My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: California
Hi everyone, I am not sure if this is the right section for my situation. If Moderators can move me to the right topic selection would be most appreciated.
So.. I played some online casino slots for about a month and I was contacted by my credit card company about these charges. The suspicious merchants that they were enquiring about did not seem like I purchased those items. The merchants were all numbers and was listed as a phone company from China and the other one was a flower or shoe stores ( can't remember but it was really bizarre retailers). So, I told the credit card company I do not remember using my credit card for a phone bill in China and retailer from China. However, I realize later on that those charges are from the online casino that I used. I stopped playing online casino now but the thing is, they have my information since they requested a verification form with my gov't issued I.D and credit card. I scanned it over to them with the form they requested. Now.. I'm not sure what should I do? I was considering calling my credit card company and tell them the truth that it was an online casino transaction that I made, but they charged it under ridiculous merchant names and type of merchant. But, I'm afraid that I might get arrested or fine for breaking the law since my friend told me online casino are illegal. I did not know that at the time I was playing. The casino says that they are audited by some agency to ensure it is not a scam. (by the way, I was drunk the first time I played and enjoyed playing slots at my convinence and yes, I know I am stupidly guilliable) My second option is to pay when they hire a collection agency to get what I owe. I am not a dishonest person and if I did authorized those transaction, I will pay for it.
Since they have a gov't issued I.D of mine and a credit card picture with the form they requested. What should I do? I am currently leaning towards telling the truth to my credit card company about these transaction and hopefully they will reverse the adjustment. But, will I be facing prosecution since I unknowingly committed an illegal offense? I am worried because of the information they have on me and telling my card company the truth could bring more trouble. I don't have much money left.. and currently, I am jobless. I am a student and had a gambling addiction to slots.
I also have some questions about the legitimacy of an collection agency for an online casino that are illegal to operate in the U.S. Does this make their services illegal and thus, my transaction should have been declined in the first place?
So to sum it all up
Should I be worried of legal actions against me from the online casinos? They are located outside of U.S
Should I contact my credit card company and tell them the truth about the transaction and hope they would not report me to the authority? ( I do not want to go to jail when I am so close to graduating and having a record would make finding a job difficult). Another option, I could lie about the transaction and say I did authorize a transaction with a flower retail and phone company in China. But, that seems to me to be kind of suspicous. I don't want the credit card company to think I'm funding illegal activities or money laundering etc.
Should I wait for the collection debt/agency to contact me or worse, sue me?
Lastly, how bad of a situation am I in since I sent personal info ( picture of I.D and credit card with signature on their form) I know that I was stupid for doing this but I had $250 in my account that they disabled and I want my money back, so i did what they asked for)
Any help would be much appreciated. If possible, if you may guide me to legal guidelines on how to handle my situation would be most helpful.
I do not want to commit fraud or anything of that nature, so please do not advise me with any of those options.
Thank you for your time on reading my post.