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.

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 September 23, 2007

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 July 7, 2007

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 March 28, 2007

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 March 27, 2007

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 March 6, 2007

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