Unauthorized Charges

Details

Created on Monday, 01 December 2014 19:16

Written by Kendra Carter

VERMONT-JCPenney and it’s affiliate will be giving back to this holiday season.

The department store, along with Stonebridge Benefit Services, will be paying both the state and it's consumers $400,000 in settlements for improperly charging JCPenney credit card holders.

Stonebridge Benefit Services is a direct marketing company owned by Aegon Co. selling discount  memberships that provide consumers with discounts on various purchases. Stonebridge consumers can get discounts on anything from cars to clothes, but are charged with a membership fee.

Card holders were unknowingly enrolled in a membership program with Stonebridge. Therefor, consumers were charged with membership fees and had their credit card information handed over; all of which was in direct violoation with the Vermont 2012 Discount Memebership Act.

The first settlement persued under the act requires companies to seek the permssion of their consumers before enrolling them in membership programs and to remind their consumers periodically of their charges.

For not complying with the ACT, JCPenney and Stonebridge will pay the State $175,000 in settlements and over $227,000 in consumer refunds. Vermont consumers who file complaints by December 31, 2014 will also be reimbursed, as long as Stonebridge has no evidence of authorization.

If you were charged by Stonebridge without authorization you can file a complain with the Attorney General’s Office at:

 109 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05609, attn:Eliot Burg.