I just happened to notice a recurring monthly charge of $4.95 on my December VISA statement that had slipped my notice. When I called the number on my statement (800-281-9006), it turned out to be Insider Secrets Guide for weight loss, and a message directed me to their web site to contact a customer service person.

They are related to another business, Comprehensive Weight Loss Line, charging $9.95 a month. When I spoke to someone in customer service at Comprehensive Weight Loss, she knew exactly why I was calling (to cancel) and when I asked who they were she said they are a "partner" to someone else I signed up with online, but she couldn't tell me who that was. I asked her if this business was related to another mystery charge of $4.95 I was receiving. She said they also were a "partner" and gave me a number to call to cancel with them (866-363-0187). Then she agreed to cancel my "membership" but said none of the charges previously billed were refundable.

The number turned out to be the same Insider Secrets Guide, the same one that appeared on my statement but with a different contact number.

Another odd thing I noticed is that on one statement NV followed the contact number and on another statement IA followed the contact number. I assume that meant Nevada and Iowa, but why was it different from one statement to the next?

This kind of chicanery must stop, and the unsuspecting public should be protected from such unethical behavior.