Caught out by DazzleWhite

BFG_2

<Matt,

Have you actually tried reading this thread to see if the info you require is already there?? It might be quicker than waiting for someone else to do it on your behalf or for someone with the info to read this and write if out [again] for you.

My NY resolution is to be kinder in my posts....roll on the NY....lol.

wontgetfooledagain_3

Can't believe I've fallen for an online scam at last. Just this evening I signed up for the Everbright 'free' trial as a result of that 'local mom' advert which keeps appearing and I finally thought I'd take a look and so wished I hadn't! The minute I'd done it I got suspicious but too late as they already have my credit card details. Have rung the card company and explained how stupid I've been and they've agreed to cancel my card as lost/stolen but will that be enough? The terms and conditions on Everbright's site (which of course I didn't read, what with the 5 minute countdown and all) seem to suggest that resistance is futile and nothing I've read on the forums here give me much hope either.
Anyone able to offer some reassurance/suggestions?
thanks,

agnetha

I'm another one who's been caught out. The annoying thing is is that rather than being suckered in by the internet a friend at work recommended it (she's probably now having her own problems with money coming out of her bank account) so I didn't automatically assume it was a scam. I've been using the internet for nearly 20 years, am usually *very* careful and this is the first time I've been caught out.

I ordered on 11/11 - and yes, I did actually read the T&Cs and there was no (obvious?) details about passing on bank details to third parties, nor anything regarding signing up to other services other than Premium White Pro membership if I did not cancel within the allotted timeframe. I cancelled on 23/11 (within their 14-day period) though hadn't received the product at that point - I have a cancellation email with that date as proof. Was told that although I would normally have had to send it back by 10/12 this would be extended to 17/12 because I hadn't received the product as yet. I did eventually receive the product, tried it, it did make a slight difference to my teeth but not enough to bother with it any further. Item was sent back recorded on 11/12 and signed for on 14/12, so within the date given.

Unfortunately I then received another pen on 16/12, despite having cancelled on 23/11, thus surely PWP were in breach of their cancellation statement. This was sent back recorded on 17/12 and delivered/signed for on 21/12.

I don't have any qualms with being charged the initial 'free' trial delivery payment as I was aware of the payment and expected it, but since I have been charged £56.01 just before Christmas (hasn't come out of my acc yet) and a payment to 'sup*worlfit' for £15.57 showed up yesterday and will be going out of my acc tomorrow.

Barclays have not been terribly helpful, not helped that I've only been able to get through to their Indian call centre who I suspect aren't fully up to speed on what is happening. So far I'm down £70 - money I can ill afford to lose. They have cancelled my card and are sending me out claim forms, but have fobbed me off with their "31 days before they can do anything" blurb. I have told them I'm reasonably au fait with my chargeback rights under the Visa scheme rules, not to mention the Financial Ombudsmen procedure so hopefully they won't mess me about too much.

If it comes down to it, I'll close my account with Barclays down - I've got a complaint against them going through at the moment for something they did in September and the main reason I'm still with them is that I'm waiting for it to be resolved to my satisfaction. Only trouble is is that my credit history is a bit pants (to put it mildly, though there's been no problems at all for over five years but still have debts) and so may have problems getting a new bank account *with* a decent debit card (don't need chequebook/overdraft but a debit card is important in this day and age unfortunately) so am a little reluctant to throw in my lot with Barclays in case I can't get another half decent bank account.

All very annoying. Like so many, I can't believe I've fallen for this. Had it been via a 'too good to be true' advertising link then I wouldn't have been fooled but it wasn't. I bet the friend at work - who I trust to be no fool and know to be generally internet savvy for the most part - is now having problems but I can't see her admitting it to me, but ultimately it's not really fair to blame her as so many have fallen for it. Argh!

wooday

I have looked through but still cant find a valid phone number or email adress, and until I get any of these I can't cancel whatever subscribtion I 'subscribed' to...
Can anyone provide these details? Would be hugely appreciated

sooperb

If you have paid via your bank account then the bank should be able to give you a phone number, though that may not be valid either, but if it isn't then you can tell the bank as it strengthens your case against the company. If you can't contact them then you can't cancel which surely invalidates their own T&Cs.

sooperb

I have had a thought (yes, I'm sitting down lol). I am cautiously optimistic that there won't be any more charges. I wasn't debited in December at all, which means in total there have been 3 charges, 2 of which have been returned by the bank. I will keep checking every day of course but I suspect they may already have given up.

I wonder if these people know full well that as soon as someone finds out what they are up to they will start to fight back. Despite their latest terms and conditions which imply that you can't chargeback and that they will add in extra costs if you try etc. They will try to take as many payments as they can, and that's the essence of it really, they have made £90 out of me for the supply of one tiny toothwhitening tube that costs them next to nothing. That's not a bad profit margin! With new "members" signing up by their dozens every day they can keep up a very good turnover, they don't really need to worry that they won't get the same amount coming in every month, apart from the what I imagine is a very tiny percentage of people who don't check their accounts very often.

I would be interested to know whether this is happening, for all of you who have had this happen, how many times have they taken money and have they stopped once you got your bank/card issuer charging back?

Lainey69_2

Firstly I would like to thank everyone who has contributed there experiences on this thread, you have all helped me through a very frustrating and stressful 3 months. I too fell for the Dazzle white scam back in October. On 6 occasions using various alias they debited over £230 from my bank! Anyway to cut a long story short I followed advice on-line and cancelled all further shipments with dazzle etc, set up chargebacks, closed my bank account. Now Im happy to say they have taken no more money from me since and this all happened beginning of November. Im really hoping this is the end of it now, but taken out ID theft insurance just incase.

sooperb

Lainey did you get any money back? Surely your bank or card issuer should have charged back some of them?

The ad has been on the proboard again, this time it links to altawhite and another site. Interestingly the terms are different again and this name pops up on one, "LB CyberNet Entertainment Ltd LB" which is registered in Consett, Co. Durham. I presume this is just a name change as I am sure that address has been mentioned previously. Altawhite, curiously, are saying that once you pay the £80 first charge you can continue to order the products for free as long as you like, I wonder what the catch is? Here's the relevant bit from their terms:


10. Risk Free Trials Offers:
We are so confident that you'll love the product, that we are offering you a 14 DAY RISK FREE TRIAL where you will receive a 1 Month Supply of Product and only be charged shipping & handling today. At the end of your RISK FREE TRIAL, you will be enrolled into our Membership Program for just £79.95, non refundable. As a member, every 30 days you can request a FREE 30 DAY SUPPLY of Product and only pay shipping and handling. To cancel your trial, visit Online Support Website or call 866-928-8043 [Outside USA Call: 204-928-9003] within 14 days of your initial order.


Ah, just spotted it, not free, you have to pay the s&h! What next I wonder.

competitionscafe

sooperb wrote: »

Lainey did you get any money back? Surely your bank or card issuer should have charged back some of them?

The ad has been on the proboard again, this time it links to altawhite and another site. Interestingly the terms are different again and this name pops up on one, "LB CyberNet Entertainment Ltd LB" which is registered in Consett, Co. Durham. I presume this is just a name change as I am sure that address has been mentioned previously.

LB CyberNet Entertainment Ltd
Registered Number: 06038131 - Registered at Companies House on 29/12/2006 Type of business: Other business activities not elsewhere classified
Address:
19 PRINCESS AVENUE
BLACKHILL
CONSETT
DURHAM
DH8 OLG http://www.ukdata.com/numbers/06038131.html

Lainey69_2

Sooperb, in answer to your question I received a £30 refund from Dazzle but that still left me £230 out of pocket. Slightly longer version of events....
During October 5 debits were taken from my bank account (main household account BIG MISTAKE) I only noticed when I received my statement in November. I went to Barclays in tears and was told 2 more debits were pending for £15.43 and £53.58 which could not be stopped. I was advised to close my account and set up chargebacks which would take 31 days to start. Any money taken before this time was my own loss! I came home from bank and spent 3 days on the phone to America (costing over £10) cancelling all further shipments and sent e-mails to confirm. 5 minutes later I received another e-mail from Dazzle saying a shipment had been dispatched to me the day before!!! I phoned them back and was told they would credit my account for £30 (which they did 3 days later) During this time of tears, anger, extreme anxiety and sleepless nights I e-mailed every complaints board (here and America) Killphising, watchdog even banking ombudsman with my frustrations as I was VERY worried about continuous transaction authority I had read about. No more money has been taken from me since this time I am glad to say. I will NEVER EVER think something is a good deal on the internet after a glass of red wine in the evening again!!!
I first saw the ad for Dazzle on facebook, I have noticed someone has now started a page called Dazzle White scam with a link to this thread. I would Like to say THANKYOU to everyone who has posted because you have given me hope and helped me through some sleepless nights. I believe these scam people are 'smash and grab' and try to get as much money from people as fast as possible, before action is taken...We all need to stand up to them.