Simple Escapes ripoff Internet Worldwide
I really have no idea who Simple Escapes is or are...I was checking my statement and noticed $134.95 for MSK Simple Escapes...I called the 888 number that was provided and asked then who they are and why are they charging me? I was asked to verify my address..I refused...I then asked if she could verify my address to which she relpied "yes, I Can".
I told her that I was not giving her any information and again asked her how they got my money. She said, "because you have a membership" I said No, I do not have a membership, I don't even know who or what Simple Escapes is. I again asked for my money back she said she could not refund my money until I verified my address.
I was not giving her squat..if she didn't already have that information I was not going to provide it...I then asked for a supervisor..she put me on hold for about 20 minutes and a lady claiming to be Ashley (sounded like the same woman I had just spoken to) came on the line. I explained to her that I was not going to verify anything until they could tell me how and why I was charged for something that I know I did not authorize.
She began to explain what Simple Escapes offers... I interupted by saying that I got the gist.. but again, I never purchased Simple Escapes, i do not have a membership and I want my money refunded immediately. She said that she would have to take my number and a customer service rep would call me in about 2 - 3 business days. I said that I could talk to a lawyer faster than that.
I really have no idea what this is or how they got my information. While reading a few of the other reports I'm guessing that it's possible that my own internet provided sole them this information...if that is the case then AOL is in deep @#^%! This scares the hell out of me because this is my personal, private bank account and if these people could get my money so easily, then who else out there can do the same?
I am going to call the number that others on this site provided to see if getting my money refunded is as easy as they say, but I am also not going to stop until I find out how they were able to take my money without my consent.
Someone will be held responsible for this!
Laura
36054, Alabama
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Laura
36054,Alabama,
U.S.A.
UPDATE - MORE INFO! GET YOUR MONEY BACK
#2Author of original report
Fri, March 21, 2003
To all victims of the Simple Escapes internet scam...
AOL practically admits that they gave my information to this company...BUT...they claim that I authorized it by clicking "yes" to a Pop-up ad. Well, I did call SE back and I did give them my info - there was one problem...the email address belonged to my 11-year old son! I guess since my reaction to that was so genuine (or it could be that the key word was 11-YEAR OLD SON - who knows) they got on the ball to get my refund in the works. this was a learning process that totally astounded me - the rep that I spoke to advised me to call back during business hours) MON - FRI 8:00am to 6:00pm to customer service - 1-888-206-2321. I was given a confirmation nubmer and told that the money would be credited within 3-5 business days. (this does not make me happy because I know that they can credit that money back faster - it's a simple process - they took it out fast, why can't they put it back fast?)
Anyway, I didn't stop there...I called AOL back (1-703-265-1000) I found this number, by the way by going through several iritating, ignorant and down right RUDE representatives.
So, I asked AOL why they went against their own policy of "we will never sell or give your personal, private information to any third party without your consent"...the guy said, but the ad clearly says if you click yes you accept a $25.00 gift card from Kmart and for only $1.00 you accept an offer from SE for a 30-day trial.
Well, this charge went through on 3/14/03...I don't recall receiving any mail from Simple Escapes. So then I said, that may be true...but when I calmed down enough to talk coherently to SE again I found out that the email address they had was not mine...everything else was correct but that. DO you know who's email address they had? My 11-year old son's, that's who!
Do you also know that AOL has a YOUNG-TEEN parental setting that only allows them to view shopping sites but not purchase from them? I got a few BS answers and an offer to keep AOL for 3-months free, blah, blah, blah...but you know what...I am cancelling AOL...no way will I stay with a company that pulls such underhanded scams like this. AOL gave this company access to my personal checking account without MY permission. And guess what, My 11-year old son certainly does not have that permission.
I am going with my local cable TV provided for internet access...I can be billed on my cable TV bill monthly (and pay by check!) and hopefully I won't have to worry about this again. Also, I won't have to use a modem (slow as christmas) to get on the net...and I hopefully won't be aggrivated by AOL's slow and sometimes non-existent response. I've watched that triangle revolve long enough.
To all of those who have been effected by this scam..use the numbers provided and get your money back...those who have the time and money to do so...SUE THEIR SOCKS OFF!
Good Luck! and CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!