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BBB Warns Consumers to Watch for Mystery Charges from iEarn, LLC

8/24/2010

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Mysterious charges of about $65 to $68 from iEarn, LLC, are turning up on credit card and bank accounts across the U.S., according to recent complaints to Better Business Bureau. Some complaints allege that accounts have been charged more than once by the Coppell, TX-based business. Now the business is operating as Success Funding Now.

A woman in St. Paul, MN, complained: “A bill of $65.32 appeared on my credit card statement … I have never heard of let alone done business with this company and wonder where they got my credit card information. I am disputing the transaction through the credit card company but it concerns me that I have never heard of this company before yet they are billing me for what???”

The first complaint was filed with BBB in late July, 2010, and a month later there are 19 complaints. The complaints are from California, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Utah, and Wyoming. BBB sent the complaints to the business, but so far there has been no response.

iEarn, LLC, now operating as Success Funding Now, is not a BBB Accredited Business. The business has a BBB rating of F, on a scale from A+ to F. Reasons for this rating include:

• BBB concerns with the industry in which this business operates.
• Length of time business has been operating.
• BBB does not have a clear understanding of this business.

“BBB urges consumers to check their credit card and bank accounts frequently for any unauthorized charges,” said Kim States, BBB President. “The unexpected and unexplained charges from iEarn, LLC, now operating as Success Funding Now, are not just an inconvenience to the consumers whose accounts have been charged. BBB is concerned that the charges may be fraudulent.”

Complaints report that not only is it a mystery where the charges come from, but also the business isn’t answering the phone or replying to emails.

A man in Phillipsburg, KS, said: “On 7-22-2010, $65.32 was charged to my credit card without my approval. When calling the number on my statement I got a recorded message that said due to a large volume of calls any questions would have to be handled by email and they would get back to me within 24 business hours. If I wanted to cancel I would have to give them the last 4 digits of my credit card, which I will not do. I have emailed them twice over the last 7 days and have had no response … “

One clue about the charges can be found on the Web site for Success Funding Now. The site offers a “coaching program” for small businesses, consisting of “educational tools and training needed to help you stay on the cutting edge of knowledge and profitability …” The program is “only $68.74” which “will get you 60 days of access to our Hotline for continued support from our coaches.”

Adding to the mystery, consumers report they’ve been charged varying amounts of $65.32, $67.34, or $68.74.

A woman in Muskegon, MI, was surprised with two $67.34 charges: “I realized while trying to get cash back with a purchase at my local grocery store that there wasn't enough funds to get the cash back I wanted. I called my card company and requested my last transactions. That's when I was given the information of the charges made to iEarn LLC. There are 2 charges of 67.34 completed on the same day.”

BBB advises consumers that any unauthorized charges on credit cards or bank accounts should be investigated promptly. If the business does not resolve the problem, take these steps:

• Contact your credit card company to dispute the unauthorized charge. For an unauthorized debit on your bank account, contact your bank. You may want to consider reporting the charge as fraud to your credit card company or bank, and to your local police department.

• Continue to keep an eye on your account. Additional unauthorized charges could turn up.

• You may want to talk to your credit card company or bank to see if there are additional steps you can take to protect the account from future unauthorized charges.

• File a complaint about unauthorized charges with BBB. See www.tucson.bbb.org.

• Report the unauthorized charges to the office of the Attorney General in your state. For a list, visit http://www.naag.org/current-attorneys-general.php.

• For tips on identity theft or to report suspected identity theft, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). On the Internet, visit http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/. Or call toll-free 877-438-4338.

To check out a business, find a BBB Accredited Businesses, or file a complaint, start at www.tucson.bbb.org.
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