BEWARE OF PHONE SCAM - WC Budget Savers MN

ComplaintsScamsWC Budget Savers MN

Complaint

0
wra
Country: United States
I noticed a $24.95 charge, for WC Budget Savers MN, on our online bank statement today.  I did an Internet search for the name listed (WC Budget Savers MN) and came up with this page.  I called the number listed here, (800) 475-1942, (since there wasn't one included with the charge on the bank statement), to find out what this charge is for.  I was told that someone (presumably my husband - who has no recollection of the call), approved this service over the phone from an incoming solicitor - they offered a $1.00 trial period (which was supposed to include a coupon for $40 in gas), then when not cancelled it jumped to $24.95 per month.  This started in June for $1.00.  Our bank account was then charged $24.95 for the months of July, Aug, Sept & Oct - before we caught up with it!!!

The person I spoke with was not able (or willing) to provide me with any account information.  I was told that they send out only ONE welcome letter and that is it.  Apparently, that letter includes website that you can go to for discounts of some sort.  No other info is available.  Not even an account number or a way to find out what you are supposed to be getting for your monthly $24.95 fee.  

I told them I wanted the account closed immediately and the money refunded or I would report them.  I was told that the ONLY that could be accomplished would be by completing and mailing back a form that they first have to mail to me - it will take 7-10 days for this to arrive and no telling how long to stop charges and get the refund after that.  She could not tell me how long that process will take and insisted that there was NO OTHER WAY to stop future charges and/or recapture that which has already been bilked.  What a scam!!!

Comments

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  • 0
    carill
    | 1 reply
    I received a packet from this company and called to cancel immediately and was told that was done.  Now more than 2 months later I am getting charges on my credit card.. I guess I will just have to cancel my credit card-seems like there is no other way to avoid this scam taking more money.  I HATE BEING A STUPID VICTIM!!!!
    • 0
      Tommy replies to carill
      I did the same thing and was told it was cancelled one month prior and was charge again today for 27.95 company called Savers Zone. However, this somehow was tied in a timeshare and they get your information.
  • 0
    Loana Heslip
    I just called and cancelled from Budget Savers and the lady said that it was cancelled and I wouldn't be charged any more. I hope to god tha she is telling the truth. My husband is gonna go to the bank and talk to them.
  • 0
    bk
    A total scam!!!!! I am not even going to attempt to talk to the idiots....go through fraud department of your bank. If account has to be closed so be it. Of course once I get things settled with my bank then I will begin calling daily hassling them. I will take pleasure in doing so. It took less than 10 minutes to close account on phone and the new card will be issued in 7-10 business days. My account will be credited the fraudulent amount in that period of time also.
  • 0
    leigh
    | 2 replies
    I just noticed the charge on my bank statement and like most of you I do not remember signing up for this. I did call the 800 # listed above and spoke with a very helpful gentleman who gave me his name and said membership would be cancelled as of today. I will be sure and check my June statement to see if Mr Garrett knows what he is talking about.
    • 0
      Tina Nichole replies to leigh
      They also are taking money out of my account. I'm on social security and barely make $700 a month and can't find there 800 # . would you mind giving it to me please
    • 0
      Darenda Armstrong replies to leigh
      Do not take no more from  my bank
  • 0
    siarra
    i have also just called to complain about being charged. the girl on the phone said that there was "no record of a previous cancellation.". unfortunately for her i had the confirmation number from when i cancelled.  she said they would cancel today and the money would be credited back within 3-5 business days
  • 0
    KC
    | 1 reply
    I just noticed these charges too. $24.95 for 6 months!! I called the same number you have all also called and had the "account" cancelled. And because there is nothing I hate more than being scammed, I went a step further. It appears that the parent company for WC Budget Savers (and a handful of others) is Provell, Inc. I have looked them up on the BBB website and was shocked to find they have an A+ rating!! Besides the rating, they have had almost 600 complaints filed in the last 36 months and have apparently resolved 490 of them.

    I would suggest if you cannot get your refund by contacting them directly to file BBB complaints. When I have done this in the past I have managed to get my refund.

    Here is the company info:
    Business Contact and Profile for Provell, Inc.
    Name: Provell, Inc.
    Phone: (952) 258-2000
    Fax: (952) 258-2100
    Address: 11100 Wayzata Blvd. Ste. 680
    Hopkins, MN 55305-5601


    Hope this helps!
  • 0
    KC
    | 1 reply
    Just to follow up...I called and pushed until I was allowed to speak with the Director of Consumer Affairs. He actually took the time to play back the phone call where my husband supposedly signed up for this service. What a scam artist that caller was!!! My husband had no clue what he was signing up for.

    Anyway, he seemed pretty nice on the phone and agreed to refund the full amount we had paid. We'll see if it shows up in my account. I told him that I was really hoping to get this resolved without having to make a BBB complaint and I think we did.
    • 0
      annie replies to KC
      reporting to BBB is ok, but I would file a complaint with your state attorney general.  they are more apt to put a stop to them
      I two have the same thing, first a dollar and then when cancelled, starting the 24.95.  fortunately it is on a card I can cancel.  watch out for Who's Who.  They do the same thing and you can't cancel  only a lot more money involved.
  • 0
    Got the same scam-Savannah GA
    I just saw this on my account online. Apparently, the same thing happened to me. They called the house and said they saw that I had made a purchase online with a "sister company" and wanted my husband to authrorize additional charges for coupons for $1 a month. My husband said NO and to call back later because I was the one who actually made an online purchase last month. well lo and behold I am looking at my bank statement and there it was $1 charge then a WCBenefits charge for $1...then a few days later $29.95. I went to Wachovia yesterday and they told me it was all a scam. On top of that there was a $1 Intl Fee. He said more than likely it went oversees with the money. My entire account had to be closed and a new account opened. He said if I had not caught it in time, they may have cleaned out my account in a few days. He said they "ping" your account with a $1 charge first to see if it works. Then they do it again. They wait a few days and the charges get bigger like 29.95. He said most people don't notice these charges because they just figure it was something they forgot to record or their spouse purchased. It is a huge scam and you definitely need to report them!
  • 0
    Sondra
    I notice this charge on my account today.
  • 0
    Rick & Janie
    | 1 reply
    There is no product... These people are criminals and need to be proscuted. Anybody trying to resolve this through Budget Savers is going to just be charged again. That's their MO. You need to go to your bank, report this, have them take your card and destroy it. They can issue you a new card with a new number because your old number has been compromised. If you do this in time, your bank can refuse the charge and all will be fine: mine did. These people bought your card number info from someone you have done business with recently. This means other scam artist have your card number too, SO GO TO YOUR BANK AND HAVE THEM SHREAD THE DOG-GONE THING!!! By the way ... I want to thank who ever posted this warning... You have saved our butts...
    • 0
      kim replies to Rick & Janie
      I just left my bank about the same.things ..so far they've gotten me for over 500.00..and thank God and my financial institution for all their help..I should recover all my money ..
  • 0
    kalynn
    all this is [***]. someone had called me shortly after i recieved the booby buster excercise thing, and asked if i recieved it, and if i was happy. and then they tried talking me into getting the budget savers program. i said no thats ok. but he jsut kept on talking, and pushing and saying all these great things,  that i dont even remember now. and he said for member you get a free gas card and other things for the first month for the trial period. and after the trial period you'l be charged. and i said no thats ok. and he said hows about this you sign up for the trial period and get the gas card free. hey, how can you pass up free gas. and after the trial period we'll automatically cancel you. i noticed a month later i got charged 24.95. but i never got anything. and i could find no number anywhere to call them. they even charged me 40 something one time, and then 24.95's later. uuuggghhh. makes me soo mad! i finally called this number that was posted here. and the guy siad i authorized it, and said he could pull up th ephone recording saying i said it was ok. and he said they never said that they would cancell it for me after the trial period was over, because i wouldve had to call them myself. i cant if theres no f***ing number!! so hopefully its cancelled, what a waste!
  • 0
    Tina
    I called today and was also told they would cancel and refund the $24.95 within 3-5 business days.  Hope they follow through!
  • 0
    Cordia
    | 1 reply
    I appreciate this web site. When I saw that I was being scammed by "Budget Savers" I immediately came to this site. Your info was sooo helpful. I cancelled my bank account asap. Don't know yet if I will report this but I will be more carefull about ordering. I think they got me by phone instead of online. Not really sure. Don't have money to be giving away but these people will come to a BAD END if they don't repent. They already have a lot to answer to. If not in this world, in the world to come. They are probably reading these comments. I hope they figure out that when they hurt and take from others they will have to pay back double because there is a God watching and His word (the Bible) says "Be sure your sins will find you out, I will repay thus sayeth the Lord. I pray for them. They need it. Thank those of you that commented for your help. God Bless You.
    • 0
      tcf replies to Cordia
      Please anyone who gets a call from these scammers immediately cancel your card. As soon as I got the call I called and canceled my card before I was charged.  They got my info thru copper fit.  So beware of this site also!
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