Complaint Review: MWI Valuemax Canada - Lifestyle Rewards

When I received my bill today (June4) I found that on May 12, 2004 a charge was processed to my American Express Corporate Card in the amount of $159.95 from a company named MWI Valuemax Canada 877-874-7123. The desciption was listed as Club Memebership. I had no idea what this was about so I ran a search on the internet and came across several reports about credit card rip offs from this company.

I called them at 877-874-7123 and a representative advised the company was Lifestyle Rewards whom I had never heard of. The rep wanted me to verify all kinds of personal information but I refused until he advised what the charge was all about. then, I would not give him personal information, asking instead for him to tell me what was on file for my address and I only confirmed that it. The charge, he said, stemmed from a telephone response for an order of something from the television. He couldn't give me a date of the order, only stating that it was a recent purchase. He said that during a telephone conversation I had agreed to this membership that would give me great discounts for items at Sears, Future Shop and many other store. He also said that they had sent me a package in the mail recently that gave me all the details and cards.

I have never received anything nor have I ordered or agreed to anything over the phone. There have been no other charges to my credit card. He also said that I had 30 days to cancel the memebership.

In no uncertain terms I advised that I wanted the membershop cancelled. He tried to convince me that it was a great deal. I still refused. He went off line and came back trying me to offer me a $40 coupon for gas purchases. He would send me a coupon and all I had to do was send it back with receipts of gas purchase and I would get my money back. I was not interested. He said it was being offered as an apology for my troubles.

I insisted that the membership be cancelled and full refund given. He said that he processed the cancellation for the full amount of $159.95 and it should appear either on the next statement or the one after that.
He gave me the cancellation number. I questioned why it would take so long and he replied that it depends on the billing dates. I let him know that I fully expected the reversal on my very next statement so that no late charges would be applied by Amex. He thought that I might want to pay it and have the credit sit on my bill and get eaten up by future purchases. I told him that he must be off his nut to think that I'd do that.

To make matters worse, since it is a corporate card and I am not allowed to make personal purchases on it, my company has cancelled my card. I have explained what has happened but they have a zero tolerence rule and refuse to reverse their decision.

So monitor your credit card charges carefully and be aware of these rip offs.

Barbara ann
North York, Ontario
Canada