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
    cwm
    and btw, this is hitting my dads CHECKING ACCOUNT!! They claim he was called and asked to enroll. He has no recollection of it. These people are preying on the vulnerable. My dad is elderly and currently under my care, and thankfully I've just taken over his finances. Unfortunately he's been "enrolled" since July of 2009!!! I should've taken over his finances earlier. This is inexcusable!!!
  • 0
    I81U812
    The quick and the dirty: You'll be asked for your purchasing credit card number and expiration date "for security purposes."  This comes after they confirm your name, mailing, address, phone number, and last four digits on the purchasing CC.  That's how people are getting caught, since a CCV is not always required for billing purposes.

    The long:
    Following an online order for the Gyro-bowl, Budget Savers (hereinafter "BS" which seems SO appropriate) began telephoning my residence.  

    The scam is as follows (as per my most experience where I actually remained on the line):
    1) BS telemarketer "A" makes the initial phone call in which they comment that your order will be arriving shortly.  In addition they mention the Budget Savers program and agree to provide you, for no additional cost, with a voucher for $100 in gas that is yours to keep regardless of whether you stay with BS;
    2) BS telemarketer "A" requests you hold for a quality assurance representative who wishes to record that your conversation with "A" was positive;  
    *Here's where the scam hits*
    3) BS telemarketer "B" then gets on the phone and does not ask you about the conversation with "A."  They verfiy your name, mailing address, phone number, and last four digits of the purchasing CC.  Following such, they ask for the expiration date and entire credit card number of the purchasing card "for security purposes."  

    For most people this would raise a red flag. Flags went way up when I alerted BS that I did not have the purchasing card available (wife made purchase) and they then asked for MY credit card number and expiration date for "security purposes."  I informed them that they already had my pedigree information and my CC number and expiration date were unnecessary "for security purposes."  They attempted to goad me into a false sense of security by telling me that no transactions can be performed without the CCV - which is untrue.  

    I ended the conversation right there, with them replying they would call back at a more convenient time.  Never knew there is a more convenient time to scam me of my CC number.  Learn something new everyday...
  • 0
    R. Montero
    Hey people, we're going to have to write a letter to our representatives at local and federal congresses or senates and let them know about what's going on with type of companies. Some action need to be taken  to stop these thieves from doing this.I was another victim of this modern way of theft. They charged me US$24.95 for 6 months. When I called and spoke to Mr. GARRET, he promised me I'll have my  money back posted to my account in 3-5 business days. One year has passed by and never got no one pennie. What's this? R. Montero
  • 0
    Mr. V
    What a SCAM!!! I just noticed this charge on my account this moring while checking to see if my mortgage payment went through. I scrolled down my online statement and saw that this has been going on for 4 months! I called Budget Savers months (the day after I accepted this offer) ago and canceled because I figured out THEN that it was a scam. They then told me they had no record of such call and if I couldnt provide a conformation # then there was nothing I could do... so I went ahead and cancelled again. This time I will keep this cancellation conformation # handy.
    After I got off the phone with BS I called my bank. They are handling the situation, refunding my money, stopping payment to this company and filing an official complaint. They assured me that I will not need to close my acct but after what i've read, I'm not so sure. Money should be refunded in 24hrs. If not I will be visiting my local branch to sort this mess out.
    If you are visiting this forum its probably too late. Its about damage control at this point.
  • 0
    ladyjayv
    I just finished speaking to a rep at 1-800-475-1942 regarding my free trial of Budget Savers. Told her that we had never received any of the program material that was promised on 9/6/2011. She never asked me any information other than my name but proceeded to tell my the order had been cancelled because the $1.00 charged had been declined; she did not offer me a cancellation number or anything like that. I checke our checking account to see if there had been any problem with our account on the day that is was supposed to have been charged and there was none. I am so glad that I read all the posts here. I just called them back to confirm what I had been told before and this time I got a name and a confirmation number; hopefully the information provided was correct. I will continue to check our account to make sure that the charge does not show up all of a sudden. Thanks for posting your comments here.
  • 0
    Ralph
    Budget Savers got your CC number because you gave it to them on the phone after they called and misrepresented themselves. Here's what they tried on me: I ordered a product online from Plymouth Direct, which is a Harriet Carter Co. Plymouth Direct sells your name & phone number to 4 or 5 "partners", one being Budget Savers. Budget Savers called me, thanking me for my online order, and asked for my CC number as they had to "verify" the order. The proverbial light bulb went off in my head as the order had already been confirmed by Plymouth. I refused. The telemarketer turned me over to a supervisor who continued pressuring me for the info. I flatly refuses and told them they could cancel my order if they like. He said "have a nice day" and hung up. On to the next patsy I suppose. Moral: NEVER give your CC# or any info to someone who calls you, no matter what they say. Period.
  • 0
    BEVERLY BOUDREAUX
    A FEE OF $24.95 WAS TAKEN FROM MY CHECKING ACCOUNT WITH OUT MY PERMITION.I WOULD LIKE MY MONEY BACK AS SOON AS POSIBLE I CANNOT AFFORD TO LET PEOPLE JUST TAKE ANY MONEY FROM ME
  • 0
    Hemi
    Hey I feel so very stupid, also. I was scamed also by Budget Savers MN. I appreciate all the input folks. I think that my info was sold by InstaHang, who I ordered a  gadget to hang things on the wall-pictures, placks and other decor, from. I know it is because Budget Savers rep told me that was where he got my phone number from. I saw an InstaHang commercial on tv and thought it was on the up&up, so I ordered it. Then my wife tells me yesterday-Jan. 20,2012 that our account was tagged for $29.95, first installment. The last I hope, going to try like H____ to stop it. Also going to contact all organizations that were mentioned in all of your complaints & comments. Thanks again.
  • 0
    Erin
    This is the biggest scam. Basically I ordered my boyfriend tickets to a hockey game for his birthday from ticketzoom.com and that's how they got my information. They called me everyday for a month straight and finally I had enough of the phone calls so I picked up and the offer sounded good, so I said hey if it gets them to stop calling than whatever. After 10 days I thought it was suspicious that I had not received any of the stuff yet, so I called and convienently my trial ended yesterday...yeah right. So I asked how that was a month trial if I just started it 10 days ago and he said I must have been "misinformed". After yelling at this useless waste of a human life for 15 minutes I told him to cancel everything and just charge me the first month's fee. After doing so I immediately called my bank and closed my card, there was no way I was letting them get any money out of me.
  • 0
    Danielle
    Similar story to Erin...bought hockey tickets for my boyfriend from BigStub.  I noticed a "trial" offer after my purchase popped up on the screen, read the info and declined.  Someone called my house yesterday regarding my ticket purchase but they spoke to my mother because I wasn't home.  I had already received my tickets so I got nervous that they were fake (never bought from BigStub before).

    I called them back today and after one ring was greeted with "Hi Danielle" (in retrospect: red flag #1).  They thanked me for my ticket purchase and said they would be arriving shortly (I already got them.. red flag #2).  The woman kept going on about this FREE trial offer and the free gas card that I could keep, then 5 minutes later said I would be charged $1.  Told her I wasn't interested and I didn't want another company to have my credit card number.  She said all I would have to do was verify my address, so I thought maybe this was a legit company affiliated with BigStub since they already had my info and my research prior to buying the tickets showed that BigStub was a legit site, and said ok.  They transferred me to someone else who knew my name and address before I said a word (red flag #3), but when she asked for my credit card info I said I didn't feel comfortable giving it out over the phone.  She said I already did when I bought the card.  I informed her that no, I didn't, I bought the tickets online. (red flag #4: this woman clearly knew nothing about my purchase and was NOT affiliated with BigStub).  She reasoned that phone purchases were the safest way to make a purchase, I said no that's ok, changed my mind, and we said our goodbyes.

    I BETTER not get charged $1.  If it's true that everything is recorded like others have said here, I will be requesting a playback.
  • 0
    dianne
    i call 800 475 1942 on gtalk or my computer and the call gets terminated after it says mbrship services, after trying gtalk many times i tried the same number on my cell and got someone, named derek, and he said it an online account that gives discounts to hotels, restaurants, and other miscellaneous, it could be groupon, which i remember starting to sign up for it but when the credit card info came i exited the window or tab without givinhg it any numbers/digits..  but other than that i didnt authorize it that i recall and i had told him that and that i am not interested and to cancel account and reimb me $24.95 that i was charged.  and said it would take 3-5 bus days to show the reimb on my account.  thanks
  • 0
    dianne
    this is what was on my statement:           

    MC PURCHASE 75418232 SEM* VALUE PLUS 800-4751942 MN 2012-05-04 07.05.60

    In-process                                       24.95
  • 0
    dianne
    | 1 reply
    as i said previously, it probably was an email i got from groupon and i didnt authorize or submit any digits/numbers on credit card payment info, and exited out right before it asks for payment info. here is what the email said:

    Check your inbox each day to discover Groupon deals with huge discounts on tasty meals, relaxing spa days, concerts, 5-star hotels, and more.
    Take a second to tell us a bit about yourself so we can personalize your deals.
    Get Personalized Deals

    Groupon noreply@r.groupon.com is there email address.  but their website has different phone #:  If the experience using your Groupon ever lets you down, we’ll make it right or return your purchase. Simple as that. Learn more
    Help Center
    A real, live person is here for you.
    1 (888) 375-5777
    Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm CST
    thank you.
    • 0
      tj replies to dianne
      It is unlikely that the charges would have originated from some source where you did not provide a card number.  It may, however, have been passed to these sleazeballs by some shady merchant you might have bought from, with obscured disclosure that they would be "signing you up".

      This might occur if you called an order number and they tried to read you some script about some "discount membership trial", or a similar offer on a website pop-up ad.  As these "discount" cramming scams offer other sellers a commission for siging up "customers", sometimes consumers are signed up without any real disclosure or authorization at all.

      If you didn't authorize the charges, and didn't even provide your card information, then the charges are fraudulent, so dispute them through your bank as fraudulent, and block the card number to recurring fraud.

      Your bank can reverse charges if your dispute promptly.
  • 0
    LEARN TO LISTEN
    After being offered the Discount Savings Program from a "Fronter" and AGREE, you are sent to a VERIFIER. They confirm you made your as seen on tv purchase, and offer you 3 savings programs.

    Now Budget Savers will automatically bill the 1$ introductory fee to the VISA ending in XXXX, within 1-5 days, AFTER the first 14 days UNLESS YOU CALL TO CANCEL, BUDGET SAVERS will AUTOMATICALLY bill the MONTHLY membership fee of 29.95 AT THE SAME TIME EACH MONTH TO THE SAME CARD.

    You can CERTAINLEY CANCEL AT ANY TIME by calling the TOLL FREE # 1-800-475-1942. But the 100$ in gas vouchers are yours to keep as a thank you. SO WITH YOUR APPROVAL YOULL BE BILLED UNDER THE TERMS IVE JUST DESCRIBED AND WELL SEND THE MEMBERSHIP MATERIAL TO YOU IN THE MAIL IN WRITING FOR YOU TO ENJOY (a positive ack is given here) Then you are asked to give you credit card number to CONFIRM THE CHARGE.

    This is what you people are being told. This company cannot bill you without a POSITIVE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. After the call is processed it is sent to a QUALITY CONTROL DEPARTMENT where a room of about 100 people listen to every single one of these calls with sheets of guidelines. If you say NO. YOU CANNOT BE CHARGED. If you say "thank you, uh huh, mhm. ect.." YOU CANNOT BE CHARGED. The only way youre charged is if you say yes.
  • 0
    Ann marie
    I also was charged 29.95 for something called budget savers. I knew nothing about them- no letter- no e-mail. Bank of America froze my account because they suspected fraud. I changed my credit card and put a stop payment. They are truly scammers and I see they are still doing it in 2013. I also called the 800 number and was told I would be cancelled- for something I knew nothing about . I am going to contact my attorney general of connecticut
  • 0
    Jenma79
    | 1 reply
    Was contacted by Budget Savers after purchasing my Spirooli veggie slicer to sign up for the Budget Savers program for only $1 introductory offer with the $100 in "free gas cards" that are complimentary as a "thank-you" for making a purchase.  Once he asked for my credit card number, I kept the guy on the phone to buy myself time to do an internet search on this Budget Savers program.  So thankful for this website and everyone who contributed to the post.  What a load of BS, lol---- when I had asked them what gasoline stations accepted the gas cards, he said that the cards were all recognized by all gas stations nationally in the US, so its not a problem.  I played dumb and acted confused, so  I had asked the telemarketer how the gas cards work, then out came the truth where he said you have to save all your gas receipts and send them for reimbursement!!!!!  I knew I smelled a stinking fish when the guy just kept talking so smoothly, quickly and effortlessly; and when I tried to interrupt his talking with a question, he kept right on talking over me, I knew for sure that this was a forced hoax.  Word to wise, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  They're as thick as thieves---------- feeling ever so thankful to have my laptop open the time I got the call tonight :)
    • 0
      tj replies to Jenma79
      Even though you never agreed to any charges, watch your statements closely.  They already have your card number, so only their own honesty stops them from stealing your money.  You even talk to them, they may figure they can get away with "accidentally" signing you up.

      Dispute all fraudulent charges through your bank, and have your bank shut down your account or block your card number to prevent further fraud.  Your bank can reverse charges back 2 to 3 months if you dispute promptly, under FRG Reg. E or FCBA.  Bank fraud disputes also cost them chargeback fees, and high chargeback ratios flag their merchant accounts for possible shutdown due to fraud.

      Stick it to them.
  • 0
    Bree
    | 1 reply
    Budget savers is a huge scam! They charged me a $1.00 first later 29.99 a month, I called them to ask where they had recieved my information because I never called or accepted their offer, and asked them to cancel the membership. The guy I spoke to refused to cancel and as soon as I threatened him with law enforcement involvement he immediately agreed to cancel it. Do not be afraid to get the police involved call them and let them know about the scam.
    • 0
      tj replies to Bree
      They are running a cramming scam.

      The charges were not authorized, so it's safer to file a fraud dispute with your bank rather than depend on any refund or cancellation promises.  Your bank can reverse charges if you dispute promptly, under FRB Reg. E or FCBA.

      You better watch your statements closely to make sure they refund your money, and make sure they don't just "accidentally" start charging again in a few months when they figure you won't be watching.  Safer to have your bank block your card number or shut down your account now to prevent further fraud and theft.
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