Magazine Scam!! Please Help!
Complaint
ting lin
Country: United States
Hi! i need serious help! and i dont know what to do right now! im only 19 and i've been scammed by this magazine company named C&R marketing and assoc. i've searched up this company and address and only found one result which was a scam! earlier last year in 2009 i was foolish to give in my credit card number to them and since then i've been asking to cancel the subscription. In response they said i have to continue till the agreement is over. So i canceled my card and capital one helped open another one with different numbers. I also filed a claim for missing money and to my surprise C&R Marketing sent in documents to my bank!!! The company called me just the other day and said they could not charge my account. I also got a letter saying if i dont pay it will affect my credit! Please help me!!!
Comments
Doctored phone recordings, reported $1400 and $4500 alleged "magazine subscription", reported $400 "settlement offers", falsely claiming to be a "law firm", threats to sue, attempts to collect on bogus "debts" through harassment and threats, "reloading" on old already paid debts, etc.
Several insider reports.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/debt/luebke_baker.html
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-797-4348
http://ftc.gov/opa/2012/05/luebkenr.shtm
"...
For Release: 05/15/2012
Debt Collectors Settle with FTC, Agree to Stop Deceiving and Abusing Consumers
Consumers Were Subjected to Collection Efforts for Magazine Subscription Debts They Did Not Owe, FTC Alleges
Defendants in a debt collection operation that allegedly sought payment for bogus magazine subscription debts have settled with the Federal Trade Commission.
The FTC alleged in its complaint that the defendants knew, or should have known, that some of the magazine subscription debts they were collecting were not valid. The defendants, who handle collection of hundreds of thousands of accounts each year, violated the FTC Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and the Telemarketing Sales Rule, according to the complaint.
The proposed settlement order, filed by the Department of Justice on the FTC’s behalf, bars Luebke Baker and Associates, Inc., Kevin Luebke, and other defendants from representing that a consumer owes a debt without having a reasonable basis to do so, and from making any other misrepresentations when collecting debts or selling goods and services. It also requires the defendants to conduct a reasonable investigation when a consumer disputes a debt or when the defendants otherwise have reason to question whether the debt is valid.
Under the proposed settlement order, when the defendants attempt to collect debts, they must provide consumers with disclosures about their rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The proposed order also requires the defendants to inform their collection employees of their personal obligations under the Act.
The Luebke defendants allegedly collected on debts for magazine subscriptions despite the fact that the FTC had successfully sued the company that originally sold the magazine subscriptions for deceptive marketing. The defendants were notified of a 2003 federal court order against Cross Media Marketing Corp. that placed special requirements on anyone attempting to collect payment for these magazine subscriptions.
The FTC alleged that the Luebke defendants ignored these requirements and repeatedly told consumers the debts were due and payable.
The complaint also alleges that the Luebke defendants:
illegally masked their identity and sent false information over caller ID, falsely posing as Ed McMahon, attorneys from a law firm, and other entities;
falsely told consumers that magazine subscription debts are exempt from the statute of limitations; and
illegally threatened to garnish wages and take other unintended legal actions.
The defendants also marketed a credit repair CD titled “Credit Solutions,” allegedly collecting an up-front fee before providing any goods or services, in violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, which bans advance fees imposed by companies selling credit repair goods and services, according to the complaint.
The complaint and proposed settlement against Luebke Baker and Associates, Inc. and Kevin Luebke also name as defendants Leslie M. Farrar, Matthew T. Scott, and Joel P. Ferguson. They also name Kevin Luebke’s wife, Julissa Luebke, as a relief defendant.
The proposed settlement imposes monetary judgments totaling $3.1 million – $2.3 million in civil penalties for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, $730,000 in disgorgement for collecting Cross Media Marketing Corp. accounts in violation of the FTC Act, and $45,000 in restitution to consumers for charging an advance fee for a credit repair product in violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule. In addition, a judgment is imposed against relief defendant Julissa Luebke for $420,000. The judgments will be suspended, based on most of the defendants’ inability to pay, when Farrar pays $20,000. If it is later determined that the financial information the defendants provided was false, the full amount of the judgments will become due.
..."
I had this happen to me 5 years ago by a company calling themselves C&R Marketing! After this occurred, I called the FTC to have my credit checked once I realized the stupid thing I had done; and realized this was a scam. First of all, for that first payment, they were taking money out of my account that was unauthorized with all different amounts for 2 months. I filed a police report in my town and called the bank to not authorize anymore transactions from that company. I called and talked to someone named Alisha from that company, who said I could "cancel" if I paid just $175; so of course I did to get it cancelled. For 5 YEARS, I have heard nothing. To this day, I am still receiving magazines (that I don't want), I haven't received any sort of invoice or bill statement saying that I owe anything, and I haven't paid them a dime. Just a few months ago I get a phone call from a Patricia from this company called Certified saying that I owe $3,000 and have not been paying for these magazines. She claimed that her company helps people to end their ties with the magazine companies so they aren't sent to court for nonpayment. She also stated that the company has a verbal agreement from me that I will pay for these magazines and I can't cancel and cannot back out of this and that my file will be sent to an attorney in which I WILL be sent to court. However, she said, "If you pay us $400 we can make sure you don't get sent to court". I told her I would call her back because I was at work at the time. I tried to call back that evening and no one answered and this answering machine came on with a different name and different company. I just let it go.
Here I am a few months later receiving another phone call from this same person saying that she was wanting to know what I wanted to do about this "situation". I told her to send the file to the attorney because I AM NOT PAYING ANYMORE MONEY, THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!! I told her I wanted to hear from the attorney and I want everything that I owe in writing. She said she sent an "invoice" to me 6 months ago showing what I owe...I never saw any invoice. She said "Ok, we're just trying to help but you'll be sent to court". This whole thing is stressing me out and it is a huge crock. I am at the point now where I am ready to fight whatever I have to (if they are legitimate). I doubt that anyone is calling me to go to court....the company is in Colorado. Do you really think the judge want to hear about this? Or has time for this? Probably not.
Just wanted to share!
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/COYfeKBUXADa1QjMqLJtdA
"Magazine Club", "Magazine Connection", "Readers Source".
Start with $49 charges, then start trumping it up. They may already have access to some credit card numbers, since people report calls "to verify your number". Or that may just be part of their fraudulent script, as there is a report of "verifying your VISA card, that starts with 4" pretending they already had it.
Note the "$300 to cancel" scam.
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-323-1278
"Blaine
16 Feb 2010
I've had the exact same problem as both the others (minnesotan and aglass) I spoke with my wife and she had actually given them information and paid the $49.98 and that is the same amount as the others. I called and questioned the lady over the phone and used interrogation techniques by asking questions forward and then backward after a couple minutes. She was very inconsistent with the information. She said I owed her appox. 250 and then a few minutes later it was 300 dollars all of the sudden and another 300 dollars to "cancel" the subscription to magazines that we have never received. Also, when the lady answered the phone she said "good evening, magazine CONNECTION" WHEN THE BILL CLEARY STATES THE NAME OF THE BUSINESS IS MAGAZINE **CLUB**. When I asked the lady why she said connection instead of club she stuttered and then said "there are three businesses in this suite" This is a pathetic scam and please do not fall victim to this scam. They will threaten with "collection agencies" and also taking you to court but they know that it's going to cost more than they are collecting to pursue this "money you owe". 100% SCAM. Watch out!
Caller: "Magazine club"
Gabrielle
12 Mar 2010
Got a call from a guy named Michael Davis who said he was from Magazine Connection. He first said he would put me on the do not call list. I am ALREADY ON the do not call list. He then said I owe $49 for magazines that I did not order. He asked me for my credit card number...A VISA card starting with the number 4. I refused. I don't even have a VISA card. He threatened to turn me in to collections, and that he'd see me in court. The magazines they say I ordered, I wouldn't even want. They ask a bunch of personal interest questions (I'm sure to figure out which magazines to SAY that you ordered).
Call Type: Telemarketer
Daryl Wilson
12 Apr 2010
I have been receeiving calls from that 866-323-1278. Wanting me to by magazine subscription. ERthey had my credit card number and wanted me to verify it. I refused to give any more info. My credit card has been charge $49 twice. I am tring to get it stopped. Then they call and want me to pay the magazines in full for $900.
Blind Sided
Caller: magizine connections
..."
Another complaint under the same phone number, as Readers Source.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/newspapers-magazines/readers-source/readers-source-tricks-you-into-dby95.htm
"Readers Source
561 Keystone Ave. PMB 278
Reno Nevada 89503
U.S.A.
Phone: 866-323-1278
"
Address is just a UPS Store, i.e. a mail drop.
http://reno.citysearch.com/profile/map/7062337/reno_nv/ups_store.html
Your Oakley CA address is another UPS Store/mail drop.
http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/The.UPS.Store.925-625-0221
BBB report, mentioning the Reno NV and Oakley CA addresses. Refers to Denver CO BBB.
http://www.bbb.org/reno/business-reviews/maga ... eno-nv-90008568
Denver BBB report, rated "F". Supposedly this is their real address.
Note reports of "billing or collection issues", "unauthorized bank or credit card charges", "failure to honor contract or agreement", "invalid or false contract", dishonest and high pressure sales practices, etc.
All consistent with fraudulent telemarketing.
http://www.bbb.org/denver/business-reviews/ma ... ood-co-55002267
"...
BBB Rating
Based on BBB files, this business has a BBB Rating of F on a scale from A+ to F.
Reasons for this rating include:
89 complaints filed against business
Failure to respond to 32 complaints filed against business.
3 complaints filed against business that were not resolved.
BBB does not have sufficient background information on this business.
...
Name: Readers Source
Phone: (303) 202-2970
Address: 6045 W. Alameda Ave.
Lakewood, CO 80226
Principal: Ms. Lucille Aragon, Owner/Manager
Customer Contact: Ms. Sonia Gorski - (303) 202-2970
File Open Date: January 2005
Type of Business: Magazine Sales by Telephone
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.
...
Customer Complaint History
When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.
BBB processed a total of 89 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total of 89 complaints closed in 36 months, 37 were closed in the last year.
These complaints concerned :
+ 32 regarding Billing or Collection Issues
2 - Failure to correct billing errors
1 - Failure to substantiate charges
3 - Improper collection practices
11 - None of the Above - Credit, Billing or Collection Complaint Issue
6 - Unauthorized bank debits
9 - Unauthorized credit card charges
+ 11 regarding Contract Issues
2 - Failure to honor a contract or agreement
3 - Invalid or false contract
5 - None of the Above - Contract Complaint Issue
1 - Work performed outside the terms of the contract or agreement
+ 6 regarding Customer Service Issues
1 - Failure to respond to phone calls or written requests for assistance or support
3 - Inappropriate behavior by customer service personnel
2 - None of the Above - Customer Service Complaint Issue
+ 2 regarding Delivery Issues
1 - Delivery of unordered products
1 - None of the Above - Delivery Complaint Issue
+ 3 regarding Refund or Exchange Issues
3 - None of the Above - Refund or Exchange Complaint Issue
+ 34 regarding Sales Practice Issues
10 - None of the Above - Sales Complaint Issue
1 - Sales presentation did not disclose complete pricing information
3 - Sales presentation misrepresented the service
1 - Sales presentation not consistent with the written agreement
18 - Sales presentation used dishonest sales practices
1 - Sales presentation used high pressure methods
+ 1 regarding Service Issues
1 - Unauthorized service
These complaints were closed as:
+ 52 Resolved
24 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to BBB.
27 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to BBB.
1 - Company resolved the complaint issues, but not within BBB's timeframe.
+ 32 No Response
32 - Company failed to respond to BBB to resolve or address the complaint issues.
+ 3 Unresolved
3 - Company failed to resolve the complaint issues through BBB voluntary and self-regulatory process.
+ 2 Administratively Closed
...
"
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This company also goes by the name "Readers Source", and appears to be engaging in similar deceptive sales practices. Are they related?
http://wesleyanargus.com/2010/05/11/how-i-got ... -company-scame/
"State of Kansas v. Publishers Renewal Service CO. d/b/a National Readers Service a/k/a Readers Source (case ’09 CV11613, suit filed Dec. 30, 2009)"
BBB rates them "A+", which means they pay BBB to be accredited.
http://www.bbb.org/kansas-city/business-revie ... nee-ks-99124672
The Kansas Attorney General has a different opinion.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/01/06/New_Complaints.htm
" Publisher's Renewal Service dba National Readers Service dba Readers Source, Russell Rahm, Coast to Coast Marketing, Media Ink, Mo Management, and Treasure Coast Renewals harass people and illegally charge their credit cards for magazine subscriptions, the Kansas Attorney General claims in Johnson County Court, Olathe.
..."
The complaint, for violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act.
(Note the role of Luebke Baker and Associates as their collection agency.)
http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/01/06/Commerce.pdf
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/c-amp-r-marketing-c298774.html
Reported phone numbers:
866-370-2602
303-495-5483
303 is Denver area code.
Same area code as Readers Source, of Lakewood CO.
"...
Readers Source Oakley CA
Posted: 2009-09-12 by Deceited
Frauds!
Complaint Rating:
Company information:
Readers Source
2063 Main Street PMB 206
Oakley, California
United States
Phone: 866-323-1278
Frauds!!! I got a random call from the company to "continue" the sevice with them..I returned their call as I had no account with them whatsoever..I returned the call back(which has been the greatest mistake of my life!) and CLEARLY told the man I was talking to that I did not have an account so there was no question of "continuing it" Immediately I was transfered to a supervisor who took my info to "verify" if I was there in their system and kept on telling me that he could not cancel it.He told me to pay 49.98 dollars and then my account would be cancelled.I agreed as it was just a price to pay to get rid of them.Then in the mail I get a letter that I had signed up for a 24 months agreement! I keep getting these useless magazines which I had never ordered! I call them back and they say they a "recorded message".Due to least assistance form the customer service reps of the company, I was forced to write a letter to the manager.Only then, I got a call from "Financial recovery"that I had to pay an " adjustment in price" as they had already shipped the order.I asked the to send me a written document of what orders were made till date and also give me a invoice of the transactions which would me made in the future which they DENIED!I argued back not to show me the 60 second, but the 60 minute argument I had with them before I had agreed to pay the 49.98..They said my account would keep increasing if I didnt pay them 600 dollars now and would increase upto 1000$ !!! Who pays 1000$ dollars for magazines which u can get at a price or 5-10$.Moreover, I get old issues( a month later or so ) with a "sticker" of my name on someone else's name.I have filed a report in the Consumer Fraud.
..."
C&R Marketing
Allenspark-Lyons, Colorado
303-747-6399
Telemarketing phishing complaint, similar to others alleging they claimed to be calling on an existing account, when no such account had been opened.
http://www.callercomplaints.com/SearchResult.aspx?Phone=303-747-6399
"This number has called my house stating that they need to do an update to my information including a valid credit card before they can give me the name to the corporate office. They are selling magazines and RIPPING people off!!! "
Magazine telemarketing fraud complaints, same area, similar M.O.
http://www.numberinvestigator.com/303722
Qwest Publishing
303-722-0389
Readers Source complaints. Also appear to be using a variety of other names. Reports of unrequested magazines arriving (particularly Maxim), followed by calls regarding the "subscription". Several reports of checking with Maxim, who said it was a scam.
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-303-922-9710
303-922-9710
Readers Source
One Source
Promo Readers
Qwest Corporation
Quest
e-rewards
Fraudulent charge, $1.00 initial "ping" to check account validity.
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/unauthorized-charges-c290692.html
Magazines sent without authorization, followed by call about the "subscription".
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/receiving-magazine-i-did-not-order-then-the-calls-c192781.html
866-370-2602 confirmed.
Address is a Post Office, so "suite" is a P.O. box.
http://www.bbb.org/denver/business-reviews/in ... ood-co-90102016
(Google cache)
"...
Business Contact and Profile
Name: C&R Marketing
Phone: (303) 974-5956
Fax: (303) 997-6914
Address: 1880 S Pierce St Ste 18E
Lakewood, CO 80232-7189
Original Business Start Date: February 2007
Principal: Mr. Raymond Jones, Owner
Customer Contact: Mr. Raymond Jones, Owner - crmarketingco@yahoo.com
Email Address: crmarketingco@yahoo.com
Incorporated: CO
Type of Business: Internet Marketing Services
BBB Accreditation: This company is not a BBB Accredited business.
Business Management
Additional company management personnel include:
Ms. Cora Jones - Owner
Ms. Janell Duncan - Manager
Additional Locations and Phone Numbers
Additional Phone Numbers
Tel: (866) 370-2602
..."
http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Magazine.Solutions.866-608-7323
Magazine Solutions
Lakewood, CO 80214
866-608-7323
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202446644222
"...
Federal Judge Orders $4.7 Million in Restitution in Telemarketing Case
Shannon P. Duffy
The Legal Intelligencer
March 23, 2010
Chalk up a win for the Federal Trade Commission now that U.S. District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose of the Western District of Pennsylvania has shut down a telemarketing operation run by an East Pittsburgh firm and ordered more than $4.7 million in restitution to consumers.
In the suit, FTC lawyers argued that Magazine Solutions Inc. engaged in a nationwide telemarketing scam that targeted young mothers with promises of valuable coupons when, in fact, they were luring them into buying unwanted magazine subscriptions.
Instead of receiving $1,000 worth of coupons, the suit said, the consumers were typically saddled with monthly payments that added up to more than $770.
The suit alleged that Magazine Solutions violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule in several ways. Often, the suit said, callers did not tell consumers up-front that to get the coupons they had to buy the subscriptions; sometimes they claimed the magazines were free or that the consumers only had to pay shipping and handling.
And when consumers tried to cancel their orders, the suit alleged, many found it was nearly impossible to do so, and were stuck with subscriptions to magazines they never wanted in the first place. Others who refused to pay the bills would later see them as bad debts on their credit reports.
In her 34-page opinion in FTC v. Magazine Solutions Inc., Ambrose enjoined Magazine Solutions and its owner, Joseph Martinelli, from engaging in "any further telemarketing programs involving the sale of magazines or the marketing of coupons."
Ambrose also permanently enjoined the company from engaging in any further collection actions against current or former customers, and ordered Magazine Solutions and Martinelli to "remove all negative information that they placed or caused to be placed on their consumers' credit reports."
In an interview, FTC attorney Dana C. Barragate said she was "especially pleased" with the judge's order that negative information be removed from credit reports because it will have immediate and direct benefits for consumers.
Attorney Martin A. Dietz, who defended Magazine Solutions and Martinelli, argued in his post-trial brief that his clients never enjoyed much in the way of financial rewards from the magazine sales program.
"The evidence adduced at trial does not demonstrate that the conduct at issue in this case yielded a financial windfall to Mr. Martinelli or to any other persons associated with Magazine Solutions," Dietz wrote.
Magazine Solutions "is no longer telemarketing," Dietz noted, and "is only servicing the few accounts remaining on its books."
The cost of defending the FTC suit, Dietz said, "has forced Magazine Solutions to close its doors as it is unable to remain viable. Magazine Solutions has paid a substantial price just by the mere filing of the instant lawsuit."
As a result, Dietz urged Ambrose to "consider the true nature of the violations at issue and award relief consistent with the actual damages established at trial and not base its decision on speculation or on sparse, unsubstantiated consumer complaints."
Dietz did not return a call seeking comment on the ruling.
Ambrose found that a permanent injunction was necessary because Magazine Solutions and Martinelli have been sued by numerous states for similar conduct in the past, but declined to change their business practices.
"Their history of noncompliance with the law, with other court orders, and with this court's prior orders, supports a finding that violations will likely continue with injunctive relief," Ambrose wrote.
Ambrose granted an award of $4,782,011 in restitution "for misrepresentations made regarding the value of the coupons consumers would receive."
That figure is about $700,000 less than the FTC requested because Ambrose offset the award to account for the value of magazines actually received by the consumers.
..."
C&R Marketing
1880 S Pierce St Ste 18E
Lakewood, CO 80232-7189
866. 370-2602
303. 495-5483
My Story:
They called today to collect and I didn't even get a magazine. $300 to cancel a $17/mo subscription for 2 years. Spoke to “James” (floor supervisor). His supervisor is “Yolanda” (operations supervisor). I was refused the owner’s name. The exhchange was unprofessionally ripe with "um, but, 'cuz, well we payed for um.. fer you fer 5 years, so u owe us". I was told to call 866.370.2602 if I have a complaint, though the response would be no different.
Sources:
http://www.scamfound.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=89022
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/c-amp-r-marketing-c298774.html
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/EpcWc3C5PQC8egjMejmoYg
Advice:
1.) Contact the BBB
2.) If you get a call from them say you are in the military and you will be notifying your JAG attorney to seek legal action.
3.) Fraudulent misrepresentation is reason enough to cancel, and also a valid reason to regard the "contract" null and void. FTS defines the requirements for telemarketing in what they call the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). It requires full disclosure up front of the terms, no deceptive claims, disclosure up front if there are limits on canceling, etc. Anything else is called "FRAUD", and like all crimes, you report FRAUD to FTC, your state Attorney General, their state Attorney General, etc. You dispute fraudulent charges through your bank as FRAUD.
"It is important to call a crime what it is."
BBB Response:
Based on the nature of your complaint please refer to one of the following agencies to better address your complaint. You may refer to our main complaint page to see the type of complaints the BBB can and cannot process.
The BBB that will handle your complaint is:
BBB of Denver / Boulder Colorado(Denver, CO)
1020 Cherokee Street
Denver, CO 80204-4039
Phone: (303)758-2100
Fax: (303)577-8101
Email: info@denver.bbb.org
Web: http://www.denver.bbb.org
BBB Department:
EMPLOYEE PRACTICES:
Colorado Labor Department
303 318-8000
303 318-8000
633 17th St Ste 201
Denver, CO 80202-3624
www.coworkforce.com
Once you agree to one thing, you will likely be charged month after month for that thing (even though you may NOT have been told about this) and you could also be charged for other products/services as well. Again, the charges will continue month after month. PLEASE understand that there were a lot of customers, I'm talking at least 30 - 40 percent, who swore up and down that they NEVER agreed to anything but were still charged. These people insisted that they never ordered anything via phone, spoke with telemarketers, nor owned or used or purchased anything using a computer.
A coworker in customer service told me she really got the feeling that a good number of the customers weren't lying when they insisted they didn't order/authorize anything. She also told me that people told her about how dire their situations were and how they ended up owing bank fees because of unauthorized charges.
If you don't want this to happen to you, keep your banking info private and do not purchase anything IN ANY WAY (online, in person, at gas stations, or via the phone) from any person or company that you do not KNOW & TRUST. ALSO, warn your friends, family, classmates, and neighbors. If you get a call from a telemarketer hang up or tell them to take you off their list and immediately hang up. DO NOT give out your credit card/bank acct info to any telemarketer. That is none of their business and if you really wanted what they are trying to sell, you would have sought them out.
They prey on people who actually believe they can get a new laptop for $1, or a $1,000 gift card for free. Inform yourself and remember, buyer beware!