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CB Online Scams Review of MVQ Shopping Essentials Plus
MVQ Shopping Essentials Plus

MVQ Shopping Essentials Plus review: Fraudlet charges from Shopping Essentials 41

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1:42 pm EDT
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I have been charged by MVQ Shopping Essentials monthly without noticing it. Apparently the charges went back from Jan 2007. I noticed it this month due to Blizzard's Fraudlent charges into my account. I stopped the subscription immediately. The bank advised me to get a refund, I did but Shopping Essentials only gave me back the current month - their policy. I have never purchased anything from their website. They said I went into a website called "useful" and that got me linked to shopping essentials. Becareful everyone with your keystrokes on the website. Shopping essentials ripped me off $35 ($32 in 2008) every month since Jan 2007. If you see these charges on your card and you didnt subscibe, call the number immediately before the bill runs each month:
MVQ*SHOPESSPLUS [protected] CT
AP9*SHOPPINGESSENTIAL+ [protected] CT ...

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

41 comments
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joshriniak44
Piscataway, US
Jul 29, 2009 1:47 am EDT

omg this is happening to me too! what do i do? what number do i call?

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wildfoot
Fishkill, US
Jul 29, 2009 7:42 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I had the same problem. I field a complaint with my bank and told them all the charges were fraudulent and I never clicked on anything to order service from them nor have I ever received any communication from them. I am going to filed a complaint with the better business bureau and the attorney general's office to make sure there is a record of their behavior. If enough people to this maybe they will take action against the company.

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Elly123403
Fort Edward , US
Jul 29, 2009 3:55 pm EDT

I just noticed the charge on my bill. I tried to cancel it and they asked me for my credit card number. They must already have it if they charged me on it. I don't know how they got it to begin with. I sent them an email to cancel it and to refund my money. We will see.

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benjiblaze
US
Aug 04, 2009 10:43 am EDT

Unbelievable! This happened to me as well today. How do company's get away with these types of scams!

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smbd
Winston Salem, US
Aug 06, 2009 11:58 am EDT

There is a class action suit against the Parent company, Vertrue at the below link. Please join the law suite, these people need to be put out of business.
http://classactionblog.mdpcelaw.com/2008/08/articles/unauthorized-online-billing/class-action-filed-against-vertrue-inc-adaptive-marketing-llc-vistaprint-usa-inc-and-vistaprint-ltd/

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donnamas
Quincy, US
Aug 21, 2009 11:31 am EDT

I totally agree..I NEVER ordered anything from them and am ticked off royally that they have taken money out of my account (illegally, I might add) and in turn made me overdrawn right before my payday and incurred a $35.00 service charge that they need to pay and refund all my money! I tried the link for the class action suit and they couldn't find it on the internet. Please someone get in touch with me so that I can join in. I am sick and tired of people ripping off unsuspecting consumers. Just because some of the added on websites are put in some search sites does not give them the right to charge for an accidental viewing of their logo.

PLEASE get in touch with me or let me know how to get in touch with the class action suit.

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Becky123
Memphis, US
Sep 02, 2009 12:37 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

i have a better number and hopefully got my problem corrected.[protected]

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Becky123
Memphis, US
Sep 02, 2009 12:39 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

they said it was a box that popped up on restaurants.com that offered a $25 gift certificate to complete a survey. If you entered your email twice it would automatically transfer all your info - including CC number to shop essentials. The first month with them is free thats why you dont notice it until later. This is an aweful business practice and for reststaurants to allow it is just as bad!

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lpmaster22
Amherst, US
Sep 16, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

The same thing happened to me through restaurant.com. We need to also go after restaurant.com as they must know what is going on. I am trying to get this resolved, but my online complaint with the BBB won't go through because I don't have an address other than a web address. If anyone knows of it, please post it. I am also wanting to file with CT Atty General and IL Atty General because restaurant.com is based in IL.
lpmaster

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bearsweet
Denison, US
Sep 23, 2009 9:05 am EDT

I never went to restaurant.com though! And the same thing is happening to me! How do you stop it? How do I add my name to the list for complaints against them?

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scotch79
Northampton, US
Sep 29, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

I just contacted Citi cards and lodged a formal complaint. The best thing to do is have them re-issue you a new card so the company cannot charge you anymore. The credit card company was actually quite helpful with it, they removed my overdraft fee from going over the credit limit due to the transaction, as well as re-crediting me for the total amount this MVQ charged me. What a crock of ****. At least citi was helpful.

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flbeachbum03
DeLand, US
Oct 12, 2009 5:08 pm EDT

I just contacted Chase regarding this company. Shame on me this has been since Jan 2009. I am being issued a new Chase card and a fraud packet in the mail. Not sure yet about getting reimbursed yet, guess it depends. I am a member of Restaurant.com and I know I didn't agree to this though. Will update when I have more information.

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IamSam
Edmond, US
Oct 20, 2009 9:02 am EDT

Just called and canceled my account apparently if you have bought something from a company called Young Explorers (a toy company) you get presented with this "opportunity" and if you are not careful you end up joining... They took me for about a 1 year ride at 11.95 a month. I am calling my credit card company now...

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nothappy21
9101 Morgan Ave. s., US
Oct 22, 2009 3:44 pm EDT

The same thing happened to me through restaurant.com! Beware of these companies.
I just called Shopping Essentials and they cancelled my membership, but I am only going to get back the past months charge. They have on record that I have been a member since December of 2008! So I got saved money buying a few restaurant coupons and then lost a bunch of money from this membership crap. ugh!
What a scam!

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kooperdooper
West Lafayette, US
Oct 26, 2009 8:34 pm EDT

I just discovered today that this company has been charging me $19.95 a month since this past July. I only discovered this because my credit card company raised my interest rate to [protected]% so I paid off the balance and cut up the card. I received another statement and discovered "mvq shoppesplus". I did some research and this site popped up. Needless to say I quickly cancelled this service. I am only receiving the most recent payment back however. I'm disputing the rest of the charges with my credit card company.

I still don't even understand what this company does. I can't even imagine I would purchase their product even if I did have the money. Now I understand why they have to fraudulently charge- nobody would ever purchase this service.

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JRodPHiSIg
Dover, US
Nov 06, 2009 4:36 pm EST

I recently found these charges on my account - 3 Charges for $14.95 . I reported these charges to Bank of America Fraud Center and they closed the account for me and the company refunded all 3 charges to my account.

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Kelticpride
Rockford, US
Nov 09, 2009 2:07 pm EST

I work for Restaurant.com It is not a scam through our website, as an online customer whenever I make a purchase I make it a habit to read everything on the web page, when making a purchase with RDC there is sometimes a survey with a $10.00 cash back Rebate at the bottom of the page there is No thanks Link below to click on, its a shame people just do not read anymore if they did they would have this Problem.

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kelticpridesucksass
Philadelphia, US
Nov 14, 2009 9:17 am EST

Kelticpride, I read the page - and never received any rebate information in the mail. Apparently the onus is on me to wait for the rebate and pay a few months? The charges are scandalous. No two ways around that one.

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WILLIAM SULLIVAN
US
Nov 28, 2009 8:39 am EST

I GOT MY FREE CREDIT REPORT AND HAS COST ME 61.00 SO FAR

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Local Realtor
Waterloo, US
Dec 02, 2009 12:33 pm EST

I am glad I monitor my accounts. I bought a $2 certificate on Restaraunt.com. I did not agree to any additional charges or memberships. When this $19.95 unidentifiable charge came up on my debit card from MVG Shopping Essentials, I traced down other complaints to restaraunt.com. Glad I caught it right away. When I called the number on the charge, they have told me they will cancel my 'MVG membership' and credit my account within 3 to 5 business days. If they don't, my next communication will be with the Illinois Attorney General and the FTC. Fraud and deception. Check your accounts regularly!

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hbtogg
Garden Grove, US
Feb 15, 2010 6:08 pm EST

I noticed today that I was charged for membership fee ($19.95) in my monthly American Express. I called [protected]. The customer service agreed to credit the charge and said that I had made the authorization through a catalog order called Metrostyle. I have not placed any order through Metrostyle for long time. HbtoGG

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adfas
fdas, US
Feb 19, 2010 4:03 pm EST

I agreed to join the program via a phone call solicitation for $1. I was told I'd receive info in the mail about the program, and as long as I cancelled in 30 days, no more charges. If I did not cancel, I'd be charged 19.95 a month. I never received anything in the mail, but just saw my credit card statement and have been charged the two following months (after the $1 charge sign up date) 19.95! I called and told them yes charge me $1, but refund me the 2 x $19.95 charges. The rep said no, only the last charge of 19.95. I said hell no I'm not paying any charge but the agreed to $1, and I would like to speak to her supervisor. The supervisor heard my story and cancelled my membership and refunded my money right away.
Programs like this must not be run by people with any morals. The rep and the supervisor were well-trained in apology and professionalism, as I'm sure they receive these calls all day long.

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BeerGod
US
Mar 09, 2010 7:40 pm EST

We were also being charged $19.95/month by MVQ Shopping Essentials Plus. We called [protected] and spoke to a supervisor who agreed to refund all of the previous charges. She said we should receive our refund within 3 to 5 business days. Oh and don't forget to cancel the membership!

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Bsbabee03
US
Mar 18, 2010 3:47 pm EDT

Just has this exact thing happen, expect I catch the first charge on my checking account, they claimed I signed up for some $10 rebate from a pop up back in November 2008. I find it very shady they claim this yet I've never been charge until March 2010... Call canceled my membership, spoke with a rep and demanded a refund. She didn't argue at all and said the refund would process in 2-3 business days and quickly spit out a confirmation # and went to hang up. I had to say no wait, got her name, and the confirmation # again just so I have proof I did intend cancel and they said they would provide a refund. We'll see how it goes in the next week or so.

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jam10742
Eustis, US
Mar 26, 2010 10:13 am EDT

I read your comments and was thoroughly prepared for my phone call to "MVQ-Shoppes Plus" aka "AP9 Shopping Essentials". I had charges for both dating back to January 2008! I have the same habit of paying all expenses on a credit card for tracking purposes. I assumed this was something that my wife had signed up for and ALWAYS ignored it on the statements. I called [protected], hit # until I got a live person (thanks for the tip) and was offered a cancellation. I asked for a full refund and was transferred to a supervisor who offered 2 months refund (deviation from the scripted 3 months offer?). I am disgusted that this company gives itself an annual raise. I demanded a full refund and was quoted the amount which included 11 months that I did not even have record of! My monthly charges incurred were $14.95 in 2008, $17.95 in 2009, and $20.95 in 2010. Your posts saved me $463.65. Thank you all.

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NannerAnnie
Harris, US
May 28, 2010 2:48 pm EDT

I also received the charge from purchasing something from restaurant.com which is too bad, because I enjoy the coupons I have there. I called to cancel my "account" and requested a refund- this must be common, because the nice lady I spoke with at MVC... was quick to cancel my account, tell me where I "signed up" for the account, and issue me a refund. I am going to let ALL my friends who use restaurant.com know to check their billing statements for this fraud charge.

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KrisB
Pasadena, US
Jun 24, 2010 4:30 pm EDT

They have been calling me for over a month to get me to sign up for $1. I refused because it sounded fishy to me. They claimed I went to a site selling cookware and they wanted me to have a giftcard for Walmart but I also needed to sign up with their program for $1 to get a 30% discount on other purchases at Walmart. Just beware if it sounds too good to be true it is probably some type of scam.

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Caff
San Jose, US
Jul 03, 2010 6:28 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

OMG is correct! My Mom just asked me to review a recurring $11.95 charge similar to those described here. When I investigated online MVQ Shopping Essential Plus, it was obvious this is a scheme to trick people into a "membership". I will be on the phone Monday to cancel the bogus membership and require a complete refund. Mom's bank revealed that these charges go back 7 months! BEWARE ALL WHO ENTER THERE!

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jackiee3209
US
Aug 03, 2010 8:10 am EDT

Be vigilant even after you cancel this. 3 of my statements in 09 showed charges for $19.95 for 'MVQ*SHOPPEESPLUS', which I then canceled, foolishly not pursuing a refund. Now I've just noticed that they got me again, but now the charge is billed to 'MVQ*SHOPPINGESSENTIALS'. Think I'm going to have to cancel my credit card which I should have done in the first place.

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B.Fralick
US
Sep 07, 2010 8:54 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We just got off of the phone with MVQ Shopping Essentials and can't believe the scam they have going on. They told us our membership began when we ordered an item from Pyramid Collections. We called Pyramid Collections and they told us we accepted a membership when we read back our credit card number after calling in an order. They are both scam artist!

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builder53
Anson, US
Sep 30, 2010 10:03 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I just got off the line with these crooks, seems they have been tucking it to me for almost twelve months for having clicked on the wrong banner on Restaraunts .com. No authorization neccessary, which means they are in bed with RDC in order to be using your credit card for their charges. Now we all know how restaraunts.com pays for the "discounted" coupons they are supposedly giving you such a great deal on! Pure unadulterated scamming at its finest! All people please blog hard to avoid RDC online, it's a rip off!

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builder53
Anson, US
Sep 30, 2010 10:15 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I just got off the phone with these crooks. They have been charging me $20+ a month for about a year for my having clicked on the wrong banner on Restaurants.com. They are in bed with RDC in order for them to be able to charge your card which has been used in your purchase of coupons from RDC. Now we know how RDC can afford to give you these "great", ha, ha deals on their coupons. This is a cut and dried example of a scam to the tenth degree. I would say to all blog, twitter and tweet these clowns out of business or at least put some negative impact on their bottom line. You won't have to worry about my using restaurants.com again!

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Roy LaGrone
Tuscaloosa, US
Oct 05, 2010 8:01 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I called for refund, apparently a rip off tied into Vista Print which I Have used and thought it was a legitimate company. No MORE!

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jheller
Red Bud, US
Oct 07, 2010 11:35 am EDT

I just noticed that I have been being charged 19.95 for over a year now, to something I have no idea what it is. Shame on me for not paying better attention to my statements. Downfall of Paperless. I have no idea what site I bought something from when this happend, closest purchases were to Zappos and Lands End. I have yet to make any calls, any advice to the best approach to this. I looked at the class action suit, can I join it?

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beenbentover
Las Vegas, US
Nov 05, 2010 3:55 am EDT

Same as everyone else. charged 28.95 this month, did some research and they have been hitting me since January 2007. That's a 1400.00 lesson in paying attention. Called [protected] and was informed by recording that I signed up after ordering something from a TV commercial and agreed to membership when they offered a 50 dollar walmart gift certificate...I don't remember any of this. What a waste.

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shaunl22
Stickney, US
Jan 15, 2011 4:48 pm EST

I just noticed charges from Mvq shopping essentials on my account. I have already opened an investigation with my bank to dispute the charges, but for me the charges have been sporadic, one in december and another in october. I cannot believe how these companies are allowed to continue on in their fraudulent ways and screw more people over every day. I may even file my complaint with the district attorney even if everything gets resolved because these people should not be allowed to operate this kind of business under false pretenses. For anyone else who reads this, check your accounts regularly and thoroughly!

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TManners
Jacksonville, US
Feb 18, 2011 10:42 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I had the same problem, $346.70 taken before I figured it out and cancelled. Told them I wanted a full refund and they said they said no, but they would submit a request. Received an email the next day denying my request for a full refund. I then spent 15 minutes filing a BBB claim against the company. Within 2 days I received a second email saying that the full amount would be refunded. I received the full $346.70 refund within another few days. FILE A BBB COMPLAINT AND THEY WILL REFUND YOUR MONEY. COmplete scam of a company. I also filed a complaint against the company who I ordered with and which gave MVQ my credit card information as I feel that they should be held accountable for deeling with such a scam of a company.

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bj reed
Paso Robles, US
Mar 28, 2011 8:09 pm EDT

Unknown company charged my credit card four times for $26.95 until I figured out that it was a fraudulent charge. I was never compensated by my credit card company nor MVQ!

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Donna Painter
Dade City, US
Jan 30, 2012 4:02 am EST

I dont know why I'm being charged for this service. I did not give permisson to have this put on my debit card . Cancel this ASAP. Don't charge me any more. on this card. I don't owe you nothing.. I don't know why you are charging me $ 39.95 a month without my consent.I just caught this . My bank is going to stop this from going on my card again So cancel this immediately. It better not be on my card again, and I should get all that money back that you have already charged me . Sendme an e-mail dp4830@gmail.com in answer to this letter right away and let me kow that this is canceled. Donna Painter

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JoyceDill
Bellingham, US
Sep 16, 2014 1:10 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Apparently MQV SHOPPING ESSENTIALS+ has been siphoning off from $14.95 to $20.95 per month for many months from our business account without my knowledge. It would appear on my bank statement as "Miscellaneous Debit" and it was only when I got a hard copy of the account that I realized I didn't recognize MQV SHOPPING ESSENTIALS+ and had NOT signed up for this service. Somehow they "got" me, most likely from an online purchase for a business supply. WHY IS THIS KIND OF FRAUD LEGAL? Another bank with whom we do business requires us to authorize by signature ANY deductions from our account; apparently that's not the case with all banks. The MQV company did not respond to my inquiry but our bank was able to get us a refund in the amount of $559.50 under their FRAUD division. I'm sure that were our bank not involved we would have gotten no more than one or two months' refund for something we did NOT sign up for, did NOT order, and definitely did NOT want. To me this is FRAUD, THEFT BY ILLEGAL TAKING and downright STEALING. Why is this company still in business after so much fraud and so many complaints?