A Santa Monica man who claimed America Online withdrew monies from his bank account without permission was awarded $77 last week by a Santa Monica judge.
George Wood testified the on-line giant took money from his bank account during October and November of 2002 without his consent.
“I signed up for a free trial offer,” Wood said. “And then I called to put it on hold, because I couldn’t use it.”
But Wood said AOL didn’t respond to his request. Months later, Wood found his account had been drawn upon to pay for a service he wasn’t using. Though he asked AOL to refund his money, Wood said “they just wouldn’t give it back.”
America Online did not send a representative to court. Commissioner Donna Groman ruled against the corporation for the full $77 in charges.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 13, 2003. Read the original PDF.