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

MsChazzer

And me... I ordered a calendar from Vista Print in December and today noticed that 9.95 had disappeared from my account to vprewards.com. I'd never heard of them so went to the url to discover that it was to do with Vista Print. I wasn't aware that I was even a member and so couldn't log in. Tried calling all the numbers but only got automated responses or nothing.

I've checked my email and it turns out I must have missed the tick box to get out of this as I have an introductory email telling me I can cancel within 30 days but I obviously forgot about this (I usually delete most of the Vista Print emails that come in daily). Feeling pretty stupid as I'm usually careful to tick opt-out boxes and doubt I can get money back. Still cross though and not going to use Vista Print again, they are obviously making money on people forgetting to cancel.

superscaper

MsChazzer wrote: »

Feeling pretty stupid as I'm usually careful to tick opt-out boxes and doubt I can get money back.

Thinking about it I'm sure I read a couple of years ago about the anti spam directive of the EU making it illegal to have opt out check boxes or opt in boxes already checked. Not sure, maybe someone can add their knowledge about it. I know many uk based sites do those practices still but I was quite sure it's now technically illegal. Will have to look into it. Could be an EU directive yet to be implemented in UK statute.

weejb

I too have just been stung by this.......just realised what has been happening and read the forum posts here.

I called them and although they were fine about cancelling, but said they couldnt refund the previous charges. After I went on the rampage (words like scam, con, charlatans were mentioned), the girl said that the charges would be refunded within 10 days. Sounds like they are just chancing it and will refund if you "insist".

ZitMonger

finkycake wrote: »

Horrified by the number of people this has happened to. When I first started in business I used Vista Print to do our business cards as money was tight and they were the cheap and cheerful option but I'll never be using them again. I wasn't overly happy with the quality (you get what you pay for I guess!) and then came the bank statements!

I never signed up to anything, never received any emails and yet found VPRewards taking £9.95 from my account (when it was in the black). I emailed them about it, requesting my Member ID and after almost 2 weeks they finally replied. I didn't request a refund as I figured I probably ticked something by accident.

However, I opened my bank statement today to find that now VPRewards is cancelled but ClubPrem has started taking £9.95 out of my account instead. Now I know I definitely did NOT sign up for this.

I emailed them, telling them that I had never signed up, again requesting my Member ID as I had never received any emails from them before and told them to get back to me ASAP so I could cancel my account.

I got the reply:

What value? What convenience? What benefits? This is nothing but a scam, I've replied to them requesting a refund this time as I know it wasn't my error and will keep you posted on how I get on.

Hi....

I posted earlier on my experience with this company and their credit card activities.
I also found subscription withdrawals from my credit card account... 2 @ £9.95 over 2 months. I rang their helpline number [link via VistaPrint.com 0800 0288251] and explained I had certainly not knowingly signed up for anything... just a simple credit card transaction for some business cards. The person at the other end said he would immediately cancel my "subscription" and confirm this by email [this was received within an hour] He also said they would refund my money over the next 60 days!!! I asked for his contact for future reference but he clearly did not want to do this... [hope he is still waiting for his refund from the Charm School]

I checked my account today, 5th July, just a week after I contacted them and there was a full refund of £19.90.

Use the helpline number and firmly request that your money be refunded.

Rabid_Hamster

Thanks to all the people here for your advice. I am normally pretty careful who I give my card details to but Vistaprint caught me out with this one. Luckily I check all my statements regularly and they have only taken one payment so far. I used the online form at Vistaprint to cancel even though I am certain I never subscribed in the first place and have had an e-mail saying the money will be returned within 2 days.
If what they were doing was legal I am sure they would not be so quick to refund everyone's money when queried. At least I've learned something, in future before I deal with online companies like Vistaprint I will be researching them on sites like this before I do any business with them.

rheum

It looks like this is a common problem. I was caught out after buying flowers from Interflora. I cancelled via the phone number: 0808 234 1539. I am not certain if I can get any money back it came from my debit card over the last 4 months!!!:mad:


It sounds as if the same group of people are doing this under different company names. But what gets me is that they tag on to what is normally legit companies like interflora. I will be complaining to Interflora and will not buy from them again till they remove it from their website.

takeiteasy

Hi new to this but had to post a reply. Thanks ZitMonger for the telephone number to contact Vista Print.
I recently placed an order with Vista Print and happily recieved my order on time without any problems, apart from seeing a transaction on my C/C for £9.95 to a company call vprewards.com, after a bit of research I see that this seems to be a very common problem. 100% SCAM
Anyway on a good note I rang Vista Print on 0800 0288251 and had no problems getting a cancellation and refund sorted. I just explained politely that I have no knowledge of this rewards scheme, and was told that I must have filled out a survey at the end of my order and consented in joining the membership program. When I explained that I would remember something like that, she said sorry and we will refund you in 3 days.:rotfl:
I have already got an e-mail from Vista Print confirming the cancellation. (It took 2-3 mins to arrive after I put the phone down). Now all I am waiting for is the actual refund.
:T :j Seems to me that this company makes a killing on other peoples ignorance.

takeiteasy

Hi new to this but had to post a reply. Thanks ZitMonger for the telephone number to contact Vista Print.
I recently placed an order with Vista Print and happily recieved my order on time without any problems, apart from seeing a transaction on my C/C for £9.95 to a company call vprewards.com, after a bit of research I see that this seems to be a very common problem. 100% SCAM
Anyway on a good note I rang Vista Print on 0800 0288251 and had no problems getting a cancellation and refund sorted. I just explained politely that I have no knowledge of this rewards scheme, and was told that I must have filled out a survey at the end of my order and consented in joining the membership program. When I explained that I would remember something like that, she said sorry and we will refund you in 3 days.:rotfl:
I have already got an e-mail from Vista Print confirming the cancellation. (It took 2-3 mins to arrive after I put the phone down). Now all I am waiting for is the actual refund.
:T :j Seems to me that this company makes a killing on other peoples ignorance.

tich2

I have also just joined up to VPRewards without realising and after reading these messages checked my emails and I have received this. It is worth reading as they do state exactly what they will be taking. I am not sure if this has been posted before, but I think it is very useful. Thanks for all your posts.

Dear Richard,
Welcome to VistaPrint Rewards! You're receiving this email because you accepted a special invitation to try VistaPrint Rewards. And remember, you are eligible to claim £10 Cash Back on your next VistaPrint purchase! Simply print out your order confirmation from your next VistaPrint order and post this to VistaPrint Rewards PO BOX 587 Edgware HA8 4DX together with details of your Membership ID, name, address and telephone number.

Start saving right now -- simply click the URL below and enter your membership ID number and post code to login!
www.vprewards.com
For your reference, your Membership ID number is: 78*******
Here are just some of the benefits and savings that await you:

l Great savings at John Lewis, Marks & Spencers and Woolworths with vouchers purchased through the programme.
l Enjoy discounts such as 50% off Choice Hotels and many more.
l Plus exclusive discounts from a variety of retailers and service providers. Offers available change monthly over the course of a year, so check back often. You could save thousands of pounds each year.

You'll find details on all these benefits -- and many others -- on the VistaPrint Rewards website. When making the most of your membership your savings will out weigh the cost of your membership to this fantastic money saving programme!
So take advantage of your VistaPrint Rewards benefits during your 30-day trial membership period. We invite you to use our services for the full 30-day trial period. If within 30 day you don't feel that our services and benefits are everything we say they are, simply call us on 0845 026 1100 or log onto the website to cancel your membership. VistaPrint Rewards will automatically charge a membership fee to your card at the end of your 30-day trial period and, unless you cancel. The fee will then be applied on a monthly basis at the then-current fee each new membership month.
Important: Please save this email for future reference and bookmark www.vprewards.com for instant access to your benefits.

Yours sincerely,


Karen Heath
Membership Programme Director

marleyboy

you'd think watchdog would be onto this company by now, this scam has been going on for as long as i remember by them