AARP

Review: I am registered with the Direct Marketing Association not to received this unwanted junk mail. The other day my letter carrier had to cram an aarp package three times the size of my apartment mail box. This package also had the [redacted] name on it as well. I had been told by an [redacted] representative on the phone that aarp was responsible for these mailings. I had also notified aarp a while back not to be mailing me this junk. This company as well as [redacted] have both Ignored my instructions I currently have a complaint against [redacted] as well.Desired Settlement: Remove me from your mailing list now! Do not sell my personal information to anyone!

Business

Response:

Review: On 4/19/14 I made a reservation for a room for one night through AARP Travel Center, with [redacted] Hotel [redacted], OH, Itin#[redacted]. I called the hotel the next day and canceled the reservation. The lady I talked with said that I would not be charged because I canceled the reservation a month before the room was booked (5/14/14). It was for one room/one night. I was charged $88.13 by AARP Travel Center. I did not call AARP Travel Center to cancel this because I canceled the room through the hotel and they told me I would not be charged. Also, this statement is on the receipt I received from them: "Important Hotel Information Although AARP Travel Center does not charge a fee to change or cancel your booking, [redacted] Hotel may still charge a fee in accordance with its own rules & regulations. Cancellations or changes made after 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time (US & Canada)) on May 13, 2014 are subject to a hotel fee equal to 100% of the total amount paid for the reservation"I have tried to call AARP several times. No one will help me. They have told me someone will contact me within 72 hours, NO ONE EVER DOES. The last time, I asked for the name of the person I was talking to and she told me she was not allowed to give out her name. (That is probably because she wasn't going to help me. NO ONE EVER CALLED ME BACK!) I want a refund of $88.13, which is what AARP charged me for the room.Desired Settlement: I want a refund of $88.13, which is what AARP charged me for the room.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted],

Review: I renewed our AARP membership online to only receive in the mail an offer for membership with a lower price than the online deal. I contacted them via email on March 18th then received a response on March 22 that said sorry but they offer special promotions periodically and to take advantage of this special price I had to contact them. I emailed that day to say since I had already paid, I did not think that that response was adequate. On April 3 I emailed again asking for a response. On April 7 I got a response that said they couldn't refund the difference in price but they would extend the membership for another year and were reissuing membership cards. On May 1, I finally received the new cards only to find that they expiration date was the same as before. I emailed on May 2 to request the new cards be issued immediately and did not receive a response. I then posted a message on [redacted] on May 4. On May 5 they messaged back to email them, which I did. After I followed up on May 6 and 7, they emailed back today and said they couldn't answer they inquiry based on the info provided! They provided a reference id# [redacted] with the April 7 response so they so have a file somewhere to refer to. This has gone on too long and it see** that every time I'm told to email, they don't respond to the problem.Desired Settlement: I want new membership cards with the expiration extended to March 2018 as they promised in April. They should be sent [redacted] so this problem does not drag on for several more months.

Business

Response:

[redacted]Revdex.com of Metro Washington DC and Eastern Pennsylvania1411 K Street, NW, 10th FloorWashington, DC 20005

Review: About 2 months ago I received an enrollment package from AARP, this surprised me because I'm only 34 years old. I called AARP and asked why it was sent to me. The customer service person didn't know. I asked to be removed from the AARP mailing list. The customer service person took my information. I thought that would be the end of it. On March 30th I received the same enrollment package again. This is a huge waste of money, paper and plastic. I would like to know why AARP is harassing me. I would also like to know why AARP is wasting money and resources that could be used to serve it's members. I will call again today to be asked to be removed from AARP mailing list. Thank you for your time.Desired Settlement: I would like AARP to stop wasting resources and harassing people who are not even old enough to join.

Business

Response:

April 19, 2013

Review: I have an annual membership with AARP which expires in August 2013. Every month and sometimes twice a month I receive renewal notices telling me my membership is about to expire. I just received an email to renew my membership today. They made it sound extremely urgent . It is 5 months before my membership expires. I have no idea how many people are being tricked int renewing their membership more than once a year. At one point both my wife and I had separate memberships which was unnecessary as my wife received a card under my membership and I received 1 under hers. So we were unnecessarily paying double memberships. I have complained to AARP to no avail. Annual membership renewal notices should only be sent once a year and near the renewal date to avoid confusion. There is no need to send 20+ renewal notices in the hopes that people who are on fixed incomes will send in more money than necessary.Desired Settlement: AARP should only send out renewal notices once a year within 2 months of the membership expiration and 1 reminder notice within 1 month of expiration. In the case of memberships of more than one year renewal notices should only be sent in the expiration year and within 2 months of the membership expiration and 1 reminder notice within 1 month of expiration.

Business

Response:

March 27, 2013

Review: Filed for life insurance provided through AARP. However it required that I become a member of AARP. They denied the application for insurance but are still requiring me to be a member by sending me a bill for the membership dues. Additionally they sent me another application for insurance. (Sounds like a great organization)Desired Settlement: AARP provides documentation that states that I do not owe the membership fee as I do not want to become a member.

Business

Response:

Dear **. [redacted],

Review: stop sending me your mailing ... I do not wish to be an AARP member ... I have already join [redacted] ... leave me alone

stop sending me your mailing ... I do not wish to be an AARP member ... I have already join [redacted] ... leave me aloneDesired Settlement: TAKE ME OFF THE MAILING LIST ...

Business

Response:

December 24, 2014

Review: AARP is alledged to be a membership organization committed to working to promote policies that recognize the needs of the senior population. Far too often the organization contracts with service providers whose business practices fail to recognize the unique aspects of the senior population. There have been many instances of this over the years that I've belonged and the organization has responded to some problems. Currently they are associated with [redacted] to provide both prescription coverage and medical coverage services with various plans. Far too often [redacted] insists on seniors interacting with a computer voice menu set of options that are not always that clear to members of this population who like so many want simply to talk to a live person who's getting an American salary to provide for an American family and thereby input funds to the American economy that is not so well served by the computer voice options far too prevalent. This is just the start of the disconnect process that so alienates seniors stressed with limited FIXED incomes. Now AARP's Health care provider, [redacted] refuses to request that a medical provider use standard input data values that correctly acknowledge the nature of an overnight hospital stay all in the interest of not having the $50 ER copay fee waived by labeling the stay as "overnight observation" when for all practical purposes it was an overnight admittance with a stay in a special ward area that was followed by a cardiac stress test the following morning. The nuance of labeling penalizes the patient in ways not communicated by the medical facility and $50 copay (cost of food for week)Desired Settlement: I request a more rigorous review of the policies and practices of the company they've contracted with to provide service and AARP exertion efforts to stop medical providers from using obscure nuances in labeling of services to acquire more funds from AARP members for services rendered and to demand that such providers give patients a clear understanding of the financial consequences of any choice they might make with regards to the services provided.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted],

Review: I received a bill on a membership I do not want. They have sent me a notice on an "invoice"? When I saw the notice, I sent it back to cancel, because I "did not" request a membership. I didn't sign anything either.

Now I have received a Fourth Notice and a threat that if I don't sent in the payment request ($16.00) I will not be in good standing. It also says, "Please, don't miss this opportunity to pay your membership, and access all your member benefits and services.

I don't have my job back, they laid me off, and I'm trying to budget what money I have, and $16.00 is alot of pocket expense.Desired Settlement: I would like them to adjust this and cancel the membership. It should be a request if I want it, and not to tell me I should have it and pay.

Then it says "thank you for membership confirmation"

Business

Response:

August 5, 2013

Review: AARP.ORG and affiliates have bombarded me with emails and mailings even after I specifically sent emails telling them to stop. This is way beyond any other company I have had contact with. I am also telling the US GOV - re spam act, about this problem. Consumers need to be aware of their disregard for privacy and established business practices.Desired Settlement: no contact in any way.

Business

Response:

August 16, 2013

Review: Dear Revdex.com tech help:

When I just now tried to submit a complaint, I was told the server was corrupt, or some such.

I will try to forward the notice to you.

Here is the text of my complaint about the aarp. Please forward.

HERE FOLLOWS A COPY OF THE EMAIL I SENT TO AARP IN RESPONSE TO THEIR ERRONEOUS NOTICE THAT MY MEMBERSHIP IS EXPIRING

"Dear aarp: Please do not ask me to renew 6-12 mo ahead of my membership expiration date (Fall 13). Conniving us into paying double for 6-12 mos is tantamount to preying on the elderly. Shame on you. Next time you do it I will report you to the Revdex.com. (I may report you now, since this is around the 3rd time you've done this and I warned you before.) Money-money-money-money. Greed is not good. [redacted]"Desired Settlement: see Attached document

Consumer

Response:

Attached in 3 scans are the ite** I was complaining about back in July, viz, AARP's too-early renewal notices.

Review: AARP continues to send renewal forms for Membership after having been paid. This practice continues in spite of my complaint to receive such.

I believe that other senior citizens will not remember or have records of when they last paid AARP and I believe that the result of this practice is overpayment. I have contacted AARP and received surly responses and lack of responsibility in this issue.Desired Settlement: I just want the practice to stop. They maintain they are using outside sources to blanket mailing areas and they cannot cross file to eliminate those who have already paid in full.

Business

Response:

August 14, 2014

Review: AARP advertises a healthcare plan ([redacted]) that is not able to provide medical services to me - they don't have providers in the area taking new patients. I have documentation to prove should you want to see it.Desired Settlement: To pay the bill when I find a doctor who will treat me. Doctors aren't taking patients with my insurance because of the low pay rate.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted],

Review: I have been asking them to STOP sending me mail for over two years. I have made at least 2 dozen requests by mail and email. They have been completely ignored. Now I am getting deluged (have been for a couple months) with mail from their [redacted] plans. I cannot seem to get them to stop, and I now feel harassed.Desired Settlement: I want them to stop NOW. NO more mail, from AARP or [redacted].

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted],

Review: On September 10 and 11, 2012 I attended the AARP Driver Safety Program Course #[redacted], Instructor was [redacted] The Program was held in the [redacted] Library, [redacted]. To This date I have not received my Certificate Of Completion. I called AARP on October 10, November 26, December 14, 2012 and again on January 18,2013 inquiring on my Course Completion Certificate. They sent me two certifcates dating back to Aug/25/2009. They stated that the instructor failed to submit the Course I Attended on September 10 and 11, 2012. So why is that my Fault if he failed to do his job. I went the Library to obtain a copy of the Attendance Record for the Class, in which we had to sign in both days, and was told that they were distroyed. I called [redacted] the instructor of the Course, twice, and he stated the same. He said I needed to have the receipt that I paid. I advised him that I had the Bank Statements and he said it was not any good. I called AARP and asked them to at least refund my money. They had not problem cashing my check. ( I can supply Bank statements showing the transaction [redacted] ID #[redacted], Dated September 18, 2012 for $19.00. As of today I have not receieved my Course Completion Certificate or a Refund. I am a Member of AARP ID#[redacted] and cannot believe the way the treat their Membership. They say that they take care of the Veterans but if this is the way they do I will be spreading the word around to all the local VFWs which I am a Life Member. This has been a very frustrating issue and hope that you can assist me in this matter. Best Regards, Chief Master Sgt. [redacted], USAF, RetiredDesired Settlement: I woud like My Course Completion Certificate. If not A REFUND!!! Guess I wasted two days attending a SCAM! Thank You

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

[Your Answer Here]As Stated in my complaint I attended the Course and paid for it. Either send me a completion certificate or refund my $19.00. This has been going on since October 2012. AARP is responsible for this Error and is obligated to correct it. If this was done to me it could be done to any other Senior Citizen and/ or Veteran. Thanky ou for assisting me in this matter.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by [redacted] - Compliance Department regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Sincerely,

Business

Response:

March 14, 2013

Review: 0Desired Settlement: Unspecified

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted]

Review: Last year I contact AARP directly by both phone and by email requesting to be removed from all advertisements, from postal mailing, emails and phone calls. After it did not stop I contacted the Revdex.com which AARP stated they would stop contacting me with goods or services. I am currently on the do not call list and the do not mail list. I have never contacted or requested membership information from AARP. The constant mailings from AARP is borderline harassment, and opening me up to identity thief.Desired Settlement: I request AARP to place me on all Do not contact lists they have in the system, and it to make sure it does not expire from the list. I also request that AARP explain in detail how they gathered my information to send me offers in which I did not request. I would like the know the person,company, or organization that is making money off of selling my name and contact information so I may take legal action against said entity. I know I am not going to get a fair apology from AARP, but I would like some electronic documentation that they have added my name and contact information to their do not contact lists.

Business

Response:

Review: After enrolling in the AARP online driver safety course, I was asked to create a voice verification signature by calling in, entering a pin number and recording myself repeating several series of numbers as the computer prompted me. I completed this processes successfully and began my course later that evening. After sitting through well over an hour of course material I was prompted to call in and do a voice verification. I did this, however, this time the computer indicated that there was an "error" several times. I called the "800" for AARP customer support. I explained this issue, and was transferred to a "support specialist." The support specialist verified all of my information and called the verification computer on a 3-way call to listen into the problem. The computer duplicated the error twice and the support representative came back on the line and explained "keystroke verification." I also informed her that the verification system might be having problems because of Voice Over IP land-line service, which gives me trouble while sending faxes. Unfortunately that is the type of land-line service available to us in this area. We switched the account to "keystroke verification" and she remained on the line with my while I completed this setup. Everything worked as far as I could tell, so I got off the phone with her and proceeded. The next time I had to enter verification I was notified that I had failed one (1) attempt at verification and that in [redacted], 2 failures would result in having to repeat the course. I contacted customer service via "live chat" to point out that I had just set up this verification by calling in and they informed me that they couldn't help me and I would have to call in again. I didn't call in and proceeded with the course assuming that I wouldn't have another problem because the keystroke thing was setup. I continued some more coursework and then exited for the night. Today (6/16/13) I logged in to my account to complete some more coursework. Everything was fine until I needed to take a verification (which requires me to enter my password several times). The verification failed. Aggravated, I contacted customer service and was again transferred to a "specialist" who insisted that she couldn't see that I contacted anyone the day prior, insisted the systems were fine, and that [redacted] requires that after 2 failed verification system failures that I have to repeat the course. I informed her that this was in-fact a problem with AARP's verification systems and they knew this yesterday when I contacted them. After going back-and-fourth I gave up and demanded a refund which I will supposedly be credited in a week or so.Desired Settlement: I am calling to insist that AARP not only acknowledge to me but also to their liaison with [redacted] that there are problems with their authentication systems. I want them to recognize that this problem occurred even though they shouldn't have and that this failure is in-fact proof that the verification system does not work the way it is supposed to. I also want them to acknowledge that Voice Over IP land lines can cause disruption in their system and that the keystroke verification is obviously not as secure as they are portraying it to be. This is a MAJOR problem for me and I can only imagine how many senior citizens have wasted time, money, and effort to complete this course just to end up as frustrated as I have. I am considering this to be a faulty way of verifying someone and therefore all certificates issued are at risk of being fraudulent. As a young, college educated and technology-apt person involved in this matter I feel that this is extremely predatory to people of a certain age who trust AARP because of their brand, but are unable to complete the verifications and ultimately become frustrated and maybe just give up. I wasted almost 5 hours of my extremely valuable time because of this "system" that they have to prevent fraud but they are in-fact the fraud. Their solution - repeat the LENGTHY course. My suspicion - many seniors are being preyed upon and give up because of how frustrating this is.

Business

Response:

July 3, 2013

Review: I called the company about my health care. The company representative took my personal information on 11/11/12.

I called 11/20/12, to see if they needed additional information and if they had everything they needed. The representative, Ann, told me that they did not have my information in the system, and there was no record of anyone speaking to me on 11/11/13. I then asked to speak to a Manager. The representative said the manager would call me within 7-48 hours.

The manager called me on 11/22/13. The manager also told me there was no record of my call, but they would look into it.

I called the company back today, and spoke to a representative named [redacted]. He said a Manager will call me back within 7-48. Now I am waiting again for answers.Desired Settlement: Where is my personal information? Why can't anyone tell me what happened and who has my information from your company? What steps are you taking to find out what happened, and protect me from identity theft?

Business

Response:

Dear **. [redacted],

Review: I received information in the mail from AARP to renew my membership. The promise of a free insulated travel bag is what gave the incentive to rejoin. When I received the bag, to my surprise and disappointment, the bag was not only miniature in size (just big enough for a sandwich and a small drink) but a tiny part of a seam was coming apart. The picture was that of a full size backpack. To me this is blatant "bait and switch."Desired Settlement: It would be great to get an explanation of how the product sent was no where near what was advertised.

Business

Response:

April 24, 2013

Ms. Brenda Freeman

Revdex.com of Metro Washington DC and Eastern Pennsylvania

1411 K Street, NW, 10th Floor

Washington, DC 20005

Re: [redacted], Case #[redacted]

Dear [redacted]:

We are in receipt of your letter dated April 20, 2013, regarding [redacted]’ complaint that the free insulated travel bag that she received was a disappointment and very misleading in terms of the size. We welcome the opportunity to respond.

AARP is currently offering a free insulated travel bag as a small token of appreciation for individuals who choose to either join or renew their membership with AARP. [redacted] rejoined AARP on April 5, 2013 and AARP sent her the free insulated travel bag as promised when the renewal payment was processed. We are sorry that [redacted] was not satisfied with the advertised bag. There was a picture of the gift cooler bag on the renewal notice that **. [redacted] received. The photo is shot close up so you can see what type of items this bag could hold. We believe that showing items that can be held in the bag is better than showing it modeled on a person. It is not intended to be deceitful but to show its use. For example, the picture depicts the actual size of the Insulated Cooler Bag by the display of a drink, a few snacks, wallet and keys. We are also sorry to hear that a seam was coming apart on the cooler bag. We can only highlight the rare occurrence of this type of outcome.

Member satisfaction is very important to AARP, and as a courtesy, we have extended [redacted]’ membership by adding 4 months to it considering the disappointment that she encountered. Updated membership cards reflecting an expiration date of August/2013 have been shipped overnight to the member so she will receive them shortly. Should [redacted] have any additional concerns, she may contact me directly at [redacted] and I will be happy to further assist her.

We would like to thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. It is our hope that through our actions we have demonstrated our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all, as a responsible, effective consumer advocate.

Sincerely,

Member Communications

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Please see below my response to AARP.

Dear [redacted]