I was reviewing our credit card statement today when I noticed an odd charge from “WLI*RESERVATIONREWARDS.COM” for $10. I didn’t remember ever doing business with a company by this name, so I checked my prior statements to see if there were any other similar charges. Sure enough, there was a $10 on the 18th of each month since December 2006. I called and checked with the wife and she hadn’t bought anything from such a site either.
That’s when the hunt begins. The obvious first step is looking up ReservationRewards.com to see exactly what it is we supposedly signed up for. The site is one of these so-called discount clubs offering savings on a variety of crap – not the type of thing that either of us would knowingly sign up for. I then decided to do a Google search for Reservation Rewards and found pages upon pages of sites talking about being scammed by this company, including a very informative blog posting by Adam Rosi-Kessel.
After reading several of the postings, I called Reservation Rewards with all guns blazing. As soon as the rep came on I said I had several fraudulent charges on my card from their company and I wanted the charges stopped and reversed. The customer service rep quickly looked up my “account” and noted that the account was actually in my wife’s name and that she had (supposedly) signed up through Chadwicks.com. The rep very quickly canceled the account and tried to get me off the phone before I could bring up the prior charges again. I quickly reiterated my request for a refund of prior charges, to which he put up no argument and promised that the refund would appear in 3-5 days.
Looking at the other people’s accounts of this scam, we aren’t the only ones who have been scammed by Chadwick’s and Reservation Rewards, and Chadwick’s isn’t alone in selling out their customers to these online scammers. A list of some of the other sites that have reportedly allowed Reservation Rewards to prey on their customers can be found here.
What’s my next step? First, we will check to see if the refund actually comes through as promised. While we are waiting for the refund we will also be calling Chadwick’s customer service to make our displeasure known. We will then be filing formal BBB complaints against Chadwick’s and Reservation Rewards, which will be quickly followed by complaints to the Office of Attorney General for the states of Texas (my home state), Connecticut (Reservation Rewards HQ), and Massachusetts (Chadwick’s HQ). I will also file a complaint with the FTC.
I’ll keep everyone updated on my follow-up communications and complaints and any responses I receive.
I also discovered $10.00 charge on my credit card statement. This was for WLI*reservationrewards. There was no phone number next to the transaction. Called Visa and got the number. Came to know that it came through Hancock Fabrics. I am very particular before I click anything yes. Hancock fabricks just passed on the information to WLI Reservation Rewards. I did not get any email or any package in mail. They just started charging me. It is a big scam. Millions of people will miss the small charge and these companies make millions.
I have also been hit by WLI reservationrewards. I talked to my bank and they gave me the toll free number: 1-800-732-7031. I’m going to call them today and get these charges reversed hopefully.
~~~Well, I too was charged for this “service” unbeknownst to me. Here is a copy of the email I sent and a copy of the response I received less than 6 hours later. To refund this easily only proves they know they are doing wrong. We;ll see if it posts to the account like they said it would.
***I sent:
To whom it may concern,
When I signed up for the rebate through CSN ceiling
fans, I did not give an authorization to charge my
credit card $10.00 per month. I subsequently did not
recieve this celing fan because it was discontinued.
You will see I have never accessed your website nor do
I plan to. I wish to be taken off of this program and
I am petitioning my credit card company for return of
the funds as well as filing a complaint with the
Federal Trade Commision. Please resolve this situation
immediately by refunding the money charged to us. $30.
3 withdrawls of 10.00 each on 8/18, 7/19, and 6/18/07.
I expect a response within 12 hours.
Aaron
**I recieved:
Dear Aaron,
Thank you for contacting Reservation Rewards.
Our records show that you or someone in your household joined Reservation Rewards through a special rewards program after completing an online transaction with CSN Ceiling Fans. After your transaction you were offered and accepted a membership in Reservation Rewards. Immediately next to the offer, the Offer Details were displayed, which included the agreement that after your trial period ended we could bill the low monthly membership fee of $10.00 to the credit card, debit card or PayPal account you used for your transaction with CSN Ceiling Fans.
This membership was cancelled effective 08-21-2007 and we have issued three refunds of $10.00 each for the membership fees. Your refunds will show on your credit card, debit card or PayPal account within the next 3-5 business days.
If you require further assistance, please contact our Customer Service Department at 800-732-7031. Our Customer Service Representatives are available Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 11:00 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET.
Sincerely,
Amy
The Reservation Rewards Team
customerservice@reservationrewards.com
800-732-7031
My mom and I just realized they’ve been taking a $10 charge out of her account… and I do mean JUST (it was about 15 minutes ago). I just visited the Woman Within and Roaman’s sites and noticed (surprise!) a link for Chadwick’s at the bottom of the page. I didn’t even realize they were affiliates until now. Something tells me they are somehow in this twisted loop, too.
As soon as the offices are open (for the RR place itself, the bank, and possibly the retail site) there will definitely be calls made. Thanks for posting this info!
Same thing happened to me! I wish I was that dishonest I would be a millionaire! My story.
This is still happening people !!!
I had this problem when I bought a game from Gamestop.com online. I promptly emailed gamestop about these thieving activities and this was their reply:
Dear Customer,
At the end of a purchase from GameStop.com/EBgames.com we have a link to the Reservation Rewards program. They offer customers the opportunity to receive an electronic gift voucher for GameStop.com/EBgames.com if the customer would like to sign up for a trial membership with Reservation Rewards.
In order to sign up for this program customers would have to type their email address twice and click on the button labeled YES, I have read and agree to the Offer and Billing Details and authorize GameStop.com/EBgames.com to securely transfer my name, address and credit or debit card information to Reservation Rewards for billing and benefit processing. I understand that the first 30 days of benefits are free and that I will be billed $12 a month thereafter and may cancel my membership at any time.
Thank you for your feedback concerning the program. We respect your opinion and will take your remarks into consideration as we evaluate the benefits and value this program has for our customers.
Best Regards,
John
Customer Service Supervisor
Well, … Needless to say that they lost me as a customer because I NEVER did what they say and surely NEVER gave anyone the right to steal money out of my account. So if this is Gamestop’s point taken then I will take my business elsewhere from now on. My only hope is that other people will too, so they don’t get scammed out of their hard earned money for nothing.
Be warned, these sites allow this scamming apparently …
Add Gamestop.com to the list of companies who allow their customers to be scammed by Reservation Rewards. They charged $12.00 to my card. I called them and ranted and raved until they agreed to refund my money within 3-5 business days. I am also reporting Gamestop and Reservation Rewards to the FTC. Please do the same.
I suggest that a master list of the companies who partner with Reservation Rewards be published and widely posted on the net. These companies deserve to be boycotted.
I just found a charge on my account this morning. Rewards, ya right for them only. Nice little money maker here. Come on, who else is in this one. Somebody is…!!!
!#$#@!
Is anyone checking this out. Has anyone call a news service. I’m sure they would like to jump all over this one…
Just an idea of how to get the word out better. Today with the internet anyone can get your money…
!@#!@#@!
Add Barnes & Noble to the list. The exact same circumstances happened to my girl friend used the site. She didn’t click yes or no nor did she enter her email address multiple times and we were charged for 4 months.
Watch out for ROAMANS they are charging a $12 Reservation Reward Program fee in the fine print when you purchase STAY AWAY!!!!