URGENT ADVICE PLEASE..is this illegal....

LynetteR

I just checked out the link for Highstreetmax and the site is very similar to VPrewards.com

The contact details [address and phone numbers are even the same.]

I'm still trying to get my money back and stop them taking money from my account [see previous post].

Lynette

jovisd

I've had the same problem as well. My wife ordered some business cards then I ordered some post cards from them a few weeks later. Usually when you click a "confirm order" button it does just that, not signs you up to a rewrds scheme you've never heard of and permits them to take your money. Having made 2 different orders we were both charged.

Tried over 20 times over 4 days to call the customer service no. on the vsta print website. Automated voice constantly says office is now closed open between 8am to 5pm etc. Never got through to anyone no matter when i phoned. Finally got through to VPREWArds via a number on this thread. 0845-67-22002
Girl explained I filled in a survey at end of the order ( didnt ):mad: which went sent back to them confirmed I wanted to sign up, and I recieved an e-mail notifying of their intention to withdraw money ( didnt ):mad: . Anyway, explaine situ and said I would appreciate the money back. She said I would be refunded within 7 - 10 days and my wife's and I's account cancelled once thier sytems are back up and running?? Will keep and interested eye on my account to see if I get my money back and will update.

CHIN UP

Hillards

jovisd wrote: »

Tried over 20 times over 4 days to call the customer service no. on the vsta print website. Automated voice constantly says office is now closed open between 8am to 5pm etc.

Just trying to be helpful here - the message says 8am to 5pm Eastern Standard Time. That's after 12 noon UK time folks, no point trying any sooner as you'll just get the recorded message. However, it does mean you can call up to 9pm UK time.

Forget the 0845 number, use their freefone 0800 028 8251. Make them pay for your call ! :T

cjvfruity

I had the exact same problem with VistaPrint.. I ordered just their FREE business cards to see what they were like..

I was jus browsing my online banking today and noticed the two charges:

Vprewards.com and Clubprem.com @ £9.95 each

Then I checked the month before and yep.. another two charges!

I immediately typed in Clubprem.com in my browser and this thread was top of my search list! I was shoked to read all these complaints! and as a result signed up to this site to add my voice to this rip-off!

I went to the vistprint site and rang their freephone number 0800 028 8251

Choose option 3.. I spoke with a rep. and was told I signed up to a free trial when I placed my order.. I told them I did not! the instant offer to cancel my subscription and refund my money makes it obvious that they must have hundreds of people with the same complaint.

I was told I would recieve my refunds over my next two billing cycles, lets hope that I see my money again.

I think this is totally unacceptable, and even if it does no good, I will be reporting the companys involved to UK trading Standards, and our TV programme Watchdog, which loves to air scams like this!

I will post any updates I have.. and thanks for this thread guys n gals! It answered my concerns right away!

LynetteR

Well, after trying everything from changing my debit card to my bank placing a so-called 'stop' on vprewards taking money out of my account and to phoning Vista Print [who promised my money would be refunded and no more taken out of my account] they haven't refunded the money within the 7-10 days as promised, I have closed my bank account down.

In the end, it was the only way.

How Vista Print are still getting away with this scam is beyond me.

Lynette

mccstuff

Big up to Amex, they have refunded my money that Highstreetmax.com have taken without any fuss. Good luck to everyone trying to get their money back.

jonilon

I am the latest victim of this scam. I received my credit card statement recently showing an amount of £9.95 deducted in September from VPRewards and as I knew I had not ordered anything from them I queried this transaction with my credit card company. It transpires that a further payment has also been deducted for October, therefore leaving my out of pocket to the tune of £19.90! I am absolutely furious about this as I have never, ever ordered anything from this disreputable company except a "free" date stamp many months ago for which I paid £3.25 postage - USING MY CREDIT CARD. Obviously this is how they have obtained my details but when I spoke to the credit card company - The Post Office - they practically accused me of being a liar and said I must have subscribed to something. They have refused to reimburse me any money and have simply said to cancel with VPRewards.com and if they try to deduct any further monies this will be repaid to me. Doesn't help me in getting back my £19.90 though, does it? I have since cancelled with VPRewards but have been unable to contact them by phone. It would appear I will just have to write off this sum and learn from my mistakes in thinking I was getting something for nothing. Also am furious with the attitude of the Post Office and have now cancelled my card with them.

masterice

If you visit the Vistaprint website their supposed details about how VP rewards functions are completely untrue.

You are very unlikely to receive ANY confirmation emails with a membership number nor to receive the option to 'opt out' after 30 days.

I never received any but then again I never knowingly joined the scheme.
I only discovered my apparent membership when two payments went from my credit card account without my authority.

I have been trying with no success to un-enrol from VP rewards for a few months. I have managed only twice to get the telephone answered and on both occasions I was informed that there was no record of my membership despite VP Rewards continuing to appear on my credit card billing.

I was requested to send an e-mail to someone called Rachel Manner to the email addresses shown on the VP Rewards contact webpage. This of course was as studiously ignored as all my previous e-mails had been.

I did manage to get an answer from the head office in Montego Bay, Jamaica where a woman calling herself Latoya Saunders confirmed my suspicion that the pop-up page at the end of placing a vistaprint order will AUTOMATICALLY enrol you on the vp rewards scheme if you happen to click on it anywhere.
The card you have used to place an order with Vistaprint will then be automatically debited £9.95 a month, sometimes twice a month.
She was miraculously able to trace my membership that VP Rewards in the UK say didn't exist and gave me the membership number I had never received.
Five times I have now supposedly un-enrolled myself from the scheme by the on-line method but never once have I received the supposed confirmation email and, as of today, my membership still appears active.
I had a similar lack of success by using their telephone line opt out system.

I have postal mailed their mailbox in edgware but received no reply despite the letter being signed for.
Should you wish to mail their real address then the actual address for that mailbox holder is Vistaprint Rewards, ground Floor Cavendish House, 369-391 Burnt Oak Broadway, Edgware HA8 5AW.

It may also interest readers to know that so far Currys, Iceland, Mothercare and others featured as being part of the scheme have denied any involvement with the VP Rewards.

The VP rewards apparent scam has also been reported to the FBI as well as the consumer and police agencies in the UK.

Luckily the card I had used for VistaPrint orders expired last month so no further monies can be taken and my card provider has replied to my letter telling me that they have written to Vistaprint Rewards advising them that no further requests for payment from my account will be accepted.

This is a total scam, there's no other way to look at it and as regards it being legal, I would say that since enrolment can be automatic with no opt out after 30 days and no method by which you can cancel membership and none of the supposed notifications ever working, well if that's legal then I am the Pope!

Further information

The following are also part of the same 'scam' even using the same PO-box address and telephone numbers

www.clubprem.com
www.highstreetmax.com
https://www.membershipme.com/Offers/Pages/OfferPages/SEA/PRC/NOP/500/index.aspx?ID=6CCE67430848899A0286D7B4D9A5275C

Oh and as if proof were needed that most of your calls to VistaPrint are answered Americans, if you are spelling something including a "Z" they will not understand it pronounced as "ZED". You will have to go all american and call it "ZEE"

jonilon

Success at last! I have now had the two payments of £9.95 taken by this company, credited back to my account. It was not easy or straightforward. I have to say I was relentless in my pursuance of them and sent several e mails and made just as many phone calls. I also contacted my credit card company cancelling my account (I didn't request a new number as apparently they can still continue taking this money even if you get a replacement card). I also contacted my local Trading Standards Office who were very helpful and were going to take things further if I could not sort it out myself. Fortunately after persistent harrassment by me Vistaprint have now reimbursed me with the money they "stole". I suggest everyone in a similar situation does not give up - it pays - literally - to be persistent!!
:T

tzb57r

also just got ripped of by Vista Print.
Called Lloyds TSB and they knew all about them, but said that legally they could not get my money back, but they agreed to write to VP saying that if any additional moneys were taken they would be recovered. Looks like these guys are hitting a lot of accounts.

I also sent a stroppy e-mail to Amazon who stuck a flier in my last order. I explained that they were fraudsters, and I got a bland, boiler plate reply. Sent them another one pointing out that they obviously didn't care about their partners thieving from there customers either. I then got a reply saying that they were reviewing their partners and value feedback. If you get a flyer form Amazon and subsequently were defrauded, write in to cut off this advertising route. Third parties are generally very nervous about being associated with borderline illegal activity.

Called VP and they promised to cancel my subscription and refund the money. I'll believe it when I see it.