Unauthorized Charges and Lack of Transparency
I used Info Cubic's service three times a few months ago to conduct general background checks on three employees. Each check cost a few dollars, and I had no issues at the time. However, a few days ago, I chatted with their representative online and asked some general questions. Immediately after the chat, my boss received a charge for $120. I contacted Info Cubic, and they informed me that this charge was an Annual Technology Fee, which they were passing on to all their active clients who had ordered in 2022.
I was surprised by this charge, as I had not made any order or request for additional services. Furthermore, there was no prior notice given about this fee, and it was done without our approval or consent. I contacted Info Cubic and demanded that they terminate our contract immediately and refund the credit card charge. I am concerned that this charge was made on the assumption that most customers would not notice it, which is improper and criminal behavior for a commercial company.
In their response, Info Cubic informed me that they are a SOC2-certified organization committed to securing our data and access to it. They also stated that they have largely maintained stable pricing for their clients for nearly two decades, and they are adding this annual technology fee due to rising costs such as the Equifax service fee, vendor fees, and labor costs.
I find this justification unconvincing, and I believe that Info Cubic's decision to make this charge without prior notice or consent is unacceptable. I have decided to write a letter of complaint to the FTC and will also contact Mastercard if necessary. I urge others to be cautious when dealing with Info Cubic, as their behavior is not transparent and may be illegal. To put it simply, imagine booking a hotel on Booking.com and finding out that the company charged you an "Annual Technology Fee" without your knowledge or consent. It is simply unacceptable.
2 March 2023
Unprompted review