Simple Escapes

• Senate Committee Slams Abusive Marketers • Vertrue Trial Opens in Iowa • Webloyalty Named in Federal Lawsuit • Iowa Sues Vertrue For Consumer Fraud • Vertrue's "Negative Option" Sales Attract Scrutiny • Hard to Escape from Negative Option Marketing • There's No Escaping Simple Escapes --- • Consumer Complaints • Victoria's Secret Escapes • Escapes+Classmates • Escapes+AOL • MWI/Vertrue

It's a little hard to say just what Simple Escapes is, although it is apparently connected with the infamous MemberWorks. AOL subscribers are particularly susceptible to finding mysterious Simple Escapes charges on their credit card bills, as are Classmates.com members.

Here are just a few of the 256 complaints we've received about Simple Escapes as of May 9, 2006.

Simms of Newport, OR November 8, 2008

Simms of Newport OR (11/08/08)
I checked my crdit card statement online this morning and found a charge to my account on 11/01/08 for 169.95 by a company called simple escapes, a company I had never heard of. I immediately called citi cards, my credit card company, to report this while at the same time doing a search online. On your site I read about other people who have had similar experiences. Citi cards gave me the phone number of simple escapes and told me that if simple escapes did not issue a refund to my credit card they would file a billing dispute.

I called simple escapes. Their phone menue offers 3 choices: give them your simple escapes' account number, give them your credit card number, or give them your home phone numer; there are no other options. I entered my phone number and got a person who could only repeat their script so I asked to speak with her supervisor. He spoke in a monotone and sounded like a recording; he must respond to a lot of these calls on a daily basis. He told me a refund would be made to my crdit card in two working days. I said that meant I should check my billing statement online by the end of the day on Tuesday, Nov. 11. He said they couldn't guarantee that and would not say any more.

I asked if they would delete all my personal and credit card information once the refund was made. He said I had to call back and ask them to do that once the refund was made. I asked him how I would know that they had deleted all my information and he replied: Because I said so. I replied that his word was hardly something to count on or trust. I also asked him how I supposedly enrolled in their program, whatever that is (he never gave me specifics) and he said through the home shopping network! (This was after I mentioned that on your site it appeared that people's information was obtained from sites like Orbitz, Expedia, etc. and that I had booked a hotel room and a rental car in Oct.,2008 for my daughter's wedding.) I have never even watched the home shopping network, much less would buy anything that way.

I will have to cancel the credit card they used and get a new one which will cause some billing problems This matter also took a considerable amount of my time and there is still more to do. I think it is criminal activity and am apalled at the length of time this scam has been going on but am glad to read on your site that some states are now taking action against simple escapes. There is nothing simple about trying to deal with them concerning their fraudulent activity. What are internet sites like the travel sites mentioned doing about this? Thanks so much for the very helpful information you provide concerning this company and, in general, for your service to all the online community.

D of Lagrange, NC November 1, 2008

D of Lagrange NC (11/01/08)
bogus charge of 169 showed up on a card that I have not used since March of this year

Laura of Waco, TX October 24, 2008

Laura of Waco TX (10/24/08)
I was originally enrolled by the company without my authorization. I cancelled their services over a year ago. I have found that they are again billing my credit card. I have never used their services not asked to be enrolled in their plan. I cannot find the company's website online, and I cannot get through to a representative by phone. I only get automated messages, and this is during regular business hours.

I have been billed 29.95 per month over several months without my authorization.

Mark of Southington, CT October 15, 2008

Mark of Southington CT (10/15/08)
I was checking my credit card and saw a charge of 169 for Simple Escapes. I called the number and they indicated that my wife had signed up for this service when she ordered somthing from the Company Store. I don't even know what service Simple Escapes provides but they did agree to refund my 169 in a few days.

Jerry of Hillsboro, OR September 11, 2008

Jerry of Hillsboro OR (09/11/08)
I received a credit card statement today with a charge of 169.95 from Simple Escapes. This account was closed one year ago and I have never even heard of Simple Escapes. They FRAUDULENTLY charged a membership fee on our CLOSED credit account.

Unknown at this time. We are disputing the charge with the credit card company.

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