ICM Websites

This company is advertised as a turn-key business opportunity that offers prospective clients the ability to create single product websites launch products for auction on EBay as well as operate a Mall Web store which is said to come pre-stocked with products. The websites provided are built by the buyers using templates. The membership data base which buyers pay to use is said to be tied into a network of drop-shippers and fulfillment centers making it easy for clients to select products and deliver them to their clients without handling them. Careful reading of the terms and conditions will reveal there are 3 different charges for this program. The first is the initial charge of $2.97 is for processing of the account. It also provides the customer with access to the service for a 3 Day Trial Period so they can decide if they would like to continue with the service and pay the additional charges. After the 3 day trial period the customer is then charged a one-time fee of $139.95 for the service membership. The customer then has access to the full service until they elect to cancel the service. Each month that the service is active the customer will be charged a monthly maintenance fee of $4.95. ~~We advise against sending money to companies making these kinds of offers. Most advertise on the Internet via email or in the help wanted sections of newspapers and other publications. The companies placing the ads are not hiring anyone nor are they providing a legitimate opportunity to earn money. Even if you did open a Mall Web store without traffic to your site how would you find customers? Their actual business is deceptive advertising designed to entice the public to send fees to get started. Addresses given are usually mail drops advertised phone numbers reach recordings and calls are not returned and no local phone numbers are listed. Most work-at-home companies advertise in states other than where they are located so as to avoid prosecution. ~~We urge careful consideration before agreeing to trial offers or giving your credit card number to unfamiliar companies with unfamiliar products. Complaints about similar offers have repeatedly produced patterns of allegations of false advertising unauthorized credit card charges and inability to cancel. Although this company's information is advertised as a free trial the charge imposed for shipping and handling of the product ($2.95) actually makes the offer NOT free. The offer is conditional upon agreeing to a monthly membership access subscription program. Once your credit or debit card number has been provided to cover shipping and handling it will remain on file with the seller for shipping and billing purposes. If you forget to cancel or for any reason is unable to do so your card number is readily available to bill for your firs month's subscription. Customers report that cancellation requests are ignored calls are not returned and credit or debit cards continue to be charged for products or services that are unwanted by the consumer. ~ ~This company's free trial offer is conditional upon accepting their offer for additional product. FTC Guidelines for advertising this type of offer require that all terms and conditions of the offer as well as cancellation instructions be clearly and conspicuously displayed in at least 10 point type before asking for payment or obtaining the customer's consent. Clearly and conspicuously means NOT disclosed in microscopic print accessed by a web link to another site but rather disclosed along with the free trial solicitation. Regardless many consumers overlook the advisory and are unaware of the charge until their next monthly credit card statement. In this company's case consumers complain they are unable to cancel services by using the instruction provided by the company. Even worse they are unable to contact the company at all. Emails are not returned or acknowledged and calls are not returned. Industry guidelines require marketers to provide a fast easy method of canceling either by mail phone or website Failure to do so may be a violation of consumer protection laws.~~Most credit card issuers will allow the cardholder 60 days to dispute an unauthorized or inaccurate charge. Review your monthly statement carefully. If you discover a charge which is unfamiliar investigate and dispute the amount with your card issuer as soon as possible to protect yourself from making unwanted purchases.