Whole Health Products RIPOFF Charged credit card TWICE for products never ordered! Will not respond to calls or emails!! Longmont Colorado *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!
I was another victim of the scam... I ordered a trial sample in November 2005. I paid only $5 and change for shipping. What a surprise to find my credit card billed for $51.40 on Dec. 12th, and $56.49 on Dec. 20th.
I immediately called the company and left a message. I also emailed them the same day (12/22/05).
My family and I went out of town for Chrismas and I figured that I would have heard back from them during that 5 day span. Nope. So, I called again. Left a message again. Emailed again. Waited again. Nothing. Tried again the next day, and what a shocker... no response.
My husband finally called the CC company and explained all this, and hopefully they will reverse the charges. My big worry now is, will they still be charging my account on a set schedule because they have my account info??? I looked into their fine print, and see no mention of an autoship program... not that they are shipping what they charge for.
Susan
Arvada, Colorado
U.S.A.
EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!
HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:
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 demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.
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 charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.
If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.
CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD
If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.
Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.
And good luck Let us know how you do!
ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com
Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!
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...the victims' advocate
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...by consumers, for consumers
CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Susan
Arvada,Colorado,
U.S.A.
Whole Health Products
#4Author of original report
Tue, January 17, 2006
Joe,
I did NOT sign up from the Whole Health Products website. I was offered the trial sample from the website www.nationalsurveypanel.com which contacted me.
I only signed up with WHP after I was unable to get through on the telephone and was looking for an email address/customer service contact.
What I was referring to, was the 30 page informational sheet which was shipped with the original product I ordered. Nowhere on that sheet does it say that I would be automatically billed and shipped products. And for the record, Joe, I was billed twice within a 20 day span.
And now, there is a new name, phone number and email address for the company?? How interesting! How does that help those of us who were billed, during Christmastime, with absolutely NO way to contact Whole Health? Do you know the problems this caused with my credit card, my credit limit? Justify it however you want, it is still a scam.
I did read the details, Joe, and I am surprised. If the company wants to be sponsers with another website, than everybody involved needs all the information or 'details'... But thanks for the new phone number. I will be using it.
Joe
Longmont,Colorado,
U.S.A.
read the details
#4Consumer Comment
Tue, January 17, 2006
If you actually read the details of "how it works" from the Whole Health website, it reads as follows:
We are so convinced of the effectiveness of this natural supplement formula that we are willing to make this special introductory offer. For maximum effectiveness, regular use is necessary. Regular use of CortiBan Ultra should provide you with decreased cortisol hormone levels and therefore weight loss. After 21 days, unless you decide to cancel, we'll conveniently bill your credit card for just $69.95, a savings of 70% off the retail price, and send you your next 30 day supply of CortiBan Ultra AND a FREE! Bottle of MultiMaxx Multivitamin every month! All for the same low price!
Once you are enjoying the weight loss benefits of CortiBan Ultra, you won't know what you did without CortiBan Ultra. Of course you can suspend your shipments anytime after you receive your special offer shipment or any subsequent shipments by sending an e-mail to suspend@bouldernaturelabs.com or cancel anytime after you receive your special offer shipment or any subsequent shipments by calling customer care at 1-303-684-9757. You must call if you wish to cancel.
No hassles, no problem.
Close Window
Every day hundreds of Boulder Nature Labs customers use our natural products achieve their health objectives; including losing weight, getting the excitement back in their sex lives, getting more energy and improving their overall health.
It's quick, easy and SAFE to order. Just fill out the information sheet, click on the ''Order Now'' button and your CortiBan Ultra Weight Loss shipment will be on the way.
This is a limited time and product offer!
Product Return Policy:
You must call Customer Care at 1-303-684-9757 if you wish to cancel, cancels via email will not be accepted. If you would like to return your shipment, you must call Customer Care for a RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) application. You must request the RMA application within 15 days of receiving your shipment. All contents of the order must be present and unopened to receive credit. You may only return your most recent shipment and a 25% restocking fee will be deducted from your total credit amount. All shipping charges are the responsibility of the customer.
Customers purchasing CortiBan Ultra through an incentive web site (qualifying for, as an example, a Free IPOD through a third party advertiser) and initiating a cancel before the initial product shipment has been received by the customer will incur a $49.95 program cancellation charge.
If you have any questions about our policy, please Email us at cortiban@bouldernaturelabs.com or call us 1-303-684-9757.
*** end of "how it works"
I happen to know they got behind in fielding calls for a while, but the response seems to be better now than it was in December.
But please don't say you read the details and then act surprised that there are additional shipments and additional charges after the introductory period!
Rick
Castle Rock,Texas,
U.S.A.
Additional Company Info
#4Consumer Comment
Fri, January 13, 2006
Susan -
I ran a search of this company on the State of Colorado's Business Center web site, which has information on Colorado corporations.
http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/business/main.htm
You can search their database for any company incorporated in the state. For example, Whole Health's state ID# is 20031248952. According to the web site, this company's status is in "good standing." They may just be experiencing "growing pains" as they say.
Anyway, the business is registered to a Mr. Blair McNea of Boulder, CO. He's the President of the company, and might be the one person at the Whole Health who can most likely resolve your billing problems. You might try contacting him at his Boulder address, which is listed in zabasearch.com as:
Blair W. McNea
4743 Kincross Ct.
Boulder, CO 80301-4230
A Google Maps search reveals this address to be located close to the Boulder Country Club, near the intersection of Jay Rd. and 75th St., so it's not a fake or phony address.
You might also try contacting one of this company's investors, Advantage Capital Partners at (303) 321-4800, in Denver, to let them know of your concerns.
http://www.advantagecap.com/generalnews_item.cfm?news_id=62
Since Advantage has quite a bit of money invested in Whole Health, they likely have a significant equity stake in the company, and so customer services issues may be of concern to them as well.
I'm sure between the president of the company and a major investor/owner, there will be plenty of interest in your concerns, since it's their employees who have erred in the billing the process. No employer wants to find out that customers are experiencing problems, and they should be able to help you rectify your situation. Good luck. RT