Radialabs Free Sample offer turned into a way to make unauthorized charges on my debit card. Hollywood, Florida *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account when someone wrongfully takes it from you!

I read online about a woman who said she was poor but got fabulous free samples of two fabulous skin products online that worked together and transformed her aging face. She said it only took a few days to see results.

The first product was from Radialabs, which didn’t seem to have any strings attached; the second one said I’d be obligated to buy unless I returned the product, so I didn’t sign up for that one. I did sign up for what seemed like the no-obligations free sample from the Radialabs site.

Before signing up I looked for reviews about this product and all I found at that time were good ones saying how great it was. (Now I realize that’s because this was probably a new company and nobody knew anything about it yet—all the rave reviews were probably planted online as part of the hoax.)

I gave them my debit card data because they asked for a shipping fee. I could kick myself now but at the time it didn’t seem unreasonable to pay for shipping if they were going to give me a free sample. I realize now that this is how they get into people’s bank accounts.

I got the free sample but within three days I had to stop using it because my face became thick like leather, very dry, red, bumpy, sore. In other words, there was no way I would buy that product and I would have sent it back if I knew I was supposed to.

Then when checking my bank account I noticed that Radialabs had charged me $34.95 on Feb. 14. I was upset and called Radialabs to complain. It was a Call Center and the operator said that I was supposed to send the product back within 30 days if I didn’t like it. I said this wasn’t on their website (at the time) (they have changed it since) and there wasn’t any paper work with the free sample either that said I had to return it. There wasn’t any literature at all.

But fortunately the sample (barely used) was still in my medicine cabinet so I said I would return it and she agreed to give me a refund as soon as they got it back. I went to the post office to send it back the day after I called, and Radialabs sent an email saying my account was cancelled.

Everything seemed to be resolved. On March 3 they sent an email saying that it might take up to 30 days for my refund to post to my account. On March 7 I noticed that the refund did go through.

Then last night my son brought back a package for me from our PO Box — and it was another bottle of Radialabs! But they had said they would close my account—you know, that account I never agreed to open with them?! Paranoid, I looked my bank account over carefully and noticed that they had sneaked in a second charge of $34.95 on Feb 28, only two weeks after the first charge and two days after they sent me the email saying my account was cancelled.

The more I thought about it, the more this seemed like criminal activity. I decided not to call Radialabs any more. So I did another search on Radialabs but this time there were a lot of links on how this company is fraudulent. This is how I found Ripoff Report. I took their advice and asked my bank to help me and they did.

They credited back the last unauthorized charge. Although it could take 90 days to resolve, during which time Radialabs might continue to keep taking my money, the bank suggested that I should just get a new debit card. I jumped in my car and drove right over and they issued me a new card on the spot. I’m so relieved that they can’t rip my account off any more!

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 RipoffReport.com Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com

Rip-off Report PO Box 310, Tempe, Arizona 85280