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Hydroxatone “Free Trial” Is a Scam, Says Class Action Lawsuit
By Sarah Pierce
A class action lawsuit claims Atlantic Coast Media Group and Hydroxatone run a scam by advertising a free trial for beauty products and using the credit card information they get for the $7.95 “shipping and handling” fee to bill customers $209 for a 3-month supply.According to the Atlantic Coast Media Group and Hydroxatone class action lawsuit:
“Defendants advertise that these products are tested as a free trial and that consumers will only have to pay for shipping and handling in order to receive this free trial. This is a lie and a breach of agreement, because instead of sending the customers a free trial, Defendants send customers a three-month supply of products, then bill the customer’s credit card for the entire three-month supply. In many cases, Defendants also send and bill for other products (such as vitamins), which the customer has not ordered. Defendants have done this to thousands of people across the country. This is illegal, and this lawsuit seeks to stop this practice and recover all of the money that defendants wrongfully took from the Plaintiffs.”
The Hydroxatone scam class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of all persons who participated in a free trial of any product from Atlantic Coast Media Group and Hydroxatone, for payment of only shipping and handling; provided a credit card or debit card number, and were billed on that card by Defendants more than shipping and handling, without subsequent written authorization to do so.
It is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorney and court fees for Breach of Contract, Fraud, Unjust Enrichment and Sending Unordered Consumer Products.
A copy of the Atlantic Coast Media Group & Hydroxatone Scam Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.
The case is Lisa Margolis v. Atlantic Coast Media Group, LLC and Hydroxatone, LLC, Case No. 2:23-az-0001, United States District Court, District of New Jersey.
Updated August 5th, 2011
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39 thoughts onHydroxatone “Free Trial” Is a Scam, Says Class Action Lawsuit
linda u are a idiot,u trying to buy product that cost starting at 40 buks up to 100 a jar,and u only have 11 dollars in the bank,now people these are the people are bitching.i agree with sharon,some schoole need help,linda made through school,because they were tired of her constant bitching,lol
u got a bill because u didn’t pay for your order,they let use there high end treament for the first 30days free,then u buy them.to the lady who is filing suit,and u work at a law firm,are u kidding me.how did u get the job?,you just proved to the whole world you cant read.u must be sleeping around.anytime u do a risk ree trial,u are a risk of paying for the items if you dont call the company customer service dept,after the 30 day trial period ends.wow we need to spend more money on education that for sure!!!!!!
the only people here crying over being scammed is the dummys who wants to get free shit,and when they find out after being told its not free the get pissed off.there is nothin free in this world.companys do not make profits by giving away free stuff.i use to but my products from macys,they never gave me any free stuff,so i hydroxatone spends millions on tv add just to give away free items,Autoship is a option,u just have to call them to turn it off.dont live beyond your means,dont buy wut cant afford..far as the issuse of results..Hello mc fly,there are anti ageing treatments..they take time with continued use.i have to return some stuff to change out for the sensitive skin formula,no biggie,but the customer service rep clearly stated there is 30 day return policy,and form the day u call to get the retun number i have two weeks to get it back to them..thats no prob,but if i did not return in on time,its my fault..no one else fault if im busy or just forgetfull…
Where in the hell do you people get the word sample from anyway, because in every TV ad or the website I do not see the word EVER APPEAR. Not once. I’ve seen comments here talking about the sample. Funny how you called in for something that wasn’t advertised.
you people need to learn how to read,when u open ur mail,read it,don through away,and just because ur fogot,to mail your order back,or you dog died,or did not mail it back in time,is that a companys fault!!..the t.v states risk free trial terms/conditions apply read them..butt some how peoples brains turn risk free into..free sample,i love there proucts.and u can buy there product for a half price compaired to buying them at the mall….
@Pija : It’s been Hydroxatone for over a decade. You are an idiot.
Did anyone even bother checking up the BBB for reports about this? Don’t you think in 12 years of running trials, at some point, they’d be taken down or NOT have an A- rating? Don’t you think if these claims were legit someone out there would’ve filed a claim that would lower that rating?
Oh that’s right…these claims aren’t legit. Look folks, it wasn’t free, they never said it was and if you called the automated line or went Online to order then it was an absolute impossibility you weren’t told the terms. Read, listen and STOP BUYING CRAP YOU SEE AT 2 AM!!!
I am in customer service and I can already point out a couple of flaws in some of these comments.
@Hathorn: If you had proof from the post office you’d be refunded, company policy.
@Yvonne: Pay attention to what you sign up to. A three month package is split into three payments in 90 days, one for each container received. Did you check the statement that..y’know..told you this with thirty days to return and not be billed?
Here’s the fact, in the calls I have taken I have learned one thing: Pride trumps all. People agree to something without reading or paying attention, then when they get hit up for the money they agreed to pay, that’s when the word SCAM gets tossed around.
I filled out the order for the free trial off..but when it got to the part about my billing information I just ended the order..first why do the need a credit card just for shipping and handling charges..isn’t that what sending a package COD is for? red flag for me right there…and why can’t the payment options be a check,money order or cashiers check.. because they know they want to charge your credit card with extra charges…they should be arrested for scamming people..thats the same as theft..
DON’T DO IT!!! AGREE – TOTAL SCAM. I cancelled the free trial two days after I received the first (and only) shipment. Every month they charge my card another $69.95 but never shipped anything after the first “free trial”.