Unauthorized charges/shipments

ComplaintsInternet ScamsCafe Saporito / Seattle Coffee Direct

Complaint

0
Jennifer Bauer
Country: United States
I have no idea how this company got my info. Yet I had 2 charges, java beanery, publicationsmax which have the same bogus number as seattle coffee and cafe saporito. I had to cancel my debit card, file fraud charges etc. TODAY I get a package in the mail from cafe saporito. I did not open it so I have no clue what is in it, but I've filed fraud with USPS, my bank, and the IL attorney General.

Comments

12Next
  • 0
    tj
    The company is Peel, Inc.

    https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/OiT8Vg9YvQCk5gjMR05pCg

    They have been engaged in deceptive marketing of a range of products, from coffee to posters to magazines, for years.  They have recently been reported to have "reactivated" old cancelled accounts, resulting in a new wave of complaints of unauthorized charges.

    Dispute fraudulent charges through your bank, and close your account due to fraud to prevent additional fraudulent charges.

    "I had to cancel my debit card, file fraud charges etc. TODAY I get a package in the mail from cafe saporito. I did not open it so I have no clue what is in it, but I've filed fraud with USPS, my bank, and the IL attorney General."

    Those are exactly the actions to take to protect yourself.
  • 0
    Frances
    Ditto.  The same exact thing happened to me.  Two fraudulent charges appeared on an 'inactive credit card' that had not even been activated.  One was for Publicationmx and the other for a coffee co.  Package from Cafe saporito showed up a few days ago, but the company NEVER answers the phone.
  • 0
    journey
    ditto to all of the above. So, what do you do with the package if you receive one?
  • 0
    tj
    Contact the U.S. Postal Inspector regarding any unordered package sent to you without your agreement.  File a mail fraud complaint, make sure you have blocked access and closed any account they may have access to, to prevent fraudulent charges.  Then send them notice that their shipment was unordered merchandise, and that if they did not pick it up at their expense within 10 days, it would be disposed of in accordance with U.S. Postal Regulations.

    If you didn't order a package, but a company ships you some product without your agreement, then under U.S. Postal Regulations:

    1) that shipment is your property, to dispose of as you see fit,

    2) sending an invoice or bill for unordered merchandise is mail fraud, and prohibited unmailable material.

    It doesn't matter whether the shipment is via U.S. Mail, or using another common carrier, mail fraud statutes still apply.  Contact the Postal Inspector to report fraud attempts.
  • 0
    frances
    you are all incorrect in that these shipments are being dropped by UPS, not the Postal Service.
  • 0
    menchu
    Same thing happened to me. I was debited two times under the same mother company, Peel Inc. for $79.00 each. One was from MaxPublications and the other one from Cafe Saporito. They do charges from a persons account in the wee hours or the morning. You will just be surprised that the next time you log on your bank account with all the charges which you never authorized. I reported one of my case (MaxPublications) to the Better Business Bureau. To my surprise, I got 2 boxes today from Cafe Sapiro and one was even open.
    It was a hassle to go thru all the closing of the account and borrowing money from people just to keep my account to a positive. Times are hard today and we don't need this fraud going on. Every penny counts.
    Were you able to get a refund from them?
  • 0
    Wayne
    Months ago I ordered a 5 for $5 (each: read the fine print) from an ad in Facebook, and received the material with a pricey bill. I phoned and cancelled when I saw the price. Within the NEXT day, got another package for a 2nd pricey bill [this from the same - Seattle Coffee]. I kept the 2nd (thank you) but was only charged for the one.
    Now, about 6 months later, I get a package from Cafe Saporito via USPS. Phoned twice - got no reply. I still haven't opened it because I wasn't sure that someone hadn't sent me a gift. But I suspect that the same card I used 6 mo ago has been charged...haven't check yet.
  • 0
    Sharron Black
    My package is labeled USPS. It even has my post office name and address.
  • 0
    Rngrmyk
    So I'm on Mafia Wars, through Facebook and to get rewards points I sign up for the no risk 5 for 5 'special'. Yep, it's 5 for $ 5.00 each for a total charge of $ 25.00. My fault for not reading the fine print. But I call and cancel the same day I get the $ 25.00 charge. 2 days later for 39.70 I get sent 2 paks of coffee. I call them and tell them I cancelled so they tell me they will issue a refund. 10 days later ANOTHER 39.70 package arrives. I sent them both back via UPS and call to request 2 refunds now. NO ACTION TAKEN. I then get a $ 79.00 dollar charge, that is when I cancelled my card, filed fraud charges with Wells Fargo and called again to complain, this time is was only a recording, BAD NEWS with these guys... I have had contact with Jeff Berman, his direct e-mail is: jberman@seattlecoffeedirect.com but apparently they've gone back under the rug. A visit to their website, www.seattlecoffeedirect.com now says, "www.seattlecoffeedirect.com is no longer accepting orders at this time and is no longer maintaining customer service via phone. All customer service requests must be registered as stated below. If you have an issue regarding a previous order or for any other issue please contact us by submitting an email to the following address, refunds@peel.com. Please include your Full Name, Address, Email Address, Phone Number, the amount you were charged and the reason why you feel you should be refunded." OUTSTANDING
  • 0
    joyce -16 jan 2010
    I have been trying to receive a refund on pkg. of coffee from seattle coffee, since , last July. I sent three pkg.back, which were coming all in one week, I canceled by subscribtion, and still can't get my refund..
    Now, they are not taking calls, and sent me to refunds@peel.com which is not taking email,  What a scam, on both counts
  • 0
    patricia
    patricia-23 jan2010 i have been trying to reach seattle coffee since december after spoken to one of the representatives who promised to refund 79 dollars  charged to my accont three times which amounted to 237 dollars on coffee i had never orded but up till today my money had not been refunded what to do next i don't know
  • 0
    Rngrmyk
    Wells Fargo says they are aware of this scam and gave me a "Provisional Credit" so I'm waiting to see if these crooks at Peel/Seattle coffee dispute it and try and rip me off again. So try you bank's fraud department.
  • 0
    jk44manny
    I have been waiting since october for a refund promised to me... When am I going to see this money, and am I ever going to see it?!
  • 0
    ccorman
    I have experienced all of the above issues and have not seen the refund that I was promised. When I called they said to keep the merchandise and would issue the credit. Even had a confirmation number and was told it would take 1-2 billing cycles. Since I waited patiently for the credit to come through, now my bank says it's past the '60 day' time period for them to help. I am going to try again with bank to see if I can get the 'provisional credit' since this seems to be so wide spread. There must be somewhere to report this company so they are brought up on charges, other than BBB. Anyone know where?
  • 0
    Carolyn L.
    I had been sent a package I did not order.  Put return to sender and returned it.  Then the next month I have a $79.00 charge on my card.  Now I am paying each month till I can get this cleared.

    How can such companies operate with this scam?
  • 0
    Yolanda
    Whoever said they wait until the wee hours of the morning aren't lying. I got smacked with a $79 charge about 3:00 a.m. the Saturday morning after Thanksgiving 09. Needless to say, I was livid. Naturally the customer service department was closed until that Monday. Every time I tried calling I either had a very long wait time or a recording stating I would receive a call back. I have filed a complaint with both the attorney general and the BBB. I even went to their site and filled out the form for a refund. I seriously doubt I will receive one without a fight. These people are unreal.
  • 0
    lenardm2
    They took $626.00 from me. I ordered a sample of the coffee and the next thing I knew I was getting packages daily from them and a tea company then a publication co. A at 79.00 a piece. My bank refunded the money after I tried unsucessfully to get refund from the company. It still didn't help with the overdraft fees from the bank and the people who my checks were written to. My gosh, this is the USA. People shouldn't be able to get away with things like this. I assure you if I order anything online now it is through paypal and nothing else. Hard Lesson learned.
  • 0
    monica martin
    This company took $197.00 from my bank account and i did not even have a accont with them. I did speak with them after up to thirty calls and they said that they would reimburse my account bank.
  • 0
    Robyn
    Monica - I have had all that was mentioned on this site happen to me. I have researched every avenue and hit dead ends. Once you got through to them did they finally refund you your money? If so, what number did you call? Thanks.
  • 0
    Sheilagh
    Same thing happened to me, twice after I cancelled my original "free trial". I called after the first non-authorized shipment just to have another shipment arrive about 4 days later. Two charges against my debit card for $79 each. Of course can't get ahold of any one now for a refund.
12Next

Post a new comment