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Report: #114262

Complaint Review: Simple Escapes - Nationwide

  • Submitted:
  • Updated:
  • Reported By: San Antonio Texas
  • Author Not Confirmed What's this?
  • Why?
  • Simple Escapes Houston Texas Nationwide U.S.A.

Simple Escapes ripoff - we were charged for memership not ordered - how to contact Simple Escapes Houston Texas *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

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I discovered a charge for $149.95 from Simple Escapes (initially listed as HID Connections) on my checking account. Did not order. Bank told me we could not contest charge until it was posted. After it was posted our bank said we had to come in to fill out paperwork to contest charge.

I called Simple Escapes at 1-800-839-0098. There is a little trick to reach a live person. You get two options when your call is answered by a recording. After you hear the two options, press "0." It will tell you it's not a valid number (this is the tricky party). Immediately press "0" again and you will be connected to a live person. I spoke to a supervisor, Kay Lemons, in the Houston Call Center.

I asked Kay for a refund of the $149.95 and the $84.00 I was charged Nov. 2003, both of which represent "membership fees."

This all started when I placed an order with Domestications in Nov. 2003. I was asked at that time if I was interested in Simple Escapes "trial" membership. I distinctly remember saying no, but they signed me up anyway.

Kay Lemons, in the Houston Call Center, assured me that within 2-3 business days, we would receive a credit on our bank account for both charges.

I'd like to point out that there are dozens of complaints about Simple Escapes signing people up without their approval. I am going to contact my attorney to see if he is interested in a class action suit. Not only were these charges made to our account, but it put our account overdrawn and we have lost money in NSF fees as a result.

If you are interested in joining a class action suit, please contact me, Elizabeth LaFave, at elafave@satx.rr.com. If you need any advice on how to get your money back, you can contact me as well.

Good luck to those unwilling members in Simple Escapes.

Elizabeth
San Antonio, Texas
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Simple Escapes

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish you file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 # , and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/comptroller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 10/23/2004 12:57 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/simple-escapes/nationwide/simple-escapes-ripoff-we-were-charged-for-memership-not-ordered-how-to-contact-simple-114262. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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