NPR investigated complaints from customers who were pressured into spending thousands on skincare products they didn’t want, with no option for returns. These incidents occurred in various locations, from Michigan malls to Hawaiian hotel spas. The stores, though different in name and ownership, are linked to Mazal Group, a California-based company run by a family from Israel. This company controls numerous skincare brands sold worldwide. Over a decade ago, federal agents uncovered a “credit card overcharge scheme” and other crimes involving these brands, leading to several guilty pleas. Despite this, similar tactics persist, prompting NPR to explore the connections between the stores, products, and the family business behind them.
QUESTION: Why do you think some businesses continue to use unethical sales tactics even after being caught and penalized?
VIDEO: The skincare sample is free. What happens next can cost thousands
