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CB Jobs and Career Review of Hollywood Profiles
Hollywood Profiles

Hollywood Profiles review: Charging for things they said they wouldn't 103

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Author of the review
12:00 am EDT
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This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

I found this particular company on careerbuilder.com and it was asking for extras. I called the number and they needed my information for a shipping fee . Not only did they charge me that fee, but double that for a "non-refundable" charge that was never even mentioned.

On top of that, they said I was signed up for something that was a free introductory period and I could cancel within 14 days and I wouldn't be charged. Needless to say, I was charged $40 dollars two weeks after I called even after I had canceled!

They also tried telling me I was going to be charged another $98 dollars for some website registration even though they gave me the user name and password for it, never mentioning this one time fee. This is a huge scam; don't fall victim to it!

103 comments
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Joodalee
Peoria, US
Apr 05, 2010 12:31 pm EDT

I, too, have been charged the first monthly fee of 59.95 for NOTHING! When will I learn?
When I called to cancel membership I was told they would take that charge off of my debit card, but what they only cancelled was my membership. When I called today, Monday April 5th, I was told that I hadn't cancelled within the 7 DAY trial period. Usually you get the first month to try the service. When I told them I would get my lawyer involved, this girl? said, "If you can afford to sue us, you ought to be able to pay this small amount". What a way to treat a customer! I'm not sure what to do next. I have a family member who could handle it - a lawyer, but it would probably take months before we'd get results.

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Consuelo Bodie
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Apr 08, 2008 8:56 am EDT

They send an email with an offer to find you work as an extra in a movie set, when ever a company is making a movie in your nearby area. The initial offer is a one month membership for $1.95. If you read the membership agreement it says that they can charge you a higher and different fee thereafter, (my mistake for missing that part). To cancel you must notify them in writing. Their address is fake, doesn't exist. I received another promotional email from them with anew address in Texas 5715 Will Clayton # 5273 Humble, TX 77338. I haven't checked it out, but I bet it doesn't exist. I have sent 2 letters, and there is no response. Sent 5 emails, no response. Their phone number is a recording that plays over and over, but no one ever answers. Two weeks after i signed up they charged me $49.95 for another month of service. If it looks like a scam plays like a scam, it's a scam. Do not fall for it it's a scam.

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Tina
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May 15, 2008 12:01 pm EDT

I paid the 1.95 to the company and never received any information from them. No e-mail, no phone call, nothing! Then suddenly a $49.95 charge in my checking account. I called the 1800 number and was told that I had authorized the charge. They apologized for never e-mailing me. They offered me my account information. I declined expressing that I would prefer my money back. They refused. Now I am going to my local bank and filling out a dispute form to get my money back. If you've been ripped off by them DISPUTE THE CHARGES! When enough people do so the banks and credit cards will know it!

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LaineyH
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Aug 03, 2008 11:14 am EDT

This is not a complaint, this is an alert! If you have had trouble with the practices or products of Hollywood Profiles, please file a formal complaint with the FTC/FCC online, or by letter. I have done both. Just complaining won't get any action, the Federal agencies need to hear from YOU about what this company is doing.

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Valerie
, US
Nov 15, 2008 3:36 am EST

Hollywood profiles is a fake casting company who lures people to their site with false information. They ask for your credit card to charge a trial fee of $1.95. But then they start charging your card $49.95 (which shows up under hollywdtal on your card statement) without your permission whether or not you are using their site. They are lying and cheating people out of their money and then try to refuse a refund. This company needs to be stopped. If you have been cheated please report them. Together we can help prevent this from happening to other unsuspecting victims. So please, help us stop them.

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Paula
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May 14, 2008 1:27 pm EDT

Their ad was a "billboard" ad to the side of something else I was reading on the internet. Unfortunately for me, I looked. They offered their introductory special for $1.95 (supposedly some great savings), which is just to get your name, address, telephone number and credit card information. What worked for them is that you think no one is going to scam you for $1.95. And they have logos for the different film industries, ie., "SAG". rolling at the bottom of ad, and some normal looking woman inviting you to join up.

What you don't see is the "Terms and Agreements" and "Privacy Policy" printed in minute print at the bottom of their ad. This is obviously written with the help of lawyers, (or to look like it), so that they are covered when you realize it's a hoax. You have two weeks from the time you give them the $1.95 to realize you have heard nothing, been mailed nothing, and you have no way to reach them (by e-mail); you can call and get their "agents" who direct you back to their website to see why they are allowed to charge your credit card however much they want, when they want... it's right there in the terms. And also, their privacy policy is that they can do whatever they want with your information... which starts immediately with unwanted offers.

Lastly, they also have automated phone calls set up which tell you to press one to confirm your order and hear about getting a free gas-card.

I know where the gas is, but it's not going to be in your tank. BEWARE.

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Rhonn
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Jul 03, 2008 10:09 am EDT

This company refuses to reimburse monthly payments of $49.95 that have been deducted from my bank account since March. I never knew I had an account! A confirmation email was never sent to me. I joined again in June (thinking my efforts in March to join didn't go thru). Once I realized that I was getting charged since March, I phoned them and spoke to several customer service agents and finally a supervisor. Surprisingly, I now had "duplicate" accounts and both were getting charged. The supervisor was less than professional. The company did reimburse me one charge of $49.95 and the $39.90 enrollment fee (I thought I was enrolling for $1.95). The supervisor said he wouldn't have reimbursed me anything but that the management did it as a "courtesy". So, I'm out $100.85 and won't be seeing any of that money thanks to their shady operation.

Beware people! This place seems to know how to lure you in and steal your money. Pass the word so this business can no longer remain in business.

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Toni
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Apr 21, 2008 2:22 pm EDT

First off the company says they are in Hollywood, Ca when I went to their address it was a abandoned building. When I started investigating I found out the company is really in Carpenteria, Ca the real address is 4180 Via Real, Carpenteria, Ca 93103 they do not even go by that name they are called Pinnacle Systems. It is an unmarked building and I would think for good reason. They sent me an email saying "for only $1.95" I could be an extra in movies nowhere in the terms did it say how much they would be taking out of my checking account every month the next month they took out $49.95 plus $19.95 and I got nothing for it! When I finally called them they told me I could not get a refund and when I kept asking they hung up on me. I still haven't gotten anything for my money and I haven't gotten my money back. If you have been scammed like I have please let everyone know of their real address and let them know don't do it, it is a scam!

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girlmom
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Sep 09, 2008 11:03 pm EDT

I ONLY SIGNED UP FOR THE FREE TRIAL.THERE WAS A PROCESSING FEE WHICH WAS ABOUT $25. tWO WEEKS LATER i GET AN EMAIL ADVISING THAT MY ACCOUNT WOULD BE CHARGED AN ADDITIONAL $50. tHIS CHARGE WAS NOT MENTIONED IN THE ORIGINAL AD. THE ONLY WAY TO CONTACT THEM WAS THIS [protected]. I TRIED TO CALL THE NUMBER TO CANCEL SEVERAL TIMES. i KEPT GETTING THE RECORDING THE CALL COULD NOT BE COMPLETED FROM MY AREA CODE. i CANCELLED THE CARD THAT I SENT IN TO SET UP THE ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE I DONT LIKE NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTACT A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP.

IS THIS A SCAM? PROBABLEY SO

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Helena
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Jun 02, 2008 9:20 am EDT

I signed up for this service not being told of additional membership fees. My debit card was charged on 5/23/08 15 days after membership began. When looking for the reason why I was charged, buried within 10 pages deep of their membership kit there was a notice about additional charges. However, it does not state how much they will charge. We had no binding agreement, nor contract to which I agreed to pay any additional fees. It is not even listed within their membership terms and agreements. I had to cancel my debit card today to ensure I would not be charged again.

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Michael Whitman
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May 15, 2008 5:55 am EDT

Hollywood Porfiles, is the title with which unsuspecting characters are promising some form of employment service via the internet. They offer some sort of way to become add on actors, commercial actors etc and produce no results. One pays a small $1.95 fee only then to discover ones bank account has been drafted other sums of money two weeks later. There is no product or service. In fact there is not a single name placed on their web site to complain to and the so called complaints dept is simply a recorded message of the office not being open. This scam is to steal money from ones bank account without authorization. Hollywood profiles uses the $1.95 fee as as way to get the bank numbers and thus steals other "fees" in a way that the bank itself would not be aware of.

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LaineyH
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Aug 01, 2008 11:44 am EDT

Couldn't log back into the site without sending another $1.99. When I called to cancel, they tried to talk me into finishing the trial period. When I said "No! Now!"The agent laughed. Then said, "OK". When I said that I'd better no see a charge on my card, he hung up on me.

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Gary Garland
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May 21, 2008 11:57 am EDT

Hollywood Profiles offered to enter my name on their list of extras for $1.95 shipping so i stupidly used my visa debit card because it sounded interesting and i could use the extra money being retired. They just sent me another e-mail trying to get me to sign up. Why is this allowed on the internet...

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sid
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Oct 18, 2008 1:13 pm EDT

I just tried to make some easy money, but I guess it was the other way around. I paid for the one time fee of 1.95 they gave me a user name to another link for auditions, they also said I would get a confirmation sent to my e mail, it never came, like the job. big scam!

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cheryl
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Oct 08, 2008 7:21 pm EDT

like all the others, i signed up for $1.95 and now i'm getting $49.95 charged to my credit card every month. i'm going to try to go after them; everyone else should, too, they shouldn't still be in business.

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Lance Parks
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May 21, 2008 3:14 pm EDT

This charge of 19.95 showed up on my card for something I did not purchase. At the time I had only used my card once. This showed up on a day I hadn't even been out of the house or on the phone. Am reporting them to my credit card company and anyone else I can find to complain to.

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inverted1
Kingman, US
Apr 09, 2010 12:39 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have to add myself as a sucker as well...i had nothing but trouble trying to reach anyone via email or phone and never got anywhere...it always was a machine runaround...i am so glad i saw this about a scam...it has been hard to stop payment as well cause it has been nothing but a waste of my time and money...

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di150
Lexington, US
Jul 01, 2009 8:42 am EDT

They got away with charging me for 4 months because I failed to check my bank statements. I did not remember seeing anything about a $50 a month charge if you did not cancel something. I called and was treated very rudely by a rep named Izzy who would not let me speak to his counselor. Is there a way to get some of this money back? I desperately need money that's why I signed up in the first place - as a background person. sdm

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SionaTheCat
Cape May Court House, US
May 17, 2009 11:51 pm EDT

Yeah, these crooks got my CC info even though I didn't give it to them! THEN, when I had my bank check on 3 unauthorized transactions, totally over $100, it came back as NON-fraud! HOW?!?! When I didn't give these people my information, yet they USED it anyway, HOW IS IT NOT fraud?

I'm so miffed right now...It makes me sick...

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Dozer
, US
May 14, 2009 7:13 pm EDT

I completely agree! Hollywood Profile is a major scam and should be put out of buisness. I never signed up for anything authorizing them to help themselves to my account for $49.95 a month, and they don't even have the decency to work with you they just take your hard earned money and run... Don't sign up for anything through them and definately don't give out any account information, but if you have cancel your card it seems to be the only way to stop them!

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ing73839d4
Denver, US
May 07, 2009 10:15 pm EDT

It is terrible that so many companies ask for your credit card for even so little as $1.95 and then do not reply or you receive nothing and the company disappears

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ing73839d4
Denver, US
May 07, 2009 10:13 pm EDT

Paid the money to Hollywood Profiles, received confirmation with order date, time and user name. Hasve had no further contact from the company and they will not answer or confirm e mails. This is a scam as far as I am concerned and I wish to have the money refunded and the company reported

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chrishottease
Bourgoisville, GB
Apr 24, 2009 2:14 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I got this email through as spam today and thought I'd help you guys out, if you really want to know who the person behind the site is then run a whois on the domain name, the following details HAVE to be a registered address, the following details are someone who setup the website (and therefore is either the person responsible or knows them):

DomainsByProxy.com
15111 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States

Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: HOLLYWOODPROFILES.COM
Created on: 13-Sep-03
Expires on: 13-Sep-09
Last Updated on: 21-Apr-08

Administrative Contact:
Private, Registration HOLLYWOODPROFILES.COM@domainsbyproxy.com
Domains by Proxy, Inc.
DomainsByProxy.com
15111 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States
[protected] Fax -- [protected]

Technical Contact:
Private, Registration HOLLYWOODPROFILES.COM@domainsbyproxy.com
Domains by Proxy, Inc.
DomainsByProxy.com
15111 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States
[protected] Fax -- [protected]

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Carl Masterson
pheonix, US
Apr 10, 2009 1:53 pm EDT

I don't understand what everyone is complaining about. I just got finished with an on-screen job here in my native Wisconsin. For three weeks I spent face time with no other than Johnny Depp on the set of his new movie, it was an enlightening experience. Needless to say, Hollywood Profiles is the reason I can now die a happy man.

If you believed anything that I just wrote, you definately deserved to lose your money--consider it a wake up call to your own ignorance. Chao.

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terry ross
Bronx, US
Mar 29, 2009 2:27 am EDT

i got an email from this company, all i did was look at the website next thing i know 49.95 was charged to my credit card with me putting any info on the web site.

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icalg
Chicago, US
Mar 01, 2009 10:41 am EST

If you have been ripped off by any of thes companies or any other company, people contact me at [protected]. We are the Consumer Advocate Legal Group .

We will file an action on your behalf to have your money refunded. You can also email us at ICALG09@gmail.com. to file a claim aganist any company for us to start processing within 24 hours of receipt.

We have be helping consumers for over 10 years that have been deceived out of funds via fraud. If you are sending us a email, please leave detail name and contact infomation.

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vanessa
, US
Feb 19, 2009 3:57 am EST

wow i just looked at my credit card statements its on there 7 times for 49.95 thats like 300.00 i had no idea about .. ###ing ###s

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Actor1979
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Nov 16, 2008 5:14 pm EST

This is why I only use casting sites that accept PayPal payments. This way, all payments are monitored, and nobody gets your Credit Card #, except PayPal. Anytime you hand some company your CC#, there are risks of someone within the company stealing it. Regardless of how legit the company is. It may even just be that their server was hacked in to. Also, anytime a casting site is promising fame, turn away. Try and find a site that simply offers casting notices without the fake promises, or high costs.

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goffolu
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Nov 11, 2008 8:55 pm EST

No offense, but how can you people be SOOOOOOOO INCREDIBLY NAIVE? There's sucker born every millisecond apparently.

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Jo
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Oct 31, 2008 1:46 pm EDT

I have just filed a complaint with the FTC, it was very simple and quick to do, everyone should do it now. That company is outrageous!

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Ryan Adam Kessman
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Oct 29, 2008 2:02 pm EDT

WOW I have been on Hollywood Profiles and never experianced anything like that. I have gotten several paying jobs. I'm even shooting a film called The American Dream Nov. 29. And I just finished 1881 Zombies. This is very wierd and disturbing to see this happening. I belong to 4 different sites Explore Talent, OMEL, TalentJug, and Hollywood Profiles. If I were to just keep one of them It would be Hollywood Profiles hands down. They are not paying me to say this stuff, you can check the other sites I mentioned and see that I do have profiles with them and also IMDb. You can e-mail me to ask me any questions you like. I'm very sorry you have had problems with Hollywood Profiles but I need to inform you just like the others did. I think they are just great.
Ryan Adam Kessman

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john jacob rutger
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Sep 12, 2008 9:05 am EDT

if you didnt know, than NOW you know. GUESS WHO APPROVES THEM!

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john jacob rutger
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Sep 12, 2008 9:02 am EDT

people...people...please do me a favor and read your billing contract that explains your billing cycle. all that information is easily located what the federal trade comission calls "the terms and conditions" if you read this than you will never go through this again. TRUST ME!

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Lisa
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Sep 09, 2008 8:57 am EDT

im pissed! i have been charged for something that i didn't recieve from this company. Ive called them twice and the charges still haven't been added to my credit card. im contacting the FBI on this matter!

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R. L.
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Sep 08, 2008 1:31 pm EDT

I used their program for a month after the trial ended. Called when they were going to charge for another month to cancel. They refused to refund my money and became quite hostile in their attempted explanation and accused me, in different words, of basically trying to get out of a charge for a service I had "already received." I am currently working with my credit card company to dispute the charges and file a police report if necessary. I will also be contacting the BBB. I sure wish I had done more research first!

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Catherine Fortner
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Sep 04, 2008 5:06 pm EDT

I have never sued anyone, or company, but this company needs to be taken to the cleaners, I don't know how to do a class action lawsuit but I will help in anyway if anyone wants to and knows how to do it, I can't believe they can get away with this,
I signed up for the $1.95 intro offer, next thing I know I get a e-mail saying I have 72 hours till they charge my card $49.95 for the next month, witch just happens to be a Sunday, and who has time to hold all day on friday, samething next month witch is labor day weekend, what is sad I haven't even used it yet. if I knew where if there is one an office here in CA. you bet your mama I would there, with shotgun in Hand (lol)

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Steven
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Aug 29, 2008 9:19 am EDT

I couldn't log in and I logged in as they gave me a username and password. changed me for it. one time was $39, 90 plus $1.95 and other website samething hollywoodprofilesco, and secure.hollywoodprofile.com and changed me again for $49.95 that i am not aware. Now I don't have job and money now because of them..

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Denise Duran-Bylard
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Aug 19, 2008 8:32 am EDT

I am a 55 year old female, married and have been a cleaning lady for 20 years. I received an email from Hollywood Profiles to be an extra and earn extra money. They said they would send me info on how to do this if I would simply send $1.95. The website was secure (the little lock logo) so I sent it from my checking account. I kept receiving the same promotion but no way to contact them or receive information on how to get into the Extra business. Several months later I discovered HOLLYWOOD PROFILES WAS DEDUCTING $49.95 FROM MY CHECKING ACCOUNT! I have worked very hard to earn money and have been robbed. They refused to refund it and hung up on me.

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ray
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Aug 14, 2008 10:54 am EDT

Don't go there, that is Hollywood profiles website. They are a complete scam mixed with a sham and are complete lying thieves. They give nothing for your hard work money. And when you call them and they hang up, here is there phone # [protected].. I reached a guy there and told him to remove me from there data files and charging system, he said no problem but then the next month came around I was charged $49.95 again. They put my account in the RED. Bank of America tells me to change my credit card. This is a hassle. The Bank should be able to do something but its limited. Some one out there has inside knowledge of how the system works and is abusing it. The things people do to food on there tables, sometimes its despicable...

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Herma
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Aug 11, 2008 6:50 pm EDT

I too was a sucker! I Never agreed to $49.95. I am not through with these scammers, After waiting 75 minutes on the line to issue a complaint they hung up on me

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