AG Schneiderman
New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman is reminding consumers to file complaints with his office to potentially receive restitution if they believe they were harmed by the online marketing company, Internet Order LLC, which operated the website PimsleurApproach.com and sold language audio courses over the Internet.
“Many New Yorkers were duped by Internet Order’s deceptive and fraudulent business practices. I am pleased that my office can begin to provide restitution to those who were affected,” Schneiderman said. “We won’t tolerate companies who seek to exploit New Yorkers for profit.”
In August the Attorney General announced he had reached a $1 million settlement with Internet Order as the result of an investigation made in conjunction with the Attorney Generals of Washington and Pennsylvania, who also received complaints about the company.
Internet Order was accused of using “negative option” marketing in the sale of Pimsleur-branded language audio courses, meaning consumers’ failure to cancel the transaction after the “free trial” of their initial purchase left them at risk for potentially being charged hundreds of dollars. Some courses that were advertised at $9.95 ultimately cost consumers more than $1,000.
The settlement agreement provides for a claims process for consumers who believe they were harmed by Internet Order. On October 26, 2015 Dahl Administration will be sending email messages to consumers who purchased the CDs from Internet Order between January 1, 2009 and April 1, 2013, and who unsuccessfully attempted to cancel within 45 days of the expiration of the “free trial” period. The email will include a link to a claim form with more directions on how to obtain a possible refund. All other consumers who believe they were harmed by this company’s negative option marketing scheme are encouraged to file a written complaint with the office here to be considered for a possible refund as well. Complaints must be received by October 31, 2015 to be considered for a refund.
For more information regarding the settlement and how to obtain a refund, please visit www.InternetOrderAGSettlement.com or call 1-877-841-9362.
