Company settles online purchase claims

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 7 (UPI) -- A Florida company says it is reimbursing consumers who bought acai diet pills, teeth whiteners and colon cleansers online.

The company, XM Brands, is making the payments as part of a settlement with the state.

State officials had alleged XM Brands billed shoppers for products they never ordered or continued to charge them monthly for items supposedly offered on a trial basis, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Friday.

The Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida said it received more than 2,800 complaints about XM from around the country, the newspaper reported.

XM directors cooperated with the investigation and the company already has paid about $3 million in restitution, state regulators said.

Customers who were enrolled in a trial offer, automatic renewal or automatic shipment program online and have not received a refund have until April 29 to file a claim with the state, officials said.

Consumers with questions can call (866) 966-7226.