When you sign up for Genealogy.com and Ancestry.com and if you read the fine print, you actually grant them permission to automatically renew your subscription. It is in the agreement, I have seen it. While I don't condone what it is they do and the way they do it, what they are doing is not illegal, because they make you aware of what they are doing. Most people just fail to read all they are agreeing too. As far as other companies keeping credit cards on file, according to current Visa and e-commerce transaction standards, it is illegal to keep credit cards on file after the transaction has been completed. I would have to look it up, but if Visa determines you are not in compliance they will fine you an extrodinant amount, not only for your internet transactions, but a percentage of your brick and mortar transactions as well. Ellen- www.linkstothepast.com *********** REPLY SEPARATOR *********** On 5/7/02 at 8:14 AM N295VV@aol.com wrote: >Interestingly, Genealogy.com and Ancestry.com are not exactly virgins when it >comes to their operations either. > >These two sites-which offer great searches-keep your credit card on file and >at least one-Genealogy.com-performs automatic renewals without your >permission-a practice that is illegal in many states. > >Last year, 700,000 Americans suffered some form of identity loss from credit >card scams. Many people doing genealogy are senior citizens. This kind of >credit card abuse by these firms just perpetuates the problem. > >Did you know that your suppliers have your credit card on file? When you >supplied your number to these two sites, did you realize they were keeping it >in their computers? > >David Jones > > >==== WIWAUKES Mailing List ==== >The Waukesha County Mailing List is maintained by Ellen Rohr, >Waukesha County, WIGenWeb Coordinator. If you have a problems or >concerns, please contact me at waukesha@linkstothepast.com > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237