Over the past few months, ads have emerged across the internet depicting Shark Tank investors like Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, and Lori Greiner raving about Gentle Wave CBD Gummies for extreme pain relief, reduced anxiety, better sleep and more. However, these endorsements are completely fabricated.
The Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scam uses altered images and false claims to promote these supposed “miracle gummies” that will help you “live pain-free” and “destress in minutes” without any extra effort. In reality, Gentle Wave CBD Gummies appear to be a subscription trap scam that signs people up for expensive recurring credit card charges without clearly disclosing the terms upfront.
This detailed guide will expose the deceptive techniques used in the Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scam so consumers can recognize and avoid it. We’ll examine how the scam works to repeatedly charge customers exorbitant fees through shady advertising, concealed ordering processes, and refusal to cancel subscriptions or refund charges.
Overview of the Gentle Wave CBD Gummies Scam
The Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scam operates on deceit at every stage. First, fake advertisements are proliferated online depicting Shark Tank investors like Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, and Lori Greiner endorsing Gentle Wave CBD Gummies for pain relief, reduced anxiety and improved sleep. These ads use altered images and fabricated quotes to make it appear the Shark Tank celebrities recommend the gummies.
Then, high-pressure sales pages convince targets to buy Gentle Wave CBD Gummies without realizing they are being signed up for costly recurring monthly subscriptions. Victims soon find hundreds of dollars in unauthorized Gentle Wave CBD Gummies charges hitting their credit cards repeatedly.
When consumers try to cancel the unagreed upon subscriptions and recover lost money, Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scammers often ignore all requests. They make it extremely difficult to stop the fraudulent billing.
This bait-and-switch scam has cost countless victims thousands through forcibly recurring credit card charges. The rest of this article will provide a detailed breakdown of the deceptive techniques used in the Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scam so consumers can protect themselves.
How the Gentle Wave CBD Gummies Scam Works
The Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scammers utilize an intricate web of deceitful tactics to carry out their subscription billing fraud. Here is an in-depth look at how the scam operates:
1. Luring Victims with Celebrity Endorsements
The scam starts with internet advertisements promoting Gentle Wave CBD Gummies as the pain relief and wellness secret of Shark Tank investors like Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner and more. But these celebrity endorsements are completely fabricated.
The deceptive ads feature fake quotes like “Mark Cuban Calls Gentle Wave CBD Gummies a ‘Must-Have’ for Reducing Pain” or “Kevin O’Leary Reveals How Gentle Wave CBD Gummies Cured His Back Pain.” Images are doctored to show the Shark Tank celebrities holding or promoting Gentle Wave CBD Gummies.
2. Funneling Traffic to Sales Pages
Clicking on these scam ads leads to Gentle Wave CBD Gummies sales pages with more deceitful claims. These pages downplay that they will enroll buyers in costly recurring subscription plans. Countdown timers create false urgency to purchase immediately.
3. Charging Credit Cards Initially
To buy Gentle Wave CBD Gummies, customers must enter credit card information. The initial charge is typically $39.95 or $49.95. But hidden fees tack on much more, hiking the total charge substantially higher.
4. Enrolling Victims in Monthly Subscriptions
This is the crux of the scam. Without clearly explaining terms, ordering Gentle Wave CBD Gummies signs up customers for monthly recurring subscriptions. Victims find excessive unauthorized charges hitting their cards repeatedly.
The obscure auto-renewal agreement is buried in tiny text or designed to be overlooked during checkout. Many victims miss it entirely until the second month’s charge arrives.
5. Ignoring Cancellation Attempts
When consumers eventually notice the fraudulent charges and try to halt the subscriptions, Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scammers often ignore emails and phone calls requesting cancellation. They make it extremely difficult to stop the billing.
6. Refusing Refunds
Even after a victim manages to cancel the unauthorized subscription, Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scammers typically deny refund requests. They invent reasons like “no refunds on used products” to avoid returning the fraudulent charges.
In summary, the Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scam utilizes bait-and-switch tricks, celebrity deception, buried subscription clauses enabling recurring billing, refusal to cancel orders, and denial of refunds in order to unlawfully take advantage of customers. But being informed of their tactics can help consumers avoid being scammed.
What to Do If You Fell Victim to the Scam
If you discover unauthorized Gentle Wave CBD Gummies subscription charges on your credit card statements, take the following steps:
Contact Your Credit Card Company
Call your credit card provider immediately and explain that you are the victim of an unauthorized subscription scam. Request they block any additional recurring charges. Under consumer protection laws, customers cannot be forced into undisclosed renewals.
Cancel Any Active Subscriptions
Contact Gentle Wave CBD Gummies customer service by phone and email to cancel all subscriptions, recurring orders and billing. Get written confirmation when possible and follow up if any charges continue.
Dispute All Unauthorized Charges
Review statements thoroughly and dispute every Gentle Wave CBD Gummies charge made without your consent. Explain to your credit card company that you were signed up for recurring billing without authorization.
Reject Partial Refund Offers
Do not settle for store credit, discounts on future orders, or partial refunds. All unauthorized subscription fees should be reimbursed in full through your credit card company’s chargeback process.
Report the Scam
File detailed scam reports about Gentle Wave CBD Gummies with the FTC, BBB, and relevant review sites to help prevent further harm. Include specifics about the deceptive ads, hidden terms, billing fraud and refund denial.
Quick action is key to limiting financial losses from the Gentle Wave CBD Gummies subscription scam. Do not stop until the fraudulent charges have ceased and your money has been returned in full.
Red Flags to Spot Gentle Wave CBD Gummies Scams
Consumers can protect themselves by watching for these common red flags of Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scams:
Celebrity Endorsements That Don’t Add Up
Be very suspicious of ads claiming Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary or other Shark Tank celebs recommend Gentle Wave CBD Gummies. Verify any celebrity endorsements through objective sources before believing them.
Aggressive Sales Tactics
Don’t trust ads or websites pushing Gentle Wave CBD Gummies through countdown timers, limited time discounts or other high-pressure tactics. These create false urgency to scam customers.
Prefilling Order Details
Beware pre-checked subscription boxes or other pre-filled order sections that enroll you in recurring shipments by default. This shady practice obscures unwanted auto-renewals.
No Reviews
Lack of objective reviews on the Gentle Wave website or third-party review sites indicates a likely scam. Genuine companies have reviews from real customers.
No Product Label Details
If the gummies arrive but lack any mention of ingredients, dosing or terms on the actual product labels, you were likely misled by fake marketing and websites.
Staying alert for these types of red flags can help consumers avoid the financial pitfalls of recurring billing subscription traps set by Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scammers.
Tips to Avoid CBD Gummy Scams
In addition to watching for the specific hallmarks of Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scams, consumers can protect themselves by following these general tips:
- Verify any celebrity endorsements through independent research before believing them.
- Stick with reputable CBD retailers and avoid any offering subscriptions or recurring orders.
- Read all website fine print carefully for monthly billing, auto-renewal, recurring shipments, or subscription terms that enable repeated charges.
- Monitor your bank and credit card statements routinely to identify any unauthorized subscription billings immediately.
- Only provide payment information through secured reputable websites, never from an ad pop-up, email link or text.
With sound skepticism and scrutiny of sellers, consumers can avoid falling prey to supplement scams like Gentle Wave CBD Gummies trying to abuse recurring billing practices.
Reporting Gentle Wave CBD Gummies Scams
If you get scammed by Gentle Wave CBD Gummies through false advertising or recurring subscription charges, make sure to report the deception:
- Better Business Bureau – File a scam report detailing the deceptive business practices.
- Federal Trade Commission – Report the Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scam to the FTC.
- State Attorney General – Contact your state AG’s consumer protection department about the fraud.
- Credit Card Company – Call your credit card provider’s fraud department for charge dispute assistance.
- Review Sites – Leave scam alerts on websites like TrustPilot detailing your experience to help warn others.
The more victims who speak out, the better chances these criminal scammers can be held accountable and prevented from harming additional consumers through subscription scams.
FAQ About the Gentle Wave CBD Gummies Scam
What is the Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scam?
The Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scam signs people up for expensive recurring credit card charges without consent through shady sales tactics and fine print tricks.
How does the scam work?
Fake ads lure customers to order Gentle Wave CBD Gummies as a one-time purchase. But ordering covertly signs them up for costly monthly shipments they’re unaware of until excessive charges start hitting their card.
Are the celebrity endorsements real?
No. Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary and other Shark Tank celebs have not endorsed Gentle Wave CBD Gummies despite what the false ads claim. The celebrity endorsements are fabricated.
What are victims charged monthly?
Unauthorized monthly subscription fees typically total $100 to $200 per month. Many victims are charged thousands before uncovering the scam.
How can you cancel the subscriptions?
Contact customer service and your credit card issuer to halt billing. Get written confirmation of the cancellation from Gentle Wave. Follow up if any charges continue.
Can victims get refunds for unauthorized charges?
Yes, contact your credit card company to dispute all unauthorized Gentle Wave CBD Gummies fees and request complete reimbursement through chargebacks. Do not accept partial refunds.
Should this scam be reported?
Absolutely. File detailed scam reports with the FTC, BBB, state AGs, and online reviews to help expose these scammers.
Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!
Conclusion
In summary, Gentle Wave CBD Gummies scammers have been deceiving customers through fabricated Shark Tank celebrity endorsements, unrealistic claims, concealed auto-renewal terms, and denying refunds for unauthorized charges. Customers lured in by the deceptive marketing often pay the price through exorbitant recurring credit card billings they never agreed to.
Hopefully this detailed exposé on the Gentle Wave CBD Gummies subscription scam tactics will help consumers avoid falling into this trap. Apply extreme caution when encountering CBD gummy ads online, scrutinizing seller legitimacy and terms closely. Those unfortunate enough to get duped by Gentle Wave CBD Gummies must act swiftly to halt unauthorized billing and recover lost funds through their credit card provider’s protections. Please share this guide to help protect others from supplement scams!
