Complaint Review: Direct Discount Club

I have been dealing with these companies for over a year and a half now. It has been very frustrating! It all began, September, 2006. I click on one of those free trial offers on the internet to look at some information from Direct Discount Club. I agreed to review their packet about their services...but I never received the information packet! The next thing to happened is, I see charges on my bank account for $1.00 and then $19.95 for Direct Discount Club and $1.00 and $14.95 for American Family Healthcare.

A few days later, I called their separate 800 #'s and told them I would like to cancel my memberships and have a refund of the fees returned to my bank account. They asked me for my membership number and I told them I don't have one because I never received the packet of information they promised to send me. They took my personal information and said they found me in their computer. They said they had cancelled my memberships and would credit my account. I believed them, when they said that everything was taken care of.

The following month, I am looking at my bank statement and again I see that I have been charged for theses fees and no sign of any credit from these companys. I decided to call the fraud line at my bank and explain what had happened. They told me that they would take care of it. I waited for them to get back to me but they didn't!

I became distracted with personal health problems, several months passed and I had forgotten about the fees. When I was able to get back to my regular routine, I again saw the fees on my bank statements. I again called the companies and asked for them to cancel my memberships. I asked why they hadn't been cancelled from my previous phone call? They acted dumb and said they didn't know why, but they would take care of it this time.

Well, you know what happened! The same old charges appeared but this time they were under different names; Family Healthcare, WC Value Plus and My Leisure Savings Club but the same 800 #'s. I notified my bank again and they didn't respond. Some other personal things came up and some more time passed. So now I see that they are still charging me their same old fees. I really do not have time for this aggrevation.

I am now going to go to my bank branch and speak to the bank president and see what he can be do about this. I have had it!!! And if they will not give me any satifisfation in this matter, I am going to threaten to take my money's else where and no longer do business with them! I am also considering calling the local Attorney General of Nassau County, New York and see if there is anything that he can do? So, wish me luck...I hope to get this matter resolved once and for all!

Very Frustrated In Hicksville, New York

Lillianna
Hicksville, New York
U.S.A.
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 chargetruth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

demand tion E.
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 orm.