Great Fun = Great Scam
I’ll admit it – I was almost taken in by one of the newer scams floating around right now. No, not the extended car warranty, as tempting as that was. This latest one is a little more subtle, and involves what appears to be free money. Basically the scam is that anyone who’s ordered any one of a number of products from TV (PedEgg, Snuggie, or Aqua Globes) will receive a check in the mail for $8.25. It looks legit unless you look at one small line on the front and the disclaimer on the back. In the front, under the amount, it says:
By cashing or depositing this check you are purchasing a membership in Great Fun.
Huh? What’s that? Well on the back it says:
I authorize Great Fun to charge the annual membership fee after my free trial. I agree to a thirty-day trial offer in Great Fun. I understand that the $149.99 annual membership fee will be charged to my credit card on file with Aqua Globes unless I cancel my membership by calling 1-866-709-4170 before the end of the trial period. My membership will be automatically renewed and I will also be charged every year thereafter at the then-current fee unless I call to cancel for a refund of the unused portion of the current year’s fee. By cashing this check I authorize Aqua Globes to securely transfer my credit card information to Great Fun for enrollment, billing and benefit processing.
Holy crap, that’s some big balls right there. So why did I almost fall for this? Well, I did actually order a set of Aqua Globes many months ago but never received them. I figured this was some sort of refund for that, although it did seem a bit low. In any case, at least I didn’t order a Snuggie, as I think I’d have to just get a lobotomy at that point.
Anyway, my point here is that if you get one of these don’t do anything with it. Or maybe call that toll-free number and screw with whoever answers. Oh and don’t by Aqua Globes. I finally got one from a store and they suck. The tube gets clogged with dirt and the water just sits in the glass. Piece of junk.
A scan of the check I received is after the cut for those interested:
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Marcos
The same thing happened to me. I worked in US but I live in Brazil and just left my account open in US for tax refund purposes…These company took $287 from my account and according to them I need to send a letter so they can “check” if I can receive my money back….Off course I lost these money… Im surprised that things like this are allowed in US, companies taking advantage of thousands of people. These is clearly a scam! If that was in Brazil I would know the steps I would have to do to get my money back, but since it is in US becomes really hard for me. If anyone is leading any type of class action lawsuit please let me know. I will be really happy to be part of something to destroy these lame people. US was for me a benchmark of Integrity when it comes to business…The american authorities should not let companies like that the international image that US has…