Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  02/05/2025

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My personal information (most notably, my name) is incorrectly listed on this company's website. It claims that I am an actor in a short film I never participated in. My name is unique enough to know, without a doubt, that this is not a case of mistaken identity. This listing has (and continues) to impact my professional career and personal reputation.This information has been public since 2013 and I have made various attempts to correct this error (through communication with the site's customer service department). However, the only way to contact customer support is through a generic online form, limiting my ability to escalate this issue to a supervisor.All of the correspondence I have received is devoid of any personalization or recognition of my complaint. The staff members repeat the same line without deviation: "Our aim is to be the most complete and reliable source of movie, TV, and entertainment information on the web. In order to continue offering our users an accurate and trustworthy service, it is our policy not to alter or delete any kind of correct/factual information from our records. Thank you for your understanding."To be clear, I never consented to having my name shared on this website and, as mentioned before, I have not starred in a professional film project. Therefore, the information is neither correct nor factual, undermining the company's revered policy.Furthermore, after innumerable attempts to explain my position, I came to realize that this policy violates individual privacy and publicity laws. A website should not be able to hold a person's name hostage (especially when it is attached to an erroneous claim). If I believe my identity is being misused, I am entitled to recourse.The company needs to allow for more flexibility in its policies and procedures.More importantly, the company needs to increase transparency and ***** consumer access to different departments so issues such as mine can be resolved appropriately.

  Business response

  02/05/2025

  The credits of the short film referenced by Mr. ******** has been verified and do include the name "******* ********" in the cast. If Mr. ******** is not the actor featured in the film, it means that the person listed in the credits is a different individual with the same name. Mr. ******** surely understand that we can't entertain his request to delete someone else's credit.
  
  **** has a longstanding policy of not altering or removing accurate factual information. Since our listing accurately represents the credits of the film, it will not be changed.

  Customer response

  02/05/2025

   
  Complaint: 22901482
  
  I am rejecting this response because: strict adherence to this policy is nonsensical, unreasonable, and unethical. The likelihood of another person sharing my uniquely spelled name is negligible. Furthermore, this rigid policy insinuates that any filmmaker can list whomever in their end credits and the referenced company will display it for millions to see. This practice is appalling. I am sure that if I were a highly paid, widely acclaimed celebrity, this would be an entirely different conversation. In the state of **********, where this particular site is based, individuals have "a property right in the use of his or her name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness." The unwillingness to consider my authority and autonomy in this matter is a gross violation of Washington's Personality Rights Act (RCW 63.60.010). This site needs to evaluate and immediately amend this "longstanding policy." A business should not be able to post a person's information without consent or proper verification. Trusting the end titles of some independent project is inherently flawed and not rationally sound. By this logic, I could submit a five-minute short film starring two cats and a squirrel and credit a long list of notable SAG talent (as long as I include their names in the end titles). This policy does not account for human error or a modicum of doubt. Moreover, this company's customer service representatives (based on this most recent response) do not account for any sort of nuance. There are exceptions to every rule when dealing with the general public. I expect a solution-oriented response, not a canned message reiterating some overarching policy "of not altering or removing accurate factual information."

• Initial Complaint

  01/06/2025

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company started charging my debit card $149.99 without my authorization. You cannot reach them by phone, only email them by filling out a form with your card information which I do not want to send in writing. This is unacceptable. As a result I had to block my card which is a HUGE inconvenience.

  Business response

  01/16/2025

  Hi there,

   

  I can confirm that our customer service team has reached out to you directly regarding your recent inquiry. Please check your inbox for our response with further assistance.Thanks in advance.

• Initial Complaint

  12/30/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Complaint to the Better Business Bureau: Unauthorized Charges by ******* I am filing this complaint against ******* for unauthorized charges and lack of transparency in billing ************ December 2023, I attempted to cancel my ******* subscription but encountered a confusing cancellation process. To avoid further charges, I blocked the designated payment method (a Revolut card ending in 1622). Without prior notice, ******* began charging another card ***** ending in 0081) linked to my ****** account for general purchases, not for ********Despite charging this card monthly from December 2023 to December 2024, ******* failed to notify me or send payment confirmations, leaving me unaware that the subscription had continued. I only discovered these charges after reviewing my bank statements.These actions violate consumer protection standards, including:EU **************** Directive (PSD2): ******* did not notify me before charging an alternative payment ********* Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EU: No receipts or confirmations were sent for the *************** Directive 2005/29/EC: Misleading practices induced the belief that the subscription was canceled.I am requesting a full refund of $319.08 USD for unauthorized charges and a review of ******** billing practices to ensure transparency and compliance with consumer rights.I have attached supporting evidence, including bank statements and correspondence with ********I trust the Better Business Bureau will assist in resolving this matter fairly.Sincerely,***** ****** **********

  Business response

  12/31/2024

  Hello ***** *******,
  
  
  I can confirm that our customer service team has reached out to you directly regarding your recent inquiry. Please check your inbox for our response with further assistance.Thanks in advance.
  

  Customer response

  01/04/2025

   
  Complaint: 22747809
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  I must respectfully reject the response from ******* as it fails to resolve my complaint or address the core issues at hand. The response provided by ******* merely reiterates their policies without acknowledging the serious legal and ethical concerns raised. Here are the primary reasons for my rejection:
  
  1. Violation of Consumer Protection Laws:
  Unauthorized Use of Payment Method: ******* charged my **** card ending in 0081, which was never explicitly authorized for use with their service. This card was associated solely with my ****** account for purchases within Amazon marketplaces (****** *****, specifically). *******'s use of this card without my explicit consent is a clear violation of the ******************* Directive (PSD2), which mandates explicit authorization for each transaction.
  Lack of Notification: ******* failed to notify me before charging the alternative card. Transparency and prior notification are essential under European consumer protection laws, including PSD2 and the Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/**). The absence of such communication deprived me of the opportunity to manage or contest the charges.
  
  No Payment Receipts or Confirmation: ******* did not send any receipts or notifications for the charges made to the alternative card, leaving me unaware of the ongoing charges until I reviewed my bank statements. This lack of transparency contravenes consumer rights.
  
  2. Silencing Legitimate Feedback:
  Forum Post Silenced: I published a detailed account of my issue on the IMDb Community Forums, which was made private by ******* without any explanation. This deliberate action to restrict visibility of my post raises significant concerns about censorship and transparency. No justification was provided for this action, and it further undermines *******'s credibility in addressing customer grievances.
  Evidence Provided: I have attached screenshots to demonstrate that my post was made private and is no longer visible publicly, despite other posts remaining accessible. This action appears to be an attempt to silence legitimate feedback and is deeply concerning.
  
  3. Abusive Billing Practices:
  Inconsistent with Amazon Policies: Unlike *******, ****** does not charge alternative cards in the event of a failed payment. If a payment method fails, ****** cancels the transaction instead of charging another card. *******'s approach is significantly more aggressive and invasive, exploiting the Amazon Wallet system in a manner that undermines customer trust.
  Confusing Relationship Between ******* and Amazon: There is no clear indication that *******, as an ****** subsidiary, would have access to ******************* This lack of transparency creates confusion and violates GDPR principles of data protection and informed consent.
  
  4. Inaccessible Cancellation Process:
  Cancellation Difficulties: IMDbPros cancellation process is unnecessarily complicated, forcing me to block my original card to prevent further charges. Even after doing so, ******* continued to charge an alternative card without my consent, further exacerbating the issue.
  
  My Requests:
  Full Refund: I demand a refund for the 13 months of unauthorized charges (December 2023 through December 2024, excluding the initial month I used the service).
  Policy Review: ******* must review its billing and data-sharing practices to ensure compliance with ** laws, including PSD2, GDPR, and the Consumer Rights Directive.
  Public Acknowledgment of Feedback: ******* must provide a justification for silencing my forum post and commit to transparency in handling customer complaints.
  
  Conclusion:
  As a Portuguese citizen residing in the **************, I am entitled to the protections offered by ** consumer rights and data privacy laws. *******'s actions raise significant legal and ethical concerns, including unauthorized data sharing, lack of transparency, and failure to provide adequate notice for charges.
  I kindly request the Better Business Bureau to review my case thoroughly and forward my concerns to ******* for a more satisfactory resolution. Attached are documents, including evidence of my forum post being made private, which further demonstrates *******'s unwillingness to address these issues transparently.
  
  Thank you for your assistance.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *******

  Business response

  01/09/2025

  ***** customer service has been communicating with Mr. ******* and has provided a resolution to address his concerns, offering a partial pro-rated refund for the unused portion of his subscription. 

• Initial Complaint

  12/23/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We recently noticed a monthly billing on one of our credit Cards connected to our Amazon Account. I spoke with wife and daughter about the charges and my daugher told me that her card had same charge in August and she disputed it with *****. We researched online and found on Reddit that **** is scamming people by using their Amazon Account credit cards to fraudulantly charge for trial subscription that ended after 30 days and wasn't cancelled. We can't find any emails or subscribtions from ****** or apple that provides any proof of enrolling in a service that we didn't know existed or would ever use.I reached out to IMDB Pro and they responded by email explaining that we signed up in October 2022 and have been getting billed on various cards tied to our ****** account for 26 months. This is criminal. No receipts, no notifications, no information on ****** on reoccuring charges or subscriptions. .. ************ should be barred from ****** - who supposedly owns them for frauding ****** clients. I can only image that somehow 2 years ago we rented a movie on ****** that somehow had details that allows us to be frauded by Imdb Pro.I have never signed up a IMDB Pro or a Trial Period. I don't even have an IMDB Pro account or a subscription. However I have been billed ***** per month since October 2022 on various cards on our ****** account. I have no emails or confirmations on my Iphone that i have ever downloaded or subcribed to a trial period of IMDBpro and I don't know what it is and have no idea what its for or how to use it. I want the *********** subscription cancelled and the the amount of $519.74 immediately credited back on my ***** I have requested this via email and they keep explaining its for a subscription i signed up for. I can't get a cancellation or refund.

  Business response

  12/30/2024

  Hello **** Coxc,

  
  I can confirm that our customer service team has reached out to you directly regarding your recent inquiry. Please check your inbox for our response with further assistance.
  
  Thanks in advance.

• Initial Complaint

  12/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have had issues with **** prior but that is hopefully unrelated to this matter, I had purchased their monthly subscription service for ******* to add and modify information about my Performer's profile and what is viewable to the public when people look at my profile. This is very important to me as a film actor because potential employers often use **** to verify resumes and potentially scout talent. I had several pieces of media uploaded to this performer profile under the assumption that my media would stay available to the public regardless of if i keep paying for my subscription, that assumption is due to no warnings or communication that would inform me of my pictures and bio and videos being taken down or hidden after my subscription to IMDBPro ends, this is also supported by ******, whom **** is a subsidiary of and who shares information about actors and public figures on their platform directly from what they have available from their **** page, and my material is still very much active on ******. Unfortunately, as you can decipher from that last statement, this isn't true, My IMDB profile does not show my Headshots, Videos or Bio, all are features I already paid **** for me to add and edit. I have attempted to reach out to IMDB on 3 separate occasions over the past 4 months to correct this and each time I have not received any response and resolution from ****.

  Business response

  12/13/2024

  Hi there,

   

  I can confirm that our customer service team has reached out to you directly regarding your recent inquiry. Please check your inbox for our response with further assistance.
  
  Thanks in advance.

• Initial Complaint

  11/11/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Hello. I am uncomfortable with my name being out there- especially my full legal name. I would like it to be taken off the website- and the contact on their website is NOT helping. It shows my first and last name- which I am okay with, however it shows my full legal name in the Alternative Names section- which is what is bothering me. Thank you.

  Business response

  11/22/2024

  We can't locate the information referenced in the complaint. Please provide the *** of the page so we can see exactly what is the contested information. 
  
  Additionally, since the complaint appears to reference an 'alternate name' please be advised that this information can be suppressed by users following the process outlined on this page:

   

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

  Customer response

  11/28/2024

   
  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.
  

  However I will make a new name page for myself later down the line but without the alt name
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ******

• Initial Complaint

  11/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  A year ago I was charged from IMDB Pro. I requested a cancelation. They couldn't.. I canceled my credit card and got a new card. Again on 8 Nov 2024 I was charged again without my concent. I sent an email to IMDB/IMDB Pro. They said I do not have an account. So why am I being charged. I want a refund and this subscription to stop.Either rjlang_ ************** or *********************

  Customer response

  11/09/2024

   
  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.

  
  Update 
  **** has canceled my membership and refunded $149.99.
  Please close the case.
  Thanks, 
  

  
  

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

  Business response

  11/11/2024

  Hi ******,

   

  I can confirm that our customer service team has reached out to you directly regarding your recent inquiry. Please check your inbox for our response and resolution.Thanks in advance.

• Initial Complaint

  10/24/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I discovered that IMDP Pro (I'm not a member) was taking ***** out of my account every month. I called my bank, and they stopped my debit card and issued me a new card. Immediately, **** started taking money out again. I realize they grabbed my new card number from ****** without my consent. I have not authorized these payments and need them to stop immediately.

  Customer response

  10/24/2024

  The complaint has been resolved. I found the account and deactivated it. Thank you.
  
  
  ***** *******
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  10/17/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This subscription service was cancelled over a year ago. **** continues to charge my credit card. They do NOT have any phone customer service. I have sent emails & have not received any response. They have charged me $19.99 per month for over a year past my cancellation!

  Business response

  10/18/2024

  Hi ****,

   

  I can confirm that our customer service team has reached out to you directly regarding your recent inquiry. Please check your inbox for our response with further assistance.Thanks in advance.

• Initial Complaint

  10/13/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My IMDB Pro account was cancelled on October 2nd without my consent. Apparently it is linked to an Amazon account I cancelled, but this information is not disclosed by ****, stating that the cancellation of my ****** account would have repercussions to my **** Pro account.I use **** Pro for business purposes and Ive kept detailed lists, as well as uploaded photos and videos that serve my business. Everything was erased.I tried contacting **** Pro but they do not have a customer phone number and the contact email does not work unless one has an active account.I reopened my account (paying my membership again) in order to ask them to restore the missing photos, videos and lists, but the associates have dragged their feet on this issue. It is a very serious problem since it has had work-related repercussions.Secondly, they did not honor a discount they were supposed to give me.All this is documented through screen shots Ive taken (regarding their customer service not working properly, the imdb/sag discount not working properly, as well as the lack of communication once I was able to contact IMDB Pro). ****************** industry practically strong-hands us to get this service and the fact **** leans on inefficiency, bad customer service and error in their website (besides not honoring discounts that are supposed to be an obligation) makes it very sketchy and sadly, I cannot disregard this service, since it is crucial for my business (as I just mentioned above). I need **** to restore my information (photos, videos and lists I had for research). I also need them to give me the discount they were supposed to give me.Again, I have screenshots and emails that back up everything Ive stated.Thank you for helping me resolve this issue.Sincerely,**** ******

  Business response

  10/14/2024

  Hi **** ******,
  
  
  I can confirm that our customer service team has reached out to you directly regarding your recent inquiry. Please check your inbox for our response with further assistance.

  Thanks in advance.
  

   

*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. ↩