There is some confusion as to who this marketing group really is. Are they Encore Marketing Group or are they Consumer Advocates Response Group? The layers of illegal activity go deep. If Encore has nothing to do with Consumer Advocates Response, they should definitely sue them for using their name. The name changes depending on the region which they are attempting to scam the locale. I live in AZ, and the Consumer Advocates Response group is based in Phoenix. They do not advertise in AZ. They advertise in the Southeast region of America.
Though I cannot speak from an employee aspect, I now understand that this company is rotten from its every endeavor. I understand that marketing people must stay creative if they want to make money, but there are ethical ways to do this. It would not have been so bad if they simply did have grocery vouchers to send. They could have made huge profits if they actually had a product to deliver. Wrong never wins, and karma is real. You will get back what you put out. There are no excuses for this company. Anyone trying to make excuses knows in their core that they are wrong. Crime may be profitable for a while, but the consequences are steeper than any profit you could ever make.
This group promises $1,000 in grocery vouchers. They also try to get callers to sign up for other programs that are also fraudulent. They will sign you up with or without your consent. Without your consent constitutes credit card fraud. Not giving you what they take money for constitutes services not rendered, another form of fraud (but not specifically credit card fraud). Here is a short list of the federal laws they have violated. There is the FTC Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule of 1993--which was an amendment to the FTC Mail-Order Rule of 1975. This states that they must give you what they promised within the time promised if the order is taken over the telephone, through mail, compute, or through facsimile. They have also participated in online deceptive advertising, though many of the sites have been taken down; no boubt through force from the Federal Trade Commission. They have violated the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 by deceptively advertising. This is just broad business law. The credit card fraud is another crime all together. Make no mistake, they have broken many federal laws; and not just consumer protection laws. They advertise over the radio, which falls into the FCC's territory. They do not take intent to commit fraud over government regulated mediums lightly.
If you have been victimized, do not shrug it off. Sure, it may be $13 here or $25 there, but multiply that by a plethora of people across the country. They are definitely taking advantage of hard working Americans. Since the Consumer Advocates Response Group claims to be from Arizona, and Encore Marketing claims to be from North Carolina, you should contact the Attorney Generals of each state they claim to set up in. This is a start. Committing fraud across state lines makes it a federal issue as well. Start with the AG. Usually, they have online complaint forms. That will probably be your best option since therer is no other proof (besides a credit card statement, bank statement, or phone records) you may have.
Also, file a BBB report and give them all the numbers that were furnished to you when you called to place your order. This will help them to find these scum where they work.
Call your bank or credit card holder and file a dispute. I guarantee you when Visa or Master Card have to keep giving people back money, they will find these people. Since it is fraud, they have no choice but to give you your money back. They will take the fight from there.
I have already contacted the radio stations in the area where my grandmother lives. They have taken note, and they are disgusted with these people. You should do the same. Call the radio station you heard the advertisement from. Let them know what they are doing. I bet they will stop airing their commercials.
I write this because they victimized my grandmother. She is a simple country woman, and she was not fortunate enough to have a great education. She is not easily dooped, but she just lost her husband and is struggling to make ends meet. The offer does not sound completely outlandish. They are just coupons, not "free money". What is $25 to you means eating for a week or two for people like her.
Aside from preying on the poor and elderly, they also have the audacity to pull at patriotic heartstrings by saying they give proceeds of your money from Liberty Fun Pass or US Patriot Card to our Armed servicemembers. Here is another tip. If you work for Department of Defense, please drop by the JAG office and let them know about this company. Let them know that they are trying to commit fraud by using the name of our Brothers and Sisters in Arms. It does make me wonder how these people can look at themselves in the mirror everyday befor going to work to commit what could very well land them in prison. I hope it was worth it.
To report the Consumer Advocates Response group go to www.azag.gov to file a complaint.
Next, the AG office will tell you to file a BBB complaint.
Contact your card holders and dispute the charges.
Contact your local radio stations if you desire.
Good luck to you.