I was contacted several times by this company and all offering the same thing. I never give any information over the phone, especially from people who call me. Anyways, I was curious as to what they did and when doing a google search on their company I came across this site.
It seems that they do the following. They offer you a "500 dollar shopping spree" which isn't a shopping spree at all. They send you rebates. Supposedly you are only allowed to use a fixed ammount over a specific amount of time (i.E. 20-50 dollars at a time, no more than 1 rebate per month).
Here is where they get you. After you agree and give them your account number which they claim doesn't give them anything (I quote "it is only for identification purposes"), they charge you 4.95. However, you are directed to an automated message and recording that asks you if you want to enroll in this or that. You were told that it would only cost 4.95 so you say yes. However, what you just enrolled in costs much much more. Reading what others have posted, I have seen fees from over 120 to over 800 dollars. I think they are able to do this because they have you recorded saying "yes" to enroll in these special programs.
One example is Net4ever, an affiliate of consumer rewards network. Look at their terms and conditions. Here are some outrageous things that you agree to (quoted from their webpage posted above):
REFUNDS. Any refund requests YOU make after YOUR risk-free review period will be handled at the discretion of Consumer Rewards Network. Any refunds issued will be in the form of a check.
USE OF BENEFITS. YOU are entitled to all benefits and discounts on products and services disclosed in the membership kit and materials. WE reserve the right to terminate or modify the benefits at any time.
TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP CONTRACT. WE reserve the right to and YOU agree that WE may transfer ownership of or sell YOUR membership contract with US to a third party without any advance notice to YOU. And YOU further agree that the transferee or buyer of YOUR membership contract may continue to debit or charge YOUR billing source for the fees as set out above.
It doesn't sound like any of the previous people that posted and got money stolen will ever get it back as: "Any refund requests YOU make... Will be handled at the discretion of Consumer Rewards Network". Also "WE reserve the right to terminate or modify the benefits at any time." And my favorite: "WE reserve the right to and YOU agree that WE may transfer ownership of or sell YOUR membership contract with US to a third party without any advance notice to YOU. And YOU further agree that the transferee or buyer of YOUR membership contract may continue to debit or charge YOUR billing source for the fees as set out above."
When I asked the Jason Williams, a "supervisor" who called if their "shopping spree" was actually a bunch of rebates he denied it completely! At first he flat out said no, and said they didn't send rebates. When I asked if I could record the conversation he said no. I asked him why he didn't want me to record it. He said that he already was. I said that I would like my own copy. He agreed. I asked him the same question. He wouldn't answer the question. All he would say was that they were sending us a shopping spree. After quoting many of the responses at usacomplaints.com, he finally admitted that that was what they were sending.
I reported them at the Federal Trade Commision website and would encourage all who have been contacted by these people to do the same. I quote the response that I received from the FTC:
Dear...:
Thank you for recent correspondence. The Federal Trade Commission acts in the public interest to stop business practices that violate the laws it enforces. Letters from consumers and businesses are very important to the work of the Commission. They are often the first indication of a problem in the marketplace and may provide the initial evidence to begin an investigation. The Commission does not resolve individual complaints. The Commission can, however, act when it sees a pattern of possible violations developing.
The information you have provided will be recorded in our complaint retention system. This computerized system enables us to identify questionable business practices that are generating numerous complaints and may be in violation of the law.
Thank you for providing information that may be used to develop or support Commission enforcement initiatives.
Sincerely yours,
Consumer Response Center
Endquote
The more people that report them to the FTC the faster they will be shut down!
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