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Audible review: fraud 56

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12:42 pm EDT
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I had canceled my visa debit card. I then noticed a charge on my account from audible.com. I checked my account on their website and they had the new visa debit card which I had never given them. I called and they said they did not know how they got it. Two days later they called and told me they have a contract with visa and other card companies to receive the new card #s of customers who cancel their cards. They actually told me visa was providing the service to me. I called wells fargo who said they do not give out new numbers and do not believe visa could have. I called visa and got an office in panama. When I asked for the phone # for corporate headquarters they said they don't have phones there. Unbelievable. I canceled that card and told wells fargo not to charge anything else on the card, but another unauthorized charge appeared. I called the bank 4 times, got put on hold, hung up on, etc. I then went to the bank and they told me the only thing I could do was call the 1-800 #. At this point I became an evil # woman. I called the attorney general's office and will file complaints about the whole bunch. Audible.com took my account web page down, hmmm, something to hide?

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

56 comments
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Alice Darling
, US
Mar 19, 2022 8:54 pm EDT

I am getting charged on an old card for 15.95 American Express seems to not be able to block this payment as there is still yet another transaction on my account after the credits. Wow! The company says I should not be charged. They have no offices or numbers to file complaints. India? They don't know why I'm being charged. Well, that makes three of us. The credit card, them and me! Fraud Charges are still occurring now for over a year now. Want to choke the criminals! They are laughing all the way to the bank! Imagine how much money they are making off of credit card companies and those that are not paying attention to each transaction on their card!

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Nicola Grainger
, US
Dec 27, 2018 8:22 am EST

Same here! I have been out of the country for some time and have not been scrutinising my online bank statements.
I got back into the country a few days ago and decided to check all was ok..
It was not, Audibles(whoever TF they are) have been illegally taking £7.99 every month from my account since April this year!
This is diabolical and has put me in literally furious mood, HOW DARE THEY...
I have now contacted my bank asking them to stop any further payments and written to this bunch of thieves known as AUDIBLES asking them to refund my stolen money.
Whether this stops or I get a refund is yet to be seen.
I'm completely gobsmacked

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jo.walter051911@gmail.com
, US
Dec 10, 2018 6:40 pm EST

I made a purchase from Amazon last night. Guitar equipment and a doll for my daughter for Christmas. This morning, I have a charge from Audible on my bank account. Login to Audible and I have no subscription according to them, but this is the SECOND time in TWO months that I've had to get a debit card reissued due to Audible charges. I wish I could just put a complete stop payment on their website, never authorizing the charges, but I don't know if my bank would do that. I'm super pissed because my son is having surgery tomorrow and I'll need my debit card at the hospital and now I don't have the ability to use it because Audible is stealing my money.

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Kemper Smith
, US
Jul 23, 2018 9:07 am EDT

I wish I had read this in January 2018 when I tried to cancel my audible account. I called and the rep said that I did not have an account. Every month since then I have been charged on my Visa card which I dispute and get reimbursed. I called Visa and was told I could cancel my card to stop the charges. I had no idea that audible has been ripping off so many of us for so many years. These complaints go all the way back to 2010. I no longer have the phone number for audible but I did finally see on my Amazon prime account that audible is a service on my prime account and that I would be charged for it. I cancelled my Amazon prime account, I can't believe that Amazon would partner with such a company. Audible steals, cheats, lies and is still getting away with it. Unbelievable!

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Amy Weeks
, US
May 02, 2018 11:04 am EDT

It seems that I am not alone, and I am echoing my complaint! Audible charged me $15/month for nine months before I caught on and noticed the charges on my Amazon account. I called to get this issue cleared up, and all the customer service rep wanted to put my account on hold! After I said absolutely not, she did agree to cancel it. Then, Audible started charging my Discover card - one that I had never even used in connection with my Amazon account! I seriously do not know how they can get away with this!

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Ki11erAce
, CA
Mar 24, 2018 2:34 am EDT

I keep getting charged on my visa debit for audible $20/month cause Canada. And I haven't accessed my account in a year. After I cancelled it cause I stopped using it. I also received a visa prepaid card where there was already a charge on it from audible right after I opened it. That was a week after it was activated and I opened it on Christmas as a gift.

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Willj
, US
Mar 06, 2018 3:53 pm EST

I have never had a subscription with Audible. But they were charging me on one card and then I cancelled it, then I found they started using another card with another company, same again and then a third card with a different company. This time Chase. Within two months I had to cancel my card, and get two Audible transactions refunded. Now I am going through the same process again. All I can think of is that Audible is getting credit card details from Amazon and using them to make their fraudulent charges.

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John Graves Jr
, US
Jan 24, 2018 1:08 am EST

What in hell is the Attorney Generals office doing about this? I mean both States and Federal... This is open Theft and it appears NO one is doing a thing about it. What do we as a people have to do to make the government do their damned jobs?

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SeattleShopper
, US
Jan 01, 2018 3:00 pm EST

I've filed a complaint with the FTC. "I signed up for the free trial of Amazon Prime on April 23, 2017. At the end of this free trial, Amazon automatically signed me up for services provided by another company they own, Audible. This is not a service I wanted or requested, but had inadvertently opted into through the Amazon Prime membership process. After two months of Amazon Prime--one month free and one month paid--I canceled my Amazon Prime membership, unaware that I was also an Amazon Audible customer; at the time of my Amazon Prime cancellation, the Amazon Audible remained active. In addition, for unrelated reasons, I had canceled my debit card in early July 2017, yet on August 29, 2017, monthly charges from Amazon Audible continued again. I was charged for Amazon Audible in the amount of $16.49 on 06/29, 10/30, 12/04 and 12/29 and on 08/29, I was charged $14.95. Fortunately, my bank will probably reverse these charges; my claim is pending and I've had very good experiences with my bank in the past to resolve these kinds of problems. My bank was already familiar with this exact issue and with their other customers experiencing this same problem with Amazon Audible. Thankfully, this pattern of behavior works in my favor. However, after a cursory internet search, I have read about several people who are experiencing this same situation and who have observed Amazon Audible billing find a way to resume charges through VISA even after people have canceled their cards."

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LelandLelandtha3rd
, US
Oct 09, 2017 6:30 pm EDT

If people are gonna be suing i want to be a part of it.
Lelandtha3rd@gmail.com

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Josephine De Smet
, US
Aug 03, 2017 10:52 am EDT

I am extremely unsatisfied with this "service"... I wanted to try audible for one month free... something didn't work so I was lik "okay that's fine, than no Audible for me"... turns out I'm paying 14, 95 for a membership when really... I HAD NO IDEA I WAS EVEN A MEMBER
What's even worse is that somehow, even though my account and my dad's account are different. AUDIBLE APPARENTLY TOOK MY DADS VISA CARD AND MY DADS MONEY! how dare you? I didn't even enter any payment details... I was like "I don't have a credit card, so I can't have audible" and that was fine by me... but you don't take someone's money... that's just rude I have read NO BOOKS and I really want a refund.

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Chopsuper
, US
Jul 29, 2017 7:01 pm EDT

My wife is on the phone as I type. Same thing happened to her. She has 2 cards on file with Amazon and Audible charged both cards $15.98 a month. My wife never heard of Audible until she got the charges.

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joshismad
, US
Mar 14, 2017 10:07 am EDT

its on now .

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joshismad
, US
Mar 14, 2017 10:07 am EDT

i hella trusted amazon. now i found out that audible book has been charging me for the past year of each month membership. when i hate reading, i never read for nothing especially sit down or anything to do with books i like music. sorry this is crazy talk. how they get my credit card numbers to get onto this page? i want to press chargtes on this company ver y disrespectuful way to start off my day very sad.

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Suzanne Bradley
, US
Jan 30, 2017 8:57 am EST

When I first opened an Amazon Visa I noticed a charge from Audible.com. I never subscribed to anything from then and did not even know who or what they are. When I no longer had an available balance on my Amazon my bank card suddenly began getting charged this $14.95 monthly fee. I have finally found their phone # and spoke with a rep who stated that I will be refunded and my account cancelled. I am seriously considering call the Attorney General in regards to this company charging accounts they were never given access to and for something that I never ordered or agreed to in the first place. This is a very disturbing situation and from looking at the comments above this is a common fraudulant situation.

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Jakob Schanzer
, US
Dec 15, 2016 8:52 pm EST

Same thing happened to me. Started noticing charge of 14.95 on my debit card in 2015 (which I NEVER even use). I immediately called my bank. They had me call Audible, who promises to refund the money. No refund goes through. Finally I get a refund, and the charges continue. My bank cancels that card, sends me a new debit card, and 2 months later, the charges going through on my NEW debit card. I NEVER use my debit card for anything other than ATM withdrawals.

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GK1976
, US
Nov 25, 2016 10:29 pm EST

Really disgusting to note that a company like amazon os doing this. They say free membership and they charge you without your permission. This is like an organised loot. I have already cancelled all my account with Amazon removed all my debit and credit details. I have also decided not to buy anything from Amazon. Crap company cheating people.

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anshul jain
, US
Aug 20, 2016 11:41 pm EDT

My account also became victim of this.
I had some long conversation with customer care too. They said they are not able to locate any charges and instead saying that you bank might be doing this fraud. I did not think that a company like Amazon would be involved with such activity. Really disappointing.

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Cathy Berry Colpetzer
, US
May 17, 2016 9:10 am EDT

what a scam! Just saw a charge on my account. Signed up for a free membership of amazon prime, and then cancelled it. they shared my card with audible. what the what? how is this legal?

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ral70
, US
May 13, 2016 9:57 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Audible also charged me a recurring fee of $14.95/month without our knowledge after a one month trial. It went on for 20 months until I asked my wife about it. She was amazed. I called. They refunded 12 months wortth -their limit they say. The rest I'd need to go to visa to dispute. Fine Well Visa just goes back 60 days. So I called audible, talked with Supervisor Ken J. who repeated the 12 payment refund was their limit. I'm out 14.95 x 8, $119 bucks. IF they can give me back 12 months because of this method of doing business, what is with a limit of 12? Wrong at 12, wrong at 20!.
Recommend not doing business with such a company.

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srupp
, US
Apr 27, 2016 5:26 am EDT

Audible is an Amazon company and that's how they get cc info. I never signed up for audible but i buy from amazon, at least I used to...I canceled my card that they were charging $16.00 per month and was refunded by my bank. I had used 2 different cards on amazon to make purchases. .so guess what happened the next month?! Yup..my other card had these charges! After calling Audible they said I must have mistakenly signed up for their service. ..only I was using my bf's amazon account and I know he would never ever sign up for their service! Since my cards were canceled and reissued they couldn't refund the charges to those so they said they will be issuing a check refund for the other charges. ..we will see..they say it takes 6 weeks to process. .after my experience my bf looked at his accounts and sure enough he was also charged! Seems to me sharing cc information should be illegal without written permission. Audible couldn't provide documentation as to where and when we signed up for their service.

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M Islam
, US
Apr 22, 2016 6:39 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

How come this fraudulent practice is still going on unabated? where is the law enforcing authorities?

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Yousef king II
, US
Feb 23, 2016 2:10 am EST

Today on the year of 2016 I have been charged two times on that froud site audible, may God burn all the customer service in hell.

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3614
, US
Feb 04, 2016 11:48 pm EST

My boyfriend recently experienced this same thing with this 14.95 charge. We have never done anything with audible only amazon. When i spoke with an audible representative he asked for the amazon email and when it was given he said he couldn't find an account related. He then asked for his name and the date of the charge, after that being given he found the account with his name and card but it had a fake email tied to it. Literally random lettering at yahoo.com. Definitely some greedy scam by a corporation just trying to take as much as they can get.

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tttim
, US
Aug 12, 2015 10:19 am EDT

Audible is spyware. When I went to download the app, my phone showed me that the app gets access to all of my contacts, call logs, and other private information. This is a spyware application disguised as an audiobook player. Plus they get to bill you for that!

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anonymouz15
Washington, US
Jul 08, 2015 5:30 am EDT

I also agree with the complaints toward audible. I chancelled my monthly subscribtion and still getting billed! I did so after being a member for more than a year! This company is a scam and they don't send any confirmation email to prove they chancel your subscribtions. I'm so angry and regret signing up in the first place! How can Visa allow keep giving away personal information on bankcards to them?!?

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Personal111
Suffolk, GB
Jan 27, 2015 6:10 pm EST

I was billed for 2 months without being informed.
I cancelled my membership to avoid further bills, but the month I paid for was taken away.
Very unprofessional.

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deejtee
Sarasota, US
May 03, 2015 2:30 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I agree with all of the complaints. I just found out my cc that i was charged $14.95 for something that my son did through amazon over a year ago. What a bunch of crap! I just called audible and the lady promised to refund my money. I was told that I would be refunded my money in three business days. We will see.. They are quick to take our money, but take there time to return it. Total ripoffs and they should be charged with theft because that is exactly what it is.

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Fraudaudiable
Bristol, GB
Feb 27, 2015 1:26 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I too have been a victim of fraud from audible, I only noticed the other day from a account I rarely use that they have been taking £7.99 out each month for nearly a year! Now before this I have never heard of audible and wouldn't have had a clue what they were. I don't no how they got my account details which is extremely worrying. Reading back through these posts some people have mentioned Amazon, now I have used Amazon quite a lot and currently have a account with them but it still doesn't give audible or anyone for that matter the right to use my details without my consent. I was absolutely furious and went to the bank the next day luckily they put me through to the fraud investigators straight away and my money was refunded the same day, they said they will be taking my case very seriously. Sounds like it is a very common occurance. I can't see how this company can get away with it but please report this if it happens to you. They need to be stopped.

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AudibleScam2020
West Hollywood, US
Feb 21, 2015 12:35 pm EST

Hello everyone, I am someone that will remain as anonymous as I possibly can at this point, but will soon make a public take down of this company due to their fraudulent activity they have been smuggly carrying on with for quite sometime. I have reviewed hundreds, maybe even thousands, of your complaints and everyone has been spot on in regards to the things they've had to deal with due to this. Even the part regarding canceled debit/cards and then having that card number mysteriously pulled/stolen and placed back on an account. I've also placed crawlers on Amazon and Audible's correspondence to go further in tracking their fraudulent activity, beyond what they've simply told you. By doing that, and if you're not familiar with a crawler I can explain more when you email me, I've been able to uncover incriminating information that would make you absolutely cringe at the thought of. The part that's even worse is how the government has knowingly let this continue, simply because they get a piece of this scam's pie as well. If, they get caught, they may reimburse you, and perhaps even the full amount, if you persistently pursue the matter, something most people don't have the time to do when they're just trying to survive in their everyday lives.
So, I am going to help everyone by being the voice that's needed. I am fortunate to have built up an incredible network of contacts that can help me expedite this to the public forum and we also control the media buying and advertising side of things to make sure this doesn't get squished before it makes the air. This piece that I am going to compile will air as a 20/20 documentary style piece, along with interviews from people like yourself and probably countless turned down interviews from the executives at Amazon/Audible and government officials alike. In addition to that public piece, a formal and massively publicized suit will be filed against them detailing the damages accrued by each and every person that has had even 1 month billed in regards to this, as well as, a pain and suffering claim made for not only those people billed, but for everyone that has had to take the time to cancel the free trial automatically created. In addition, we will file a grand theft charge against them, as well as, an invasion of privacy charge to nail them for stealing information you did not provide to them, nor authorize them for whatsoever. And on top of that, we will place a worldwide alert to the merhcant (card processing company/companies) associated with the processing of these stolen cards, letting them know that if they do not immediately engage in a cease and disist with Amazon and Audible, we will reveal publicly their information showing how they knowingly processed stolen debit/credit cards. At that point, we will file against them for fraud, grand theft, invasion of privacy, etc.
This is a very serious matter that spans far greater than just this because companies are doing this everyday, all over. It has to stop now! This message was to let you know something is being done about it as we speak and if you would like to help at all, please feel free to email me at the address provided. Your story will be greatly appreciated and helpful as we move forward and if you would like to get involved by helping even further, we can talk privately. I truly sympathize with you, I have had this happen to myself as well, and I am here to make things right because we all should have simply had enough by now.
Please feel free to contact me at AudibleScam2020@gmail.com if you'd like to contribute in any way or simply seek more info/advice. Thank you and I wish you all the best!

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Alice Darling
, US
Mar 19, 2022 8:57 pm EDT

Whoever infiltrated this company is laughing all the way to the bank! Wrote about the fraud charges that credit card companies to have a clue how to solve. Good luck!

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Jeffbeaulieu
New York, US
Feb 13, 2015 4:31 am EST

I am publisher in Audible.com From september, october and November three months royalities still audible not payed me...when i am called audible support our manager will contact you as soon as but 3 months gone Still no update From audible...

Audible Scamming Customer and publisher Money...

Beware using Audible

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audible.com.sucks
, US
Jan 11, 2015 10:39 pm EST

I signed up for a 30 day free trail on audible.com, On the 26th day I cancelled. I have been charged for the past months 16.00 USD Dollars and I have cancelled many times on my account. Audible.com is a huge fraud, they give you a free trial and you cancel but they still charge you. The truth is after I thought I cancelled the trial they have been charging me each month and this month I just noticed because my husband is the one who does the bills.

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Kalen M
huntington beach, US
Oct 12, 2014 1:43 pm EDT

I too am having issues with this disgusting company. Cancelled my audible account back in August. I was charged in Setember and refunded. They told me they would remove my credit card info and not charge me again. Well I was charged again in October. This time I called again and talked to some guy. I told him I wanted my credit card info and my phone number removed. He told me he didnt have access to do these types of things when I still have an Amazon account. I told him I deleted my amazon account and then all of a sudden hes like "ohh in that case I can delete your info. One sec. Okay your info is deleted." I don't believe his ### one bet and will be expecting yet another charge next month.

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cheatedintuc
Tucson, US
Aug 27, 2014 4:16 pm EDT

Just got off the phone with Audible.com and they could not explain why they were pulling money out of my account. I do not have a Kindle nor do I use Amazon. No other purchases out of account, just started taking money. They have no record of me and cant use my card # (which is different already) to look me up.Due to the fact that it was my debit card, the bank will only go back 30 days so I will be suing them in small claims court. Total fraud and should be shut down.

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teenageparasite
Vancouver, CA
May 01, 2014 2:57 am EDT

I recently noticed a reoccurring charge of 14.95 + enchange due to m being Canadian ...I've never downloaded an audio book ... I've never been to the audible site until I noticed these charges ... Luckily I had the charges reverted to me for a owl of almost 90$

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Bear Stearns
, US
Apr 27, 2014 1:54 pm EDT

Never heard or shopped with Audible before, I had to close my last credit card with Wells Fargo because of Audible charges. I have since removed my credit card information from Amazon.com

Now, within a couple of months, there is another charge again from Audible. This is extreme fraud.

I don't usually keep my credit card details online. At the moment, I only hold my credit card information with Netflix.
Is anyone else with recurring charges from Audible also with Netflix (i.e. has credit card information stored online)?

I'd like to find out a trend, as my history with the new card is still early. May be able to figure out how Audible is even getting the new cc number.

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LBGirl
Pensacola, US
Jan 25, 2014 6:43 pm EST

Audible.com just charged me 14.95 and I don't remember going on there at all. If they don't reply to my email. Oooo are they in for it. >:(

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robyn48
London, CA
Jan 23, 2014 10:19 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I also got charged on my credit card when I have no recollection of signing up with Audible. I called their number tonight and the customer servoce person was quite courteous and agreed to cancel my account and refund one months charge. She sent me an email confirming this, so at least I have proof that they have agreed to reverse the charge. She told me that their company is owned by Amazon.

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BobLewis
Cedar City, US
Mar 14, 2011 5:37 pm EDT

I consider myself internet savy and wise to rip-offs; to the point of being cynical. That said; I was offered a free audio book from audible.com. I bit, and got ripped off for a recurring charge of $14.95. I do not recall giving them my bank info. but now i must close my bank account and change all my direct deposit and debit numbers with several companies while stiil leaving this account open with money in it as not to get into trouble myself for insufficient fund.
To paraphrase Vito Corleone:" A man with a website can steal more than a man with a gun." We need to start jailing these SOBs.

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PrernaShukla
, IN
Jun 27, 2013 2:56 am EDT

I had a similar Experience with audible, I was never subscribed for any plan yet I was charged 3 times. I raised a complaint also but none of the customer care representative bothered to revert. I feel Audible is scamming and fooling people.