Disaster kit proved too good to be true

I received an e-mail to purchase a disaster kit for $1 which included a flashlight, radio, first aid kit, whistle, and five other items.

It sounded like a fair deal so I scolled to the right and filled out the address and credit card information.

Right below was “enter,” which took you to another page. I never saw the terms and condition section, which was to the right and below the enter button.

About eight days later I received an envelope and, upon opening it, found junk from China worth about $10 at the local store. I paid off my credit card as soon as the charge appeared.

Three weeks later the card statement came out with a $95 charge on it from the disaster kit company. I checked the Web site again and read the terms and condition section printed small and on a red back ground. I found that you could request a refund if you called in within 10 days from ship date; otherwise, a $95 charge would be made.

I contacted the card’s dispute section and received no help at all. Of course I paid the card off and cancelled it. No one needs a credit card that won’t at least consider what happened.

I have reported this scam to the federal government and feel that I can, at least, warn my neighbors about this scam.

WILBUR SHAFFER

Sandpoint