As if paying $17 for a short pamphlet filled with information about thyroid disease -- info you can get for free elsewhere -- isn't enough of a ripoff, there's another angle to the "Secret Cure for Hypothyroidism" scam -- which is run by Increase Media / Selmedica / Perry Belcher -- that you need to know. Apparently, once you've ordered the so-called "ebook" (but it's not a book, so let's be honest and call it what it really is, a pamphlet), that is not the end of the charges this company will make to your credit card. As you are ordering the pamphlet, you'll see vague language on the order page saying "...you'll also recieve (sic) FREE ACCESS to my complete collection of reports for a full 30 days (normally $17 per month) FREE! Download and read as much info as you want for 30 days and pay nothing unless you renew..."
This sounds innocent, except, surprise, surprise! No one will ask you if you want to renew...they renew you AUTOMATICALLY, and you will be charged $17 every month by the company.
Here are some ways you can get a refund -- and if you are victimized by this company, don't hesitate to report them everywhere you can.
I was one of the victims of the “Secret Cure for Hypothyroidism” scam, but immediately when I saw what I received for my money, I wrote to them via email for a refund. I think it was the very next day that I read about the scam in your newsletter, and thought there goes that $17, and wrote it off as a loss. To my surprise, when checking my bank statement, I did receive a $17 refund within a couple of days of my email to them. Now due to your newsletter today, I will watch for a new monthly charge on my bank statement for their other ebooks. In fact, it would probably be good to email them again and re-state my cancellation for all items.
Thanks for the heads up.
YES! We need to call the attorney general of Tennessee – It’s Increase Media. They took 3 payments out of my account. I cancelled my card for another reason before I knew. I buy so much on the internet it slipped by me. No accident, I’m sure they hoped it would. And there was not ONE email notification that they had debited my account, which is absolutely de rigeur in this business.
Then they had the nerve to write me when I’d cancelled my card to tell me I needed to update my credit card. That’s how I found out.
The attorney general will jump if notified – if s/he can find Increase Media.
When they make a subscription sign-up the DEFAULT – in other words, when they don’t allow you to CHECK the box but have it checked already so you have to UNcheck it to AVOID a subscription – that is where the fraud comes in. So even if they produce a document that shows you checked a box, we have enough people who weren’t aware of it — or the fine print was too fine — or the subscription was included in the book signature — to prove fraud. Or is it fraud or something else?
IncreaseMedia outsources its work in Manila Philippines. I have a group after them now. Their days are numbered. As for you Laura call the US embassy in manila and tell them of the scam. The local FBI there can do something about it. Apparently they haven heard of thelong arm of the law.
Your service is invaluable. Because of your comments, I avoided being ripped off by these fraudulent claims. Thank you. We as consumers must be our own “watchdogs.”
Wow! I read this little too late
I did however see this site this morning…. I called cs and they said I would have refund within 24hrs. I will put a sto payment on my card though for any future charges. Thank you for all of the info. I just wish I’d seen it sooner!!!!