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4.5 17 Reviews

Smart Savings Center Complaints Summary

15 Resolved
2 Unresolved
Our verdict: Expect excellent service from Smart Savings Center. While their resolution rate is high, always verify their service terms. Read customer testimonials, both positive and negative, to gauge their service's reliability and responsiveness. Have all relevant information ready when dealing with their customer service for efficient problem-solving.
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Smart Savings Center reviews & complaints 17

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L
4:04 pm EDT

Smart Savings Center Amazon pallet scam

I was charged 7.95 with a credit card for purchasing an amazon pallet of returned items. You need to pay the 7.95 then you have 3 tries to win. I won on the second time and it said I won an Amazon Electronic pallet.

I saw on my bank statement the $7.95 and it said "Popular Fantastic Garden" which I found suspicious. I contacted my bank and they gave me a phone number which was [protected]. I called that number and they are a third party company representing other companies. The representative said she would refund me and I said this sounds like a scam. She then said to email:

[protected]@trylatestsmartsavings.com and complain to them.

I have emailed them and said this is a scam and that I am reporting them, which is why I am filling out this complaint.

Sincerely,

Lorraine Szostak

[protected]@optonline.net

Desired outcome: let others know about the Amazon Pallet scam running on FBVA

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5:42 pm EDT
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Smart Savings Center unauthorized charges

I ordered 2 books through Hot Book Sale.com
Order #223034, on 7/28/2009 with no shipping charges. On 7/29, I received notification that delay was on the order. Then I received two other books that I did not order with a packing slip with the proper books listed.
Then my credit card was charged for the original order, Plus 2 other charges, from a company called SmartSavingsCenter.com.
Now, HotBookSale.com, wants me to return the 2, incorrect books to Returns Dept. 20G4484, 201 Ingram Blvd., Roseburg, OR [protected]., and they refuse to credit my account for anything. Please advise!
I see that there are others that have also been ripped off by these so cslled companies...

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Tyler
, US
Dec 15, 2008 9:01 am EST

I don't know what type of company it is. I just noticed monthly withdrawals that I did not authorize. When I called to cancel, I could not understand what the heck she was saying.

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1:17 pm EDT
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Smart Savings Center What a scam!

If you are a victim of Smart Savings Center or of its affliates such as DBS (Discount Book Sale) or Smartvideo's scam, file a complaint to the Florida's Attorney General, the district attorney of Palm Beach County, Florida, BBB of Southeast Florida, and your own credit card company. Let's pull together our energy, time, and resources to shut down this company and stop them from scamming and conning more people.

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Andrew_
, US
Jul 17, 2010 8:47 pm EDT

Smartsavingscenter.com is invoicing me 3 times for one game that I have purchased. When I received the game with the invoice, the amount was not shown. When i look at my online statement, I was invoiced 3 times. I try calling customer service and it was an extremely long wait. I gave up waiting for customer service. Beware of this company when you are buying video games. I got the promotional link from IGN.com.

I will never purchase another video game from this company. There address is below with contact number.

Smartsavingscenter.com
999 W. Yamato Road Suite 100
Boca Raton, FL 33431
[protected]

Is Smart Savings Center legit?

Our verdict: Smart Savings Center's operations, reviewed by Complaints Board, reveal a mostly legit stature albeit not without reservations. This assessment encourages users to navigate Smart Savings Center's offerings with a discerning eye, especially scrutinizing the fine print and any user feedback closely.

Smart Savings Center earns 62% level of Trustworthiness

Good Credibility Notice: Smart Savings Center rated around 62% by Complaints Board. Generally safe, but exercise caution in information sharing.

By resolving 88% of 17 negative reviews, Smart Savings Center is demonstrating its dedication to customer satisfaction and effectively addressing customer issues. While there may still be some practical problems that need to be addressed, such as long wait times or unhelpful responses.

The age of Smart Savings Center's domain suggests that they have had sufficient time to establish a reputation as a reliable source of information and services. This can provide reassurance to potential customers seeking quality products or services.

Smartsavingscenter.com has a valid SSL certificate, which indicates that the website is secure and trustworthy. Look for the padlock icon in the browser and the "https" prefix in the URL to confirm that the website is using SSL.

However ComplaintsBoard has detected that:

  • Smartsavingscenter.com has relatively low traffic compared to other websites, it could be due to a niche focus, but could also indicate a potential lack of traffic and popularity. The smartsavingscenter.com may offer a niche product or service that is only of interest to a smaller audience.
  • Smart Savings Center protects their ownership data, a common and legal practice. However, from our perspective, this lack of transparency can impede trust and accountability, which are essential for establishing a credible and respected business entity.
  • If you purchased a website from Smart Savings Center that is currently for sale, and you did not receive what you paid for, you may be a victim of a scam. To try and get your money back, you can try contacting the seller, filing a dispute with the payment platform, or reporting the seller to the relevant authorities.
  • We conducted a search on social media and found several negative reviews related to Smart Savings Center. These reviews may indicate issues with the company's products, services, or customer support. It is important to thoroughly research the company and its offerings before making any purchases to avoid any potential risks.
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1:56 pm EDT
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Smart Savings Center Unauthorized Deductions from Bank Account

A website pretending to sell books tricks me into purchasing, giving my credit card number, then, unknown to me, automatically signs me up for additional "services" that cost over $30/month ( all this for a $5.98 book .) Then, of course, they don't have the book. So, I cancel all of the services once I see them on my bank account. SmartSavingsCenter.com was one of the services I canceled, but instead of returning my money, they immediately charged me again!

I called to fix it and they claimed the would reverse both charges but never did.
This is a lucrative scam.

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8:19 am EDT
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Smart Savings Center Unauthorized charges

I was given the information about hotbooks.com from a fellow member of our church council. We are reading the 'Transforming Church' and she found a great deal online for the book. I ordered the book for $4.50 in paperback with free shipping and a coupon to pass on to a friend. The first charges came Jan 29, 2009, $1.00 for Smart Savings and $29.95 for HBS Books. At the time I did not catch the charge. I thought that I forgot to enter a purchase in my checkbook and let it ride. Then I got another charge for the same amount on 2/28 and realized something was wrong.

I called my bank and was told that my debit card was charged by Smart Savings in January and HBS Books in February. I was given the numbers for each and called them. I was fourteenth in line for Smart Savings and second in line for HBS Books. I called one on my cell and the other on my land line. I spoke to HBS first a very nice woman, who was difficult to understand because of her accent, was quick to agree to credit my account for February but told me that she would have to submit a request for the January refund to the Refund Department and I would hear via email in 5-7 days...the same 5-7 days it would take to credit my February charge of $29.95.

While I was on hold for processing with HBS, I connected with Smart Shopping and a male worker. He was very quick to speak the 'party line' putting all of the blame on me...I signed an agreement and received emails allowing me to opt out of this program that by the way I did not ask for or receive emails about or even know I was a part of until just today. He ultimately credited my account for the February $1 explaining that I would not get the January dollar refunded. He also told me that Smart Savings was an affiliate of HBS.

I asked if there were any more affiliates that would be charging me $29.95 and $1 in March, since my bank told me that the February charge was from Smart Savings. He was rude and told me to calm down. I explained that I would be letting the Stae of WI Attorney Generals Office know about this scam.

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5:55 pm EDT
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Smart Savings Center FRAUD

I am a priest who has care-giving responsibilities for some disabled friends. One dear woman called me about bank charges that she did not understand - her disability affects her cognition- I was horrified to find charges going back THREE YEARS that are completely fraudulent. On looking into this online I find many, many people have been scammed by this company.
SMART SAVINGS CENTER IS A SCAM. MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE BEEN STOLEN IN PARTICULAR FROM FOLKS UNDER FINANCIAL STRESS. The SSCenter waits till folks bank balance is low and then sends charges causing rolling overdraft charges to happen.
I could go on - but the main thing is a CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IS NEEDED to sort this out. I am well known nationally speaking and you may contact me to add your voice to this situation. [protected]@janadrakka.com Thank you. Rev.Jana Drakka

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jstams
, US
Sep 11, 2009 12:26 pm EDT

A class action suit is needed. I was taken for a total of $560. These types of deceptive business practices must cease. Action must be taken against fraudulent companies such as SmartSavingsCenter.

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Veronica Botta
Pensacola, US
Apr 08, 2009 11:37 am EDT

The same thing happened to me! I am trying like hell (sorry for the language) to get these reversed or something..The only thing I could think of was a concert dvd with free shipping. I have YET been able to talk to a live person and I have sent two emails..so please contact me for any kind class action suit We are a lowincome family as well and it has caused a few checks to bounce which IVE NEVER done in the past.

Veronica Botts vbotts030907@bellsouth.net

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1:40 pm EST
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Smart Savings Center UNAUTHORIZED CHARGING ON MASTER CARD

ORDERED A CHILD'S TAPE ON LINE, DID NOT NOTICE CHARGES ON MY BANK STATEMENT UNTIL LATER WHEN MY FINANCIAL PLANNER AT MY BANK NOTICED THESE CHARGES AND ALERTED ME,

10/1 19.95
10/31 19.95
12/01 19.95
12/31 19.95
01/30 29.95
03/02 29.95

Read full review of Smart Savings Center and 1 comment
Update by COLLEEN STILL
Mar 01, 2009 1:42 pm EST

I UNDERSTAND THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR FILING A COMPLAINT WITH COMPLAINTS BOARD,

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charliefoxtrot
, US
Mar 03, 2009 5:48 pm EST

I also fell victim to them... but after complaining enough and sending letters to the Florida Attorney General, I did receive a refund from them totaling $59.90. If you your self would like to raise a little cane (I highly suggest it) you can call THEIR OFFICE DIRECTLY not the one in a 3rd world country. All of their information I will list below. Good luck and tell them I said hi ;-)

Skip Middleton is the Executive Vice President at Xacti Group which is their parent company. Xacti can be contacted at:

[protected]
999 W. Yamato Rd
Suite 100
Boca Raton, FL 33481

When I called the 1st time I spoke with Lesley at extension 435, then with someone names Auntrey, and finally with Andrew.

I hope this helps!

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8:01 pm EST
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Smart Savings Center scam--unauthorized membership fee

I bought a book online in December of 2008. In January 2009, I was charged $29.95 from smartsavingscenter.com. At that time I didn't pay attention to the charge in my credit card statement. Then in February 2009, I was charged again $29.95 from the same website. What I found after calling their [protected] number was that I somehow became a member of the smartsavingscenter.com. When I did online shopping, I never signed up for the membership, nor did I see any fineprints regarding the membership!

So I cancelled the membership, and kindly enough the website even sent me an email confirming the membership cancellation. Then I happened to find numerous complaints about smartsavingscenter.com! In order to avoid being charged again, I cancelled my credit card from which smartsavingscenter.com withdraws money. Sure enough I received an email from the website saying that they couldn't get the money and asked for a valid credit card number.

Smartsavingscenter.com has never cancelled and will never cancel my membership. So here is my advice: you need to cancel your credit card that you had used for signing up the membership. Otherwise smartsavingscenter.com will get your money month after month after month!

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charliefoxtrot
, US
Mar 03, 2009 5:49 pm EST

I also fell victim to them... but after complaining enough and sending letters to the Florida Attorney General, I did receive a refund from them totaling $59.90. If you your self would like to raise a little cane (I highly suggest it) you can call THEIR OFFICE DIRECTLY not the one in a 3rd world country. All of their information I will list below. Good luck and tell them I said hi ;-)

Skip Middleton is the Executive Vice President at Xacti Group which is their parent company. Xacti can be contacted at:

[protected]
999 W. Yamato Rd
Suite 100
Boca Raton, FL 33481

When I called the 1st time I spoke with Lesley at extension 435, then with someone names Auntrey, and finally with Andrew.

I hope this helps!

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6:10 pm EST
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Smart Savings Center Fraud Charges in banking account

Beware This company creates bogus website for books and steals your credit card info and starts charging you monthy with random amounts of charges you may or may not even get the book you ordered. To make matters worse they sell your credit card info to other bogus companis like GPM*SNUGGIE [protected] NY, then at that point they start charging your account. As the economy starts to get worse and these scamming banks and companies start to do what they can to take whats yours. Even TD Bank post transactions then later removes them without returning your money and at the right moment when the account has a low balance and they know you purchased several items they would have NOT made your account overdrawn they bring the last posted item they removed with in this case is LARGE so that it makes the account overdrawn and when all the other transaction show up they are now allowed to charge you for each additional item that over draws the account a fee of $30 to $35 dollars. I WILL NO LONGER USE A BANK TO GET MY MONEY IN. If you must use a bank use it to deposit your checks in your savings and as soon as it clears pull it out. F-the banks and all these scamming companies.

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Update by usmm01
Feb 28, 2009 6:15 pm EST

I agree with you too. Wachovia did the same with me. I worked with serveral banks and they use computer programs to delay transactions to know when it would make sense to create overdrawn accounts. We called it Overdraw programs. This would allow the bank to charge for overdrawn items that were created due to delays the bank will claim was the other company with the delay.

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Rooro
Lanoka Harbor, US
Apr 20, 2009 3:16 pm EDT

I am going through this right now, I ordered a book, never received the book because I decidestocancel. I was charged the fees from SSCenmter and they won't give my money back. Plus! I filed a complaint with my credit card, they removed the charge, now SScenter is fighting it, would you believe they actually sent them the tracking number for the book that was never sent? The tracking number does not exist, and I never even got the book, they don't care if you do or not they just want to toss a bunch of charges on the account so they get rich.
Please be careful who you buy books and DVD's from.

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2:59 pm EST
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Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

Smart Savings Center - Fraud

I'm so sorry for all these people who were ripped off. I was also ripped off by another company fairly recently. Today, I got the feeling that I should check my bank account. i went online and noticed that smart savings center charged me $1. I remember the first time we were ripped off, the first charge was $1. So, I immediately called my bank and had my...

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12:21 pm EST
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Smart Savings Center Terrible company

If you buy a CD or a book from SMARTSAVINGCENTER.COM, they operate through AMAZON.COM, the company will use your personal information and your bank account to sign you up against your will for a 29.99 dollars monthly membership fee. You will not realize it until you check your bank account and see the charges. When you contact the center to dispute the charge they will try to convince you that you did sign up for this membership although you didn't. It is a total scam. I called and called to dispute the charges and the best I could get from them to take off one of the three monthly payments they had already charged me. It is a very dishonest scam. Other consumers have contacted Amazon to complain and were told that it was not their problem. I still feel that they should check the integrity of the merchants they allow on their sites.

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Smart Savings Center FRAUD

I can not find my order, but I believe it was a book for $11.29 10/2008. Turns out htey have been charging me $29.95 every month. It has taken me several months to figure out this scam. I feel cheated and stupid for not catching on to them earlier. I am contacting the Attorney General office.

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boricua8379
92106, US
Jan 12, 2009 5:21 pm EST

I ordered a DVD on line and paid for it, and then was charged a monthly fee of 14.95 for no reason. I called them and to try and dispute this all it lead to was me being on hold for about 45 minutes and them not answering. Some one needs to do something about these people, it's amazing people can get away with stuff like this.

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aFormerHippy
Salt Lake City, US
May 17, 2011 1:14 am EDT
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Thiefs! Probably no one will see these complaints until it's too late, just as I did. They are thiefs and scam artists, do yourself a favor and do not do business with them. It's the same complaint that everyone else has entered. I bought a DVD online and was automatically and without my knowledge or permission, signed up with these ###. They charged my CC $19.95 a month for their WORTHLESS service.

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Alessandro
Chicago, US
May 04, 2009 1:01 pm EDT

Please do not buy anything from SmartSavingsCenter, LLC, SmartSavingsCenter.com, hotmoviesale.com, This is my story of a very frustrating day I had yesterday that included 3 hours on the phone. I bever check my online statement. Now, that I was Lid Off from work I decided to check my bills to see where can I cut expenses. And I noticed this charge from SmartSavingsCenter.com for amounts that vary from $9.99 to $29.99 every month for the last 2 years. Yes, the last two years. I'm reporting this to the authorities, and I'm contacting DATELINE, the TV show to initiate an investigation. I will be happy to see these ### scammers put in jail and out of business. I also reported them to the BBB in Florida and WA where their domain is registered. Stay away from these ###. By the way, it is very hard to get them on the phone. They will do anything to avoid you.

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Geneva Painter
, US
Apr 16, 2009 10:13 am EDT

Southeast Florida's Better Business Bureau has assigned SmartSavingsCenter.com an "F" rating . This rating should become flagged by one's ISP toolbar before clicking on any "discount " transaction--it may be a shadow front for them, whether books, DVDs computer games, etc. HotMovieSale & SmartSavingsCenter.com must be declared fraudulent by any means--this "F" rating is a good start

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Geneva Painter
, US
Apr 16, 2009 9:41 am EDT

I'm in in San Francisco Bay Area. Ordered a sale DVD for $5.00 early March from Hotmoviesale.com Certain that checkout did not include any other charges. When tranaction concluded-received SPAM emails "welcoming" me to SmartSavingsCenter. Do not ignore this SPAM. It declares you will be charged $1.00 after three days & enrolls you as a member without your consent or intervention. I was later debited $29.95 twice & $1.00 four times before I caught the fraud on my bank statements. If you order anything from them the fine print on the invoice is from SmartSavingsCenter saying your membership has begun and they actually deduct these fees once they have your credit card information BEFORE your merchandise arrives. Complaints to their Customer Service Dept. were met with rude impertinence & rationalizations in one word: "membership"-what their reps parrot to thousands of callers. I closed that Master Card & switched checking accounts after alerting my bank to the fraud. But something must be done about this criminal enterprise. Only wish I knew of these posts before ordering from them-but caution is hereby urged for anyone reading this. The FTC recommends contacting Miami's Better Business Bureau but this sham enterprise must feel heat from as many quarters as possible.

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Christ Patriot
Alexandria, US
Mar 12, 2009 12:12 pm EDT

FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN RIPPED OFF AND STOLEN FROM BY SMARTSAVINGSCENTER.COM, YOU CAN COMPLAIN - AND SHOULD - TO BOTH THE STATE OF FLORIDA [CONSUMER COMPLAINTS] AS WELL AS TO THE GOVERNMENT'S INTERNET CRIME COMPLAINT CENTER AT WWW.IC3.GOV - WHICH IS A DIVISION OF THE FBI AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AT 1.[protected]
LET'S SEE THIS CRIME SHOP BE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS AND PEOPLE PUT IN JAIL.
christpatriot@gmail.com

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Smart Savings Center Unauthorized charges

I ordered a book from hotbooks.com in november 2008, put the charge on my debit card. Didn't think anything more about it till i went to balance my checking account online as always. Discovered an unauthorized charge of $29. 95! I called the company and was told that i authorized this charge as a membership in smart savings. I told them i did no such thing and i wanted it removed and my money returned. They weren't thrilled about giving me my money back, until i got irate. Then i was told i would no longer receive savings and that my money for this membership would be refunded in 10 - 14 days. So once again today february 15, 2009 another unauthorized charge was done this time for $1. 00. I once again called them and was told this was my membership charge again! This time i was screaming mad, it takes a lot to rile me. In my personal opinion only a $1. 00 was charged to my account to see if i was paying attention and then who knows what would happen after that. What is up with these people. I will never ever go back to hotbooks.com, haven't since november 2008. Please be extremely wary of hotbooks.com and this company calling themselves smart savings. I demanded that they take my debit card out of there system and was told it was done but. . . I don't trust them at all.

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Felito
Los Angeles, US
Mar 17, 2009 12:46 pm EDT

Stay away from them, they claim to have great prices, great prices on crapy stuff made in china and when you recieve the item it does not even work. I ordered a portable am/fm cd player got the thing and the player did not work they nail you with shipping charges and then they srew you out if memebership fees, when you recieve the bank statement you will be shocked at the odasity of these "a holes".

Your better off buying the suff at best buy or else where buy the time your done buying something from this company you could have bought three times over.

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bbryant
Garner, US
Aug 17, 2009 10:38 pm EDT

WOW..we bought a book through DBS and apparently the was a small print somewhere that allowed SMART SAVING CENTER to automatically withdraw $29.95 every month for who knows what? We did not recieve any service for this! When I called the 1800 number I did talk to a person and he said you bought books. OK, so I figured it would dissapear..but NO..every month (now that we go back and recheck our statements- of which we should have done a more thourough job each month) we see that they have bilked us out of this for the last 6 months..GADS..
READ ALL THE FINE PRINT! I did cancel it and the man was helpful but the slyness of how they got their money is CRAP..WHat is going on in America? Sorry you cant trust..

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Ann Heckenkamp
Pewaukee, US
Feb 05, 2009 10:05 am EST
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I have these charges on my Discover Card and have no idea what they are for.

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Augustmoon35
, US
Dec 04, 2009 6:20 pm EST

Couldn't agree more with all of the above compaints. I guess I was smart enough to read the "welcome" message that did in fact tell me I was a member (automatically) of some off the wall program and that if I didn't CALL and cancel within the next 3 days I would get charged $19.95 for the first month. Who knows what charge thereafter. Yes, I did call and "they" said my membership was cancelled and my $1.00 would be refunded? Oh, as for the book I ordered; well now they say I have an invalid address and the order will be cancelled. I am not surprised. I doubt I will ever see the $1.00 or my book. But I definately will keep a sharp eye on my credit card entries from this and other "affiliates". Buyer beware; if you think, like me, you are going to save a buck or two shopping at this site, think again...

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WindStar
Springfield, US
Oct 14, 2009 3:22 pm EDT

I, too, am a victim of this company. I am really angry too. I cannot find a place to opt out of this so called membership. I will be calling them today. I did get the book I ordered but I sure don't want a membership with them. I wouldn't be saving any money after paying the membership fee so why would I want to do that. Perhaps I will talk to my bank and put a stop payment on them since everyone here has had a hard time with them.

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Gifted
Greensboro, US
Sep 12, 2009 2:17 pm EDT

I am a victim as well to this company. I ordered books total amount 20.95 and when I placed the order this thing popped up talking about membership. I did not check it and was trying to get back to a confirmation page for my order. I never saw it and didnt get one in my email as promised. I checked my account and they had added an additional 19.95 to my account. So thanks for having your complaints out here with the phone number to call them. I immediately called them and demanded a refund of everything. Told them I didnt want the books or the membership. Informed them if money was not credited into account by time specified that I would be coming after them. I will never use them again.

Please be aware. I will continue to watch my account.

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Le Ann
Clare, US
May 25, 2009 11:42 am EDT

I just dealt with this hot books person and was charged 29.29 2 months in a row and only ordered 1 book. She said I agreed to a membership when I ordered the book and you can't check out without agreeing to the membership. And that they have been sending me emails about this account. I haven't seen one email nor did I sign up for any member ship. I read fine print on every web site and sure missed this one if it was there. I don't even know how to get back to the web site. I didn't even get the book, she siad it was out of stock. They probably don't have books to begin with and just prey on people to get memberships and hope they don't catch the charges.
Le Ann in Iowa

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agate
duluth, US
Mar 22, 2009 2:16 pm EDT

I am having trouble with the company too. I put through an order and somehow got signed up for their membership. I have been charged twice, but I didn't catch it right away. They now say that I can only be reimbursed for one months worth. I agree be very wary of this site - buy from someone else!

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misti ray
Gibson City, US
Mar 13, 2009 11:49 am EDT

I was so glad to have come across your comment, they did the same thing to me, after reading your comment I checked on my order, I ordered books paid for them and four days later was charged another 29.95 plus a dollar for what I don't know. I immeadiatley called them and told them to get my money refunded and I wanted no more to do with them.

Helen

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Smart Savings Center Credit card charged without purchase

After Googling for discount books, I got this website. I ordered a DVD and a paperback book, paying shipping on just one, as an introductory discount. In order to complete the second order, I was told that I did not qualify for the intro discount anymore, but did I still want the book? I clicked on the "yes" or "approve" and did recieve the mentioned orders in the mail, but then was charged $29.95 a MONTH for some sort of membership! They were also charging $1.00 for a debit card used without a code. I did call and cancelled this so called membership and was told that I will get a rrfund for just one of the $29.95 charges. This is a definate RIP OFF WEBSITE! I will comply with anyone who tries to shut it down. I do live near Boca Raton and I tell you that if that refund is not in my bank account next week, I will go down to this address. I bet it is an empty building! I have been online for 12 years and have made many purchases of all kinds from, all over the world and this is the first time I got caught like this! They are very good. The chap I talked to just repeated over an over the same thing. He was located in Manilla in the Philapines, Someone should DO something about this company!

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Seth Black
Hampton, US
Mar 18, 2009 7:43 am EDT

I ordered an extremely cheap movie, $2.95 and $3.00 s/h. I accepted the Terms and Use, and in those, there was apparently a clause for a monthly membership fee of 29.95. I may have actually missed it on my statement, but for each membership charge, they also charge $1.00. I was billed by the Web site a total of at least 6 times. (1 membership fee for Dec, plus 2 $1.00 processing fees, and the same 3 charges for January- all on one statement). I went online and called to cancel my membership. I got scammed, shame on me for not reading the Terms and Use agreement.

I get my next credit card statement, and 3 new charges from SmartSavingsCenter.com are on there for February's membership. I called to complain again, they confirmed that I canceled last month, but they informed me that I just canceled my "1st membership, " and they would now cancel my "2nd membership." (mind you I adamantly expressed I wanted to close all accounts and memberships) They are reimbursing 1 of the 2 $1.00 processing fees.
Ultimately I paid $99.85 for a DVD. Never use this service.

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Lindsy
, US
Mar 10, 2009 12:46 pm EDT

I bought a book off of amazon.com for $2.17. I thought I was getting a great deal. A couple of weeks later I noticed a charge from the same company Smartsavingcenter.com for $29.95. I called the number and had a really hard time getting a live person on the phone. When I finally got a live person they were very hard to understand. I believe the call center is in India that fields all the complaint calls the company gets.

They asked if I wanted to cancel my membership. I informed the person on the phone that I just bought a book on the internet and never agreed to a membership of any kind! He said it happens automatically. So they would reverse the charge and cancel the 'membership'. Again this month there are two $1.00 charges from the company. I called the Indian call center and again they asked if I wanted to cancel the membership.

I have since called my bank and have had to write a letter of unauthorized withdrawals to my account and have had to cancel my card and get a new card. I would never buy a book from Amazon again seeing that they let smartsavingscenter.com abuse customers this way. I believe it's a scam and are withdrawing small amounts so people will not notice.

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John Been Robbed
Bellevue, US
Jan 14, 2009 4:53 am EST

Ordered DVD, they charged me $29.95 without me authorizing. Pissed off. Going to find any bureau or complaint board to post these ###. Called and got the leave us a msg for a call back and voicemail is full and cannot take any more. Dont buy movies from Hotmovies.com. That is the name they phished me to smartsavingcenter.com. They got me one but never again. Isnt this against the law?

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Linda Butcher
Indianapolis, US
Feb 20, 2009 8:20 am EST

I did not authorize this transaction. I want it stopped. I have tried cancelling but to no avail.
Linda Butcher

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osoteddy
Arvada, US
Mar 05, 2009 12:27 pm EST

I bought book for $2.20; I probably should have been leery the extremely low price, but I have found wonderful bargins on the net before. Anyway, I was charged an additional $1.00 on 02/06/09. For what? I don't know. My reciept nor the website checkout did not mention anything more than the original $2.20 charge. On 02/13/2009, I was charged $29.95. I called and got some guy with a foreign accent. He told me something about some membership to smartsavings.com. Now, originally I ordered this book through discountbooksales.com, so I don't know how smartsavings.com got involved. Well, I got a refund for the $29.95 on 02/17/09. However, I got charged another $1.00 on 03/02/09. Why? I don't know. I called my credit card company, Bank of America. They said that they would remove the additional $1.00 charge, but that I would have to dispute any additional charges on a month-to-month basis. What a scam. Locked into a loop of monthly charges in hopes that you may not act on them. I will call the postal authorities and see if they may be interested in this.

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Insite
, US
Mar 02, 2011 5:20 pm EST

Fraudulent charges made to my credit card account for a book I ordered as a gift to www.smartsavingscenter.com, and then was signed up, without my authorization, for a $19.95 month Membership fee. When I called after repeatedly asking about the money that was taken without my consent the story kept changing about the amount I could be refunded. First it was 19.95 and they would cancel my subscription, then it was $20.00 finally it went to $40.00, of the $140.00 they owe me. I will be pursuing this much further.

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mikedard
El Dorado Hills, US
Feb 10, 2012 8:41 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

They've charged me $19.95 every month since 12/19/2010 for a membership that is automatic if you make a purchase, unless you cancel after 7 days. In the process of trying to stop these charges, their website where I had to cancel says I'm not a member. In trying to cancel it sent me to 2 other sites all with a different URL address. Attached purchased confirmation receipt. They sent no other email unlike they stated, I have all my emails including trash files, and I received nothing notifying me of any membership fees.

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Y. Kao
Cincinnati, US
Mar 26, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

I made an purchase and they said that I accepted a five-dollar discount and enrolled me as member. They charge $19.95 at first then later increased to 29.95. This is outright scam and there should be a way for internet merchants to gang up against those unethical practice that give honest merchants a bad name.
I am not should if there is a website available so that for any of us before making a purchase can go to that web site to find out the list of those unethical merchants to avoid.
I would also add buy.com to the list because for a purchase unknowingly became a member of "shopper discounts."

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Henry Rose
Sandston, US
Jan 27, 2009 12:58 pm EST

I have been attempting to cancel my membership for the past two months by phone and nothing seems to work. I am continuing to have charges appear on my credit card. What can I do?

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hoppy1680
Port Charlotte, US
Nov 28, 2008 7:48 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Ordered nintendo game, and was not only billed for the game, but $29.95 for a membership fee. I NEVER authorized, or signed up for anything other than the item I ordered. These folks are scammers, and I doubt if they will ever credit me back. They also had the nearve to charge me $1.00 for the first months membership fee..

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9:26 am EST
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Smart Savings Center Charged for membership I didn't agree to

I have no idea what state they are in. I ordered a book for $18.00 and gave them my credit card number. When it appeared on my statement the total was $29.00. I am outraged to know that when you order something they automatically enroll you in their program, but to add insult to injury, they CHARGE you for it. Can I get my money back? Can I get my credit card information back from them? Do I need to put a hold on any payments that come in? By the way, I never even got the book I ordered in the first place. I think you should alert consumers about this company's deceptive practices. Thank you. Lori Garrigus [protected], l.[protected]@yahoo.com

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Vincent DeMilta Sr.
Canadensis, US
Jan 23, 2009 9:41 am EST

This Company withdrew 1.00 from my account for nothing.

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7:57 am EST
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Smart Savings Center charged my account w/o authorization

I ordered a movie for under $10.00 only. I did not sign up for any membership or authorize any other charges. For the last 3 months I have noticed charges for $29.95 and $1.00. I have tried contacting by phone, but only get a recording that customer service is experience a heavy volume of calls and please leave a number and they will return your call.

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liz
Chicago, US
Feb 17, 2009 3:09 pm EST

i did not authorize these purchases

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Pat Stenson
Chilton, US
Jan 31, 2009 8:02 pm EST

Two charges were put on my credit card without my authorization. This is illegal.

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Joe
Aurora, US
Jun 13, 2009 7:01 pm EDT

120 days ago: smartsavingcenter.com is a shlock, crappy business that automaticaly signs you up if you failed to read an extensive club application to the left of the order sheet when you happen to order a movie, or probably anything else. It's probably legal because the application is on the order sheet but the average person ordinarily wouldn't read it because they have no intention of joining anything they just want to buy something. The club charge keeps re-appearing on your bill even if you do not make any more purchases. When buying anything from a reputable company any other offers in addition to your purchase is spelled out plainly. I frankly can't think of any reputable company tricking you into joining a re-occuring billable club because they respect their customers and wouldn't dream of using that sort of trickery because you would never come back as a customer. I was charger $29.95 for several months, when I complained they cut their club charge in hal;f, but not for me.
Joe

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bonnie
Princess Anne, US
Apr 25, 2009 5:28 am EDT

t
he same exact thing happened to me. i ordered a tape for 11.98 and i still have not rec'd the dvd yet. i ordered on 3/5/09 and i have been charged 29.98 twice plus 1 dollar each week.

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Leigh
, US
Mar 14, 2009 2:41 pm EDT

This is terrible. I did not catch these charges for over 3 months; due to trust that it was taken care of in November. I am so sadden that this is what this has come to now. I reported to the bank and FBI internet scams. I suggest everyone else do the same.

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ctravis
Interlaken, US
Mar 12, 2009 11:25 pm EDT

The same has happened to me and every two weeks there is a charge...

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Phyllis
Vicksburg, US
Mar 09, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

My case is identical to the others, I ordered a cheap movie, got that, then was charged a dollar for nothing . Like the other-complaint before me, I also cancelled my unauthorized charges from hotmoviessales.com. I received a confirmation email stating that it was cancelled. I have been calling over a $1 charge I did not authorize. The line is constantly busy can't get anyone to answer.

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j.youn
Laurel, US
Mar 07, 2009 4:08 pm EST

I am having the bad experience with this smartsavingcenter.com... It is true, they steal money... they charge me without my approval for more that two month until I see my credit card bill

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corpbs
, US
Mar 03, 2009 2:04 pm EST

I called after having cancelled the smartsavingscenter.com membership I did not sign up for, but somehow was signed up for while ordering a movie. I demanded my $29.95 back the first time I called in January, and I got it. Today, after calling over a $1 charge I did not auhorize, my cancellation in January was confirmed by two people on two different customer service lines that I had cancelled at least one of the two memberships, neither of which I signed up for. And the story for which membership I cancelled was different on each customer service line. Logically, the first number I called was the number listed by the charge on my bank account. When I got to speak to a person after waiting as the automated system asked, I asked what the charge was for and explained that I had cancelled my account and received a confirmation email. The CSR on the line said that I had cancelled my account with smartsavingscenter.com, but not hotmoviesales.com and that was what the dollar was for. I asked why, then, does it list smartsavingscenter.com as the entity charging me a dollar and demanded everything be cancelled. He tried to explain to me how it worked a few times and I told him I don't care how it works, I want everything cancelled, and I don't want smartsavingscenter.com to charge me for anything else. I also demanded he remove my bank card, knowing full well, having worked as a CSR before, that I might not get my dollar back because some places cannot process the return without the card on file for 24-48 hours. Genius scheme, huh? They gain a dollar by annoying people. Before disconnecting, I asked the number for hotmoviesales/deals/whatever.com, which is [protected]. I called that number, and this time was connected to a female CSR, who also confirmed my cancellation in January, and said that everything was supposed to be cancelled when I cancelled that. I asked her to explain, why, then, was I just charged one dollar. She said that it was because I had cancelled my membership with hotmoviesales.com, but not smartsavingscenter.com, the exact opposite of what the CSR I had just spoken to told me. I questioned her on this, and I told her I thought they were both liars and that I was sorry they had to work for such a horrible company. I also told her I was looking at this board to write my own complaint, and that I will be contacting the BBB and possibly the attorney general in this matter. I suggest you all do the same thing. Before I do that, I'm going to call my bank and tell them not to accept anymore charges from this evil, evil company. I can't wait until amazon.com sucks this company up and spits it out, squashes it like the ugly insect it is.

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eric
Watertown, US
Feb 27, 2009 6:19 pm EST

My case is identical to the others, I ordered a cheap movie, got that, then was charged a dollar for nothing which I disputed tonight I noticed the 29.95 charge I disputed the charge on line then called my cc and canceled it.

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10:01 am EDT

Smart Savings Center Charged my account w/o authorization

Company charged my visa account w/o authorization. Unknown company to me, I don't know who they are.

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Enia
, US
Feb 03, 2009 7:02 pm EST

Esta es la peor pesadilla. es un robo te cargan a tu cuenta $29.95 y mensualmente $1.00 porque
y si les llamas se toman horas para atenderte.

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kokokoko
Borger, US
Feb 14, 2012 12:01 am EST

It happend to me! I just called them that i wanna my 19.95 back and asked when the money will be back on my credit card. he said in 2 days. his name was migel . so i will see in 2 days! or i will call back. he was saying how sorry he was and blablabla, i cannot stand people like this! well now i go find out where i can report these thiefs!

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OmegaSnake88
, US
Jul 21, 2010 4:19 am EDT

UPDATE! I have had the same experience after buying some books on hotbooksale.com. After finding out about this scam I checked my email to find I (instead of super savings center) been made a member of bestbrandvalues.com. I then went to their site and used the password they gave me to cancel mt membership. It may be different scammers, but I think they may be changing their tactics.

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Stupicme
Oklahoma City, US
May 17, 2010 12:46 pm EDT

I am a victim too.

On April 27th, 2010, I purchased a book on Hotbooksale.com. 10 days later I found out that my credit card was charged three times. Besides the cost of the book, I was also charged $1.00 and $19.95.

I called the company immediately. A representative told me that $1 was the fee of 7-day trial, and $19.95 was the monthly fee applied since I didn’t cancel the membership within 7 days. She said that by pressing submit/purchasing from this site I automatically get a 7-day $1 trial membership to BestBrandValues, and after the trial they will start charging $19.95/month. She cancelled my membership as requested but refused to refund the membership fees.

However, during this entire purchasing process, not a single word or any texts displayed on their web pages mentioned about or referred to “Membership and Related Fees”.

I feel that I was misled and tricked into a membership. This is one of the most blatant examples of a website taking advantage of a customer.

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tremendo85
Miami, US
Jan 27, 2010 8:51 pm EST

Its funny that you guys take out the time to write all this, but don't find the time to read the terms of offer. Tsk tsk smh.

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RUN!!
No way, US
Dec 13, 2009 9:23 am EST

I found a wonderful price on books at discountbookstore.com. The books that I wanted (5 of them) were marked at 5.91 after I added the first book to my cart the price on the rest jumped up to 10.91. At this point I began researching trying to find a way to email them to inquire about this. (My husband is on the phone or I would have called). During my research I found all of your feedback! Thank you so much for posting this, You have saved me from becoming their next victim!

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colorado ripped off
Longmont, US
Nov 09, 2009 1:42 am EST

I am a very savvy internet purchaser and am always checking to make sure I am not signing up for anything that I do not want. These guys are slick, and slipped this one past me. I got hit with the 19.95. There is no way that I agreed to a membership but I did get the dvd at the agreed price. Now it just cost me 25.95 instead of 6.95.
They also told me that I got 3 emails from them. I read all my emails and didn't get anything from them. I even read my spam box. these guys are bad, I really hope the Attorney General in Florida takes them down.

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SMART SAVING SUCKS
INGLEWOOD, US
Sep 29, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

DO NOT ORDER FROM HOT BOOKS AND DO NOT AGREE FOR AGREE FOR ANY FREE TRIAL MEMBERSHIPS. SMART SAVING CENTER IS A FRAUD AND A SCAM. I WAS CHARGED MONTHLY 6 - $12.00 FEES ($72) WITH OUT MY CONSENT. I CALLED TO BE REIMBURSED ALL BUT THEY ONLY DID 3 OF THE 6. I AM WRITING A LETTER TO THE DISPUTE DEPT. IF I DO NOT HEAR FROM THEM WITH IN A WEEK AND IF I DON'T GET REIMBURSED ALL OF MY $72, I WILL ESCALATE TO FLORIDA'S DISTRICT ATTOURNEYS.

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SmartSavingsCenter.com
Detroit, US
Sep 01, 2009 11:22 pm EDT

I am a victim, too I ordered Hotbooks. com and they continues to charge membership fee of $19.95 without my knowledge. I am pissed off and I would like to know how they pop up on overstock. com. I still have my order form from them. Alda Ashford

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MADMEL00
, US
Jul 22, 2009 10:07 am EDT

BEWARE of ******HotMovieSale.com****. I Pre-ordered Twilight to insure I would get it. First off when the movie came out I receive a e-mail stating it was back ordered. Why would they pre-sale something to customers they didn't have. After 2 months I asked to cancel my order and to not be charged. I got a response of "no problem" You're account hasn't been charged and wouldn't have until the movie was sent. Okay fast ward 4 months later I notice a recurring charge for $12.oo. SO on top of not getting the movie they charged my credit card $48.00 for NOTHING. Case in point people, just go buy your movies/books/CD's from a actual store it will save you the aggravation.

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