AVN Update On Epassporte Problem

[twinkerbell]

"SANTA MONICA, Calif.—Visa has issued a statement regarding the suspension late last week of the ePassporte Visa program operated through St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank Ltd., according to Brian Krebs, who operates the KrebsonSecurity.com blog.

Krebs reported receiving the announcement at about 10 a.m. PT. It read:

“At the request of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank (SKNA), on September 2, 2010, Visa blocked network access for prepaid cards issued by SKNA and operated by ePassporte.com to address certain program deficiencies. ePassporte.com is a third-party agent that works with SKNA.

“It is important to note that impacted SKNA prepaid cardholders are still able to access their funds through SKNA or SKNA’s agent, ePassporte.com. For more information cardholders should contact SKNA or ePassporte.com.

“Visa is committed to maintaining the integrity of its global payment network and routinely conducts due diligence to ensure Visa prepaid programs adhere to the company’s stringent program requirements and controls.”

The Visa announcement seems to say that all SKNA-ePassporte Visa funds are available to account holders, and not just those in the ePassporte e-Wallet program, as was communicated by ePassporte CEO Chris Mallick late Thursday in his only statement thus far on the situation.

Mallick said at the time:

“Dear ePassporte Account Holders,

“Please be advised that, at 12:00 PM PDT today, September 2, 2010, we were notified that effective immediately, Visa International has suspended our banking partner’s (St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank) ePassporte Visa program. The ePassporte e-Wallet program continues to be up and running, except funds cannot be transferred between your Visa Account and your e-Wallet. At this time ePassporte can no longer issue Visa Cards, and the ability for our Account Holders to make point of sale purchases and withdraw funds from ATMs has also been suspended.

“At this time we do not know why this drastic action was taken by Visa. To us, it is unconscionable that such action would be taken without the opportunity for ePassporte to fully understand Visa’s reasons and to be able to take all steps necessary to keep our program running the way it has so successfully done for over 7 years. But that is what Visa has done.

“As soon as we have more information we will be in contact with you.

“In the meantime please be assured that your funds are safe.

“We are very sorry for the short notice and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The ePassporte team is working diligently to rectify this situation.

“We kindly ask you to bear with us while we work through this issue.

“Please feel free to contact us via the message center or at our call center, should you have any questions, comments or concerns.

“Thank You,

Christopher Mallick.”

Another possible discrepancy between the Visa and Mallick announcements has to do with which entity initiated the suspension of ePassporte Visa. Mallick said, somewhat vaguely, “…we were notified that effective immediately, Visa International has suspended our banking partner’s (St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank) ePassporte Visa program,” while Visa states, more clearly, “At the request of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank (SKNA), on September 2, 2010, Visa blocked network access for prepaid cards issued by SKNA and operated by ePassporte.com to address certain program deficiencies.”

Also, in response to a query Friday from AVN, an ePassporte spokesperson said, “It’s an issue with Visa, not with our bank. All of our functions outside of Visa are working perfectly," which seems to conflict with Visa’s assertion today that the action was taken “to address certain program deficiencies.”

Hopefully, for the many account holders who are having diffculty accessing funds in their ePassporte accounts, the suspension and these apparent discrepancies will be cleared up shortly.

In response to a call by AVN this morning, the ePassporte spokesperson said CEO Chris Mallick was in meetings all day long, and that a comment by the company might be made later Tuesday. Several calls to officers at the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank Tuesday went directly to voicemail and messages left have yet to be returned.

Check back for updates as this story unfolds. "

http://business.avn.com/articles/Vis...ts-411375.html

bye bye monies

[tickler]

The eCard & iCard are blocked and no activity can proceed with them at the moment.

Money in the "wallet" can be transfered apparently, but nobody has been able to confirm yet because it takes several days for wires, deposits to process.

Complete BS though.

Hoping it gets resolved soon.

[Bill]

lol thats some fucked up shit right there...

[Ramster]

Originally Posted by tickler

Money in the "wallet" can be transfered apparently, but nobody has been able to confirm yet because it takes several days for wires, deposits to process.

People have had no problems withdrawing funds, my host Mojo Host said he's has gotten his requested deposits and I saw on another board a few other people say the same thing.

[Cleo]

I still think ePass is toast.

[terry]

Hmm, the email I got from Mojo said to find another alternative... but I havent checked for new email in a day or so. Im fucked now because there is no other alternative for me... unless I send money orders I guess.. and hope that we'll be able to get our money from ePass.

[GonZo]

You can only polish a turd so long before its just pure shit. they lasted a lot longer than anyone I know thought they would.

[Ramster]

Originally Posted by terry

Hmm, the email I got from Mojo said to find another alternative... but I havent checked for new email in a day or so. Im fucked now because there is no other alternative for me... unless I send money orders I guess.. and hope that we'll be able to get our money from ePass.

Yes the email did say that but Brad had posted on GFY that he got his requested withdrawal so I asked him since I had money in my wallet could I pay via epass and he said no problem.

Now with that said, he likely doesn't want a bunch of people paying via epass but being in Canada we don't have as many options for money withdrawal (though I do have a US account with Royal Bank in Florida).

[bDok]

I never have had the visa part. So i'll know in a couple days if I was able to get my eWallet out to a checking account of mine.

[plateman]

yeah this is BS
thank god phat servers has my back been with them for 7 years and the best service ever

there goona wait a bit till i get other funds to pay my hosting...the way adult has fucked so many people up, glad I remember my trade of 20 plus years as a transmission drivetrain tech and then I gotta work with a fucked back and other problems and take a shit load of pills

plus what was a fuck about this was how it played out on my end, i got all monies payed in the same day as the cards went dead, plus this payout was better than the last few and i am pissed as hell my money is locked up......total BS on epass's part, all the big payouts happen from the first and a few days after and all of a sudden the cards dont work for us to pull our hard earned cash out

and then what really topped it off was I got my 80.00 from perfect gonzo the same mother fucken day

I am getting more pissed as the days go on about this

[petergg2]

yea , this is sad,
I have always almost empty account on epass becaus I know it could so happend,
anyway I have locked some $ on epass too, because I have few hours to late try take them from ATM

but the worst is that they was perfect to use many sponsor's even if You make with some only 1-2 sale per month,

now I must reduce amount of sponsor's because checks are to problematic for me (im outside US) and with such low sale like 1-2 per month I can't wait 2 year 's to collect min for wire

besides these days many sponsor's go down so thi is next reason to avoid waiting long time for minimum for wire

[terry]

Originally Posted by Ramster

Yes the email did say that but Brad had posted on GFY that he got his requested withdrawal so I asked him since I had money in my wallet could I pay via epass and he said no problem.

Now with that said, he likely doesn't want a bunch of people paying via epass but being in Canada we don't have as many options for money withdrawal (though I do have a US account with Royal Bank in Florida).

I tried sending money to him and I cant. I knew I should have kept my RBC account open. Anyway, I know Im fucked when I see it. Thanks.

[Ramster]

Originally Posted by terry

I tried sending money to him and I cant. I knew I should have kept my RBC account open. Anyway, I know Im fucked when I see it. Thanks.

Your epass money has to be in your wallet.

Go open an RBC account. I have a regular account plus I have a US dollar account. Then they opened an actual account in the US (Florida I think is the physical account). With this I can deposit money into my us account here and right online I can transfer that money to US account in Florida. That account has a Visa Check/Debit Card and I can use it like an actual Visa card (just found this out in July, had it for almost a year before I knew this, LOL). It's awesome!

[mOrrI]

Today is the day of the official epass statement on the subject.....

[Mr Spock]

Originally Posted by Ramster

People have had no problems withdrawing funds, my host Mojo Host said he's has gotten his requested deposits and I saw on another board a few other people say the same thing.

I can confirm that withdrawals from the wallet are working fine - when the shit hit the fan I withdrew all my funds to my credit card and receive the money in my account yesterday(Wednesday). It was actually quicker than withdrawing money from my paypal.

If the wallet component is working it is still viable as a payment option for me. I am not too sure however what the loss of confidence will be if the visa angle doesn't get sorted out - you will possible find that many programs won't offer it as a payment option.

[terry]

Originally Posted by Ramster

Your epass money has to be in your wallet.

Go open an RBC account. I have a regular account plus I have a US dollar account. Then they opened an actual account in the US (Florida I think is the physical account). With this I can deposit money into my us account here and right online I can transfer that money to US account in Florida. That account has a Visa Check/Debit Card and I can use it like an actual Visa card (just found this out in July, had it for almost a year before I knew this, LOL). It's awesome!

I dont have enough in my wallet yet... but if we ever get access to the other part then I will be ok.
I do all my personal and business banking with RBC. I had the US account in Florida but with epass I didnt use it anymore. So instead of paying all the fees I decided to close it. What??? a bank card too! Oh man - wouldnt need epass anymore. Sounds like a plan to me. Thanks bro.

[terry]

Originally Posted by Mr Spock

you will possible find that many programs won't offer it as a payment option.

I have received numerous sponsor emails saying ePass is no longer an option. When I login to check, ePass is completely removed from the system. This is on top of the dozens I have received saying they will not be paying via ePass until further notice. Then there are the few that say they will stills send money to you via ePass if you want them to.

[MeatPounder]

Yup I got multiple emails from sponsors telling me epass was no longer an option

[tickler]

Well they posted a new statement over at the zoo
http://gfy.com/showthread.php?t=986256

Soesn't really say much, new. Just that the funds are safe, and they are working with the banks to get them released.

[twinkerbell]

Originally Posted by tickler

Well they posted a new statement over at the zoo
http://gfy.com/showthread.php?t=986256

Soesn't really say much, new. Just that the funds are safe, and they are working with the banks to get them released.

yeah...just a lot of blah, blah, blah

the promise of getting it resolved in a week went kaput...