I know I've post a complaint on the same company before about their scam. I received a collection notice saying that I owe them almost $200 and that I have to pay in full. There was an online site where you can pay online, I've checked the website and it does not exists. They're going to hear from my lawyers.

I first discovered this company through Web MD. I have some pretty severe acne scars from my youth and have always wondered if scar removal products would help me.

I found Striaex's trial offer and it appeared to me that they were willing to send you a bottle free for only the shipping cost of $2.95. I remember seeing that the ointment costs $109.99 and telling my wife that if they're willing to send you a free sample and normally charge that much that it must work.

Needless to say I received not only 1 bottle, but 2 in the mail. They were very small, 1 fluid ounce a piece, so I figured that it was just the trial size and I would never have imagined that they charged $110 for one of those bottles. I tried the product that evening, following the instructions on the bottle, but did not see any visible difference in my scars. Later I remember laughing that it was just a scam which reminded me off the old snake oil cure-all tonics from old western movies.

Where Striaex made their mistake with attempting to rip me off is I do all my banking online and monitor not only my bank accounts, but my credit cards on a daily basis.

I logged online yesterday and saw that I had a $419.91 debit pending my checking account. Being that I paid the shipping charges with my checking account debit card meant they were taking the money straight from my bank account. I would not advise that after this experience.

I immediately contacted my bank and had them block the transaction. I was then told by my bank that if Striaex attempted to charge my account again that I would have to allow the debit to clear and then contest it with the bank. Ultimately, I had the bank cancel my debit card so that won't be an issue.

After all of that I went online and sent an e-mail to Striaex's customer service telling them that not only had their product not worked, but that I had not ordered anything further from them, and did not intend to. I then told them that any further action on their part to pursue me for the $419.91 that I would file a fraud complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, with my state's attorney general's office, and then forward all of it on to Web MD.

I received the exact same e-mails as the all the other complaints listed on complaintsboard. I received one from their customer service department stating that because I was threatening them that they could no longer help me and that I was going to have to deal solely with their legal department. I then received an e-mail from the legal department threatening hell and damnation if I don't pay them and stop disputing the charges. I believe that is where they make a mistake and their scam breaks down.

I'm at a loss for what to do. Last February (2008) I ordered the free sample for $2.95. Ok, then they said if I don't return at least 1 of the 2 "free" samples I would be charged $98 and change within 25 days. I returned both w/in that time period, but they claimed they never received them and it was over 25 days anyway. Ok, I was duped, and they conned me and got almost $100 from me. Now, on August 12, 2008, I get a new email from them that said my credit card is now being charged $189.95 for the 2 bottles they claimed they never got back. I wrote back that they already charged my card $98, how could they do this? I never received any additional product anyway. No response. Finally a response that they will take legal action if I decide to fight this via credit card fraud and even the local police. You can't get thru on the phone, just a recording. I cannot afford this $189 and it's already been taken out of my card. I called Visa to report fraud and they said they'll investigate but that doesn't help me. Plus Striaex said they will sue me if I report them to credit card fraud. How on earth can this company still be in business? I should have changed all of my credit/debit card numbers, who knew this would happen? Thanks.

Ok, so I bought this stuff called Striaex which is a stretch mark cream and I got it under a free trial offer. The terms of agreement are listed below so that you can see that I’m not just pulling shit out of thin air!

“Limited time offer.

You'll receive a full 3-month supply of Striaex Anti-Stretch Mark Cream. This is your opportunity to try it out for free.

> Try our free trial to see
how Striaex Anti-Stretch Mark
works for you.
> No Risk, No Obligation.
> Only pay S/H - $2.95

Striaex Anti-Stretch Mark Cream is regularly priced at $129.99. Try it for free with this special offer. We're that confident it will work for you.

Free Trial Terms & Conditions:

Start your FREE Trial now to receive a full three-month supply of Striaex Anti-Stretch Mark Cream. You'll have 25 days from today, 06/27/2008 to evaluate this product and see the results for yourself. If you like the way Striaex works for you, simply do nothing.

This is not an autoship program. Striaex Anti-Stretch Mark Cream is FREE to try. You will be billed $94.99 for each of the two jars one time after 25 days only if you decide to keep your order. If, for any reason, you should decide Striaex is not for you, return only one of the two jars within 25 days of the placement of your trial order. The second jar is yours to keep FREE just for trying our products. Please be sure we receive your return within 25 days of purchase date to avoid being charged. Terms & Conditions are subject to change without notice. Expedited shipping takes 1-3 weeks. See our easy return instructions under Help for details.”

So today my account got charged and I sent an email to their customer service stating that I mailed back one of the jars, as per the terms of agreement and I would like my account credited back with the funds.

Then I got an email back from customer service, one of the finer points was "It is a Free Trial Period of 25
days, not a Free Product.”

So, I wrote back:

Dear Mike, or whomever is concerned,

Per the terms of agreement as listed on Striaex.com, the terms and conditions are as follows: (Please see the highlighted, bolded, and enlarged text below for reference.)

If you require that I do return BOTH jars, as opposed to the terms clearly listed below, please advise and I will return the second one as well.

I do, however, require that my credit card be recredited in the amount of $94.99. I am also requiring that I be refunded for the shipping cost of the second jar, in the amount of $4.40, as it was stated in the terms of agreement described below, that "The second jar is yours to keep FREE just for trying our products. " If you are requiring the return of the second jar in order to process my refund.

If my account is not credited in the amount of $94.99 by July 11, 2008- two weeks from today's date, then I will contact my bank regarding this fraudulent charge that clearly violates the terms of agreement.

Then I got this:

Attention Amanda,

You are selecting parts of our terms and conditions eliminate so that you don't feel responsible for your purchase. You have been charged the two charges for the two items that you did not return within the 25-day trial period.

I have sent your account to our Legal Department regarding your intention to dispute charges with your bank. Your dispute is classified as fraudulent and I highly recommend that you do not choose this course of action. Our Legal Department is very strict about fraudulent disputes. The legal fees, reversal fees and fines are very expensive. I strongly suggest you do whatever it takes to cancel your dispute and cooperate with our Legal Department.

Sincerely,

Mike, Customer Service.
Striaex Customer Service.

Sorry- But I was not paraphrasing the terms of agreement- I copied and pasted the ENTIRE THING!!!

Then, I got this from LEGAL!!!

Attn: Amanda *,

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUEST WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE LEGAL ACTION.

I have received your account information and your correspondence that you intend to dispute a charge made to your account for a Striaex product you purchased from www.striaex.com. You placed an online order for one of our Free Trials at www.striaex.com and we did not receive your return within the 25-day trial period. It is a Free Trial, not a Free product. You were charged in accordance to the terms and conditions of sale to which you agreed upon purchase.

This is to inform you that all disputes are automatically reversed and customers are charged a $75.00 processing fee for EACH charge back on top of the product cost. Multiple charge backs are assessed a $75.00 charge each. Any further action taken to dispute charges will be assessed a further $75.00 fee. Any outstanding balances are immediately sent to a collection agency and litigation is initiated for collection.

AS REQUIRED BY LAW, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT A NEGATIVE CREDIT REPORT REFLECTING ON YOUR CREDIT RECORD WILL BE SUBMITTED TO A REPORTING AGENCY IF YOU FAIL TO FULFILL THE TERMS OF YOUR CREDIT OBLIGATIONS.

We have the following evidence that will ensure a dispute reversal:

1. Positive AVS match.
2. CVD Match.
3. UPS Signature showing proof of product receipt.
4. Verification that check box was checked at the time of purchase confirming your agreement with our Terms and Conditions. Orders cannot be placed unless box is checked.

TO AVOID PUNITIVE AND COMPENSATORY DAMAGES, YOU MUST:

1. IMMEDIATELY CEASE AND DESIST IN ANY FALSE CLAIMS THAT YOU 'DID NOT AUTHORIZE' OR 'DO NOT RECOGNIZE' THE CHARGES MADE TO YOUR ACCOUNT.
2. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY MADE SUCH FALSE CLAIMS, YOU MUST CONTACT YOUR BANK OR CREDIT CARD ISSUER IMMEDIATELY AND TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO WITHDRAW SUCH CONTENTIONS.
3. CONTACT MYSELF CONFIRMING THAT YOU HAVE WITHDRAWN YOUR DISPUTE.
4. MAKE AN IMMEDIATE PAYMENT IN THE AMOUNT YOU CONTESTED AT WWW.STRIAEX.COM/LATE-PAYMENTS.HTM IF YOUR BANK DOES NOT ISSUE US AN IMMEDIATE CREDIT FOR THE DISPUTED AMOUNT.

Striaex will aggressively pursue all legal means to prosecute you if fail to meet these demands and if you make any further attempts to pursue your fraudulent dispute.

YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER IS REQUIRED. YOU MUST CONTACT MYSELF WITHIN 7 DAYS WITH PROOF THAT THE DEMANDS OF LETTER HAVE BEEN MET. ALL OTHER RESPONSES TO THIS LETTER INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, REASONS WHY YOU INITIATED THIS FRAUDULENT DISPUTE, ARE UNACCEPTABLE AND WILL NOT PREVENT LITIGATION. FURTHERMORE, I WILL NOT REPLY TO THIS TYPE OF RESPONSE.

Sincerely,
Steve Mitchell - Legal Advisor.

These people are refusing to give me my money back and threatening to pursue prosecution! Even though I sent this stuff back to them and are threatening to prosecute me if I contact my bank!!! I don’t know what to do! This is so ridiculous! They are threatening me, I have NEVER been treated like this by a company before!

I am so mad! You don't want me to pursue any action??? Well guess what? I think I will!

Update on this ripp off company I finally recieved my money back .I out smarted these crooks.I ordered there product on the 5th of December but didn't recieve it untill the 20th of December.I shipped it back to them with the return address that was on the shipping label it cost me 12.01 but was worth every penny.I went through UPS and what really helped me was the fact that they refused this package in which they broke their agreement about refunds.I kept all my reciepts I even had all the tracking numbers from UPS the one on the shipping label from them and to them.I have contacted the BBB in USA and Canada but I also contacted my Attorney General's office in which they are investagating .I'm sure they put every customer through this with there scare tatics don't fall for it.Let me guess I bet you have heard from Mike(customer service) and Steve Mitchell their so-called leagal advisor.Don't be afraid to fight them and whatever you do cancel your credit cards at once. File a complaint with your Attorney General's office.You can file one online.Good Luck.