What to Do When You're the Victim of Internet Fraud
Step One:
I KNOW this is frustrating, but start by calling the company. Keep track of the people you talk to, the dates and times and what was promised. Let them know their internet fraud won't be tolerated. If legal steps need to be taken later, this will stand as evidence you tried to fix the problem.
Step Two:
Call or go to your bank/credit union. Keep track of these dates/times too. You have so many days to file complaints, get help in reversing charges to your account, etc. These kind folks are wonderful at helping consumers get justice. Go through all the steps you are asked to go through.
In my case, I have to return these products at my expense with the return numbers I was given. The USPS tracking numbers are there for confirmation of delivery. If after 30 days these products are received by the company and my money hasn't been refunded, my credit union will step in. They are tired of internet fraud, too, and are working within their guidelines to combat it.
DON'T STOP THERE!
Step Three:
File complaints about the internet fraud you've experienced, especially with false advertising. In the 1970's there were a plethora of complaints about false advertising claims to the point the Federal Trade Commission initiated laws to protect consumers. The FTC needs to be aware of these sites that claim "free trial bottle" offers too.
The TFC site to file a complaint is: FTC complaint assistant.gov. Follow the steps and fill in the form as completely as you can. While the FTC can't solve individual complaints it does keep a database of complaints against companies so it can act to stop fraud as a whole.
If the more than 7,000 people who complained on Rip off Reports and Complaints Board, the FTC would have more than enough information to investigate and shut down these internet fraud websites or force them to advertise their product and practices honestly. They can also be fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for their deeds.
It took me about 10 minutes to file a complaint about acai berry detox and their practices.
The innumerable complaints the FTC received about AOL's billing practices a few years ago, i.e., billing during "free period" and billing after cancellation led to a lawsuit filed by several states and the US Attorney General's office. They're still out there, but no where near as big as they used to be. Now no one trusts them.
Step Four:
Let your State Attorney General know about the site or fraud you've experienced. Keep track of all you've gone through, who you've spoken to, etc. If you can't get resolution through either the company or through your banking institution, your State Attorney General is the next step. Follow their advice to the letter.
If they get enough complaints from citizens about internet fraud practices, they can file a lawsuit to end their company in your state. They may be able to prosecute under criminal statutes as well. They may advise you to file a civil suit so you can recover for your losses.
Step Five:
I know there seems to be a lot of steps, but every step has a purpose. Letting the authorities know what's going on is paramount to getting bad companies to either straighten up or shut down. They can't act on what they don't know about. Tell them.
The fifth step in fighting internet fraud is filing a complaint on major consumer watchdog sites. One of those sites is Rip Off Reports. There were already 67 complaints of the exact same practices that I experienced with this company. I added mine to the list. Not every one knows about these sites so they can check first.
The other site is complaints board. There were 7,528 complaints about acai berry and this company, FTW Laboratories. Listing your complaint about the company or practice is easy and by the way, none of these complaint sites charge any money. They will not ask for credit card information at all. If a site asks you for this info, close the browser and run a virus scan. It may be a phishing site.
Step Six:
I know this is after the fact, but be diligent. We all get taken from time to time; learning to fight back and doing it keeps the number of crooks down. Going to the authorities online and filing complaints about internet fraud lets them know about new schemes and rip offs designed to harm consumers.
I thought I had learned to protect myself from scams, but even the most diligent can be had.
After the encounter with the "Ped Egg" I made up my mind not to order anything from TV or the internet. Besides, the product almost always winds up at my local grocery store, Target, Wal Mart or on Amazon where I can return it without hassle.
How many people would gladly pay $87.13 for a 30 day supply of this "supplement" if it were on the shelf or if the company were honest enough to put the price on the website front page? Even in the "terms and conditions" it doesn't list the price. Perhaps they're afraid to. They should be.
A search of Amazon.com reveals prices from $7.02 and up under the search title for "acai berry," a far cry from $87.13. And Amazon has a return policy that has earned respect all over the world. And Amazon won't just send it out every month without your permission and bill you.
Before ordering anything labeled a vitamin or supplement, check the return policy. Most of the time there is no refund for opened products. Unless the site specifically states "returned unused portion for refund," a claim seldom heard anymore, be very wary of using an untried product.
One last thing: be VERY wary when an internet or TV site says a product is endorsed by a celebrity. Unless that celebrity talks about the product on their program, the claim of the endorsement should be suspect. Rachel Ray and Oprah both have denied claims that they endorse the acai berry as a weight loss product. Oprah's company, Harpo, is investigating the endorsement claims for possible legal action.
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This post was orginally posted on http://voices.yahoo.com/what-re-victim-internet-fraud-4066075.html
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