Simple Escapes

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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.

Tracey of Vienna, WV October 28, 2009

Simple escapes authorized my credit card unknowingly for 189.95. I have never even heard of this company. We had no membership number to even look up with them. They were using an address from 4 years ago. How did they get access to my credit card number? I caught it and told them to cancel and refund immediately. I have notified credit card company.

Jeff of Lakeway, TX August 25, 2009

I was billed 21.95 for a service I never asked for or approved of. I have disputed this with my bank. This is a scam. I call the number listed on my online bank statement for the company and the only way to talk to someone is to enter your bank card #. why woyuld I do that? They even try to direct you to a website but the only way to get on the site is to enter your credit card #

This really makes me mad. It caused an over draft on my acct. and a real embarrasment. Please do something about this company. This is very stressful; to think that someone can just take your credit card info. and steal from you.

Steven of Strongsville, OH April 20, 2009

Steven of Strongsville OH (04/20/09)
on my capital one statement for april 10, 2009,there wasa 1.95 charge for simple escapes. i didnt think anything of it. on my may 11, 2009 statement, there is a 249.95 charge.i dont know who this is,and how they got my credi card number. i never asked for this service, and i don:t want it.

249.95

Robert of Portsmouth, VA April 8, 2009

Robert of Portsmouth VA (04/08/09)
This company has been charging my wife's credit card 169.95 once every December since 2004 (5 instances). Neither she nor I every authorized these charges. When contacted, they refused (of course) to refund anything except a prorated amount for the rest of this year.  We are out over 800 for services (?) we never asked for or used.

Linda of Seattle, WA April 5, 2009

Linda of Seattle WA (04/05/09)
My husband and I were reviewing our Continental Airlines credit card statements and discovered a charge dated April 11, 2008 that neither of us recognized. It was to Simpleescapes CT. We phoned the CT phone number to try to find out what this outfit was. I got transferred by the person who answered to someone called Stephanie and told her I thought this was a scam because I had never heard of Simple Escapes and certainly had never signed up for it or authorized payment by the credit card company. Stephanie said they were a travel and leisure activities membership.

She said she would removed my charges for 2009. It is in my name, Linda, so at least they won't continue with this scam. I hope. In yesterday's mail I actually got a mailing from Simple Escapes with my membership card on it and ads about what they offer. This is the first I ever heard from them. Naturally I am highly suspicious. We have cancelled our continental credit card and I will phone them again to end my membership. I was scammed for 169.95 by this outfit. I think we're out of luck as we have passed the 90 day time limit with the credit card to make corrections. If there is any way to get these guys, please do it - and hope this report helps prevent others from being dunned.

We lost 169.95. And every dollar counts now that our retirement investments have been decimated.

Denise of Collegeville, PA March 30, 2009

Denise of Collegeville PA (03/30/09)
My credit card was charged 169.95 on 3/21/09 for simple escapes. My husband called first and Simple Escapes would not give him any details. I had to call again to inquire. When i called to inquire of this charge, they told me that it was a annual membership fee - based off of a purchase i made from the catalogue the complany store. At first, they tried to say that I made a recent purchase from The Company Store on 3/19/09. I advised her that I have not bought anything from The Company Store for atleast over 1 year and never authorized this. Simple Escapes had my OLD email (at comcast instead of Verizon) which proves that I have not done any business with The Company store for a few years.

Simple Escapes stated that they would remove the charge (reimburse) from my credit card. This Simple Escapes sounds hoaky and sneaky. I was extremely concerned with how this charge was authorized to go on my credit card and never fully received a legitimate explination.

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