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DebbieMerriman
Member
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 8 Jul 2008 01:59
Reply
Hey everybody - just want to warn you 'cause I got scammed to a degree. I'll just copy and paste here the report I made to various agencies:
On June 23, 2008 I signed up for a free business ad listing at http://directoryexclusive.com/ and today unexpectedly received a bill for $950 from them, along with a claim that I had used my 7-day free trial and as I had not canceled, I was now committed to a two-year listing with them. I went back and looked at their web page, and sure enough, in fine print at the bottom, it does say that if you fail to cancel, you are enrolled for two years. Nonetheless, I feel the advertising is deceptive, as much is made at the top in enormous, bold print that this is a free listing.
I should add that the way I came across this website was through somebody calling herself Nicole Giavesse ([email protected] )who contacted my business e-mail, supposedly in response to an ad I had placed online. She said she hoped to be able to exchange her expertise in Search Engine Optimization for my services (I recently purchased a business selling vacation packages). And as a "friendly tip" she started me off by sending me to directoryexclusive.com.
I did not sign anything at directoryexclusive.com (but did check the box agreeing to terms and conditions), and they do not have any of my bank or credit card information. However, my concern, after looking up this scam on Google, is that they use heavy handed tactics to try to coerce people into sending them the money. They turn it over to a collection agency and harass people and threaten their credit scores.
I e-mailed them today (7/7/08) as soon as the invoice arrived and told them to cancel the listing immediately, and told them I will not be sending money. (They have not responded yet.) I will be sending the same cancellation notice in the physical mail tomorrow, to be post marked 7/8/08/.
Thank you for any help and advice you can offer.
Anyhow..... I feel like a doofas, but wanted to warn others who are doing online marketing. DON'T LIST WITH directoryexclusive.com!!!
__________________
Romans 8: 38-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
http://thecoastalwealthbuilders.com/deb/
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kceleb9
Member
Joined: 23 Jun 2008
Posts: 7
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# Posted: 9 Jul 2008 13:33
Reply
Wow - thanks for the info - i have seen their pitch before and considered it, but im lucky i did not sign up.
Thanks for the warning - that really seems like a number they tried to pull on you. I think your cancellations should be sufficient - but also may want to go back and check any T or C's you may have clicked.
Finally try reporting them to BBB or any other agencies - & keep posting about their shady tactics. I will warn others as well...
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seeyalater72
Member
Joined: 5 Mar 2008
Posts: 126
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# Posted: 9 Jul 2008 15:57
Reply
This is the type of thing that continues to give work at home opportunities, mlm's or whatever you choose to call them a bad name. The shame of it is that a lot of people will miss out on truly legit opportunities to change their lives for the better because of these few bad apples.
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mountainmom5
Member
Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Posts: 934
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# Posted: 9 Jul 2008 20:45
Reply
Thanks for the warning - I almost went with something similar to that once but then decided to check on it and found out it was a scam...
From now on - I have this 'thing' about those offers - if they try to convince me that i need to get started TODAY or I will lose out OR if they try to swindle me in for less than the original price if I just get started TODAY - uh..warning flags!
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My Site - and journey WAH Stuff that works. I actually have something other than zeros in my clickbank acct. now!:)
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pcwork
Member
Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Posts: 1632
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# Posted: 9 Jul 2008 23:18
Reply
Thanks for the warning, always read the fine print before you sign up for anything
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Newbie Shield
Preferred Member
Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 1197
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# Posted: 10 Jul 2008 07:20
Reply
Hi Deb,
Sorry that happened to you.
You might contact your credit card company, the FTC, and/or the BBB.
Let us know how it goes.
~Newbie Shield~
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HTML Squidoo TricksSquidoo-specific HTML how to tutorials, tips and tricks to make your lens stand out from the crowd. Code samples and step-by-step all the way through. 100% free. Made by yours truly ;)
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DebbieMerriman
Member
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 10 Jul 2008 09:56
Reply
Hey all - thanks for your replies.
I did receive a reply to my e-mail, in which they cheerfully claim I remain obligated to pay them. I have sent a letter to their physical address with the same information I e-mailed - that I do not accept the debt and to cancel my ad. I don't plan to communicate or argue with them further.
The more I think about this, the more I believe there's nothing they can do beyond trying to intimidate with threats of collections and legal action. They don't have my credit card info and don't have my ss#. Also, their mailing address is in Israel. What I believe they will do is start calling me down the road, claiming to be a collection agency, to try to get me to pay the money. Which they will not get from me.
I've filed reports with about 5 different agencies about them, plus Ripoffreports.com, plus posted around on some forums, and complaints are now all you see about them if you Google their business name.
What I learned from this - don't respond to companies that solicit me. This person contacted me supposedly in order to trade services, and that's how I was drawn in. It's safer for me to search out the services I need. That and READ THE FINE PRINT - LOL!
__________________
Romans 8: 38-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
http://thecoastalwealthbuilders.com/deb/
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