ComplaintsforFlatiron Media, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  06/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  They are advertising winners and contests that are not valid this year, actually stopped being valid in 2019. This is misrepresentation and illegal and they are sending numerous emails advertising these! This is harassment as well and I have sent them back asking to be removed and still havent been. This is causing major spam issues for me and my phone bill is 45$ a month! I am also a student and when they clog up my server IP address is slow!!

  Business response

  06/20/2023

  Dear ******, 

  Thanks for the email.  We are happy to resolve your issues.  I have a couple of questions to help make sure we get this resolved to your satisfaction. 

  I see from our database that you opted into our list on 6/18/2023 [see attached screen shot]  I have now manually unsubscribed you from the list [screen shot attached]. 

  I didn't see any evidence, in our system, that an unsubscribe interaction had had happened online. Can you elaborate on the process you used to unsub? I can get ************* to make sure nothing is broken.   

  With regard to contests no longer functioning/being valid.  We do have 5 sites which run contests and are all in good-standing: *************** ************* ***** ****** **** * ****** ****. Can you tell me what contest you think is no longer valid and why? 

  Last but not least - you mentioned your phone bill.  Are you concerned with email or text messages.  Flatiron doesn't engage in sending text messages however, some of our advertising partners may send texts.  Any information you can provide on that front will help me understand where you are getting those from if that is an issue.  My expectation is that because the sign-up happened on 6/18 there should be no meaningful impact on your phone bill from any Flatiron site.  But I am very open to hearing the details and making sure we get it addressed. 

  Looking forward to your reply. 

  Kind regards, 

  ********* 

  
  

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  04/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The dates of the supposed sweepstakes is for the year 2019 no longer and the win a 500 gift card for picking the right box, says win, not your entered to, or will or inrolled or have a chance, it says win. That's false advertising and misleading and a outright scam. I will be getting legal representation and filling suit. You will be responsible for my legal fees and compensation.

  Business response

  04/26/2023

  Dear ******************, 

  Thank you for reaching out.  Based on the description it looks like you have seen a promotion somewhere for one of our publications that you feel is outdated or inaccurate. If you can provide that material to me we can address the concerns directly.  We work in ****** to make sure promotional materials are accurate and in line with our web sites. We do have a web site which gives away $500 every day.  Based on your description it seems like that's what is being referenced.  To help address your concern please can you tell us (or send a screen shot or link)

  - what promotional material you came across that is questionable

  - the source of the promotion: web site, email, social media, etc.

  - provide a copy or a link to the source of the promotional material 

  As soon as we have that in hand we can look into what the issue might be. 

  Thanks in advance for your cooperation.  

  Kind regards, 

  ********* 

  Flatiron Media, LLC 

   

• Initial Complaint

  11/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  **************** is a waste of time. I have filled out countless "surveys" and they promise free samples and money, then I recieve notices stating I have to confirm my address or zip code, or the order and when I click on it makes me do another "survey" and there's no mention of confirming anything about my address, zip code, or the order. I have yet to receive any samples or money as promised but I do recieve hundreds of phone calls and emails and robocalls for various sales pitches from companies trying to sell me something because of my "survey" answers, and the "surveys" ask you the same questions over and over and even though I didn't check the box saying I allow them to share my info and receive calls and emails from third parties, I guess they don't look at that and think everyone is stupid. I believe that this is all a big scam and it needs to be removed from the internet. **************** is a hoax and it has to be taken down. Flatiron Media owns it and now I know why it has LLC after it's name. They know what it is. Oh,and the hundreds of phone calls and emails that I receive is every single day starting at 7:00am and ending before *************'s so bad I am changing my phone number and I threw my old phone against a brick wall and destroyed it and I have never had anger issues like that before but I am over it.

  Business response

  11/29/2022

  On the ILoveSamples Web site, users have the opportunity to interact with a wide offering of free samples including food products, beauty products, household items, fast food offerings, etc. from different brands.ILoveSamples also gives users the opportunity to take advantage of special offers and sweepstakes from our many partners. Although it is not required, the user is presented with these offers prior to receiving access to ILoveSamples'showcase of FREE samples. In order to claim these FREE samples, the user must visit each of the offers individually to confirm their mailing information so that these samples can be delivered to their residence.  ILoveSamples facilitates consumers interacting with the various brands offering samples, but it is not the company providing samples.  If you have concerns about a particular company which offered samples, please contact them directly. We would be happy to help with that if you can provide information regarding the offers/brands you interacted with. 

   

  Looking forward to your reply. 

  Kind regards, 

  ********* 

  
  
  Tell us why here...

• Initial Complaint

  08/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have received three different emails regarding my entry to this sweepstakes. My questions are why is it that every time I click on the confirm now link it take me to a page that has nothing to do with the sweepstakes that i'm being emailed about? This question is only referring to the emaiIs I received on August 10th and 15th. Is this sweepstakes even real? How did I become a finalists in this sweepstakes, If the drawing for the sweepstakes winner won't be held untill January 15 2023 and you are allowed to enter the sweepstakes once per day according to MyDailyMoment 2022 Sweepstakes ?OFFICIAL RULES? Also according to the rules you must enter in personal information to be considered to have an entry into the sweepstakes. Why are you requesting this information and what are you doing with it? The email I received on the 18th did take me to a web page that was claiming to confirm my information regarding the email I received. After I entered my information I noticed my email inbox was spammed with junk email claiming different prize I won. Are you selling my information to anyone?

  Business response

  08/24/2022

  Dear ********************,

  
  Thank you for the email.Flatiron does run multiple sweepstakes and we give away 10s of thousands of dollars every year.   MDM Exclusives is drawn in January, EveryDayWinner gives away $500 daily and we have a few others with varying intervals. 

  Entering the Sweepstakes is,of course, optional and as demonstrated in the screen shots you sent you may request to opt-out of receiving entry emails, at any time, using either the link in the email or by emailing the address specified in the email.  If you would like me to block your email address in our system please just let me know and I will add you to our block list.

  The sweepstakes are funded by marketing partners.  When you submitted your information to enter the sweepstakes there were Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy and a **** Consent to which you are asked to agree in order to proceed.  I have attached a screen shot for the MyDailyMoment opt-in web page as well as the links from that page below. When agreeing to these terms you are agreeing to receive communication from us and our marketing partners. Opting-out or unsubscribing from these communications does not remove you from the contest. 

  
  Privacy Policy: ************************************************
  Terms of Service: **************************************************

  **** Consent:

  During the entry process and before submitting your information (see screen shot) the site discloses the following: By clicking "YOU'RE ALMOST THERE!", I provide my signature expressly consenting to receive autodialed and or artificial/prerecorded voice marketing calls and texts from Flatiron Media and/or its Marketing Partners on the phone number provided above. I understand that I will receive these calls and texts even if I am on a federal or state do not call registry. My telephone company may impose charges on me for these contacts. I understand that I can revoke this consent at any time. I understand that my consent is not a condition of any purchase. I CONFIRM that all of my information is accurate and consent to be called and texted as provided above.
  
  Link to the marketing partners list referenced in the **** Consent: *************************************************************************************************
  

  If you have any additional questions or need more information please do not hesitate to reach out.
  Kind regards,
  ********* 

• Initial Complaint

  08/03/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  FlatIron Media or their marketing affiliate has sent multiple text messages to my number which is registered on the *** in violation of the ***** Below is the link of the most recent spam text, advertising a gas cash card. I want to know where FlatIron Media got my information if they sent this, or who their marketing affiliate (legal name and address) is based on the *** below. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

  Business response

  08/17/2022

  Dear ****************, 

  Apologies for the delay in our response.  We needed to work backward from the link you send as it was not aligned with the phone number in the complaint. 

  The phone number in the complaint is not in our system and we don't show ever having sent any messaging to that number.  However we do find that based on the link you supplied, the offer was opted into  with phone: ************ from ip: 72.177.77.56 using Signup url: *********************************** at 5/12/2021 21:18. 

  This offer and site include an acknowledgement during submission that when opting in the consumer agrees to a TCPA terms which includes receiving SMS messages regardless of being on the DNC.

  In the interest of making sure you don't accidentally opt into any offers related to our company in the future I have asked that both phone numbers be added to the block list. If you have any concern about the opt-in process please reach out to the site owner directly *********************************** - the contact information can be found at the bottom of their web site.

  8 ***********************************************, DE  |  Phone:************** | Email: ****************************************

   

  If you have any further questions about this please don't hesitate to reach out. 

  Kind regards, 

  *********  
  

  Customer response

  08/22/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  I did not sign up for the site as alleged.  Furthermore, after reviewing the site provided, Flat Iron is not named in the terms and conditions, and in fact no legal entity is named at all.  There can not be a valid TCPA consent without the explicit named parties.  Please provide evidence of the alleged consent including Flat Iron being explicitly named, an explanation of how Flat Iron acquired this disclosure including legal name and address of the entity they purchased this from if not owned by Flat Iron directly, and a copy of Flat Iron's TCPA compliance policy. 
  

   Thanks,  

   

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

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************
  
  
  
  
   
  

  Business response

  08/24/2022

  Dear ****************,
  
  Thank you for the email. I apologize if our first response did not clear up the issue.  Flatiron did not send the *** message,  it was sent by the site on which the signup occurred (or by one of its marketing partners).  We cannot provide you any more detail in this matter as we are not sending the *** message.  The link you sent is a landing page link which came from another web site, it is not an *** message.  
  
  The site on which the sign up occurred is not a Flatiron site but, as stated in my previous reply, we were able to reach out and based on the link you supplied, the offer was opted into with phone: ************ [not the phone number you submitted in the complaint] from ip: 72.177.77.56 [located in *****] using Signup url: *********************************** at 5/12/2021 21:18. 
  
  You will need to reach out to that company for any additional details on the session during which this phone number and corresponding information was submitted. 
  
  That information, as previously sent:  If you have any concern about the opt-in process [or the sms message] please reach out to the site owner directly *********************************** - the contact information can be found at the bottom of their web site. 8 *********, ste ****, *****, *****, DE  |  Phone:************** | Email: ****************************************
  
  The *** message you received would have come from the vendor cited above or one of its Marketing Partners.  As such those are the entities which would need to be included in the **** consent. I see that they require the following [see attached screen shot] during the submission process, which seems to address the **** concern that **** consent page includes a link to the ******************* The link to that page (seen on screen shot) is **********************************************************.  This consent is effectively giving permission for each of these companies to call or text when the phone number is added, confirmation box is checked, and the Next button is clicked.

  **In Summary** 

  Your Statement: did not sign up for the site as alleged. 
  

  Response: please take that up with the site owner
  
  Your Statement: Furthermore,after reviewing the site provided, Flat Iron is not named in the terms and conditions, and in fact no legal entity is named at all. There cannot be a valid **** consent without the explicit named parties. 
  
  Response: **** Consent screen shot, and marketing partners link are included in this response, for the site on which the sign up occurred. Please take up any issues with them regarding the **** consent or the marketing partners list. 
  
  Your Statement: Please provide evidence of the alleged consent including Flat Iron being explicitly named, an explanation of how Flat Iron acquired this disclosure including legal name and address of the entity they purchased this from if not owned by Flat Iron directly, and a copy of Flat Iron's **** compliance policy. 
  
  Response: Flatiron did not/does not send *** messages. The site owner or their marketing partner sent the message.  **** applies to the company/marketing partners sending the *** messages. 

   

  Kind regards, 

  ********* 

  Customer response

  08/24/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  This does not resolve the issue.  The original link provided was from TCPA violating marketing on behalf of Flat Iron.  Flat Iron has yet to disclose the marketing partner involved in this, but rather given an unassociated website run by an anonymous entity.

  Even if Flat Iron does not directly send text messages, they are responsible for the marketing agents they hire to promote their website.  These agents have not only violated the ***** but done so using deceptive marketing practices promising a $500 gift card.  I will ask one more time for Flat Iron to disclose the legal name and address of the marketing agent.

   

   

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

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************
  
  
  
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  05/18/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Recurring text messages. After notifying them several times a day. Stop sending me junk mail

  Business response

  05/19/2022

  Dear **************, 

  Thank you for your outreach.  Flatiron Media doesn't send text messages to promote our publications.  However, we do provide advertising budget to various companies who should be promoting our web sites etc. in a compliant manner.  Please if you could send me a copy of the text message you received promoting our company or one of its publications we may be able to use the link in the promotion to identify which vendor is sending the message and we can deal with them directly.  In the meantime I have forwarded your email address and phone number to our Media Buying Team and asked them to send your information to ALL VENDORS with and immediate UNSUBSCRIBE.  This may take up to 24 hours to take full effect.  Please let me know if you don't cease getting the messages by noon tomorrow (some vendors may be in Pacific Time zone.) 

  My direct email is ********************************** anything you can send linking our company to your problem SMS messages will be appreciated. Our goal is to get this stopped quickly and identify the vendor your assistance will be greatly appreicated. 

   

  Kind regards, 

  ********* | ********************************** 

  Customer response

  05/20/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************
  
  
  
   
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  12/28/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Flatiron Media is spamming my email account. I am so sick of seeing multiple emails from these clowns.All their ads are ridiculously childish and they apparently only have two stupid formats. I can hardly believe that companies want to pay them to send their work out with their business names attached to it.I wouldnt buy anything that they advertise.Spamming is a real annoyance to the majority of people. I usually see ***** emails a day from this media company!Deleting them over and over again. Wasting my time. I have unsubscribed both recently and in the past. Flatiron media always keep coming back with more junk emails in my account.Flatiron media is societies pest.We need better electronic pest controls for our serious email accounts.

  Business response

  12/29/2021

  ***** ********************* ******** ********** ** **************** ******* ****** ************** ******* ****** **** ******** **** **** ******** ****** *****************

  Dear ************,  

  Thank you for the email.  We are sorry you are upset.  Based on the email address you provided I asked our technical team to research your position in our system.  

  We find that you opted in to MDM email on 12/13/21 at 9:55 am via a ****** Display Sweeps session id *********.  You then unsubscribed from the list on 12/28/21 at 09:29:22 am., a couple of hours before writing this email to the BBB.   A short time after that unsubscribe action you should have stopped receiving email from us.  If you find that the emails continued after the unsubscribe please let me know.  Additionally if you feel you unsubscribed unsuccessfully at a different time please provide any details you have in that regard.  I believe the system is as it should be based on the information I am seeing however always happy to look further. You can reach me either via this interface or directly using my email address included below.  

  Best wishes for a wonderful 2022!

  Kind regards, 

  ***************************** | ******************************************* 

  Corporate Marketing Director 

  Customer response

  01/06/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************
  
  ***************************,

  If this agreement or acceptance was in fine print on the Publishers Clearinghouse and I unknowingly agreed in some way to have my email spammed with redicilously stupid products that waste hours of peoples time and you feel good about yourself accomplishing that then well done, lets call you a great marketing director.

  you manage to sell products that dont sell on the prime time honest market. They mostly sell because people mistakenly think that it improves their chances to win something on the Publishers clearinghouse.

  You do so much good for the world, good for you!

  *********************
  
   
  

  
  

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩