BBB or Better Business Bureau warns consumers about advertisements/sellers of teeth whitening products online. They say consumers must be aware of these especially those who are offering teeth whitening treatments for free trials. BBBs around America have received a number of complaints from consumers who thought they were signing up for a free trial of teeth whitening products but were repeatedly billed for products and services they didn't want.
William Truscott of Plainfield, IL fell victim to this scam:"I got an e-mail about free samples of a teeth whitening product. I printed the offer and it did not say anywhere that you had to sign up for monthly shipments. I got a bill for $70 and said-wait a minute-- and called them. They told me that I signed up for this. I had saved the ad and it does not say this anywhere. I said that I wanted credit for the samples. They stopped the shipments and the bills but I did not get credit."
Another victim, Ann Thoele of Elmhurst, IL said: "I ordered the free sample by phone for what was supposed to be $1.99. I was billed for around $78 that I never expected. I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, the Attorney General and my credit card company. I really don't intend to pay."
Better Business Bureau has identified some of the companies that are behind these teeth whitening websites:
Advanced Wellness Research- the company's teeth whitening treatments are sold under the names of Max White, My Whitening, Gleaming White Smile .
Dazzle White, White Smile, Teeth Smile and Dazzle Smile- Complainants report being billed as much as $79 for the free trial and are charged for several other services-such as a weight loss program.
Ivory White- Other related companies include Ortho White and Bella Brite. Complainants say they were charged as much as $78 a month for their free trial.
William Truscott of Plainfield, IL fell victim to this scam:"I got an e-mail about free samples of a teeth whitening product. I printed the offer and it did not say anywhere that you had to sign up for monthly shipments. I got a bill for $70 and said-wait a minute-- and called them. They told me that I signed up for this. I had saved the ad and it does not say this anywhere. I said that I wanted credit for the samples. They stopped the shipments and the bills but I did not get credit."
Another victim, Ann Thoele of Elmhurst, IL said: "I ordered the free sample by phone for what was supposed to be $1.99. I was billed for around $78 that I never expected. I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, the Attorney General and my credit card company. I really don't intend to pay."
Better Business Bureau has identified some of the companies that are behind these teeth whitening websites:
Advanced Wellness Research- the company's teeth whitening treatments are sold under the names of Max White, My Whitening, Gleaming White Smile .
Dazzle White, White Smile, Teeth Smile and Dazzle Smile- Complainants report being billed as much as $79 for the free trial and are charged for several other services-such as a weight loss program.
Ivory White- Other related companies include Ortho White and Bella Brite. Complainants say they were charged as much as $78 a month for their free trial.
BBB offers the following advice to consumers on purchasing teeth whitening products online:
- Beware of supposed third-party endorsements. Be extremely cautious of any ad that links to a blog or Web site news articles. The blogs and supposed news articles were likely created by the company and are not the unbiased endorsement of real consumers or reporters.
- Always read the fine print. Many Web sites offering a free trial of a teeth whitening product do not disclose the billing terms and conditions or do not have such details prominently displayed on their Web site. Before giving the company any credit or debit card information, review the Web site fully and be aware that free trials typically result in repeated billing.
- Check the company out with your BBB first. Before signing up for any free trial, review the business' Reliability Report™ online at www.bbb.org to see if the BBB has identified issues with the company.
- File a complaint with BBB if you feel you've been ripped off. Consumers who feel they are being deceived by a business selling teeth whitening products online can file a complaint with their BBB at www.bbb.org.
For more information on teeth whitening products, or online shopping go to www.bbb.org
