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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.
William of Smithtown NY (07/25/08)
Being charged $169.95 each year, since 2005 on my Mastercard for subscription service I have no recollection of subscribing to, have received no information on, nor any products or service.
Have been charged over $500 without authorization and am unable to contact this company to receive my money back.
Nancy of Potomac MD (06/16/08)
I received a piece of junk mail that said they were automatically renewing my membership in their discount club. it allows discounts in junk food stores and kmart and bass master stores? I called to tell them I never aproved or requested such a membership. they said I was a participating member since 2004! billing me 169.95 per year on my credit card. I've never used this card.
4 years of apparent withdrawals of 169.95 per year that my credit card company cannot trace past 6 months
Evar of Kalamazoo MI (06/05/08)
I recently reviewed my on-line bank statement and noticed a charge for $249.95 from a company called Simple Escapes. It was taken from my account from a debit card that i have not used on-line for almost ten years.
I contacted them and, after about a 20 minute wait, finally spoke with someone. I was never given any real explanation about how this happened, since I had never heard of this company, nor wanted its services. Finally, after repeatedly turning down a $100 gas card offer to try the service, i was told that my money would be refunded, which it was, four days later.
The address they had on file for me was for an address that I hadn't lived at for almost ten years. I don't know how all this happened, and even though I got my money back, I still was advised by my bank to cancel my debit card and get a new one.
I was forced to cancel a debit card that I have used for years, and get a new one.
Kathryn of Hingham MA (05/07/08)
I have been charged by Simple Escapes for a membership I never agreed to. I never received any information of any kind from Simple Escapes over the several years that they were billing me. (I was not diligent in checking the charge because I thought it was for travel insurance). I had no idea the program existed. It apparently came through a Company Store order.
4 years times $169.95
Kunal of South Orange NJ (03/09/08)
I received a charge of $139.95 on my credit card statement. I have never authorized this and I have never received any notification that I would be charged. I don't know who this company is or what they do. When I call the 888 number on the credit card statement for this company, the phone menu doesn't allow me to select an option to speak to someone.
I've place the amount in dispute with the credit card company. I don't intend to pay it and I hope it stops here.
Judie of Redmond OR (02/26/08)
A charge for $169.95 first showed up on my VISA bill on 2-17-07. I had no idea what Simple Escapes was but there was a phone # listed with it. I called and they said I had signed up for a discount membership. I said I had not and that I had never heard of them and to take it off my VISA bill immediately! They were polite, but said it was something I had requested. Now, a year later, it shows up again so I called again, talked to a polite gentleman named Regis and had the charge removed - again! I told him it was the second year I had been charged and I didn't want it to happen again! I was told it was something I had signed up for. I never received anything in the mail regarding this company, no membership #, no nothing other than a charge on my VISA bill so they've got my credit card #! However, on their records, I do have an ID # with the company! My advice to consumers is to check your VISA bills every time you get one! Save your receipts and call immediately any time you are charged for something you know you didn't buy or authorize payment for!
Because I diligently check my VISA bill every month I caught this charge both times! So, I'm not out any money but it really bothers me that they have my VISA card # and they are able to get away with charging people!
Thelma of Santa Fe NM (02/21/08)
I was going through monthly bills and found a charge for $169.95 from Simple Escapes. When I called to question it, I was told that the charge was proprietary information and could only be released to my husband. Inasmuch as this charge was on MY credit card, NOT my husband's, I had a bit of trouble with it; the charge has been removed from my credit card. I have no idea how Simple Escapes obtained the credit card number. I have a membership with Classmates.com, but my husband doesn't; my husband has his own Discover card and is not an authorized user on mine.
Because the charge was quickly removed, there has been no damage; I'm afraid to look at old statements though.
Carolyn of Waterloo IA (02/13/08)
I should have noticed the charges, which have been showing on my credit card since 2005. They now total nearly $600. Three of the four were posted on Dec. 28 of 2006, 2007, 2008. We use AOL for Internet and Orbitz to book travel.
I just canceled my credit card after lengthy discussions with the credit card company. Calls to Simple Escapes, answered by an auto-attendant, require a) a credit card number, b) a home phone number or c) a membership number. I have never signed up for anything. A visit to their Web site requires the same information to gain access. This is fraud, pure and simple.
Simply put, I want my money back. Mastercard can only dispute charges that are 90 days old.
Isabel of Clarkesville GA (01/28/08)
I talked to a Carolyn first who then gave me a supervisor (Janine) who said I accepted their service when I ordered something from the TV. The charge was made on 10/29/07, and I haven't ordered anything from TV for a couple of years. Plus, we haven't lived at the address they had for over a year. We are in a different state. I told her I did not order anything and did not know who this company was. She proceeded to try to say what they were, and I said I didn't care and didn't want whatever it was. She said she would credit my credit card, and it should be done in 2 business days.
I then called my credit card company back (talked to them first and they connected me to Simple Escapes) and told them what she said. So my card company put a dispute on the charge. I will be checking back daily to see what happens. So glad I came across your website, or I would not have known about this. It was my stupidity for not looking closer at my November 2007 statement. I just happened to go over the year's statements and saw the charge. I will be more observant from now on.
My husband and I just retired a year ago, and we have to watch our pennies and for something like this to happen has really upset us both. We need every penny to get by.
Jaime of Milwaukee WI (01/04/08)
I saw on my online checking account statement there was a charge for $23.95 for a company called Simple Escapes. I called the 888 number several times and when I finally got in touch with someone, they told me that I siged up for it with a 30 free trial. I never do trial programs for this reason, they never cancel your acount and continue to charge you. I asked for help canceling my account and she told me she would send me a $25 gas card as an apology, but she NEVER CANCELLED the account since I was paid up for the month. She told me to log on to the website to view my account, but I never saw the website. I am at my witts end! I don't want to pay for something that I didn't order and don't want!
Lorraine of Guilford CT (01/02/08)
Without authorization, they accessed my credit card # when I was ordering a shower rod in 2005. I just noticed the charge this year $169.95 for membership! I never heard of them nor would I ever have joined! Back charges totalling $439.85 are due me. After reading their scam record online I wonder why they are allowed to continue.
Kelli of Louisville, KY (11/17/07)
I saw a charge for $169.95 on my credit card statement for Simple Escapes. When I called, they said it was an annual membership fee that I had contracted for in 2004 through Domestications, Inc., A Hanover Direct, Inc. brand.
I was promised that it would be credited back to my charge card, and my account was canceled. However, when I told them that I had never agreed to this program and that they needed to reimburse me for all fraudulent charges placed on my credit card since 2004, I was rudely told by Amanda (ID#26187) that they only kept records for two years. Therefore, they would not be able to produce evidence that I had willingly joined, nor would I be given any reimbursements because I was not eligible for such a thing.
It's been awhile since I have been this mad.
Dee of Taylor MI (11/11/07)
My mother just informed me of a $169.95 charge on her credit card for Simple Escapes. She hasn't used her credit card in over a year and has no idea what Simple Escapes is. She is going to try to call the company to have the service cancelled and is also calling her credit card company to have the charges removed and to cancel her card. She doesn't deserve to have this happening to her.
Gerald of Enumclaw WA (11/10/07)
Simpleescapes fraudulently charged my credit card 249.95 on 10/17/2007. I was out of town and made no credit card charges that day. I do not know what the charge was for.
Dottie of Lake Zurich IL (10/22/07)
Simple Escapes has been charging me over $87 in bogus credit card bills for at least the last year. I never signed up for this service but they insinuate that I did. It is linked somehow with Classmates.com. I canceled classmates immediately. My credit card company are going to dispute the charges. It makes my blood boil that Simple Escapes can operate illegally like this.
Laura of Bronx NY (09/23/07)
I was billed on American Express for 169.95 from Simple Escapes. I have never heard or spoken to anyone from his business. I cannot figure out how they even got my account number?? It seems from all the complaints on your site that AOL may have given it to them. I have cancelled AOL NOW!!! !
I have American Express taking this off my account & returning my money.
Just my blood pressure going up that I don't need at this time in my life. worry that it was soooo easy for someone to get my account number. it's a good thing I look over all my bills before I pay them.
Brenda of Flagler Beach, FL (07/07/07)
My credit card was charged without my knowledge or consent.
I have filed a dispute with the credit card company, but will likely have to pay the $169.95 charge.
Tom of Charlottesville VA (03/28/07)
My credit card was billed for $169.95. I have no idea why or what this company is. I called the number on the credit card to file a complaint and cancel the fee. They claim my wife signed us up for this service- neither my wife nor I did so. I have been dealing with this now for 3 months and they still have not cancelled the charge. In the meantime I have had to call the credit card company each month to cancel the late fee and finance charges.
Pamela of Laguna Beach CA (03/27/07)
While trying resolve a conflict with my credit card company, the customer service representative casually mentioned the only activity for the past month, a purchase of $13.95 for Simple Escapes. I told him I had not used my credit card in over a year. He assured me that they had been taking the same amount for quite some time. He gave me a telephone number to call, but I was unable to get anywhere with it as they required an account number. I had no idea what my account number was since I had no idea what the company was.
Sherri of Fort Wayne, IN (03/06/07)
I reconciled my bank statement and noticed a monthly charge has been occuring on my account for at least two years. I called Simple Escapes and they would not refund these charges!
I informed them I did not sign up this service and demanded they refund the charges. I have turned it over to their Client Services dept and am waiting to see what they will do.
K.M. of Naples, FL (01/31/07)
Unauthorized charge on my credit card for $169.95.
Heather of Atlanta, GA (01/17/07)
I recently took over bill paying in our home and I have been looking over our credit card charges. I noticed a $169.95 charge from a company I had never heard of, Simple Escapes. After calling the company I discovered I had been a member since Jan. '03 and was upgraded in Nov. '04. We hadn't noticed the annual charge until now.
According to them I was signed up through an order I placed at The Company Store. The Company Store confirmed this and said I had indicated I wanted a free 30 day trial with Simple Escapes.
This is bogus! I am unable to have my credit card company investigate this because Simple Escapes has only charged me once that I know of and their records do not go back more than a year. Conveniently for Simple Escapes. I'm all for a company making a buck but this is taking advantage of people and I'm really disappointed in The Company Store.
Joyce of Yardley, PA (12/05/06)
I just received a credit card bill with a charge for $169.95 for Simple Escapes. I had no idea what it was so I called the 877 number and found out it's a membership thing that gives discounts on restaurants, etc.
I told them I never ordered it and wanted it cancelled immediately. They gave me no trouble and said that they would cancel it. I also called my credit card company and had it removed from my bill.
I just don't understand how they got my credit card number. I rarely order on-line, only a few times in my life. Now I'm even more hesitant to do so. I notice that other complaint letters are from 2003. How can this be still happening three years later?
Brian of Woodburn OR (11/29/06)
I only recently realized that this company has been charging my debit card every month since 10/6/2004 for $12.95-$16.95. I was able to get them to refund the most recent charge, and my bank refunded me two previous charges, but my records show that leaves $306.90 that has been charged to my account without my authorization. They claim that I authorized these charges over the phone but I am certain that I didn't.
Charles of Colorado Springs CO (11/28/06)
I keep telling these people to quit charging me on my shell card but the wont stop
They are charging me 14.95 a month for NOTHING
Margaret of Pinellas Park FL (11/18/06)
When I recently received my credi card bill, there was a charge of $169.95 made 10/6/06. I called the above number and was told they would first send me a coupon for $25 worth of gas, and gave me an ID#2286. To date, I have never received anything of acknowledgement. Never heard of this company and don't know how they got my credit card number. So far, I am stuck with their charge on my credit card.
Dianne of Bennettsville SC (11/18/06)
Received my credit card statement. Had a charge of 169.95 from Simple Escapes. Do not know who they are. Googled their name and got you. I do not deal with AOL so I do not know how they got my information -- was not from me. I'm being charged a large sum for a non existent service. Where I come from that's theft and punishable by time. I'm having to spend my time tracking down who they are as well as trying to get the charge taken off my card which will take at least two biling cycles IF I am successful.
Ed of Denver CO (11/14/06)
I was surprised to find a charge on my Chase Visa statement from Simple Escapes for $209.95. I contacted Simple Escapes, who informed me that I had been enrolled in their phony travel discount program. I had never heard of them, obviously, and the address they had on file for me was 6 states away and 9 years out of date. I then contacted Chase Visa, who almost immediately transferred me right BACK to Simple Solutions. After a long conversation in which they accused me of harrassing 4 of their agents(?), they agreed to issue me a full refund. I won't hold my breath, as I suspect Chase Visa had something to do with signing me up with these people in the first place.
Lisa of Rutland VT (11/14/06)
I found a charge on my Visa card for $219.95 that I did not know anything about. When I called the number on my credit card statement, the company was Simple Escapes. They billed me for a Sony music club. I never ordered this or contacted this company and have no way of knowing how they got my card number.
I called Simple Escapes and told them I never ordered anything from them. They said they would credit my account. I contacted Visa and they are investigating this as a fraud complaint. So far, this is all I know.
Nicole of Atlanta, GA (10/30/06)
Simple Escapes and Shopping Essentials (which is basically the same scam company) have charged over $500 from my account without my official knowledge or consent for the last 15 months. I guess I took one of those scam surveys online over a year ago which unwittingly signed me up for this stupid service. I just checked my credit card more carefully because my wallet was stolen a couple of days ago and finally realized what was going on.
When I called them, they said they could only refund for the month of October (about $30) and said there was nothing else they could do.
Barbara of Smyrna, GA (08/07/06)
They have been charging my Visa check card account for $18.95 for the past 32 months and I want to know what I need to do, to recover ALL of my money that was illegally obtained from my bank account?
Linda of Lake Bluff IL (07/28/06)
My Visa card was hit last month with a $219.95 charge form Simple Escapes. I called both Simple Escapes and Visa to remove the charge,both did. I have not used this card for over one year and didn't activate the new card that was sent to me. What a scam!
Julia of Eugene, OR (06/11/06)
I have been noticing unauthorized charges ($11.95) to my credit card from AP9 Simple Escapes for about 13 months. When I signed up with Classmates.com , I got a better deal by adding a discount gold package from Simple Escapes. SE is supposed to send you a welcome package (I never received). Also, you have the option of terminating their service after 1 month (I did). However, I continue to be charged.
I cancelled my subscription to Classmates.com long ago; I only wanted it for a few months while the class reunion notices were being passed around. I assumed the charges AP9 Simple Escapes would stop. They didn't.
I am sending a certified letter using the sample letter from ConsumerAffairs.com to Vertrue and a similar letter to Adaptive Marketing LLC ( http://www.adaptivemarketing.com/about_bp.asp ) who specifically claim to manage AP9 Simple Escapes.
Carolyn of Gastonia NC (05/17/06)
I just received my daughter's credit card statement with a charge from Simple Escapes done on Apr 26, 2006. My daughter died Oct. 2005, I had cut up her credit card. Really strange, unsure how this happened or even why. Last time I checked you can't make purchases from heaven .
Beverly of Rochester NY (04/25/06)
They take money out of my bank account every other month I am not even sure how long it has been happening but I am going to check out how long it has been happening.
Nadia of Paterson NJ (04/09/06)
Every month they have been taking out $19.99 out of my bank account and I don't know who they are or how to get rid of it.
George of Port Orange FL (04/05/06)
Unauthorized charge for $199.95 on my credit card. The vendor on my statement is listed as Capital One Travel - interesting since it was a capital one credit card I guess they thought I wouldn't notice or something. when you call the 800 number, it's answered (by machine) as simple escapes.
Alicia of Boston MA (03/29/06)
I was charged $109.95 on my credit card for a service I didn't order. I called the company to ask what the charge was and Shirley # 3294 couldn't find an account in my name. She transferred me to a supervisor Abraham # 10345 who told me he couldn't help me unless I gave him my credit card information. I did not feel comfitable giving this guy my credit card number, given the fact that I had already been charged for something I didn't order. He gave me a fax number for their consumer affairs department to fax my account numbers to and stated this was the only way to find my account and that I probably forgot that I signed up for this service. This is a catch 22 that I have no idea what to do about. How can I possibly get my money back without giving them personal information that they could potentially misuse again?
Pamala of Hueytown AL (03/28/06)
I have been charged for over a year for services I knew nothing about. I never received any mail, electronic mail, phone call or anything from these people and had no idea until a few days ago what they were.
Approximately $145 that I know of but it could be more than that. I don't have access to older Discover Card statements than that. Not to mention the problems it has caused in my marriage with my husband thinking I was doing something a wife should not.
Melissa of Sevierville TN (02/26/06)
I am having 14.95 taken out of my personal checking acct for over a year, unauthorized
Matthew of Belle Vernon PA (02/25/06)
While applying for a loan, I looked at my credit card statement. There is a chagre for $199.95 which I do not remember authorizing. Researching my files I noticed that there are other charges from the same merchant. The actual name on my statement is AP9*BSIMPLEESCAPES 800-896-8186 CT Below is listed charges on my credit card going back through the years. In Feb. 2005 $179.95 Feb. 2004 $159.95 Feb. 2003 $139.95 On Feb. 2002 a similar charge was put on my credit card for $89.95 but this one was from MWI*Leisure advantage. I assume that this is the same company because I do not remember that one either. In 2001, the charge was $89.95 In 2000 - $79.95
Denis of Farmington Hills MI (02/17/06)
My Visa credit card was charged in 05 and 06 for a total of $319.90 for services I didn't receive...They are returning only the inital amount or $l69.95 for membership? To my knowledge I never received anything from them!
Evelyn of East St. Louis IL (02/01/06)
When I received my credit card bill statement there was a $79.96 charge on my bill from Simple Escapes. I have never heard of this place nor would I charge something like this on this particular credit card. When I called they ask me to enter my account number or phone number when I put in my phone number so I could talk to someone they had the nerve to give me an account number for me to use for futures purchases. It was late so of course there was knowone there to speak to. Who the hell are these people and why did they do this to me.
This is truly hurtful, I am still grieving over the death of my husband from last year at this time, paying bills he had accumulated that I knew nothing about and now this crap. I'm broke just what does a poor broke widow me do when stuff like this is done.
Pam of Berthoud CO (01/10/06)
When my credit card statement arrived, I was stunned to see a charge dated 12/7/05 of $199.95 from a company I have never heard of. I was even more stunned when I called the toll-free number next to the charge on my statement and was informed that my credit card number was provided by AOL! The customer service rep at Simple Escapes, Linda #18238, told me she would credit the charge within two days. ConsumerAffairs.Com states in their release dated August 17, 2005 that AOL says it no longer shares customers' credit card information with other firms because of a change in policy Clearly, AOL did not tell you the truth. Perhaps if we all cancelled our AOL membership, AOL would see that this type of duplicitous business practice WILL NOT BE TOLERATED by us consumers.
My statement was only received today, and I immediately informed my credit card provider that it was a FRAUDULENT charge that must be immediately credited with no consequences to my credit rating. Time will tell if my account is credited without penalty.
Lisa of Greenleaf WI (12/30/05)
Simple Escapes was supposed to send a membership kit which I never received after numerous debits from my checking account Lisa #2943 informed me that although I did not receive the promised membership she could not return any of the debits taken from my account.
Mary of La Canada CA (12/16/05)
I noticed a charge for $149.95 from Simple Escapes on my credit card statement and so I called the bank. They gave me the phone number for Simple Escapes. The person that spoke with me at Simple Escapes, whatever that is, said that I had signed up with them through The Company Store when I made a purchse over a year ago. I said that I had never knowingly agreed to be in this membership discount club or whatever it is and I wanted a refund. They said that they would do this. I called my credit card company and I am filing a fraud complaint. I monitor my accounts carefully.
Matt of Three Rivers, MI (8/26/05)
My daughter was on Textbooks.com last January. According to Simple Escapes she signed up for their service on a pop-up window in Textbooks.com. She claims she did not sign up for anything.
In August, a pending charge of $39.80 appeared on her college debit account. I called the bank while it was still pending and was told it came from Simple Escapes at 887-836-6903. I had the bank hold payment. I called Simple Escapes and they claim she signed up. After mentioning all the complaints listed on this web site they cancelled and said they would credit her account.
Damages: There were no losses since my daughter caught it while it was a pending charge and we stopped payment. We are watching her account to be sure the credit comes through.
Johnnie of Toms River, NJ 8/26/05:
I am being billed for something called Simple Escapes that I never signed up for and I can't find anyway for this to stop happening.
Damages: I have been billed for the past couple of months. I want to know where this came from because I never gave my permission for this to happen.
Reba of Ruskin, FL (7/2/05
)AOL was including a 30-day trial of Galleria as a benefit of membership.
After the 30 days I could either pay $19.95 a month or cancel. I received
the info and cancelled Galleria before the 30-day deadline. No problem
there.
However, when I received my bank statement for June 2005, there was a $19.95
charge for Simple Escapes. I tried to locate this company via the Internet
and had no success. I did not think that Simple Escapes was in addition to
Galleria, therefore when I cancelled Galleria that should have cancelled
everything. Now I have no number for Simple Escapes since all the paperwork
received with Galleria was discarded after canceling and I'm afraid I'll be
charged another $19.95 this month for something I thought was cancelled.
I am a senior citizen on a limited income and do not appreciate AOL offering
me membership benefits that I have to pay for on top of the regular
membership charge to AOL as an ISP.
I have been with AOL for almost seven years now, am happy with the service
except for "benefits" that are an additional charge.
Allison of Pleasant Hill, CA (6/30/05)
I just received my credit card statement and found a charge for $9.95 from
Simple Escapes. I have no idea what this is, nor have I ever used any
service like this. I looked this up on the internet and found this site here
with all the other complaints. I can't believe this!!
This has put my card over limit and caused added stress that I
surely didn't need!!! RIDICULOUS!
Angela of Baytown, TX (6/28/05)
Simple Escapes has charged my bank statement $19.95 for the last four
months. I don't know who or what this is. I looked on AOL since that
appears with the charge, but I can't find a phone number to call to cancel
this service. I can't keep throwing $20 bucks a month out the window for
something I did not order.
Maria of Fort Mitchell, AL (6/22/05)
When I joined AOL in November, 2004, I was offered a 30 day trial with the
company Simple Escapes, which I accepted. A few weeks later, I called Simple
Escapes to cancel the trial and was given a cancellation confirmation
number.
Seven months later, on June 16, 2004, my checking account was debited
$119.70 from Simple Escapes through my debit card number. I was sick! I
called the bank to report this as an unauthorized transaction and they gave
me Simple Escapes phone number to investigate the charge. I called Simple
Escapes and was told that I had joined in November, 2004 and never
cancelled. I was furious, but thankfully I kept all the paperwork from the
cancellation.
When I gave the supervisor the cancellation confirmation
number, the date of the cancellation and the person's name I spoke to he got
quiet for a few seconds, cleared his throat, then apologized and told me
that my account would be credited back within 3 - 5 business days.
We shall see! It has been 3 days so far, and my account hasn't yet been
credited. My bank is aware of this situation and will allow me to dispute
the debit if they do not pay me back (and I will dispute it if it comes down
to that). I can't believe that there are companies that will take it upon
themselves to violate someone's bank account.
Theodore of Richmond VA (3/6/05):
I have an account with AOL and in the past four months I happened to notice that my Bank Account in Michigan is having an automatic withdrawal of $19.95. Neither me or my wife have gone on that site and all of a sudden I am having money taken from my account. Neither one of us know what this about and never have heard of it. The money is coming out of my account that I have my military retirement going to. Right now I need every bit of money I get since I have just recently lost my job.
Patricia of Tarboro NC (2/22/05):
I have been billed $152.55 in unauthorized charges by Simple Escapes. I called the number listed for them from my bank statement. The rep stated that when I clicked on I agreed to their services. I have no idea what Simple Escapes is.
Wanda Jean of Grass Lake MI (2/22/05):
I called to cancel my Simple Escapes after the free period. I was told that there would be a correction on last month's bank statement. Instead, I was not only charged for last month, I was also charged for this month.
Carlo of Johnsonburg PA (2/20/05):
The first encounter with Simple Escapes happened unknowingly; this time I saw it attached to a download from postit.com. I called and had the money returned from the first incident. I am logging onto my bank account periodically to see when they embezzle money again. How do you know what sites are safe? Is there any way to block these ******* from getting into your PC and bank accounts?
I can't update progrms or download anything because they will get my bank accounts. I had to stop payments from my account and had to send for a new card, but it takes 2 weeks.
Edith of Rahway NJ (2/19/05):
I was checking my bank statements which I apparently have been taking for granted. I noticed I am being charged on a monthly basic for simple escapes. I don't know what it is; I don't remember signing up for it, let alone renewing any memberships. there is no 1-800 number on my bank statement; there is no address listed that I can attempt to cancel. I really need this to be removed off my statements because I don't want it. I have changed my email address a few times but my bank account has remained the same.
Jeffrey of Stockton CA (2/16/05):
I recently began noticing my checking account being debited by "simple escapes", My reaction was, who/what. I had not used the internet since April of 2004 which just happens to be the same month "simple escapes" claims I got their service through "classmates.com."
It is correct I use "classmates". I paid for a one-month-only membership due to the fact I was moving and going to be without a computer I made sure to cancel any automatic renewals with "classmates." I never supplied "simpleescapes" with any personal information, I never had a membership ID with "simple escapes."
Janet of Mechanicsburg PA (2/2/05):
I received my VISA bill and noticed a charge for $96.00 from SimpleEscapes. I had no recollection of making an internet purchase from this company, since I never heard of it. Further, I had no receipts for a $96 charge nor did I ever receive any merchandise that matched the company or cost. When I searched the Internet for the company, I discovered many complaints of fraudulent charges from AOL customers.
Carole of Huntington Beach CA (2/1/05):
All at once a charge of $96.00 appeared on my Visa statement from Simple Escapes. I never requested their service nor purchased anything from them. I disputed it with my Visa card company. Where did they come from? Why is this happening to people - I do have AOL but perhaps they got my credit card number from another source, I have no idea! What a frightful feeling this is that they have my credit card number from some source!
Vicki of Martinez CA (2/1/05):
I noticed a charge of $9.95 on my last two credit card statements for Simple Escapes. I called them to ask what this membership is and how they got my name and credit card information. They said since I signed up for classmates.com I either automatically received a membership to Simple Escapes for $9.95 a month or must have opened up a pop-up screen on AOL. I told them I did not want their membership and to cancel my subscription immediately. I could not believe that either AOL or classmates.com gave them my credit card number and information.
Sally of New York NY (1/30/05):
I got an unathorized charge on my bank account from this outfit which I have never used or even heard of. I was charged $9.95 on my checking account -- very scary since I did not give anyone my account number.
Patti of Scottsdale AZ (1/27/05):
I was charged $9.95 on my Visa for "membership" in Simple Escapes. I have never heard of this company and never ordered any kind of a "membership" from them. I have reported this as fraud to my bank. I also found a judgment against their parent company, MemberWorks, in the state of Minnesota. I also note that other people have filed complaints against this company for much more money than $9.95. When I called to protest the charge, the agent who answered simply hung up on me.
I am very concerned that they now have my credit card number. I have no idea how they got it, since I didn't give it to them. I checked my internet history and there is nothing noted for this company, even by accident, until I started searching for more information. I have spyware and firewalls on my PC, so another company must have given it to them. My bank will investigate and negate the charge.
Carlos of Spokane WA (1/27/05):
I am also being billed by this company and don't know what it is! I've been in contact with my bank to rectify the situation.
Scott of Bellevue PA (1/26/05):
Unauthorized withdrawal of $139.95 from my bank account. Damages: Outrage, leaving for vacation and now short $139.95.
Michelle of Reston VA (1/18/05):
I rec'd a telephone call from a marketer around 1st Nov. making a free offer for 50% at Target Stores. I did not give him any information pertaining to my bank card acct number but he kept repeating 6020 is my acceptance code. After the conversation I realized that this was also the last 4 digits of my bank card, how ironic. Well on Dec. 22, 2004 my bank charged my card $14.95 plus unavailable funds charge of $60.00 and I phoned them because I never charged $14.95 at which time they gave me the name of the company and also the phone number.
The CSR from Wachovia and myself called this company at which time we spoke to Allan, #16114. I requested that an audio of conversation be pulled and a refund of all bank fees and charge of $14.95 = $74.95 total be refunded to me. He said he would need fax of bank acct showing nsf and fee. It was faxed on Dec 23,2004. No response.
Another company affiliated with Simple Escapes charged $19.95 on Jan 07, 2005. At this point the bank and I decided to change my bank card so this wouldn't happen again and we called this company and was told Simple Escapes was the parent company of American Family Health. They cancelled this membership and refunded the money and the bank refunded all fees due to fraud.
I called Simple Escapes again on Jan 12, 2005 with CSR from Wachovia to find out status of my refund. I spoke with Omar ID# 16002 who said that original fax was never rec'd so Wachovia faxed me copies to fax to Simple Escapes Consumer Affairs Dept. All information requested was given. I called back on Jan 18, 2005 spoke with Omar and requested to speak with his supervisor Gary Johns, or the Consumer Affairs Dept. because he said that they were sending me correspondence and would not be refunding my money for unvailable funds fee $60.
I demanded to speak to his supervisor he disconnected the call without trying to transfer my call; he told me he was hanging up the phone. I needed this money for bills and it caused me much financial problems with car insurance and my rent for the month of December.
Joan of Broken Arrow OK (1/12/05):
A charge on 12-15-2004 popped up on my credit card. Never heard of this company and I know I did not authorize any $239 just before Christmas. I googled the name and found a complaint site. Apparently others also have been charged. As it turns out, I also have an AOL account.
Sue of Boulder CO (1/3/05):
I checked my VISA bill and there is a charge for $149.95 on it dated 12/29/04 for Simple Escapes. I have never heard of this company and I have never talked to anyone from them. I never buy anything online. When I tried to call the phone number, I was on hold for at least half an hour and I finally hung up. This is FRAUD. I have NEVER ordered anything from them. They should be sued for doing such fraudulent and illegal business.
Carmen of Belmont MA (123104):
My credit card was charged $179.95. I never authorized any charges from this company. Actually I never heard of them before I saw my statement. I called the numer to inquire about the charges to my account and I could not get through a live person or an option to cancel. I did a search online and found numerous complains about this company and unauthorized charges. The credit card said I am responsible for paying my bill. Therefore I paid $179.95 which I have no ideea how to recoup.
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