Me Club/Me Group International petrol voucher "reward"

booter

I've searched but can't find anything on this, so apologies if this already appears somewhere on the boards, but I can't find it

My OH took a phone call for me today whilst I was out. Apparently I'd taken part in a survey, and my "reward" for taking part was £100 worth of petrol vouchers, and they'd phone me back. When I returned, minutes later, I did 1471 - the number that came up was 0844 5670460. So, I checked on whocallsme and looked at the feedback on there http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08445670460
I did have a call a couple of weeks ago about a survey - I explained I was with TPS, but this apparently meant little:cool: - I never do surveys and never buy anything from cold callers.

So, within the hour, I get another phone call from this organisation - Me Group International, but thanks to whocallsme, I was forewarned and just let the caller talk. My "reward" for taking part (not) in the survey was £20 of petrol vouchers. These would come with Me Club magazine and all I had to do was make a minimal donation to their charity of £1.:cool: So I ask how to make the donation. The caller tells me that all I have to do is give my credit card or debit card details, without the secure information, so it's all safe and my details are safe, and they would take the £1 from my account. I replied that I don't have a credit or debit card - I use cash or cheques only. The caller said that they can no longer accept cheques because of the high incidence of fraud!!:rotfl: Strangely, I'm now not getting any vouchers:(, nor the magazine, (I live in hope that I get no more calls either) Even more strangely, the caller couldn't wait to get off the line:D

So glad I had the chance to do research before I spoke to them. I wonder how many others get caught out - or maybe some actually get vouchers!?

Incidentally, it was only after ordering recently from a mail order co. online that I started to receive junk calls - even though I alway tick the box/request in person that my details aren't passed on :cool:

kermitfrog

It never ceases to amaze me that despite all the publicity these scams get on the radio, TV, newspapers and the Internet, some people still think that if they get a phone call out of the blue offering them something for nothing, it must be genuine.

mikko4

I am at the other end of this, we run a company called SAFE Services and are being called often with complaints from the line in the credit card statement stating SAFE Services.

We are a legitamate company and i guess people do the correct and obvious thing to google the term, this brings the calls to our company.

We have tried to inform ME Services that this is damaging our reputation however we have had no response. It is not my place to comment on the actions of this business as this may expose our business to threat of legal action.

I am happy to share any information with anyone who wishes to discuss further.

svuk

booter wrote: »

I've searched but can't find anything on this, so apologies if this already appears somewhere on the boards, but I can't find it

My OH took a phone call for me today whilst I was out. Apparently I'd taken part in a survey, and my "reward" for taking part was £100 worth of petrol vouchers, and they'd phone me back. When I returned, minutes later, I did 1471 - the number that came up was 0844 5670460. So, I checked on whocallsme and looked at the feedback on there
I did have a call a couple of weeks ago about a survey - I explained I was with TPS, but this apparently meant little:cool: - I never do surveys and never buy anything from cold callers.

So, within the hour, I get another phone call from this organisation - Me Group International, but thanks to whocallsme, I was forewarned and just let the caller talk. My "reward" for taking part (not) in the survey was £20 of petrol vouchers. These would come with Me Club magazine and all I had to do was make a minimal donation to their charity of £1.:cool: So I ask how to make the donation. The caller tells me that all I have to do is give my credit card or debit card details, without the secure information, so it's all safe and my details are safe, and they would take the £1 from my account. I replied that I don't have a credit or debit card - I use cash or cheques only. The caller said that they can no longer accept cheques because of the high incidence of fraud!!:rotfl: Strangely, I'm now not getting any vouchers:(, nor the magazine, (I live in hope that I get no more calls either) Even more strangely, the caller couldn't wait to get off the line:D

So glad I had the chance to do research before I spoke to them. I wonder how many others get caught out - or maybe some actually get vouchers!?

Incidentally, it was only after ordering recently from a mail order co. online that I started to receive junk calls - even though I alway tick the box/request in person that my details aren't passed on :cool:

I keep getting this call. I did a survey a while back because I was waiting to go out and bored. I did however say NO to the person that I did the survey with to every single thing he asked me, even to the free £20 petrol vouchers. I said NO. NO. NO. NO.

Now I'm getting this call of this company saying they wanted to thank me for taking part in the survey and that they would send me a £20 petrol voucher and the magazine. All I had to do was pay them £1. Told them I had no money in the bank and nothing going into it as I'm not working. The woman on the other end actually said could I not borrow a quid from someone and put it in the bank.... I said I'm not gonna go put just a quid in the bank love. Told them to ring back in a few weeks as I wasn't desperate for the vouchers anyway.

Got another call from them yesterday. I have money in the bank but I still have no intention of sending them £1. I don't even want their £20 voucher. So anyway, yesterday, I asked them where I would have to redeem the petrol voucher. If it was at a specific place. The girl on the end of the phone then said well, it's not actually a voucher, we send you cheque that you then pay into your bank.

lol, yeah, so I'll pay this cheque in and it'll bounce.....

Who do these people think they're dealing with?

gossipwitch

I also got a cold call from this company, stating that I could get £20 petrol voucher if I trial there magazine, I told them that I don't give my details out that easily and I wont buy over the phone, to which I got "ok well thanks anyway". Three days, five phone calls and so many answer phone messages later, I finally gave in, they gave me a number that I could ring if I wanted to cancel before my 14 days, and took £1 out of my bank account, only using my long card number and expiry date, they also told me that they would adhere to this as long as I cancelled within the 14 day trial period, as I would be protected by the consumer credit act. 4 days later I received their magazine, half expecting a catalogue sized magazine due to the expense of the yearly subscription, £79 for ten of these per year, that's £7.90 each, I got my A5 8 page pamphlet, yes that is just four sheets stapled together, so I obviously rang them to cancel, however could not get through, they only have one number to contact and one web site, to contact them, after ringing at least 5 times a day for three days, to still get no answer and just a pre recorded message, and then having sent 2 emails asking them to cancel as wasn't interested, to not even receive a generic email back. I decided to take matters into my own hands, and cancel my card, that is the only way you can stop these companies from robbing you, if you are daft enough to fall for it. Its a little bit of inconvenience, having to wait for a new card, but I am only £1 short instead of £80 so I think that may be a little win. This company is certainly a scam, please don't fall for it, and if you do, cancel your card.

sevenil

and at last someone who lost their £79.99.so far anyway.Their welcome pack arrived not sealed properly and minus vouchers,four days before the 14 day no cost period expired although this was disguised by the format of the letter.Of course they don't answer their phones ...ever. 14 days from the date of the 'survey' they took the £79.99 from my account ,that is only 11 days after they took the £1. The bank is cranking in to action but I do not expect much. Feel free to call me very stupid that's what I'd call anyone else.

NatSplat

Yes, I also fell for it! They debited the £79.99 from my account in November, and I was kicking myself for not remembering to cancel it within the 14 days, however, I got over my stupidity and resigned myself to the fact I hadn't been on the ball. Research online from others who have fallen for it appears to show they don't cancel it even when requested. I haven't received any magazines, and to top it all off they have just taken another £79.99 out of my account (Feb but I only just noticed) for something that is supposed to be an annual subscription! So now I have to go to the bank and report an unauthorised transaction, which probably won't be easy to sort out. My advice, if you have parted with your £1, cancel your card, as they WILL take out the money, and then some more! :mad:

yepifellforit....

I fell for it! I cancelled by email before the 14 day period-stupidly thinking that will work, got an automated email back saying that the membership has been cancelled. But when I checked my account two days later they had taken the £79.99! I'm a bit worried that i won't get the money back, surely there must be a way i can get my money back.....does anyone have any ideas? I was thinking of threatening them with the Financial Ombudsman? Please let me know I will be very greatful!

MamaMoo_2

yepifellforit.... wrote: »

I fell for it! I cancelled by email before the 14 day period-stupidly thinking that will work, got an automated email back saying that the membership has been cancelled. But when I checked my account two days later they had taken the £79.99! I'm a bit worried that i won't get the money back, surely there must be a way i can get my money back.....does anyone have any ideas? I was thinking of threatening them with the Financial Ombudsman? Please let me know I will be very greatful!

Ring your card provider or bank and ask them to action a chargeback. As you have a confirmation email as proof that you cancelled prior to the company debiting the £79.99 the bank should have no problem doing this.

See here for more info http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/visa-mastercard-chargeback

carebabe

just found out my OH has fallen for this scam too. have sent cancellation email but will try for chargeback if they do take the £79.99. if they dont play fair will have no qualms about making sure they get plenty of coverage of the type they dont want.

fairygirl24

They rang my 81 year old nan up the other day and stupidly she gave them her details. She went to the bank 1st thing the next morning and cancelled her card. I've also just sent a cancellation email (only got "pack today") and saying if they contact her again i will be reporting to TPS. Do you think she will be safe as she has cancelled the card?