Using libcURL for a simple data retrieval program

when I call the init function:
curl_global_init(CURL_GLOBAL_ALL);
an access violation occurs

I also tried using the parameter CURL_GLOBAL_DEFAULT instead (out of curiosity) and it didn't help

I'm linking against the dll/lib and I also have copies of the dlls in my project directory

can anybody help me figure out how to get this fixed?
thanks