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.

William of Smithtown, NY July 25, 2008

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 June 16, 2008

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 June 5, 2008

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 May 7, 2008

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 March 9, 2008

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.

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