Complaint Review: Hydra Skin Sciences

On 02 OCT 2016, in response to an advertisement on Facebook, I ordered a sample of anti-aging cream from Hydra Skin Sciences of Bluffdale Utah. The stated charge was $4.95, with no further obligation. I paid by credit card. Within minutes, three separate charges from other companies for larger amounts hit my card account. Fortunately, my financial institution has strong fraud protection. The charges were frozen and I was notified the same day. An investigation indicated the charges were from sites outside the US and were part of a known internet scam. The charges were cancelled and a new credit card was issued. During the investigation period, I received two boxes from the Hydra address in Utah. I left them unopened, photographed them, then returned them to the Utah address by registered mail. This was well within the advertised 14-day "guaranteed return" period. Attempts to contact Hydra via website and email failed. I subsequently filed a complaint with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection. The agency acknowledged receipt, but I received no further notification and considered the issue resolved. However, I recently received a notice dated 21 JUL 2017 from DAR Waterfront and Associates of Sherman Oaks CA, demanding payment for a past-due account with Allegro Anti Aging. I have no way of knowing whether DAR is a legitimate business or is part of an interstate fraud. I consider the original charges to be fraudulent, and the collection notice to be extortionate at best. I am in the process of getting in touch with federal consumer protection and criminal agencies, as well as state consumer protection agencies in Utah and California.