Cigar of the month club
In July I received a Cigar of the month club package that I did not order from Smoke Inn. I opened it because I did not know what it was. There was no invoice, only “The Cigar of the month Club flyer”. I contacted the number on the package immediately to speak to customer service about this mistake but they could not help me and directed me to email Smoke Inn about the issue, so I did. The first few response emails were polite and they seemed genuine in their attempts to help resolve the issue but they would not acknowledge the fact that I repeatedly told them I was not the person who had ordered the cigars. They kept reiterating that because it was my name on the shipping and billing address and that a MCCC had been charged, it was a legitimate order and I would be responsible for retuning them if I wanted a refund. The MCCC was not mine so NO refund would be coming to me. I requested that they send me documentation of the original invoice via email since one had not been included in the package. They did send the invoice via email but the email and phone number on the invoice were not mine either! This was very concerning and suspicious and I told them this! Smoke Inn kept saying to me that this is not fraud because I received the merchandise and it had been paid for. It may not be fraud but this most definitely is definitely a scam. It is called a Brushing Scam! And I urge everyone to look it up. I don’t know if Smoke Inn is personally in on the Brushing Scam but this has been a nightmare! Smoke Inn continues the stance that I still have the package ( I do not) and that they had graciously offered to refunded me if I would have returned the cigars but that I chose not to accept those terms etc. Again, I said to them, “I did not order the cigars!” period and I no longer have them. And by the way, there are shipping and restocking fees they charge to return them. I was not about to pay S/H and fees especially for an order I didn’t make. The actions I have taken thus far: 1. I took pictures of the entire package and contents. 2. Gave the package back to my mail carrier “Return to Sender” 3. Filed a report with FTC 4. Contacted my bank and alerted them to what was happening and as a precaution got a new credit card even though my credit card wasn’t actually used in this transaction. 5. Filed a report through Experian, TransUnion, Equifax and put a Freeze on my card so anyone trying to use my personal info would be flagged. Such a Hassle but worth it! Fast forward: It’s August 13th now and I am still receiving hostile emails from the Smoke Inn company saying I still have the product, which I DO NOT and I have the USPS tracking email to prove it. Regardless, Smoke Inn is saying they are going to pursue this and not Refund payment for the cigars! Again, the refund would be going to a CC that doesn’t belong to me! I responded back and told them all the actions I have taken to protect myself and my identity. And said, if you’re not in on this scam I apologize for the hassle but I will not back down because someone has stolen my identity. Then I suggested that they email or call the email and/or phone number that were listed on the Invoice they sent to me. The email and number are more than likely fictitious though. I am waiting back for a response to this last email. I have no idea what to expect or do next. PLEASE, everyone be very careful out there and stand up for yourselves! This has been absolutely mind bending! Another life lesson learned!
By Melissa H.