I was contacted by a telemarketer on Thursday April 26, who claimed that WAL-Mart Corporation had choose me as a winner for $ 500.00 worth of shopping vouchers at their stores. He told me to claim this prize I would need to pay a $4.95 fee. He then offered me a membership to " Health Network Unlimited and Auto Gold ", and explained the terms, cost of the memberships and their respective risk free review period's.
He claimed that I would receive substanial savings in medical / medicines services as well as automobile services. He clearly stated that I was under no obligation, other than the one time membership activation fee of $4.95 for signing up for a membership with Health Network Unlimited and Auto Gold. He stated I would be sent a membership kit's that explained the terms of both offers. He then asked me for my checking account number to charge the $4.95 fee to, stating that is all I would be charged, and that the bank would call me to authorize this expense prior to the withdrawal of funds from my checking account. He asked for permission to tape this part of our phone conversation, authorization of the $4.95 fee. On Monday May 2 I received a time sensitive Health Network Unlimited membership kit and the Auto Gold membership kit. I reviewed both of the membership kits that evening.
The following day at 0930 AM PST I called Health Network Unlimited toll free phone number (800) 357-7518 listed in their package and spoke to a representative named Candice. I explained to her that I received their membership package on May 2 reviewed it and wanted to cancel my membership effective May 3. I was assigned a confirmation number and was told that my checking account was billed $4.95 and $129.90 on Thursday April 28 and that my membership would be cancelled, I was also told that I would be sent a refund request form to fill out and have my checking account reimbursed the amount of $129.90 which would be sent out in seven to ten working days.
I also wrote and sent them a letter of my request to cancel my membership that same day, May 3. On Monday May 9 my checking account had been charged the amounts of $129.90 and $4.95 respectively. I called that evening and spoke to a representative named Christin asking her why I was charged the first month's set up fee installment of $99.95 and the first month's membership fee of $29.95, for a total of $129.90. Christin told me that my call on May 3 to cancel my membership had been noted. She stated the charges were the policy, I explained I authorized $4.95, nothing more.
I also explained to her that their membership package states that no charges would other than the $4.95 would be charged and that after the risk free review period (ten days after receipt of the membership kit) I would then be billed for the membership fee's. I spoke to my bank about my problem. I have been charged unauthorized fee's. On May 3 at 1000 AM PST I also spoke to a Auto Gold representative named Alex, requested to cancel my membership in Auto Gold. Was told the same story. I also sent them a cancellation letter the same day. I was also charged the Auto Gold initial set-up fee installment of $99.95 plus $4.95 for the annual maintenance fee, for a total of $104.90 on May 9 to my checking account. I was promised the same refund request form for reimbusement. I am out a total of $ 234.80 money that I really need. I will also contact WAL-MART and inform them of this scam.
I thought this was a legitimate deal, because my internet provider is through WAL-MART and that part of their internet administative operations are based in India.
Francis
Port Orchard, Washington
U.S.A.
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