FWM Laboratories review: unauthorized charges and fraud 647

I ordered to Acai berry from FWM Labs have had it for 8 days and got no results. So wanted to cancel under the terms of the free trial period. I call the toll free 24 hour support line and it just rings until the line auto disconnects have been trying for 3 days now no answer. These guys are a scam if you ask me. They sell a cheapened version of the real stuff and charge you more then the real stuff. They also don't live up to what they tell you when you first sign up.

This exact thing is happening to me. I have tried the provided number and it goes unanswered or the mailbox is full. I am frustrated with myself for not researching this prior to purchasing. I wonder if Oprah realizes they are promoting this product using her name. Thanks for the help. L

My suggestion is to PRINT THESE PAGES AND SUBMIT THEM TO THE FRAUD DEPT. OF YOUR BANK. Ask your bank to provide "provisional credit" until this matter is settled. Please contact me at tashawinsnow@gmail.com . I ordered Dec29th. $3.95 was deducted from my account. and then yesterday $87.13 was deducted before I even received the product (which actually also arrived late afternoon with only the Detox bottle and no Cleansing bottle included. Sham and Shame. Let's help each other realize the opportunity to recover our losses

I signed up for the free products - acai berry and life cleanse. When I did, no where did it state that I needed to cancel within 14 days or credit card will automatically be charged. Have been trying to contact the company but line is always busy. At night, when I call, although I stay on line for a long time, it will transfer me to an extension and then ask me to leave a message - I left several messages but no return phone call.

I just finished talking to Customer Service and she said she successfully cancelled my subscription. And then, after I asked her how to return the products so I can get a refund, she stated that that amount was for the product since I did not cancel within the time period. I told her that I received another 2 bottles and I wanted my money back. She then told me that the only one who can refund me was the Refund Dept and that I could contact them only by email. I told her that their refund policy was that I needed an RMA number to return the product. It was only when I told her that I filed a complaint with you that she gave me my RMA number.

This company is a fraud and needs to be closed down.

THIS COMPANY, FWM LABORATORIES IN HOLLYWOOD, FL SCAMMED ME SO FAR $100 DOLLARS AND I NEVER AUTHORIZED A CHARGE FOR THEIR ACAI BERRY.
I paid $4.95 for SHIPPING for a "free sample" of their Acai Berry.
The product doesn't do anything at all.
IT'S ABOUT AS EFFECTIVE AS AN M&M.
Their website PROMISES OVER THE TOP THEY WILL NOT CHARGE MY CARD FOR 30 DAYS IF I AM NOT COMPLETELY SATISFIED.
********** THEY LIED**********
I have TWO charges, one for $87.13 and another for $12 something.
I IMMEDIATELY CANCELED MY CARD TO PREVENT MORE FRAUDULENT CHARGES.
THERE HAS TO BE A NEW LAW WHERE WE ACTUALLY BUY A PRODUCT TO PROTECT US FROM SCAM ARTISTS LIKE FWM LABORATORIES.
THIS IS JUST PLAIN WRONG.

FWM LABORATORIES FRAUD COMPANY SELLING ACAI BERRY DENIES CHARGING MY CARD $87.13 !
I called [protected] and spoke with "Robin" who flat out DENIED THE CHARGE I AM LOOKING AT IN BLACK AND WHITE ON MY CREDIT CARD TRANSACTION STATEMENT!

I asked, "So you are denying the charge I am looking at with my own eyes?" She replied, "yes."

I never heard of this! Apparently (and I KNEW MY GUT FEELING WAS RIGHT) the statement about a week ago from another company rep who said my the charges will be refunded LIED.

NO MORE 30 DAY "FREE" SAMPLES THAT WILL CHARGE OUR CREDIT CARD.
WE MUST BE GIVEN THE PROTECTION TO MAKE A PURCHASE - not that our card will be charged without our knowledge. (LAW 101)

I/WE WANT IMMEDIATE ACTION FOR THIS!

I ordered the Acai Berry supplement from FWM laboratories and was charged $87 for their free offer. I received the product in a small brown envelope accompanied with a note to thank me for "my purchase and hope I enjoy the product", no other documentation on the 14 day free trial, or an invoice confirming my purchase. On their website there was no mention on a 14 day free trial offer, only to try their product for free no extra charges just $1.99 for shipping and handling. I recently received a credit card statement and there was an $87 charge for the product. Not only was I charged for the product, but there are side effects not mentioned on their website or the product package that I would warn consumers who would like to try this product. I started taking the pill and the first day, and experienced stomache cramping. Thinking it was probably something I ate, I took it again the second day 30 mins after injesting the product another stomache attack, so I discontinued taking it. It claims to boost your energy and give you a healthier feeling, this may be true, but if you have a digestive condition as I have please do not take this product, it would save you the discomfort and waste of money. I have since called this company to get a refund on the product and they were helpful, but we will see what the outcome of this dispute.

Wish I would have checked it out first! I just got a "free trial" of the Acai Berry. It just so happens I had an additional charge of .12 and called to inquire about it. I got someone on the phone after about five minutes and was told I would receive another shipment 2/4/09! I quickly cancelled it, not knowing I put my self in the loop after ordering the "free trial". I was given a cancellation number. I hope that means something and I do not receive another shipment! I called back, just to "ensure" I was cancelled. The second caller said yes.

Turns out the .12 was a fee my bank charged for the International Transaction. Neither caller had a clue what this fee was for.

Say a prayer for me! I sure can't afford to be charged $87.00 next month!

I ordered only 1 bottle of Acai Berry on 1/4/09 and after calling the company for a different matter, I learned I was in the loop to receive another bottle 2/4/09! I quickly cancelled it and looked for info. on the web. As you see, I have come across many complaines about the company! Darn it! I called three times to ensure cancellation but now I am wondering if I should change my debit card with my bank just in case! Or at least inform my bank of this issue.

Forget it! I ordered a new debit card (1/15/09)! Not taking any chances. I'm convinced they will try to charge me! Hope I beat them to it!

only way to solve this would be to contact FTC, what do you think?

# for FCC is :[protected]

I have tried and tried to speak with someone who has the authority to fix my problem to no avail. I ordered your "free trial" before Christmas. Because of the commotion of the holidays I did not even open the package until after the 1st of the year. I tried the AciBerry for 1 week and didn't feel that it had any difference and I never even opened the colon cleanse, so I called to cancel my account. In the mean time my credit card was charged the full amount for both products. I then contacted my credit card company to have the charges disputed and when I checked the status of that I found that I had been charged a 2nd time for two products. I did receive another shipment, however I wrote on the package return to sender and put it back in the mail unopened.

I have tried several times to speak to a supervisor, today I was on hold for 3 hours with no exaggeration and then the system disconnected me. I have filed a complaint with The Better Business Bureau and my next step will be to have my attorney send a letter, if I get no response or resolution to this matter.

Your company appears to have scandalous and unscrupulous business practices. I am very dissatisfied and I am going to let everyone know to stay clear of your company.

A "free" trial has cost me about 190.00. After debiting my account twice, I have finally managed to cancel my account. I was supposed to receive e-mail verification of the request for a refudn...however, I have received NOTHING. Not a trial, not a product, no e-mail...zip. I am currently on hold on two lines in my home with the company...one phone is on 2 hours and 17 minutes, the other is on 1 hour. Apparently, the company only has one supervisor by the name of Mary Ann Parker...I am certain I will probably have to kiss my money goodbye..but I am not going down without a fight! Next it is on the the Attorney General site and the BBB.

I've spent the better part of two hours over the last couple of days trying to get my $87.13 refunded. I've spoken to at least four people who tell me I'll receive a confirmation e-mail when the money is refunded. In fact, on Jan. 16, I was told it would be refunded within 24 hours . . . well, guess what! I'm calling the bank to cancel my card immediately and will call tomorrow to see if there is anything they can do. Lesson learned, my friends . . . free trials are a scam!

I just called the bank to cancel my card and file a complaint. I was told that because it says on the Web site that FWM will charge your account unless you cancel, there is nothing that can be done. Wouldn't it be nice if they gave you a chance to cancel. My account was charged within just a few days of receiving the free trial. I told the banker I called FWM the day the charges appeared and was told my account would be credited back the $87.13 in 7 to 10 business days, and that on Jan. 16 they told me it would be refunded within 24 hours. He told me there may be recourse since I was told the money would be refunded, bu I have to wait 30 days (until Feb. 3) to file a complaint. I'll keep you posted.

I too was a victim of FWM Laboratories. I ordered the free trial of the Life Cleanse that they had to offer online on 12/17/08. On 12/18/08 I was charged $3.95 for shipping. On 1/5/09 I was charged $87.13 and had not received any product from them. I called on 1/5/09 and filed a complaint with customer service [protected]. I waited 7 day just as the CSR had asked me to do. At that time, still no refund. I called back for several days and finally on 1/14/09 I reached another CSR, he informed that he did not see a refund request but he would put on in. I informed him that if I did not have my refund by 1/22/09 that I would be filing a suit with the Clerk of Court of the County in which I lived and it would cost more than 87.13 to get it resolved. And I received and email from FWM regarding same. On 1/15/09, I called back to confirm that the confirmation number that was email to me was correct and that they would be issuing me a refund. The CSR that I got this time was really sweet and helpful. I am not saying the threat of taking them to court helped, but I checked my account this morning 1/20/09 and I had my credit. But I did cancel my debit card and get a new one just in case. I wish you the best of luck with your refunds.

PLEASE READ THE FINE PRINT

Before you authorize anyone to debit anything from your bank account or a credit card, READ the accompanying "terms and conditions" associated with any so-called "free-trial offer." In the case of Acai Berry, distributed by FWM Laboratories, the free-trial offer is for 14 days. Like an idiot, I forgot to cancel my subscription the day I ordered it as I had no intention of paying $87.13 a month for something I didn't even know if I'd like. But here it is Jan. 20. I didn't cancel before today because I forgot, and there was a charge of $87.13 to my bank account this morning.

I called FWM Laboratories, [protected], talked to a customer service representative, received a confirmation number for the cancellation, and away we went.

No, I have not received another shipment of their product other than the so-called "free" offer. And, no, I don't expect I'll ever see anything for the eighty-seven dollars I was charged for NOT canceling my subscription.

I guess my point is this: Always read the fine print, folks. When you order this stuff, you are giving these folks permission to debit your bank or credit card -- forever -- unless you cancel. In case of the free trial, the number of days you have to cancel is 14. And oh yes, at the end of day 14, you will be charged. Will you ever see anything from these guys if you forget to cancel and actually become a subscriber? Dunno. I guess I'm in that category and unwittingly have become another so-called victim.

I did my research "after the fact, " and for what it's worth, here is the official "Acai Berry Diet" web site. What they have to say about the fly-by-night scam artists is informative.

I ordered this thing on a whim and resultantly what I got was a bum deal. Lesson learned. Maybe each person who's been affected by these guys should educate other people about these folks in Florida (a state known for scams and fraudulent deals in many industries) and scam artists, in general.

The Web Site:

I are forgetful in general. The Acai Berry Web Site Is:

http://acaiberrysite.com/

same thing happened to me

Thanks for the suggestion, Heather. I just called and got through to a CSR almost immediately for a change. I identified myself and told him if I didn't have a refund by January 26, I would file suit. He had the audacity to request that I e-mail a copy of my bank statement because there was no record of the charges. I told him several times I would not provide a statement because it contains personal information. He must have said it at least six times. In any event, he finally told me that only the billing department could handle my request. I said that I had asked to speak to that department several times only to be put on terminal hold. He offered up the e-mail address and I've just sent an e-mail stating I will file suit if I don't have a refund by Jan. 26. We'll see what happens.

Just got off the phone for 3rd round with Apple Jr (wtf?) but a different number given by another person here on on this site. I still have had NO SUCH luck with getting the amount of $87.13 x 2 credited back to my account. I cancelled this product with the window. And I have gotten a confirmation number. After discovering I was still charged, I called again and was told my confirmation ## and a refund (ha..ha) # did not exist. You guys may want to check yours! I have since gont to be back to change my account and to file fraudulant charges (after phone call #1). I really thought today, when someone gave this other number...just maybe...

Donna...I will go your route also. Maybe email will be the way?

FYI...just got off the with a CSR w/ Acai International a bit ago *see above* The reps name was Apple Jr. Hmmm... Anyhoo, wanted to further mention that he stated that your Trial period begins at time of purchase. How does that work? I didn't recieve mine until 7 days later! And product came, NO paperwork stating any of that information or information about the product. I am sooo steaming, ...

Ordered free trial 1/9/09, called [protected] on 1/20/09 to complain that i never received the product. They offered to extend the 14-day trial, but i declined and asked they cancel the order. They assured me they canceled it and to keep the product when I do get them. Still not trusting in their word over the phone i called my bank to put a block on any charges from them but then the process was more of a hassle, so I canceled my debit card instead. when i checked my acct this morning, my debit card was compromised. fraudulent charges showed up. hackers got a hold of my #. Now I have to dispute them and get a new card. never order online without researching the product thoroughly. i've been such a sucker for these infomercials and online ads. BTW- got the product and tried it last night. Not too sure any changes just yet.

I too have been scammed by this company. I just happened to check my account online today and there was the $87.13 charge that was pending. I called the bank to stop the debit from my account but was told since I had ordered from them before, I needed to contact them directly. The bank supplied the 800 #. I called and was put on "ignore" for 30 min. I hung up and called the bank back and closed my check card but I still have lost the $87.13 that I did not authorize. I can dispute the charges but not until the the money leaves the account. I am going to get the fraud dept. at the bank involved and hopefully receive my money back.

I live about 2 miles from FNW Labs so I'm thinking I may pay them a personal visit.

I agree they are frauds there just looking for an easy buck. My girlfriend just lost 85 dollars on their scam. What can i do to get my girls money back.

I posted a complaint 1-2009 after finding more complants just like mine. I have been working on my issue with FWM Laboratories and my credit card company. My first step was getting a RMA number by calling [protected], then I called my credit card company and disputed all charges from this company. I sent the first package back and had copies of everything (including the packages). When I sent the package back I used Delivery Confirmation. I thought I had everything taken care of and after a month I received another package and more charges onto my credit card.

I have called this company many times and talked until I was blue in the face. It took me telling them my lawyer was going to be contackting them and that they were being flagged for FRAUD. I also let them know that I had contackted the BBB and my state Attorney General to inform them of the fraud that was being done to not only me but many others just like me. They tried to tell me i had not cancelled within the 14 days. Which I then told them I had everything documented and took the names and emplyee numbers of everybody I had talked with.

Two days after I had this conversation with one of their employees I had all my money including my shipping fee of $3.95 and $40.00 credited back to my credit card account.

My best advise for anyone in my same position is not to give up and continue fighting for our right. Make sure you document everything. Continue wacthing your accounts, you never know when they are going to surprise you by taking more of your money. CALL [protected] or [protected] there are many number and some don't work any more but i have got the most resoults from these two. Change accounts if you have too.

order # 155116 I called and canceled my order on 12/08/2008 and wanted to send back the unused & unopened bottle, Customer Service Rep. stated it was mine to keep since it was a 30 day free trial .He stated I would not be charged because I canceled my order. At that time he never said anything about charging me for a 14 day trial period. He stated that I would NOT be charged. He gave me a cancelation # 3136. I have been calling the phone # on my order to which no one answer now [protected]) I have been calling for two weeks. I would like my C.C. to be refunded the $87.13 you charged before the 30 days where up. How can you call it a 30 day FREE trial if you charged before that time is up.

You are not alone. I ordered the trial of the cleanse and detox system because the site that I got the information concerning the product indicated that for the best results, use them together. I recieved one of the products witin a few days of ordering the the trial but not the second. I figured that the second producut would follow within a couple of days. Boy was I wrong. The second product came in 3 weeks later. In the mean time, my account was charged the $87.13, prior to the receipt of the second product, and I had never even had the opportunity to "try" the system. I called customer service to cancel any future deliveries and to request a refund of the $87.13. They told me that I had not fulfilled my contractual agreement and was therefore not entitled to a refund. I explained that I hadn't recieved the complete system until the delivery of the second product and how can you "try" a system when you have and incomplete system. The customer service representative stated that the two-week trial period begins at the time you place the initial order. I told her that it sounded like a scam to me and asked her if she realized this was a scam and she replied with " I am not at liberty to discuss this kind of information". I asked to speak to a supervisor, she put me on hold and I waited on hold for more than an hour and fifteen minutes. As a matter of fact, as I am sharing my experience with you, I am currently on hold, again, trying to speak to someone that will actually do the right thing, but after being on hold for 30 minutes, you get a recording stating that extension zero is not available. What a surprise.

Yes this also happened to me. received the free trial then a few days later came another one. cancelled emidiatly got a confirmation number. But the cust serv reps did not seem that competent so I called back later the same day to confirm that my order was indeed cancelled. She game me the same cancellation number Felt good about this.

Canceled on the 23 of Jan. she assured me there would be no further charges. Went online to my online banking and to my surprise there was a $87.13 charge for the Acai berry! Oh was I pissed
Called the company [protected] said it was cancelled but an order went out on the 22 of Jan
MMMMMM guess they didnt want me to know that info when I cancelled

I am going thru my bank, cancelled the card and have to go in to fill out a eft dispute and will get my money back... Well see how long this takes

Oh by the way I asked for the refund departments email since of couse the refund has to go thru several departments and the customer service guy gave me the wrong one!

Teresa - Kansas City

I also was scammed by this company. After ordering the "free" trial I looked it up and saw that it was a scam so I called right away to cancel the order. They never sent the trial but have charged me twice for the $87.00 and I have not received any products yet. Called the company only to get a number that was disconnected and I'd have to pay for texts to get more information on them. Thanks for the correct phone number you guys have posted! That one finally worked and the woman said I'd still be charged regardless that I had cancelled the product and had never received any of it. We'll see if the cancellation actually goes through. Sadly I didn't read the fine print initially and the claims of the product seemed too good to be true. they were . . .

I ordered my free trial on 01/15/09 and at the same time, put a reminder on my Outlook calendar to remind me to cancel today. Received the product and all was well...UNTIL...I went to cancel today and the [protected] number is disconnected and the local number listed earlier in a post has a full mailbox. I called my bank to see what I could do because I did not want the $87 charge and she said I was not the only one to call about this company. She highly recommended that I go to my local branch and cancel my card and get a new one because then nothing could ever happen. I leave work in 30 minutes and that is exactly what I am going to do.

PLEASE DO NOT ORDER ANYTHING FROM THIS COMPANY! IF YOU HAVE, PLEASE CANCEL YOUR CREDIT/DEBIT CARD AND GET A NEW ONE!

I knew the terms and conditions and was prepared for them and am still getting scammed!

Add another patsy to the list! I also ordered the "free sample" of the acaiberry detox from them and was charged $87.13 plus two charges of $3.95 each! So the 'free' sample not only cost me $91.08 but a $39.00 over the limit fee on my credit card account!

I called the [protected] number last week, told them to credit my account...they said they would but they didn't! Tried calling them today and I get a recording that the number has been disconnected! I called my credit card company, spoke w. the billing dispute dept. and they informed me that they have to give the company in question 30 days to comply and after that the matter can go into dispute.

They also informed me that FWM tried to put through yet ANOTHER charge of $87.13 and they recommended that I change my account number so now I should be getting a new card from them in a couple of weeks.

Incidentally, I've gone thru 2/3 of the bottle of 'acaiberry detox' and have felt absolutely nothing! No change in energy, no 'cleansing' and no weight loss.

I feel SO stupid! Well, live and learn!

I had the same experience that many of you have had. Fortunately, when my credit card was charged the first $87.13, they called me to confirm whether the charge was valid. It was not and they said the best way to clear it up immediately was to cancel my credit card # and have a new one issued. Many attempts to call the "Customer Service" number went unanswered due to me being on hold for more than 10 min each time.

I disputed the charge and my CC company took it off. In the mail today, I received another supply of the "wonder drug"! I, too, will be more cautious in reading the fine print.

I received my sample that I ordered online. Then I learned more about the potential risks of this product and decided not to use it. I called the company and told them I would keep this sample, but DO NO SEND ANY MORE! I just received another bottle of the crap today 1/26th/09 and it was charged to my credit card of which they obviously have kept a record. I will try to return this product to sender through USPS. I will also notify my credit card company to refuse any further charges placed by this company. I am also notifying our State Attorney's office.

Please email me at cinmorri52@juno.com as I do not have a working phone number for this company or an address. If you could help I would appreiciate it. I was charged 87.13 that I did not authorize. I am going to the bank to change my debit card...I don't know if the bank can or will do anything about the charge to my account. I have emailed the BBB and I don't know what else to do...this really sucks!

FMW Laboratories market there Acai Berry Products of Detox and Cleanser as free Items for just the cost of shipping $3.95. I was billed 3 times for the detox product and full prices of $87.13 for the cleanse. When I tried to cancel the order and question the charges I found that the toll free number they list is no longer in service. Their website also turns up no access to customer service rep.

Now I'm worried about continuing charges on my credit card for products I no longer want. My credit card company says I have little recourse but to send a certified letter to FMW laboratories and then they maybe able to do something to stop further charges. This is the first time I've bought anything over the internet--I know now buyer beware.

I decided to try this. What a mistake! They took the $3.95 for the "free" trial out of my bank account on 1/12. I didn't receive the product until 1/26, exactly 14 days. Then the charge for $87.13 appeared on my account the same day. I called the customer support number and was told since I didn't cancel in 14 days I was charged. I canceled the account and asked to speak to a supervisor. I was put on hold and left there over an hour until I hung up.

I am working with my bank to try and retreive my money. This company is terrible and should not be in business.

Brenda LeClair

I just got off the phone trying to cancel and be refunded my $87.13, and of course was told I would get an email. I am having the exact same issues everyone else is having. This is the phone number I called: [protected]. What a scam. How can these companies get away with such a thing? I too will be contacting the BBB.

I ordered the "free trial" of acai berry and life cleanse. I received 2 bottles per day for 8 days - this made me suspicious so I began trying to contact the company to cancel the order. The number included in the shipment did not allow me to talk with anyone. Initially, I got an automated message stating that my wait time was approximately 3 - 5 minutes. I called this number 5 times at different times of day and I waited on hold for anywhere from 8 to 22 mintues before getting frustrated and hanging up. At times, the number was just busy. The number on my credit card statement had a message stating, "the voice mail box you have reached is full" and then disconnected. They began charging my credit card - one day it was $87, the next day it was $69. I had to cancel the credit card and file dispute paperwork with my bank.