Attorney General Strikes Against Acai Scammers
The Acai Berry industry has taken yet another hit with a landmark settlement between some prolific scammers and the Arizona Atty Gen Terry Goddard. This settlement is good for everyone, but may cause some ripples on the water in what is already a very delicate industry.
The details of the settlement are as follows: $1 million will go towards civil penalties to the state. $350,000 was set aside for customer restitution (and on this note, if you feel you are at as part of this package, then you need to apply to the Arizona attorney general’s office by close of business August 17, 2009); the remaining $25,000 with the state’s legal costs incurred in bringing the action.
So what exactly did Central Coast Nutraceuticals do to deserve such a penalty? Well, quite simply put, they scammed a lot of people. They were one of many Acai companies running what are known as free trial scams. The customer is enticed into paying a minimal amount for shipping and handling costs, in a matter what is sold to them as a trial. In fact, unbeknownst to the consumer, they are signing up for a subscription to receive a regular shipment of the product at full price.
Naturally many customers signing up this deal were not interested in receiving regular acai shipments. Surprise turned to frustration as the customers realize they could not cancel the subscription. CCN made it very difficult to contact them by not answering e-mails and leaving callers on hold for over an hour. Often the only way out of this scam is to cancel credit card from which the Acai is being charged.
People taking advantage like this of the popularity of Acai as a health food should consider their cards marked. There is a legitimate market for Acai, and many legitimate distributors fulfilling legitimate orders. Scammers take note: you are not welcome here.
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