States get $30M from discount club marketer

Friday, October 11, 2013, Vol. 37, No. 41

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee is one of a group of states that has won a $30 million settlement against a marketing company the state says used confusing and deceptive business practices.

According to the state attorney general's office, Affinion and its subsidiaries offer a variety of services, including credit monitoring, roadside assistance and discount travel.

Consumers complained that Affinion charged them for services without their authorization. Some also reported that they had trouble canceling or getting a refund. Other consumers were confused because they thought the services came from Affinion partners, which usually were banks or retailers with which the consumers did business.

Attorney General Bob Cooper says consumers should check their credit card and bank account statements and look for the names of Affinion's membership programs. They can be found at http://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/cases/Affinion/affinionlist.pdf.