FWM Laboratories review: unauthorized charges and fraud 647

Out of character for me but i fell for the same scam and am having to "eat" $ 87.13. My question is this: Why isn't the attorney general of Florida pressing charges against these people? The credit card companies are aware of these people and Google has a long list of people that feel they were scammed and also BBB is very aware of the bad business practices of this organization. It is time something is done.

Many businesses across the country are using the same selling model for their acai products: They lure customers in with celebrity endorsements and free trial offers, and then lock them in by making it extremely difficult to cancel the automatic delivery of more acai products every month.

The endorsements are also misleading, according to the bureau, and some celebrity lawyers have already gone after these online companies.

"Consumers should be aware that Oprah Winfrey is not associated with nor does she endorse any acai berry product or online solicitation of such products. Attorneys for Harpo are pursuing any companies that claim such an affiliation, " said Don Halcombe, spokesman for Harpo Productions, Winfrey's production company.

Consumers can check www.bbb.org to get a "reliability report" on particular companies before purchasing an online product.

"These companies are simply abusing general acai berry endorsements from well-known, trusted celebrities by using it as a tacit endorsement of their company and products specifically.

Consumers trust Oprah and unfortunately, if they are tricked into believing that she is putting her stamp of approval on a product then they are definitely more likely to purchase it.

5 hours 25 minutes ago by stop others from getting scammed 0 Votes
"FREE TRIAL OFFERs" FOR ACAI BERRY ARE NOT FREE!
In fact they will cost you more than 4 TIMES AS MUCH as it should cost per bottle. These scammers will charge your credit card at least $80 per bottle each month. That more than twice as much as quality freeze-dried acai berry should cost. And to make it worse, they send you crappy drum dried Acai Berry, which cost about 1/2 as much to produce. So you end up paying at least 4 times more per bottle than you should.

YOU WILL BE SIGNED UP FOR A SUBSCRIPTION
Yes, they say they just charge you for shipping. If that were so, it wouldn't be bad. But in reality, they just want your credit card number and will bill you every month for a subscription you didn't sign up for. They bury the fine print in their terms and conditions.

YOU WILL SPEND HOURS TRYING TO CANCEL THE SUBSCRIPTION
There will either be noone to contact to return the crappy product, or they will say you have to call their customer service number to get return authorization. When you do, you are put on hold and shuffled between different people until you give up. Don't believe me? Before you purchase, call or email them and say you did not sign up for a subscription and please stop sending the product. You will get the runaround

THEY WILL SHIP YOU A CRAPPY, NEARLY WORTHLESS NO NAME BRAND OF ACAI BERRY SUPPLEMENT
They don't expect you to be happy with the product. They don't care, so they make even more money by shipping you crap. Acai Berry supplements must be freeze dried, or else they lose most of the nutrients and antioxidents. These scammers use cheap, heat processed Acai that cost 1/2 as much. Read more about choosing a quality supplement

THEY OFTEN BUNDLE OTHER PRODUCTS IN THE SUBSCRIPTION TO CHARGE YOU EVEN MORE
It's really obscene what some of these scammers do. We've listed a common offer below, where they bundle additional offers if you do not deselect the checkbox (it's checked by default). Some are hitting people with $150 a month in charges.

5 hours 22 minutes ago by stop others from getting scammed 0 Votes
THIS INFORMATION IS POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expanding, for the second time, its nationwide alert to consumers about tainted weight loss products containing undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients.

The FDA has identified additional weight loss products (Herbal Xenicol, Slimbionic, and Xsvelten) and new undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients (fenproporex, fluoxetine, furosemide, and cetilistat).

"These tainted weight loss products pose a great risk to public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and, in some cases, contain prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed maximum recommended dosages, " said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain dangerous drugs that could cause serious consequences to their health."

On Dec. 22, 2008, the FDA warned consumers not to purchase or consume 28 different products marketed for weight loss. On Jan. 8, 2009, the FDA expanded the list of tainted weight loss products to include 41 additional tainted products. The FDA will continue to update this list as warranted.

The products listed above, some of which are marketed as dietary supplements, are promoted and sold on various Web sites and in some retail stores and beauty salons. Some of the products claim to be "natural" or to contain only "herbal" ingredients, but actually contain potentially harmful ingredients not listed on the products' labels or in promotional advertisements. These products have not been approved by the FDA, are illegal, and include the following undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients:

fenproporex – a controlled substance not approved for marketing in the United States;
fluoxetine – an antidepressant available by prescription only;
bumetanide – a potent diuretic available by prescription only;
furosemide – a potent diuretic available by prescription only;
rimonabant – a drug not approved for marketing in the United States;
cetilistat – an experimental obesity drug not approved for marketing in the United States;
phenytoin – an anti-seizure medication available by prescription only; and
phenolphthalein – a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer-causing agent that is not approved for marketing in the United States.
The FDA has inspected a number of companies associated with the sale of these illegal products and is currently seeking product recalls. Based on the FDA's inspections and the companies' inadequate responses to recall requests, the FDA may take additional enforcement steps, such as issuing warning letters or initiating seizures, injunctions, or criminal charges.

The FDA advises consumers who have used any products containing these ingredients to stop taking them and consult their health care professional immediately. The FDA also encourages consumers to seek guidance from a health care professional before purchasing weight loss products.

The health risks posed by these products can be very serious and include high blood pressure, seizures, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), palpitations, heart attack, and stroke. Sibutramine, a controlled substance, was found in many of these products at levels much higher than the maximum daily dosage for Meridia, the only FDA-approved drug product containing sibutramine. These higher levels of sibutramine can increase the incidence and severity of these health risks. Fenproporex, another controlled substance, can cause arrhythmia and possible sudden death.

Health care professionals and consumers should report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, fax or phone.

Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
Regular Mail: use postage-paid FDA form 3500 available at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm and mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD [protected]
Fax: 800- FDA-0178
Phone: 800- FDA-1088

This company has also not been responsive to my directions to terminate my order. They continue to bill my credit card even though I have told them to stop. This is one big scam. - Bill

I ordered what I thought was a free bottle of Acai Berry Detox and did not see the fine print that it was free for only 14 days. I was charged $87.13 on my charge card plus the $3.95 shipping and handling. Then they sent me another bottle at $83.18 plus $3.95. I called and got a return authorization number to return the product and today I received an e-mail that my account will be credited $83.18 in 5 to 7 days. What I would like to know is why they charge you $87.13 for the first bottle plus the $3.95 shipping and handling, but only $83.18 for the second bottle. We shall see if I get the refund for the second bottle. You can talk to a real person at
[protected]. I told them I was filing a complaint with the Attorney General.

You should know that there is a need to cancel within the 14 day trial period (if you don't want the product anymore)) or else you will pay the full amount of the product. You want all these shipments and charges to stop? Call [protected]. You'll have a great chance to solve these unauthorized charges on your account.

We've all been scammed by this fraudulant company. I had to cancel my credit card (not realizing how many things were attached to it - IPass, Tivo, Rechargeable coffee cards, memberships, etc). What a pain in the ###! And every call goes to India so I can't understand a single thing they say. This company IS A TOTAL SCAM AND IF YOU'RE FAT LIKE ME - GO ON A DIET! THIS PRODUCT DOESN'T EVEN WORK! Shame on all of us for being to quick to pull the trigger on a prayer that there's a magic pill. And shame on this company for preying on my weakness.

I can't believe I was so stupid to fall for this scam, I cancelled today after a 2 day trial, was tipped off by a comment on another site.
PM

I was shocked to see a bill for $87.13 on my bank statement that I did NOT authorize. I requested the trial size and paid for the shipping as requested. I called today to ask what was going on and was told that the 14 days started from the day of the phone call and not the receipt of the product which I only received 7 days ago. I broke out in hives from the product so told the man (who could barely speak english) to cancel my subscription of which I did NOT subscribe to, only the trial size. I told him to credit my account for the $87.13 and he said he could not do that. I asked him for his company name and address and all he said was that, for privacy reasons, he could only tell me the state was Florida. I am so angry right now. I plan on going to my bank tomorrow with a copy of all of these complaints against this company and tell them they are NOT allowed to let this company take anymore of my money!

Did Acai Elite help you to lose weight as easily as claimed?

I have had EXACTLY the same experience as you. I ordered through ACAIBERRYDETOX, they auto-charged my credit card for $89.95 I cancelled it on April 8 with 149828 verification number. Now this month I received an autopay deduction on that same credit card from a company that I never heard of: COLON TOP BERRYfor the amount of 87.13 and I cancelled it on April 8 with 628941 verification number. These companies are deceptive and fraudulent. They should be arrested and be made to pay damages for what they are doing to the public.

I signed up for a one time sample and have been being sent a bottle a mont, with no orde form enclosed, had no idea how much this product costed until I finally got to talk to a person who hardly spoke english, and tried to tell me he could not find my name or address anywhere. This is crazy. Found out it cost me 8713 for something I did not want and really got frustrated talking to this person who could not hardly speak english. This is crazy Am going to call BBB. Hope others get thi crap figured out before I did Diane Peck

The error usually committed by consumers is that they don't read carefully the terms and conditions. Be reminded about this the next time you purchase online. I got this no. [protected]) and hope this one help you. I got through the line after two attempts. Fast and easy processing of canceling orders.

I GOT SCREWED BIG TIME WITH THESE THIEVES ! I GOT A BIG MESS WITH ACAI BERRY AND THE SO CALLED FWM LAB.

I'VE CONTACTED THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE (IL.) GOING TO SEE IF THIS WORKS...

Okay - I ordered the Acai Bery "free sample" in November of 2008. I tried to cancel the product within fourteen buisness days but the number listed was "not accepting messages" . I finally did some research online and found fwm laboratories real phone number [protected]. In the month of December I received 2 bottles of the product and was charged $87.13 for each bottle. On Jan 8th I called and cancelled the product, the gentleman gave me a refund number to write on the package AND told me I could send both bottles back in the same package. FWM laboratories received both bottles back unopened on Jan10th. Since then I have done nothing but call and argue with the so called "customer service representatives". I have spent endless hours waiting to talk to a supervisor.

I have been successful in receiving $87.13 back for one bottle of the product but now they are telling me I didn't follow refund procedures which demands to send each bottle pack seperately. Seriously !?! Now they keep telling me I must call back every 3-5 business days to see where my refund is. I am sure they are expecting me to get fed up and stop calling. I will stop calling as soon as I receive my $87.13 back. This is by far the WORST customer service I have ever experienced!

I think you overlooked listed on the terms and conditions that you should cancel within the 14 day trial period or they will charge with the full amount of the product. This is the right merchant number to call: [protected]. This is the customer helpline of FWM. There are representatives present on the line who'll help you with canceling future shipments and charges.

I went thru the same thing, I mean exactly the same. The only difference is that I received a second bottle and I called in about it and they gave me a CMA number. I returned it and received an email stating that $83.18 will be refunded. I am disputing the $87.13 on my credit card, since they charged without my approval. Public should be alerted on these rip-off artists.

I, too was scammed and deceived by FWM Laboratories. They deceived me and led me to believe that my cancellation was within the time limit when I called to cancel...I only learned that they had charged my credit card on that very same day that I cancelled the acai berry order when looking at my statement...They won't fess up to their misconceptions...I have filed a complaint with the BBB of Florida...I would sugest that everyone who has been scammed by these con artists to do the same!

1 time is enough for me!

First of all to find the same website impossible! their changing the name to acai berry detox, colon cleanse, acai slim what is it ... my husband was viewing my financial acct and noticed a charge of $87.13 and an extra charge for $1.92 besides the first $2.00.. i was never notified to confirm$87.13, didn't see that posted as well. as if i did see that i would of never ordered acai detox, but it said free and for $2.00 i'll order it.. An my husband called [protected] that was the number posted along side of my acct called it and they were no help at all and by now he was already pissed off, he asked to speak to supervisor and the person on that end said he was, and that their was nothing he could do to reverse the charge my husband also told him he would return the product for a refund and he said he couldn't, what ever happened to if you don't like the product for full refund right their is real customer service... that's what get a consumer like us to buy and try.. I don't have that extra kind of money to give away like that. ANYONE OUT THEIR DONT ORDER THEIR A RIPPP OFF, CAN ANYONE HELP ME TO RECOVER MY $87.00 Financially thats alot to me if you are trying to budget . i'll never due this again i'll stick to store products were you'll get to return within 60 days real customer service, ) Thank You, chulavaldez@yahoo.com pissed off, (

My husband was viewing my financial acct and noticed that their was $87.13 taken from my acct... and i normally don't order on line but for $2.00 for a free bottle of Acai berry i'll try it i didn't see if this really works. i didnt read about any extra's saying i had a 14 day trial i would not have purchased it more less getting a follow up to let me know that they would take it out of my acct, i would have never ordered this product my husband called and all they did was give him a big run around, He also ask for a supervisor and that person on the other end said they were a supervisor and that the could not reverse the charges and that case he also said ill send the bottle back and they said he could not ...what ever happen to if you don't like it for a full refund i don't have an extra $87. to throw away i live check by ck my little money is for the kids to get them stuff they need when they ask for it ... can you help me get my money back the internet sites are changing the names with acai berry, acai slim, acai detox its never the same how do they want us to get refunded they are ripping us off, ( please help us DON"T BUY ACAI FROM THESE WEB SITES THELL RIP YOU OFF! concerned, chulavaldez@yahoo.com

Trial period of Acai Berry products cover only 14 days and not 30 days as what you had thought. FWM lab has another helpline which is [protected]. This is a valid telephone number. There are operators on the line who will help you with regards to your problem.

OH and also the number is [protected]

Today recived the product of the scam of acai berry and life cleanse on march 31 2009.I called them to cancel my order and that i would return the product and return my money.They said NO. The bottles did not look like what i thought they would look like on line when i look them up. when i got my package in the mail that dayopen it and thought. this is NOT right!So icall them up and i ask them if this was a scam of corse they said no . PEOPLE DO NOT ORDER FROM 3007 GREENE ST. HOLLYWOOD, FL 33020.

I am in complete aggreement with Sarah and am in complete disagreement with Abby. First, when you dial the number, it took me close to 30 minutes to be directed to an actual person. These operators are far from "accomodating." I was on the phone for over 45 minutes arguing with these so called "accomidating operators." This is a scam and they know exactly what they are doing.

Terrie

all of this is fact. everyone should write Dr. Oz a letter since they are using his name to sell this product.

Thanks for the advice... they charged me twice in less then 2 weeks with no product, they overdrew my account and caused 300.00 of over draft fees! NOT HAPPY!

Did you know that you should cancel within the 14 day trial period or else you'll pay the full amount? Since it's too late for that, call [protected] and resolve your financial issue with fwm. You can talk to a live person on this line and you'll not hear any automated message.

I too, received the "free offer" and it did not do what it said it would but caused by blood sugar to go out of range (304). Now I'm being
charged $87.13 for nothing. Please call your bank and credit card companies about this company. Maybe we should make a list of names and sent to the BBB in our towns. They also have a lady from Charlotte, NC on their web site. I wonder if she has anything to do with this scam?

FINALLY! I GOT MY REFUND. Thanks to someone who shared the following e-mail addresses to contact. I am also including the actual message I sent.

west@firewatermail.com
fwmcancellations4@gmail.com;
billing@fwmlabs.com

Good luck!

We have been going round and round in circles trying to get a refund that I am owed. I have contacted the BBB of your county and filed a complaint. I am working with the Attorney General for the state of Florida and law enforcement who have shared some very valuable informatin with myself and the attorney general. I have also narrowed down 2 names responsible for the licensing for this fraudulent business

Brian J Weiss & Robert W Harris
4961 Leeward Lane
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33312

Let them know to expect to receive legal papers soon if I do not see a refund immediately.

First of all, be sure to read line per line the terms and conditions. This way, you'll have no regrets in the end. But I can still help you solve your problem. Call [protected]. You can talk to a live person who can fix whatever problem you have on your account. This was relayed to me by my sister who was a Acai Berry product user before.

"Wish I’d had the sense to Google FWM before I also became a victim of its practices…Do you have any other numbers for FWM? I am having difficulty getting through on the posted number. Thank you-" (End of consumer complaint).

The phone numbers I have for FWM Labs are:
FWM Labs([protected]
The billing department [protected] or [protected]

If you have been scammed by this company file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General Office:
Economic Crimes Division
Office of the Attorney General
PL-01 The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL [protected]
Phone: [protected]
Fax: [protected]

Also file a complaint with your state Attorney General if you live in a different state than Florida.

And, file a complaint against the company with the Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov
Phone [protected]

Are you a consumer who has done business with FWM Labs and purchased the AcaiBerry Detox? Please let me know of your thoughts and experience as a result of doing business with the companies that provide telephone services to inmates - positive or negative - and I will share them with the readers of my blog.

Also, if you need my consumer advocacy services, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be delighted to help you if I can.

If you are a consumer with a compliment, complaint, concern, issue, question, or a SCAM to report please email me at harold@bepositiveday.com or call me at [protected] and I will be delighted to try and help you if I can.

FWM Laboratories

fwm laboratories
Hollywood, Florida
United States
Phone: [protected]

this company is scamming americans by their product. I want my 174.26 back. This is my hard working money that i earned to pay my share of the american way. When you call the toll free number all they want to do is confuse you even more and most of them don't even speak english.

The trial period was for 14 days, however I never received the product before the trial period to cancel.

I had to cancel my debit card so no more reoccuring charges would occur and over draw my account. This is not fair. This is such an inconvenience.
Now that I am 174.23 poorer, which bill do i not pay? My gas bill so they can shut off my heat? my water, phone or electric?
My car payment? so I can't get to work to earn money? my mandatory car insurance I need to have a car?
NO wait, I just won't eat, as there is no money for groceries. I hope they are all warm and cozy or cooled by air conditioning and sitting back eating with electricity and drinking water while talking on the phone. Wake up people and help the little guy, get us all back our money.

same with me

Next tine you purchase items online, read in detail the terms and conditions and know when is the right time to divulge your credit card information. I have here another contact no. for FWM, [protected]. The representative on this line will not waste your time and will fix your issues right away. I can attest to that since this was also the same no. I used just a month ago.

I never ordered anything from this company and there were three charges on my credit card. I closed out the credit card.
The phone number with the charges was bogus.

Catryna White

i too had ordered the acai berry product- but my transaction created an immediate fraud alert on my CHASE card- & the member told me that this company was listed as one troublesome place.

I immediately called up the [protected] number prompt 3 prompt 0

spoke to a layd by name KIZZ & she gave me a discount & offered the product at $40 - I refused to have any tranasction with this company & wanted to cancel - she finally obliged & gave me a cenceltion number.

I have called CHASE & they have agreed not to allow any debits of NATURALACAIDETOX -----

I thank CHASE for bringing this to my notice.

Ram

Just a friendly advice, be careful when giving out your credit card account. Some people will take advantage upon knowing this piece of information. And I suggest you call [protected]. This contact number really works. You can cancel future shipments and charges.

Unauthorized Charges

FWM Laboratories
2495 Stirling Road
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Phone: [protected]

I took the trial product that says I only had to pay for the s/h, I received the product and it did absolutely nothing but make me constipated, the opposite of what it was suppose to do. I looked on my bank account today and saw that they had charged me full price of $87.13. I called my bank immediately.

I called the company and spoke to Brian who explained to me that if I didn't call and cancel in 14 days I would be charged full price. I asked him where was that stated and he said in the "Terms and Conditions". Well who reads those things. He cancelled my account. I guess I better pay more attention to things I order off the internet.

My bank is helping me dispute the charge. This is truly a scam.

For any of you that are interested, there is a Case in the State of Florida that is happening right now with one of these Companies who sell Acai berry and Colon Cleanse... FTC.gov in the State of Florida

I just called this [protected] number and finally reached a person named Rose. Her master of the English language was not clear and she would not let me speak to her supervisor. I received this product, a 15 day free trial, on March 14th but the envelope says the tril ends on March 20th. What a rip off! She even offered me the product for $40. Of course, I declined. I am returning the unopened bottle to FWM and I will inform my bank that any future charges are fraudulent. Wish I had seen this information earlier...Shirley

I hope they get to the bottom of this...it's a rough economy out there and they are taking advantage of a lot of innocent people!