Ads promoting pills containing Brazilian Acai Berry for weight loss are very common online. Trial samples of the products are touted as "risk free" for only shipping and handling charges by credit card. However, at the bottom of the ads, in print smaller than most people would ever want their waists to be, is the notice that the recipient must return any unused portion of the product within a very narrow period of time. If they don't the companies may automatically begin charging the consumer reoccurring monthly fees or enter them into memberships that range from $39 to $100 a month.
In November alone, more than 1.5 million people searched for the term on Google. Online ads and Web sites often include a photo of a celebrity - such as Oprah and Rachel Ray - and claim that she endorses acai as a weight loss miracle.
"The BBB strongly encourages consumers to make sure to read all the fine print and terms & conditions while purchasing any product, and be especially cautious with free trial offers," said Steve J. Bernas president and CEO of The Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois.
The problems that many consumers are reporting to the BBB include not receiving the product in a timely manner, and being charged despite not having the ability to try the product out. Alternately, some consumers allege trying to cancel the offers by the end of the trial period as directed, only to find themselves having a difficult time reaching a representative before being charged. Other consumers complaining to the BBB allege that the Acai diet pill offers and their terms & conditions were not disclosed in a clear and conspicuous way.
"BBB can't speak to the restorative or weight loss properties of acai-based products, but we are taking companies to task for their misleading sales and marketing practices," said Bernas. "Many businesses across the country are using the same selling model for their acai products: they lure customers in with celebrity endorsements and free trial offers, and then lock them in by making it extremely difficult to cancel the automatic delivery of more acai products every month."
With weight loss advertising and misleading free trial complaints on the rise, the BBB wants to alert consumers about the restrictive terms and conditions that may be part of free trial offers.
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Consumer Complaint - Acai Berry Detox
Some consumers are showing concerns about certain Acai Berry sellers such as Detox Program, UMG Travel Program, UMG Buyedg Program, LifeCleanse product and the like. What happens typically is that a consumer visits a website that promotes an Acai Program and orders a sample of their product. The next thing he knows he is a member of some program called UMG Travel, for example. Consumer is then charged $1.00 for the membership. He may also be opted into a membership for LifeCleanse which is distributed by a company called LifeCleanse - RX from Hollywood Florida...and appears to be somehow connected to FWM Laboratories. At the bottom of the website the copywrite is in the name of FWM Laboratories. He ultimately will be charged $1.00 for the two UMG programs, $3.95 for the Acai Berry Detox, and then $5.95 and $5.95 but then the big slam came with a charge for $87.13. He was charged the $87.13 because he did not opt-out of the Acai Berry Detox or the LifeCleanse program, which ever one it was before the 14 day trial period ended.
With FWM Laboratories it appears that when you opt in to any of their programs or offers you automatically get opted in to their other programs or memberships as well and if you do not cancel each one individually you will be charged whatever the fee is for the product or membership.
To cancel the services, you should call the following numbers:
Acai Berry Detox (866) 949-0138
UMG Travel (888) 859-2051
UMG BUYEDG (800) 447-7776
UMG BUYEDG (888) 873-1669
LifeCleanse (866) 949-0138
Please, be careful or you will get a whole bunch of charges to your card and then you will have to try and get re-funds or destroy your card and get a new one. And if you do not get your refunds please let me know. You will want to contact the Florida State Attorney General's office as well as the AG office in your state. And one final question to ponder: How are all of these companies getting our credit card or debit card information? Who is selling our information to these companies? I do not know about you, but I would sure like to know.
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If you think you have been lured into trying Acai Berry and you are fraudulantly being charged, you should do the following suggestions:
Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E. According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: “we could not do anything for you" or “you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days". If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.
Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!
Do not take no for an answer!
Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.
And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.
Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.
If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.
Your credit card charges
If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here. Remember, you should not let them get away with it!
Good luck and be careful next time.
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