not do anything. Instead they wanted me to contact for a refund from AirAsia . Funny thing was I did not have sufficient fund in my saving account for two payments and yet my banker, NAB accepted these two payments resulting an overdraft. I made a dispute with NAB and they charged back Paypal. Very efficient . But then Paypal was after me like hell. They even threatened to send their debt collector, I presume their legal team, after me. They admitted even if some one fraudently used my details , or I wrongly press say $100.00, but with more 00 , say $10,000 and yet I have no money in my saving account, since it is my mistakes and not theirs, I still have to bear all the payment. That is not their business, they claimed! This is horrific ! Whereas I understand in a fraudulent case, the maximum charges by those credit card issuers is something like $50.00. Since they are big, I bent down, even though the service is not yet provided.and paid them back , and took all the trouble for a refund from AirAsia .After settlement was done with Paypal, I immediately cancel my account with them. I realize now it is very risky to use them and for no purpose. Their claim of protect the buyer do not mean anything.What for,It is better direct to use my bank debit account. No money there, no worry , the banker won't accept any.

      • starletgt on 20/02/2016 - 10:46
        +3

        I agree Paypal is Shit - they ripped me off enough times already.

      • Magnate on 02/03/2016 - 15:42

        Are you serious? You made a mistake and committed to a purchase based on a set of terms and conditions which do not include a refund for change of mind. You then tried to get a refund. YOU are the ones at fault. Stop blaming Paypal and expecting someone else to pick up the tab for your own stupid mistakes.

        We've all made the mistake of double booking something before. Most of us cop the charge and move on. We know budget airlines are budget for a reason.

        • The tiger on 03/03/2016 - 16:57

          Hi, Magnate,oh I am serious. Then what is the use of having Paypal if they won't even entertain a dispute. Banks do. So Paypal got commission from AirAsia for my purchases and refused to entertain my dispute. Pushed me away to deal direct with AirAsia and so they just collected commission without labour! Of course after much efforts myself I got a refund from AirAsia. I don't blame AirAsia as it was indeed my stupid mistake, but Paypal. Mistake can be rectified as in this case quoted but with labour . I used Paypal thinking they could take the cost to help me. As I said in another case, I did make the same mistake of double bookings . Luckily I used CBA credit card. After dispute submitted , CBA almost instantly reversed the charge to AirAsia. This taught me no point to use Paypal and it is definitely the best to use bank cards instead . What is worst , the staff confirmed that even if I had not or not enough fund in my linked bank account , and if I made a mistake by typing say $10,000 instead of $100, they would still send their legal team after me. As you said we erred often. I cited my experience here for the benefits of our OPs , it is up to individual whether to heed my experience . I am not related to anyone such as AirAsia or, CBA, or NBA.

  • KaTst3R on 19/02/2016 - 18:47
    +2

    CBA comes with fraud insurance. It takes about 30 days for a resolution. And at the same time, you should also chase the website for some solution.

    • drspy00 on 19/02/2016 - 21:11
      +3

      We thought so too, but they have been very pessimistic about getting any money back for some reason. Its been confirmed it was a scam, so I dont know why the supposedly legit site is not answering emails, and calls regarding getting it back.

      • npc on 19/02/2016 - 21:22
        +9

        It seems you are not reading or not interested in answers here. People are saying to call CBA and lodge the dispute over the CC transaction. Not to the dodgy web site.

        • drspy00 on 20/02/2016 - 14:04

          The CBA were called the night after booking was confirmed, They cancelled the card and a dispute was lodged then apparently. Yesterday the new card arrived and we saw the debit had gone through anyway and CBA were saying My Mum probably wouldn't get the money back, not sure if that's their way of ensuring no false hope is given.

      • KaTst3R on 20/02/2016 - 02:22
        +1

        Just let the fraud team take over the case. I have had one case previously. I got charged for taxi fare when I have not sat a cab for years. The CBA guys took about 2 weeks and I got back the full amount + card replacement…Definitely use them as first point of contact.

  • barginhunter11 on 19/02/2016 - 21:46

    Paid by Debit card ? or Credit Card ?

    • drspy00 on 20/02/2016 - 14:05
      +1

      Credit card unfortunately, Even paypal was an option and unfortunately My Mum being stubborn didn't want to listen to my suggestion to use it at the time!

      • minniethemoocher on 20/02/2016 - 15:24
        +4

        I don't understand why you aren't listening to others. Paying by credit card has better fraud protection than PayPal. Don't just talk to the call centre, tell your bank that you want to lodge a formal dispute. MasterCard, Visa or whoever the credit card provider is will conduct an investigation and you will get your money back ( if it is fraud).

        • drspy00 on 20/02/2016 - 19:21

          I am listening, it was reported to CBA last week, card was cancelled and its been a week since, and the transaction went through anyway, CBA claim we wont get anything back.

          It isnt actual fraud, like a skimmed card or stolen credit card info. Roomorama let someone who appeared fraudulent list an apartment on their site, I found info to suggest he was a scammer and reported it to them, and they agreed but there was no way he could access the card info apparently so pointless scam.

          Unfortunately Roomorama ignored requests for a refund until today, so we assumed something dodgy was going on and still will until the refund is hopefully received!

        • drspy00 on 21/02/2016 - 11:57

          Can I ask why a regular credit card would have better protection than Paypal with credit card? I always thought it was an extra layer of protection, Ive always had good luck with disputes and in this case we can prove we didn't receive a service and have it in writing that we wont, and that it was a scam, from the company themselves. The CBA havent been very optimistic in chances of getting money back, and I know in the past with Paypal it only takes a few days, maybe we were lucky though. Is someone unable to dispute a Paypal transaction with the bank?

        • minniethemoocher on 21/02/2016 - 12:27
          +2

          As mentioned above by damaria 1943 they did a bank charge back for an incorrect transaction with PayPal and then PayPal chased them for the money. I have heard a few stories like this. The protection provided by a credit card is from MasterCard/Visa or whoever is the credit card provider not just the bank. If fraud is involved you have an excellent chance of getting your money back. Although many people pay for things using PayPal and a credit card for a double layer of protection. I'm glad it worked out for you.

        • drspy00 on 21/02/2016 - 12:40

          @minniethemoocher: Yeah, unfortunately in this case we didnt. Hoping its going to work out with either the CBA or roomorama.com as they said a refund is on its way.

      • barginhunter11 on 20/02/2016 - 15:28

        Charge that shit back then…

  • mskeggs on 19/02/2016 - 21:48
    +9

    Nobody knows why you aren't lodging a credit card charge back dispute except you.
    Calling your bank to open such a dispute will get all your money refunded fairly quickly.

    • drspy00 on 20/02/2016 - 14:07
      +1

      A charge back dispute was lodged as soon as we noticed the apartment was listed by a scammer. CBA also cancelled the card and a new one was issued. The CBA are not being very optimistic about getting the money back, not sure if their policies have changed recently.

  • adamvlad on 20/02/2016 - 08:04
    +2

    Checked my online statement one day and noticed a charge for software from Moscow! Walked straight into a Bendigo Bank to deal with it. The debit was reversed, money back in my account in a week. So easy!

  • CezR on 20/02/2016 - 09:52
    +4

    I had a few fraudulent transactions charged to my Citibank cc but after I rang & disputed the charges, Citibank reversed straight away. If that's what CBA said, consider changing your bank too because it just shows CBA CAN(T).

  • BobD on 20/02/2016 - 10:27
    +4

    In my experience, the CBA will get your money back. However, it won't happen if all you do is talk to their call centre and ask their advice. Lodge a dispute over the transaction and be patient.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/02/2016 - 12:40
    +2

    There are heaps of complaints against Roomorama on the net, both from renters and owners of property.

    • drspy00 on 20/02/2016 - 14:01
      +1

      I know, it does seem a bit dodgy but it was my mum who booked it, I probably would have looked into it more.

  • drspy00 on 20/02/2016 - 14:11
    +1

    CBA are looking into it but we also had an email from Roomorama.com for the first time mentioning a refund has been granted and should be a matter of days. I hope its true. It could be as ive been putting a bit of effort to contact them by phone and on social media.

    If the refund is successful I will just assume they are poorly run or understaffed, rather than scammers, despite some dodgy feedback online. They shouldn't have let the payment go through as we contacted them instantly, and definately shouldnt have kept the money so long. Just hoping their word is honest on this as it will be easier and faster than waiting for the bank to investigate.

    • barginhunter11 on 20/02/2016 - 15:29
      +3

      I wouldn't wait for them if its a scam… the longer they hold you off the harder to get the funds back

  • WT on 21/02/2016 - 12:37
    +1

    I have found cba to have the worst service which you are finding as well. So much so i dont do business with them.

  • drspy00 on 25/02/2016 - 14:01
    +1

    Just an update, Roomorama.com refunded the money although its about $70 less due to conversion fees etc. So wasn't a scam but was a case of a company being a bit incompetent with how they handled the problem. They also confirmed it was me who tipped them off to the scammer, so really they have little fraud prevention in place and would probably not book again with them. Although I have to correct the fact they aren't scammers!

    • WT on 26/02/2016 - 14:37

      I wouldnt be happy with anything but a full refund, conversion fees or not!

  • The tiger on 26/02/2016 - 08:40

    Hi, drsy00, I am puzzled since you said Roomorama is not a scammer your banker CBA still fails to reverse the charge to them. Obviously they are a very poor protector. Or perhaps you got the unhelpful banker. My friend once ( through me ) made a double bookings with AirAsia too by using his CBA credit card , and after a dispute put up by my friend, the reverse charge was done almost instantly, no problem. I used Paypal because AirAsia won't charge any processing fees for using them. However because of my last experience with Paypal, I now stop using them. You may do so with CBA and move to another, say NBA.

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