E Cigarette Free Trial Offer Scam

E Cigarette Scam

Fake news website promoting an e cigarette scam

If you have spent much time looking to buy e cigarettes on the internet, you have probably seen offers for a free trial e cigarette with a fake news or fake reviews website.  Beware!  These offers are a scam!  Once you enter your name, address, email and phone number you are taken to a second page.  The second page usually shows a special discount and asks you to pay a small amount for shipping and handling.  What you need to read is the fine print.

The fine print will show you have 14 days for your trial, then you will be charged $100+.  Then you are signed up for automatic refill cartridge orders of $50+ and another $10 for shipping and handling.  Most of the time, the e cig starter kit doesn’t arrive until after the 14 day trail period.  Even worse is when the customer doesn’t notice the charges on their credit card until after the electronic cigarette company sends the first month refills.  By then it’s too late.  You’re hit with over $150 of credit card charges and stuck with some of the worst quality e cigarettes you can buy.

What Can You Do?

At this point there’s only one thing to do.  Start calling and emailing and snail mailing the company to cancel your automatic monthly refill subscription.  More often than not, this is easier said than done.  They don’t like to be easy to contact because then they are required to cancel your subscription.  Some unlucky “customers” end up paying for 3 or more months of refill cartridges while they’re trying to contact the shady companies to cancel the subscription.

A lot of the scam companies are now allowing you to return your product if you contact them within a certain amount of time.  They require the customer to pay shipping costs back and send the package to an address listed on their website.

The list of brands that have offered this “free trial” is long with more popping up all the time.  Below you will find the list of companies and the information you need to cancel if you were unlucky enough to fall for the trap.  This list may change, if you need information for a company not listed, let me know, I’ll see if I can help you out.

E Cig Scam Company and Phone List

  • Direct E Cig - Phone: 1-888-217-9026
  • Lux E Cigarette – Phone: 1-866-830-1281
  • Prado E Cigarette - Phone: 1-877-647-3735
  • VIBE E Cig - Phone: 1-800-783-8803
  • Ignite ECig - Phone: 1-877-405-9014
  • Smoking Everywhere - Phone: 1-800-613-0337
  • VirtuSmoke - Phone: 1-866-776-0818
  • Smoke Star Electronic Cigarette – Phone: 1-877-657-3244
  • SmokeStick – Phone: 1-866-950-6351
  • Smart Smoker - Phone: 011448007569475 (UK number)
  • E-Cigs – Phone: 1-866-830-2464
  • Smoke 51 - Phone: 1-888-SMOKE-51
  • Smoke Assist - Phone: 1-800-505-7040
  • Knight Sticks - Phone: 1-800-806-2981
  • Emerald Lux Electronic Cigarette - Phone: 1-888-412-6086
  • Cig Reds - Phone: 1-888-904-6733
  • Green Puffer - Phone: 1-877-658-3244
  • Smokeless Selects - Phone: 1-866-583-9927
  • Raven E-Cigs - Phone: 1-888-470-0665

Don’t Buy From This E Cigs Company!

E Cigarette Free Trial

 

Don’t Give up on E Cigs!

If you are thinking about buying or already bought from one of these companies, I hope you’re not giving up on e cigarettes all together.  These companies really are giving electronic cigarettes a bad name.  If you’re still looking for a great e cigarette brand, we recommend you read our expert e cigarette reviews.  We make our recommendations based on several categories including real user opinions.  Read our Green Smoke review to see why they are our #1 ranked and best e cigarette brand.

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User Reviews

42 User Reviews for “E Cigarette Free Trial Offer Scam”
  1. This website posts the truth. The ranking of the top 10 brands changes as the different companies evolve. This is an outstanding source of information, and seems to be updated regularly.
    My top 2 e-cigs are V2 and GreenSmoke.
    My scam notice to everyone is Prado.
    Thank you Smokless E Cigarette Reviews!

  2. John Campeau

    This site ripped me 109.67 ecigs4us.com
    caught the charge right away. Hope I CAN GET IT BACK!
    How do they get away with it. and Why don’t are Banks protect us from Fraud. Gov is useless!

  3. sid darshan

    just read your blog ecigs operated by great plains nutrition in texas is a rip. now trying to avoid my 1st auto deduction. switched to greensmoke.
    cant a stop payment do the trick?

  4. This website is (un)intentionally supporting this scam. Avoid them.

    http://www.lifestyle-journals.com/?p=1688&source=mpul&c1=revealed

  5. Yep this is the one that got me.. please report them to GOOGLE and the DMCA… the more complaints the better. I have a 500.00 credit card that I use for the internet… I will be paying off the bill and CLOSING THE ACCOUNT now.. before these bastards get in and cause other havoc with my credit. I just maxed out because the plan was to pay it off in a couple of weeks.. problem is the VIDEO LINK that comes with the site above (it’s suppose to help enhance 1′s effect to stop smoking) has a NON working # THAT ECIG will give you the CORRECT # to call but it is bogus also.. when you call.. there is no mention of the name of the company being called. the ans. machine says you are the caller #1 and it will take ONE min. I stayed on the 3rd time 10 minutes… just 2 c what would happen.. no answer any time. problem the video is 29 99 a mo. and unless you cancel. since i can’t get through.. 29 99 I can expect on that card for pa leeze who knows how long.. I’m closing my account. Bastards
    http://www.lifestyle-journals.com/?p=1688&source=mpul&c1=revealed

  6. saw this just minutes after falling for the ignite/lux ecig scam. called the number i was given in my email immmediately and cancelled. thank you for the info.

  7. I was lead to the Emerald Lux FREE Starter Kit from an MSN News report about the success rate of e-cigarettes. Paid just $4.95 for shipping this kit and gave it as a Christmas gift. I thought: this is great! A reputable website referenced me so this has to be an honest and reputable company to buy from. I was so wrong… In early-January I received a package with refill cartridges that I did not order. I checked my bank account and found that it had been charged $69.90 for the refills. I then also learned they had charged me $109.95 for the “FREE” Starter Kit. I contacted customer service requesting a shipping label for the cartridges, and a refund for the charges. I was shocked at the customer service reply that essentially said “too bad, you signed up for it”. I explained that I was NOT aware that by choosing an Emerald Lux “FREE” starter kit I would be charged for that kit (how is it FREE then?) and automatically charged/shipped refills. I am giving them 2 business days to apply the refund & send a label before I contact my credit card company to dispute the charges. Based on how many scam-reports I have seen with this company, I don’t foresee any problems. What a scam!

  8. I ordered and got my free trial for the 4.95 but since was charged almost $180.00 and received nothing for it. No refills nothing. I am so pissed off. Just canceled my debit card so they cant do it again. there is no phone number or way I can find to contact them on the website.

  9. Thank you for the warning. I checked my credit card and sure enough there was a charge for $109.95 from GETEMERALDLUX.COM. I immediately called 1-818-335-3873 and canceled the order. They were very cooperative and said if I sent back the “free” sample pack they would credit my account $99.95 ($10 restocking/admin fee.) I am sending it back. If I don’t receive the credit I will be calling the Attorney General of my state to let them know about this.

  10. Re: this website’s comment “Don’t Buy from this E-cigs company,” I would like to point out that yes, Virginia there was small print – it came with the trial kit and if you didn’t read it, shame on you. The E-Cigs Brand allowed me to see if electronic cigarettes would even work for me, without investing a fortune up front. What I received was, in my opinion, a quality product that met my expectations. When I called customer service to try the lower nicotine cartridges, they sent me a 5-pack for free and extended my 14-day trial. As promised, the day after the trial expired, yes, they automatically shipped another batch of cartridges…fine with me. I’ve been “real” cigarette-free for 4 weeks and counting (although yes, I know, they can’t advertise it as a smoking-cessation product). No, the initial presentation is not crystal clear that you’re joining an ‘automatic’ club, but get a clue – they’re not the first company in the universe to use this marketing ploy. Bottom line, be an aware consumer – the company is not solely to blame.

  11. Instead of getting caught in a scam, I did read the fine print and cancelled, I went with the brand at Walmart. The most expensive kit was ~$28 dollars. Had two batteries, a USB and wall charger, three cartridges. 5 pack refills are ~$14. Much better than the E-Lux scam.

  12. It amazes me how people dont read the fine print, but blame it on the seller for ripping them off. BLAME yourself for not reading the fine print.I too was highly upset when I did not read the fine print. I called them up hot as a firecracker telling them ” I want to cancel send me the RMA”.I told them I was not going to pay $109 for a cog I could get in a local store for $20. But then she said ” I will give you a 50% discount and extend your trial period 15 more days.I did my research and for what I was getting for $55 was a lot compared to other sellers. So their customer service skills are excellent and their negotiating skills are great.

  13. I just got of the phone with my credit card company and they wont do a dispute.

  14. I am so glad I read this. I just got off the phone with Emerald and canceled my subscription. I have also notified my bank to accept nothing from them. I will just purchase from a retail store. Thanks so much.

  15. I signed up for the Ignite e-cig today under the impression that i would only be charged $4.95 for shipping. I did not see any fine print stating that they charge $109 after the free trial and $60 for auto renewal of the cartridges. I immediately cancelled my order and contacted my financial institution. Im thankful for sites like this that give you the heads up!

  16. This type of rip off must be stopped. We should initiate a class action lawsuit. Contact your state Atorney General. Spread the word and cancell your cards ! Today

  17. Thank you for the warning! I contacted Emerald Lux immediately as soon as I read this. And I got an immediate response from Emerald Lux Support so, I’m shipping it back and my checking Acct will not be charged. Thank goodness!!

  18. Ash Mesich

    Excellent submit, very informative. I’m wondering why the other specialists of this sector don’t notice this. You must proceed your writing. I’m sure, you have a great readers’ base already! What’s taking place, I am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & help different users like its aided me.

  19. Yea I fell for emeraldlux’s scam. Thought I was gettin a great deal for $4.95 and recieved a charge for $114.95 two days ago. Called them and they said it was a foruteen day trial and nowhere did I see it was a trial offer and on top of that I haddnt even had it for a week to try it. I argued till I was blue in the face with them but they would not budge. So I put in a claim with my bank and sent the product back. I will have to wait two weeks to see what occurs. After finding all this out I found several websites reporting how much of a scam this company is. Lesson learned read all reviews before ordering anything!

  20. desirable skins

    I just couldn’t leave your web site before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard information an individual supply on your guests? Is gonna be again often to check up on new posts

  21. sherry shook-holbern

    This company did the 4.95 thing to me and no where did they even say they were charging me more. the transaction is pending, called them and the bank to remove. Hope they do!!

  22. I won in Iowa

    I was very careful on the website ordering this product for $4.95 and checking everywhere on the pages and items i clicked on to make sure i was only paying that. Boom i get $99.67 charged to my account a couple weeks later. I told my bank it was a fraudulent charge and to ach it back to their bank and refund me. They were ok with that until the next day my bank called and said they couldn’t refund it to me they investigated and went to the company’s website and went over terms and conditions on page 1 and it states in there if you click certain verbiage on the site you are agreeing to the terms and conditions. My bank closed my dispute and will not refund my account. I did have my debit card canceled to prevent more charges. I will deal with them later. I called the company over 30 days from day of order and spoke with a lady in Florida where this company address was listed from. We went round and round about a full refund, they started with $40 refund, went up to $57.97, and up to $76.xx, i went on and on that it was fraud and if not refunded i would report them to Fed Reserve for bank fraud, I told them to agree to terms and conditions you must have a disclaimer next to/attached to links you are clicking to make it legal to attach terms and conditions to a link. Just putting terms and conditions at the bottom of a page and imbedding a statement in there that if you click “rush my order” you bind to the continuing payments and such was not legal. I spent 35 minutes with lady and finally she caved and stated will refund my full payment of $99.67 if I return product within 10 days and gave me a # to put on my return package. They said would send a confirmation email also about canceling continued product and my refund. That was yesterday and I don’t have it as of today. If i do not get a refund I will be going at my bank for the refund. The lady seemed like she got one of these calls right after another due to the way she handled my call. They have definitely set up this website to propagate fraud on people.

  23. They did the same exact thing to me as I won in Iowa. Word for word.

  24. thanks for this webpage. i was suckered into this too. I just got mine and was charging it when i found this website and went and read it more carefully. im well within my 14 days so hopefully it wont be an issue but im dont with the internet.

  25. Jason walstrom

    yes im getting billed more than i even have in my bank account and just got another 4 5packs of refills today its a nightmare exspecially unemployed in these very tough times ! can you help me find OPTIMA CIGS their website dosnt seem to have a link to them thank you, Jason

  26. Jason, Try 1-855-285-ECIG (3244) to cancel their cartridge program.

  27. They run the same scam as most, 4.95 for a starter kit, with the fine fine hidden print with you agreeing to sign up for auto bill and auto ship of 116.93 a month, when I phoned and spoke to Ashley, she offered to lower the price to 49.95 if I would continue, she was very kind actually, but she knew I knew they were scamming customers and I do not do business with companies that run shams like that, it says they are of low values and low customer service if they have to sneak your business out of you. It was clear they have a product that will not stand on its merrit by doing this, in my opinion.I will not reorder from this company, Nicotek has been awesome, they are full open and honest, and its a good product, No I dont work there or know anyone who does, just saying, they do good business with me at least.My bad, good lesson.

  28. i was aslo scamed by e-gigs spent 4.95 for free starter kit. they took the $4.95 out 0f my account on the 17th of jan 2013 then took $83.98 out on feb 8th 2013 dont make the same mistake i did trusting them.

  29. sotiredofscams

    I am out $116.93 thanks to Optima’s so-called “free trial”

    Will be contacting the BBB & Attorney General’s office tomorrow, to see what they can do.

  30. Martha Gilliam

    February 25th,2013
    I have really been Ripped off..By this company called:E-Cigs Their Ph number is:1-866-830-2464
    I had been wanting to stop smoking for quiet a long time,and Just so happened to see this ad,and it was only $4.95 for only shipping and handling.So here I Fall for it big time.Well Finally after around 2 weeks of applying My order arrived,and within about 3 weeks after my first order,I Also get another package from them,Which was Refills,I,Than call them to find out,What was going on here,and Thats when I Learnt that My Checking Account had been Ripped off by Big time by,these Debt-beat people.I Called my Bank,and they told me,they had already took money from my account,and there wasn’t anything they could do? Boys have I Been upset? I Called this E-Cig company back for a Refund,But no agreement from them What-so-ever.”I Am one that is very Disabled,and Only live on a small SSI Monthly check.But Heck,If they care? They don’t Give a Care What-so-ever.If soo,Than They would not be ripping me,and others off this way.I Am out of all this money,also Been maving checks to balance on me.Also My lights are gonna soon be cut off,Not counting My coming up Treatings Due to My health Conditions.because of Rip-Offs like this,and want have any heat.Only wish Some-one would give a care about Folks like me.and others:( I Will never ever order anything else off the Internet.Disabled or not,This sure has taught me to never Trust anyone ever again!!! If Some-One knows of Any Help for me out there,Please..Your Help Sure will be Soo very much Appreciated!!

  31. This is a total rip-off will take money out of your bank without premission messed my acount and took money for my bills
    Bonnie Parker NC

  32. IRINE HIGHT

    just got riped off like you guys i am going to do something about it getting hold of my bank stop payment on all withdrawls hope it works

  33. Like many others,I fell for a $4.95 free trial gimmick,the company sent me a trial pack in timely manner,and in two weeks my husband’s credit card was charged &109.00.He is naturally got mad at me,and canceled a trip to the mountains.Besides that i don’t feel,like being really ripped off.The company name is No Flame E-cigarette,their website is http://www.ECIGNOFLAME.com.Tel.1-877-647-3625.They are open Mon-Sun 6am-9pm EST and located in Miami Beach.Their cancellation policy is that return must be received within 30 days of purchase and be in reusable condition,and they write you’ll need to get some return Authorization Number from the customer service.It’s called guarantee of customer satisfaction.I called them right away and complained about $109.00 charge,which is very expensive for the “free trial”.The lady on the phone,said her name was Emmy,she was very polite and friendly,the line wasn’t really great,so she’s offered to call back,tried to convince me to get used to their product,but i said,just give me the money back,so she immediately said,all she can do is to refund &79.95 within 5-7 business days and cancel an account with them.They also offered me to keep the product instead of dilly-dally with the return shipping,and followed up the conversation by the very polite confirmation e-mail.The credited the card in 5 days,and i just keep the pack,which cost me like $33.95 in total.The cigarettes are OK,can be used as a show-up at the parties,even though i prefer flames in Marlboro lights.In a nutshell,my experience with e-cigarettes shipping was not bad at all.

  34. Michelle

    I guess I was lucky I used a gift card and got one. No wonder I can’t get a second one and other sites will not accept my Visa gift c.c.

  35. Janice Hughes

    I recently purchased the Emeraldlux trial Electric cigarette. After the 14 days was up they automatically took out $114.95. Under NO circumstances did I give permission to take out anymore money. I called to get my money back and never heard so much crap in my life. This is the worst company I have ever dealt with. Buyers Beware!! It’s not what you think it is!!

  36. lynda harold

    Not realizing it was a scam, I placed the order for 4.95 shipping and handling. There was know fine print either. Upon completion of my order I noticed there was know credit card approval. Which seemed odd to me, for some reason there was a phone # to call. I was told to call back in 2hours , because my order had not been processed. I hung up went on-line to look at bank account, the charge was already there. The sales rep at ecignoflame told me my account would have a reaccuring charge of 109.00 per month. I called my financial institution right away and cancelled my debit card. I also e-mailed them and told them I would call my bank and file a claim. I guess I was lucky, the bank put the 4.95 back into my account right away. Since my first PC there weren’t scam’s like these. What has happened? At one time the net was a safe place to go to. This is about the third time I have cancelled a debit card and filed a claim with my bank. Never again! Will I make such a stupid mistake. I now only order from 3 trusted sites on line and will never fall for this type of scam again.

  37. Eddy - Optimacigs.com

    Stopping fill out the electronic cigarette trial offer which comes to your email is very appropriate decision. At least there are credit card number is entered into the form. But some people, may be I in the future, still be able to be fooled by this scam.

  38. I ordered the 4.95 kit from E-Cig. The confirmation said congratulations on my subscription, saying I would be sent refills twice monthly. No small print, no prices. Two calls to E-Cig and they would not cancel the forced subscription. I called my credit card company and did a 3-way call to cancel…they STILL tried to force a subscription on me but I made it clear I wanted nothing more to do with their company. I finally received an RMA number and returned their “4.95 trial” merchandise without ever taking the E-Cig out of it’s packaging.
    Thank goodness for Mastercards dispute resolution professionals.
    If you’ve fallen for this scam CALL YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY AT ONCE!
    Good luck!
    Jay Bee

  39. BTW: Did business with V2 Cigs…Great products, honest company.
    E-Cig of Troy Wisc is a rip off but V2 Cig is an honorable company and I am pleased with their products and fair, well stated prices.
    Just giving credit where credit is due.
    Jay Bee

  40. Mine was a free gift after a purchase…..I did not read the fine print. Took one puff and then another and pop. did not work…since i thought it was a free gift was not expecting charge. Guess it is not wise to shop on the internet as you do not know about the scammer’s attached to legitmate businesses.

  41. I just bought a starter kit from them, thought it was all legit ’cause I got the offer through Amazon(never let me down before) got a call from a random number(phones messed up so I couldn’t hear them). Looked the number up and a bunch of people are getting scammed by them. You buy the starter kit they automatically sign you up for a membership without telling you and start automatic withdrawals from your account monthly. A few people have even said someone started using their card information in Canada and drained their accounts.
    I’m calling my bank tomorrow to block any future charges from them and I’m going to report them.
    I bought mine at a discount price and they’re telling me if I cancel my membership, I’ll have to pay the full price of the starter kit(bull shit). I can’t afford the full price which is why I took advantage of what I thought was a deal.

    Calling my bank first thing tomorrow. This shit is not going to fuck me over.

  42. Add Vaporin to the site, i believe it is another scam being spammed all over the web

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