Shaw Academy

Extremely difficult to get out of their "free trial". Customer service is non existent. Cancellation attempts will be ignored. Avoid like the plague.
I started the free trial option and quickly realized I didn't like the services they offered. Like many free trials they require your card details in the hope that you will forget to cancel subscription and pay a rolling monthly fee. The same day as I began free trial I started the lengthy process of trying to cancel my 'subscription'. I have not sent several emails clearly outlining that I wish to immediately cancel all dealings with shawacademy. These have been carefully sent through the correct channels and following their cancellation protocol. All to no avail. I would strongly recommend you do NOT even attempt to sign up with this company. Still trying to get a response and close my account. Avoid avoid avoid.

Shaw refuses to cancel my free trial
I signed up for a free 4-week trial but realised right away that it's not the right fit for me, as pwmeople have to commit to a class schedule. I started the cancellation process via online member account. After clicking through multiple steps I was informed that I'm supposed to call a phone number in order to cancel. I called multiple times but wasn't able to get a hold of a representative. Therefore I emailed the customer service. But instead of sending a confirmation of cancellation, they tried to convince me to keep trying Shaw out. I emailed back saying that I definitely want to cancel, but got the same response. They refuse to let me cancel my trial.

Signed up for trial, and now I am trying to cancel but there is no way to.
On Wednesday 04/01/20 I signed up for a free 4 week trial. I followed the instructions on their site today as to how to cancel: https://help.shawacademy.com/hc/en-us/articles/XXXXXXXXXXXX-How-do-I-cancel-my-s...⇄ In the account it asks you 4x if you do want to confirm cancellation, which I pressed to confirm each time. At the end of that it says

"We're sorry you're thinking of leaving us.
To confirm your cancellation you are required to call the number for your specific country provided below. Our operating hours are between 10am EST - 19pm EST Monday to Friday.
Country Number:
US
(XXX) XXX XXXX"

I called that number and followed the numerous prompts for cancellation. At the end it asks that you email ***@shawacademy.com to request cancellation. I emailed that email along with ***@shawacademy.com and ***@shawacademy.com today at 04/02/20 to request cancellation effective immediately. I was emailed back today 04/02/20 by Roy:

"Roy (Shaw Academy) Apr 2, 16:31 IST Hello ***,Thank you for reaching out to us!Your free trial is something very special and I would strongly encourage you to make full use of it.You started with real goals, goals that meant something to you and now I bet life has gotten in the way.Don't let it. Life is that which happens whilst planning for the future. You need to focus on your goals now.We have designed our services in the most flexible and convenient way possible.Did you know you can reschedule a class before or after it is due to occur, you can change all upcoming classes, you can restart an entire course and you can even do multiple courses and if all of that is still not enough you can catch up on recordings too? You can even pause your trial if needs be. There really is nothing stopping you.I want you to go back to your goals - they were serious for you. I want to support you and I want you to achieve your goals.What I want you to do is one thing - commit to attending one class. I want you to either attend your next upcoming class or reschedule within your members area and attend at a new convenient time.If you do that I am sure you will get back on track and achieve your goals and if not let's talk.Now that you are all set I wish you all the best with your studies and I am sure you will learn the skills you need to succeed - you just need to attend one class at a time, it is that simple.If you need any further assistance ever, please contact us back.Your Friendly Neighborhood Shaw Academy Support TeamKind Regards,
Roy
Web: www.shawacademy.com
Delivering great education, accessibly and affordably, to everyone"

I have also sent a DM to their instagram requesting cancellation and commented on their Facebook requesting cancellation.

The complaint alleges that Shaw Academy is using deceitful business practices and harassing innocent consumers to scam money.
Shaw Academy had been advertising a free trial service to take one of their online courses. I signed up for the course on March 18, 2020 and have yet to start my course so it's stated on my account that I have 13 days left in my trial period before I am charged. When trying to view some resources and materials before my course started I clicked on a button stating "Module Tool Kit", without knowing that the button was a one-click purchase that would instantly charge my card without warning. I instantly emailed the company and was told I couldn't be refunded the $39.95 for the module toolkit. I think it's ridiculous that the make the button so small and don't put a price there so you don't even realize you're being charged something until it's too late and you don't even have the opportunity to confirm your purchased. Aside from that, I did my research and noticed hundreds of others who claimed to have been scammed and charged ridiculous amounts of money from Shaw Academy, whose customer service representatives fail to respond to you via email when you try to cancel your free-trial membership even after numerous attempts. When you attempt to walk through the steps of canceling membership via the website, they try to give you several offers to convince you to stay so they can keep taking your money, then they direct you to a number to call. As soon as you call the number, and automated voice system begs you several times to not cancel your membership and offers you more free-trial time, only then does it direct you to an email to contact and hangs up...no real representative to speak to. I have been emailing them now trying to cancel my membership and I am getting no response and I fear I will continue to be charged until I get a new bank card.

On March 4th 2020 I was towards the end of a month long free trial of Shaw Academy that was set to end on March 11th 2020, taking a graphic design course online. A random "guidance counselor" called me multiple times from the number +1 (716) 393-2883 saying they were assigned to me to assist me in continuing my class. They called me again March 5th 2020 and I ignored it the first time, then accidentally answered the second time. The lady seemed to be helpful, I explained to her that I was only interested paying monthly to continue the class, and she said I would still have to chose to either finish the class in 3, 6 or 12 months. I told her I only wanted to complete the one class, in the 3 month period it was scheduled. She said OK, said she would hook me up with a free starter kit of some sort, and mark me for that plan. The following day I am charged $149.97 for a 3-month subscription with no confirmation email, and after telling her I was only interested in paying monthly for the class. I then proceed to call back the number 25 times between the times 9:53 am and 3:04 pm with no response, not put on hold or anything. In between calling, I emailed them 3 times to demand a refund, and explaining that I did not consent to paying 3 months at a time. Two times I was responded to with escapist emails avoiding answering my email and/or insinuating that my email I have been using the entire time was not associated with my Shaw Academy account. Finally as a result of the third email, I get a response the next day, saying "you had subscribed using your debit/credit card/payment method to upgrade your account to quarterly membership" which I had not, because the "guidance counselor" did whatever she did on her end, never specifying it was a one-time purchase or saying when the payment would be taken out. Then he goes on to say I knew of the policies and that because I didn't cancel before the renewal due date (which isn't even until March 11th) that I cannot receive a refund. He goes on to say "The first thing I have taken the liberty of doing is to confirm your membership is canceled thus ensuring no further payments as I am assuming that is what you want to do", so first they charge me a ton of money, then say they won't charge me anymore- even though there was no proof of cancellation in my emails or on my online account, and my card information is still connected. They then try to schmooze me by offering me a "FREE" Lifetime Membership, which I do not want, because they are making it difficult to even continue the one class I was taking. Frustrated I try to find a number on their app, website, anywhere that I can speak to someone directly, and of course there is nothing public. I have since tried to take my card off of my account, and I cannot follow through without "cancelling" my supposedly already cancelled account, which discontinues my access to any class I was taking and any progress I've made- yet still not enabling me to get a refund. So yesterday I received an email finally saying my membership has been cancelled, but it says "you are going to lose access to your course in 3 days"- even though they already charged me an unauthorized amount of $149.97 "over the phone" premature of my FREE trial ending, and are refusing to refund me my money. At this point I want nothing to do with them, I don't wish to continue with any classes- FREE or otherwise, and I am going to get every penny back that they stole from me. Any way you can make that happen would be greatly appreciated, and needed as I never had it in my funds to pay for 3 months worth of classes at a time. Thank you for your help.
Product_Or_Service: Online Classes

I purchased a lifetime membership. Shaw Academy processed my payment (by debit card) immediately but did not send a receipt nor did they activate my membership. I've contacted them several times, gotten the run around and no satisfaction. Most recently I received a lengthy reply that made absolutely no sense, offered a credit to purchase stuff I don't want or need and still didn't fix the underlying issue.
Product_Or_Service: Lifetime Membership
Account_Number: didn't get one

absolutely awful, i'm on phone with my credit card company to block them, because this is ridiculous. I actively go to an actual university and the process there is much less arduous than this, which a.) didn't teach me anything and b.) is likely a scam in which the certification doesn't even do anything. absolute scam, and genuinely disturbing.

Scam. They dont let you cancel. You go online to cancel but they send you to a phone number to call. You call the number and it tells you to email. You email and it says to call the number.....and then you continue in an endless loop

I had registered for a free 30 days trial of a photography course with Shaw Academy on 26 Nov 2019. I cancelled my subscription for this free trial.on 23 Dec 2019 well before the free trial ended since I couldn't attend a single session or make use of any study material provided. The email address with which I had registered with is not my primary email id and since I had cancelled my subscription I did not continue checking mails regarding Shaw Academy. Yesterday I received a message that 600Rs has been debited from my account and on further inspection I found out that on Jan XX XXXX aswell 600Rs more was debited. I have not authorised Shaw academy to reactivate my account; however, they have reactivated my account and have so far debited 1200Rs in total wrongfully. I tried reaching out the Shaw academy twice through email but have not received any response. Further I read reviews about them and most of the people have the same issue. I have once again deactivated this account from my end. My sincere request is to kindly look into this issue and help me in getting the refund of my hard earned money as I have not utilized any of their service so far. I do not want to be associated with Shaw Academy any further and would require a confirmation from them that they will not deduct any more money from my account.
Product_Or_Service: Photography Course

I signed up for the free trial of Social Media Marketing which allotted me, 8 free classes. I am on low income for medical reasons and wanted to make sure that the class would be fulfilling and I would get my money's worth if I did continue on after the trial. After the first few classes, I realised that there wasn't much being covered that I didn't know already, issues with rescheduling classes and cancelled my membership. I was under the assumption that once the trial period was up, since I had cancelled, I would no longer have access to anything. I also believe everything was alright considering the bombardment of emails and pop-ups that appeared on my screen encouraging me to purchase a membership! I KNEW I was on a trial and KNEW I had to cancel which I'm sure I did. Some of the free classes I was not able to complete as my health was not as it should be. I have mental health issues as well as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.) When I went into my PayPal, I saw that payment of 49.99 was taken on the 28th Feb. I logged into the shaw academy dashboard and saw that my account was in fact NOT cancelled. I tried to cancel again and it took me through 5 or 6 pages trying to deter me from cancelling only to say on the final page that I will need to call Shaw academy to confirm cancellation (I cannot call the number given). I contacted the company via email explaining only that I had only signed up for the 8 free classes trial and did not authorise any payment afterwards considering I had cancelled. I was given a reply which was an obvious autoresponse to any complaints they had about billing and was offered a discount on the class. I DO NOT WANT TO CONTINUE THE COURSE. I am disappointed in how this has played out which has resulted in me having to come here and file this complaint. I have never done anything like this before. The money that was taken from me is vital for my daily upkeep as once again I am on low income and rely on government assistance because of my medical condition. I would only register and agree to the full payment of something only if I knew I could afford it. In this case, I knew I could not but wanted to see if this would be something I would be interested in taking on. I am kindly asking for my refund on 49.99 as I do believe I followed correct procedure and cancelled my account although it did not show that.
Product_Or_Service: Social Media Marketing Trial

I am trying to cancel my account during my free trial period and am getting the run-around.
I decided to discontinue my membership during my free trial period. I followed the prompts through my profile to cancel and finally at the end it has me call an 800 number. I called the number and after all the prompts, it tells me to email ***@shawacademy.com. I emailed them and the response provides the same link to my profile. I need to get my account canceled ASAP to avoid being charged, but keep getting the run-around.

This company made me jump through website, emails and phone calls to cancel my membership and won't stop emailing me despite unsubscribing.

I signed up for a free trial, but found that the program didn't work for me. I went to the website to cancel and ensure I wouldn't be charged and was forced to click through multiple ad screens. At the end I was given a phone number to call to cancel. Again, I was forced to listen to multiple ads following the prompts and was then given an email address to request my cancellation. I received a confirmation of my cancellation request finally, but they won't stop emailing me. I have tried to unsubscribe, but can't get a confirmation that this has happened. When you click the link on their website and emails, nothing happens.

I asked for a refund on the vast amount of money they charged me after NOT being notified that I was being charged. They said I can't get a refund because of their terms and conditions. Yet, when I signed up I didn't know I was signing up for a 'trial period? when they advertised the class as FREE. I also didn't know when that 'trial period? was ending because I didn't receive any notification or emails.
Product_Or_Service: Class

The website advise that they offer free online classes meaning no charge however I signed up and never used class information was unaware of how to cancel subscription didn't realize they were charging me until came up on my PayPal account sent email to them and to PayPal to try to get my money back and they would not even though I never used their 'free online classes?
Product_Or_Service: Free online classes
Order_Number: XXXXXXXX
Account_Number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After signing up for a free four week trial of the photography course I hit the link to verify my account and saw the countdown to start my class under which was a continue learning button and a get toolkit button. Thinking this was the free starter pack mentioned when signing up I hit it and find with that one tap I have been charged '24.95!! There was nothing to say there was a charge for this anywhere near or on this link or that it was a one click payment! I found out when I scrolled further down the page and saw there was a charge of '24.95 for an e-certificate and that I had already purchased the toolkit! When I checked my bank there was a payment pending!! It did not say that there was a payment for this on the link I clicked so to have been charged with no prior notice and no option to confirm or cancel purchase before it goes through is disgraceful!! Especially given I was scrolling on my phone it would be too easy to accidentaly hit it when scrolling and I wonder how many people have been stung that way. They have refused to refund me even though I emailed them straight away and keep offering extra access to their course which I do not want. I have again requested for a refund and to completely cancel my registration but to no avail. I also note that there was a charge for 0.50c on my account pending which I assume was to check my card when I signed up for the free course. Having just checked my account to confirm the '24.95 is still on my account I see there are now 3 more charges for 0.50c which were not authorised.
Product_Or_Service: Photography Course

I tried out a 1-month free trial with Shaw Academy and even before it ended, I decided it wasn't for me. I wanted to delete my account, but there is no option to do so on their website, only to pause the subscription, so that's what I did. That was June/July 2019. Now, nine months later, they charged me EUR 40. I tried contacting them, but I only got automatic responses about them receiving my message. From what I saw online from other people's experiences, they tend to do that and offer more free months instead of refunding the payment. Also, even though they charged me, their website still shows that my subscription is paused and it keeps offering me "great deals".
Product_Or_Service: Free 1-month trial
Order_Number: ***XXXXX*XXXXXXX

I was charged for a purchase I didn't make. They charge me on a free 6 week trial. I trusted them and I was enjoying the page and was even considering to share it with my friends and continue learning of other courses. They took advantage and started charging me. This outrageous, we are on desperate hours, I'm trying to learn new things and grow as a person in this horrible times and all they done is taking advantage of that. This company is a scam.
Product_Or_Service: Nutritional Toolkit
Order_Number: XXXXXX
Account_Number:

I signed up for a FREE trial & was billed $70 *immediately(I didn't even open the course content). I sent them a request for refund but they refuse.
I signed up for a free trial with Shaw Academy. The very same day I signed up for an account with them, I was billed fullyno trial period. I registered for an account and submitted a support request within seconds of each other (all occurring at 7:36 pm on the same day) and did not even open or access the course content. The moment I realized I was billed fully, I stopped using their site and requested a refund.

I contacted Shaw Academy through their support email, looking for a refund so that I could actually evaluate their course offerings BEFORE committing to paying. They replied back, refusing to offer a refund and stating that by adding my credit card information I agreed to pay. (Adding your credit card information was mandatory in order to start a free trial, however.) Their reply disregarded my complaint and the support person acted as if I had gone through the trial period and then was billed afterward. Again, this is not true. They exact same minute that I signed up for an account with a free trial I was billed. I did not go through a trial period. I didn't even open the course content.

Shaw Academy will not let me cancel my membership.
I signed up for a 4-week trial and had to give my credit card information in order to do so.

I did not want to complete the course and decided to cancel my membership so that I was not charged once the 4-week trial was up.

I went to area online on my profile where it says to cancel and I clicked through everything. At the end it gave me a phone number to call to cancel membership.

I called the number and eventually it gave me an email address to use to cancel membership.

I sent an email and received a response that I should stick with the 4-week trial and that I should not give up on my goals. But, they did not cancel my membership.

I replied to that email stating that I want my membership cancelled immediately and I have not heard anything since.

I enroll for their 4 weeks trial. After that, I saw many complaints on google and Facebook. Therefore, I decided to cancel my membership. I have to answer a bunch of questions on their website. Then, they ask me to make a phone call. I did it, and I have to answer a bunch of questions from the automatic answer on the phone again. Finally, they ask me to email to another email address to cancel, and that email doesn't work. I don't think a good business will be that hard to cancel. Everyone should avoid them.
Product_Or_Service: Education