JCPenney SBS Fun Family Rewards Credit Card Scam Manchester Connecticut
My husband noticed a nominal 9.95 charge on our credit card on our prior statement but didn't say anything, thinking it was a one-time charge for something I had purchased.
This month it was on there again so he looked a little closer at our past statements and found the charge going back four months.
I called the 888 phone number (after googling SBS Fun Family Rewards was tied to JCPenney) and spoke to customer assistance. I asked how they received our credit card information.
He (the rep) said that a box was marked when a purchase was made on-line a few months ago that somehow indicated that we had "agreed" to the purchase of the SBS Fun Family Rewards program.
He then said an email was sent to us containing information on the program as well.
I was clear with him that we agreed to nothing, and if JCPenney's internet program is set up to default that checked, then it was nothing we actively confirmed. I demanded that the entire amount be credited back to our credit card.
I told him that if they did not reverse out all fees, I would have my credit card company notified and let them handle the situation as disputed services.
He then told me that they would credit our card and that we should see that credit within a week or two.
Lesson: Double check your credit card statements, even for the little charges.
Rippedoffbyscam
Norfolk, Nebraska
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Dark Side Of The Sun
Grand Rapids,Michigan,
U.S.A.
JcPenney is not out to get you.
#5UPDATE Employee
Sat, December 06, 2008
First of all, I'd just like to say that I know it can feel like you're being taken advantage of in this situation. I work for JcPenney, and am very familiar with Fun Family Rewards, and related programs such as Perfect Home Rewards, Plan Plus, and even the older programs such as Leisure Plus.
Here is how it all works:
When you place an order on our website, and you get to your order confirmation page that thanks you for your order, and provides you with an order number, there is also a link that says "Get $10 off this order". When you click the link, it takes you to the Fun Family Rewards offer, where it indicates that, by enrolling in the 30 day trial membership, you will recieve a $10 mail-in rebate voucher that you can redeem by mailing in your invoice or packaging slip that you get with your order. After the 30 day trial, if you do not cancel this program, you are billed $9.95 a month for the program, which provides discounts at certain retailers, gas stations, et cetera. You have to physically accept enrollment into this program. We do not automatically enroll you.
Now, personally, if I didn't have the program through my employment, there is no way I would enroll. I feel that Aegon, the company that puts out these rediculous programs is deceptive. As I mentioned above, they bill you $9.95 a month for a very limited service. I have all of the programs. I have never used the Fun Family Rewards except to get my $10 gift card also included in the membership. Perfect Home Rewards (offered when you place your order by phone with a Catalog representative) is only sort of reasonable, because you get four $25 utility vouchers that you can use, one for each quarter of the year, but you still end up paying more than what you're saving, because to take full advantage of this program, you need to be a home owner making big improvements to your home. Plan Plus is an insurance supplement, so to speak. They claim to give discounts on prescriptions, mail order vitamins, and certain medical appointments. However, this program is so restricted, and there are very few facilities that actually accept the savings plan. I cannot even believe we offer this program, because most of our customers calling catalog are already fully covered by medicare, or some military insurance plan. Plan Plus is the most rediculous to me, you can't use it, and you're charged 10 bucks a month for it.
All of these programs offered indicate that you can easily cancel, and trust me, by the number of highly upset people I speak with on a regular basis that cannot cancel the programs, my consensus is that this is incorrect. I am truly ashamed that I am forced to offer these products, because I feel as though I am lying to our customers. As a consumer, I am also wary of these seemingly great programs, and would never enroll in them because they do not care. Aegon does not care about serving you. All they care about is taking your money, and making it seem okay by making you think you are saving.
Although I have mixed feelings about my employer, I don't want people to think that JcPenney is at fault with this. If you are going to be angry with anyone (and you have every right to be), it is Aegon. I wish there was more that I could do to open the eyes of the customer service centers that these programs are nothing but a rip off. Even more so with the implementation of e-mailing these programs instead of mailing to your home.
On behalf of a great company, I do apologize for us having anything to do with Aegon, the people that stole your money. I hope some day I can go to work and know that we are dealing with good people that truly have your interest in mind.
Laurie
Haslet,Texas,
U.S.A.
Susan is partially right
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, October 28, 2008
They hide the pre-checked check box with tiny print so it can be easy to miss.
NO ONE WANTS THEM, so they do this and hope you do not notice and uncheck it.
These worthless membership programs are cramming unauthorized charges and are popping up everywhere.
Contact JCP and tell them you object to this flagrant disregard for customers by even offering these programs that NO ONE WANTS with pre-checked check boxes. IT SHOULD NEVER BE PRE-CHECKED!
Susan
This City,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Uncheck
#5Consumer Comment
Thu, April 10, 2008
Rippedoffbyscam, the lesson is make sure no boxes are checked before you click accept or submit.
This is your fault, not anyone elses.
Melissa
Plano,Texas,
U.S.A.
Consumer Affairs Manager
#5UPDATE Employee
Thu, April 10, 2008
At Fun Family Rewards nothing is more important than our customers' satisfaction and our Company's reputation. We take pride in researching and responding to customer concerns. If you would like for us to research your concerns, please forward your information, such as name, address, phone number, or membership number to us at custrel@aegonusa.com, by fax to 972-881-4072 or by mail at 2700 West Plano Parkway, Plano TX 75075.