Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals BPN is a sham. The snake oil sales company rips people off and they continue unhindered. RIPOFF Cincinnati Ohio *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!

In March of this year, I ordered a trial package of Altovis from your company. To pay the shipping charges I used my bank debit card. Having advanced HIV disease, I was hopeful that Altovis might provide some energy and enhance my quality of life.' After receiving the sample and took one pill. It did not agree with my system. I took no more. I placed the remainder of the pills in the back of my box of medication. I say box for I consume a multitude of medications daily.

In early April, I do not know the exact date; I received, to my surprise, another box of Altovis. I did not order it. I was not aware that your policy was to automatically send more and automatically debit my checking account for $70.00. That occurred on 04.07.05. The debit was unauthorized. I was not aware of the transaction until 04.22.05, days after receiving my monthly banking statement.

I immediately called the bank. They granted a temporary credit', it posted to my account on 04.25.05. The bank informed me that they would reverse the temporary credit if I did not have the requested information' to them by 05.12.05. (If they had merely conducted their investigation as I did, by merely phoning your company, they would have known that the debit was unauthorized and that BPN would credit me upon receipt of the Altovis.)

I called BPN and asked for the mailing address to expedite the matter. My attendant returned the said product to your company (5462 Duff Drive, Cincinnati) via USPS, as I am unable to travel due to my physical condition. Because BPN did not credit my account before 05.12.05, the bank reversed the courtesy credit.' Their reversal of the credit put my account into a negative balance. Then B of A began charging me overdraft fees- totaling $292.00!

On 05.16.05, I phoned BPN for the status of my reimbursement. I spoke with John at ext. #7584738. He said he had no information regarding the returned packageit must be in the warehousewhen it is processed you will receive a credit.

On 05.20.05, my checking account was credited $70.00. I am grateful for that. I spoke with my bank about the situation; they informed me that they would not reverse the overdraft fees. They told me that BPN was responsible because of the unauthorized debit."

I began sending emails to BPN on 06.02.05. The last one sent was on 09.06.05. Can you understand the frustration and financial hardship I am experiencing? I have yet to receive any reply from BPN. However, I have received your unsolicited emails advertising your other products. It serves as a reminder and continues to be a source of frustration and justifiable ire.

I have had to close my credit card accounts. I am seriously delinquent with my payments. I managed to obtain and maintain excellent credit from the time of my disability in 1994. I am at my wits end. This situation is causing tremendous stress and financial hardship. If the goal of your company is to enhance people's lives, I fail to comprehend your attitude toward this situation. I KNOW that if I owed BPN money that BPN would hound me to death.

To resolve this problem, make it tolerable, and help me get out of this financial black hole, I would appreciate it if you would deposit $292.00, minimum, into my checking account. I had to borrow money to begin using my checking account again. It is extremely difficult traveling 40 miles to a check cashing facility for money orders to pay bills. All of which are now delinquent.

I look forward to your reply in resolving my problem. I will wait until 09.19.05 before I seek help from a consumer protection organization, the Better Business Bureau, the FDA, or anyone else required in resolving this matter.

M.W.
Guerneville, California
U.S.A.

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 to 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/controller 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!

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...the victims' advocate

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CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.

STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!