My bank account has been hit six times by an entity called WC Value Plus membership services. When I called Value Plus to find out what it was, I was given a smoothly delivered scripted response. Apparently, someone, from some "marketing partner" organization whom I allegedly called to order something over the phone, at the time of the alleged "order," offered me a trial membership in "Value Plus," which I allegedly accepted over the phone.
This person couldn't, or wouldn't, tell me who the marketing partner was, or how I could contact them. Apparently, Value Plus had a recording of me agreeing to the trial membership with the marketing partner. After the trial membership expires, I am automatically signed up for a full membership, and billed every month for $19.95.
When I pressed at to what exactly the membership was for, I could not get a meaningful answer, other than I was to be sent "coupons" of value, and offered discounts greater than I could find elsewhere that would "outweigh" the monthly membership costs.
Since I categorically never agreed to the membership, it is not surprising that I have also never received any coupons. But, I have been charged for the bogus membership.
The best that the call center could do for me was to cancel my membership, and send me a form that would allow me to claim back the six $19.95 charges to my account they had made.
I insisted that since they allegedly started this over the phone, they should end this over the phone, and should reimburse me immediately for the bogus charges. I tried to escalate to a supervisor, but that didn't go anywhere. The "supervisor" claimed she was unable to transfer me to any one else who could or would be able to do more than just cancel the "membership."
I searched the web, made a few phone calls, and tracked down Provell's corporate office, and found the man responsible for customer services, Dave Mechina (not sure if that is the correct spelling).
He suggested that I had just forgotten that I had authorized the trial membership, but noted that I had never used any of the coupons that were allegedly sent to me (how could I used something I never received?). I demanded that they provide me with the "recording" of my agreement, and the contact information of the marketing partner. He said that he would call me back within a day or two with the recording.
I will update the site.
Meanwhile, beware of any phone or internet transactions, and check your credit card(s) and bank account(s) for unauthorized charges.
Provell DBA WC Value Plus (among other aliases)
11100 Wayzata Blvd
Suite 680
Hopkins, MN 55305
Principal: Mr. George S Richards, Pres/CEO
Customer Services Contact: Dave Mechina (952) 258-2000