Check other Google.com postings about this phone number.  Sounds like it's a scam.  We had
it on our credit card bill, called "Web Hosting" for $14.98 ---------

Looking for owner info.

I too was charged the same on my credit card, same info., but I did recently buy something on amazon. Does this have anything to do with that?? My credit card Co. said it was a charge typically incurred if you have a web site.

My credit card was also charged $14.98 for HOSTING FEE 888-561-6996 WA on June 20th.  I haven't purchased anything on Amazon recently but I have used it for other on-line purchases.  Sirius Radio also has it on file for automatic charges.  Credit card company is crediting my account while they investigate it, canceling this number and sending me a new card.

after disputing this with my bank they refunded the 14.98. I was looking over my account again today and noticed the Hosting fee again but it was a DEPOSITE from them...I dont know what the heck is going on now. I had that card cancelled but they still have access to my account..

Charge appeared today on my credit card $14.98 - called bank and they said phone number 888-561-6996 was listed.  On landline phone, all I get is a busy signal after four hours.  On cell phone, I get message that this is not a working number.  Headed to bank now to file fraud charges.    I check my account several times a day just for stuff like this.

As a matter of fact I did charge something on Amazon on the 18th of June and on the 23rd of June they hit me with the $1.00 "ping" and on athe 24th a charge for $14.98.  I too had to cancel my debit card.  Certainly a lot of trouble considering I never even lost my card.  What I don't understand is how they can just keep doing it and getting away with it.  Can't somebody put them in jail?

Interesting about Amazon.com.
We too had this "Hosting Fee" on our charge card statement.  I did a Google.com search on the phonenumber showing next to the posting on our statement.
I found all these very helpful postings.
I have never dealth with Amazon online before, and I"ve never had this "hosting fee" show up.  I use Amazon on line and now I have this bogus charge.  Coincidence?  I think not !!!
Thanks everyone for posting this scam.
DaveC

Same $14.98 charge here, also a $1 charge. My bank can't do anything with it till it posts (just pending now). Boy do I hate to have to wait with something like this.
KDM

Same here... $17.98... and I DID ACTUALLY order something on Amazon.com just the other day. So it very well be some sort of a connection.

Capital One called and put a hold on our credit card. When we checked it out, it was the same thing as everyone else - $17.98 for Hosting Fee and that phone # and WA. Unfortunately, my husband is travelling and now I have to cancel the card. VERY FRUSTRATING.

Same as others.  Charge just cleared this morning.  Will be disputing through my bank.

Just found a $14.98 charge on my card :

0616 016994 HOSTING FEE 888-561-6996 WA|1470535472 FDR DEBIT CARD VISA DEBIT

When I called (after talking to my bank) the recording instantly told me this was an error and my account would be credited? No reason given for the charge in Washington state, no questions asked.
I live on the east coast. FRAUD ALERT!

Just saw this on my credit card statement.  $14.98 Hosting Fee WA.  Totally fraudulent.  Have disputed

I just saw a charge for $14.98 on my account, and I rarely use this card, I'm a Firefighter and we get $500 a month from my state for supplemental pay, and that's what this account is for. So it rarely gets used, I have no idea how they could have gotten it. I have to dispute this now with my bank.

I was charged $17.98 for a hosting fee and when I called, the computer system told me I had two transactions; I was charged on the 10th and the same amount credited back on the 11th;  sure sounds like a scam to me!

Yes, I did buy an 1,600 dollar laptop off of amazon lately, the seller shipped me the identical model but interrior components were only worth 1,000$ and now we noticed it was the wrong model he shipped us. So we shipped it back got the money back a month later a skype call was charged, then he tried to purchase a bus ticket

I just checked my account and was charged the "hosting Fee" of $14.98 also.  I immediately called my bank and had them cancel my card.  My bank told me the card number was manually entered.  I rarely use this card, but the last couple of charges I had done on the account were with Amazon.  

I wonder if there is some kind of connection, maybe a dishonest employee or one of their marketplace companies.  Anyone else use their card with Amazon within the last 2 months?

got charged 14.98 asa well. Called my bank and disputed it as fraudulent. they cancled my card and are refunding my money.
I hate the worthless F**ks that do crap like this!
Ill be getting identity theft on my accounts from now on

"Hosting Fee 888-561-6996" This was on my online bank statement. I check it every night before I go to bed. I have been scammed before, so I keep a close eye on it! I immediately called this 888# but it went straight to a fax machine!!! I then went to my bank the next morning and asked them to stop it, but they told me that I could do nothing until it went though!!! When I went home I called the 888# yet again and an automated machine came on saying that if this charge was an error to my account to give them my card number!!! Of course I saw a red flag!!! So, I hung up and called the 800# on the back of my bank card, and they immediately deactivated my visa check card!!! They were much more helpful than my bank!!! They reported the charges as fraud and reimbursed me the money. There were two charges on my account... the first one only for $1, and the second one for $14.98!!! They said that the first one was checking to see if they did indeed have a real persons account!!! They said that was what the scam artists do is just type in random numbers and just charge a $1 until they get a real person's account!!!

ditto - the exception is 888-561-6996 NE (nebraska) -
$14.98 & $1.00 both today.  reported it immediately, cancelled the card and was given the phone number to their claims department to call if transaction goes through tonight.  asked bank what action would be taken if the $$ is processed through - investigation and prosecution to the full extent of the law, apparently they frown on criminal activities commonly known as bank fraud.  touche'

best wishes gunny, i'm grateful and salute you for your service!

888-561-6996 WA - Also charged my card $14.98.  No answer when called to verify charges.  Reported this as Fraud.

Same deal... showed up as Hosting Fee 888 5 / HOSTING FEE  888 561 6996 *WA this morning... I watch my cards very close.  $14.98 ... I don't think so!

Automated attendant claimed that the system was down and to call back in a few hours.

FRAUD 888-561-6996 FRAUD, 888-561-6996 FRAUD, 888-561-6996 FRAUD, 888-561-6996 FRAUD
Jack, I was charged 17.98! Visa could not locate a company either. Now I must shut off the card to dispute it! Grrr. The same info appeared on the statement as Dav's. I watch my stuff real close. Anyone else who comes across this, I can say one thing. FRAUD FRAUD FRAUD. The sad thing is if they charge 100000 cards between 15-20 bucks, many people won't question it and they get a bunch of money. Next month this number will be gone and they will have a new one. Funny how about once a year I get this and it always seems to originate from WA state. They must have some laws there that let them get away with it or something. The sad part is, all of us who try to pay our bills and prevent fraud end up paying for this one way or another. Worse part is that the Feds could but won't go after them. With the current administration (May 2010), it's just getting worse. Damn Lazy Desk flying self serving Beauracrats! That's why after 23 years of service I'm resigning. I'm out in three days. Good Luck, Gunny G USMC
"I fought for those colors, bled for those colors and had friends die for those colors, all so Americans retain the right to burn those colors. If you can read this message thank a teacher, If you are reading it in English of your own free will THANK a US Marine, Soldier, Sailor or Airmen! " FRAUD 888-561-6996 FRAUD

Same here. My CC was charged in the amount of 14.98, which I disputed. There is an auto attendant that sounds terrible, and all options seem to be faked.

this # and the name hosting fee was a charge on my credit card, when i called it there was no name given but the option for finding out the the charge is always not available and the option to talk to a customer agent is only to leave a voice mail now i have to wait and see if they will call back?