Didn't order Playboy but receive invoices
Complaint
Mike Martin
Country: United States
I never ordered PlayBoy but recently received a threatening letter from Charles Martin. He threatened to send my account to collectors if I don't pay $14.68. If this is an identity theft why did I receive the bill to my address. I assume this "Charles Martin" sends invoices using addresses from their subscribers database.
If anyone else has received similar letter, what did you do? I am not sure how to deal with this scam and I definitely don't want to be sent to collectors over $14.68....
If anyone else has received similar letter, what did you do? I am not sure how to deal with this scam and I definitely don't want to be sent to collectors over $14.68....
Comments
According to many complaints, in many cases, although letters threaten sending the accounts "to collection", on being challenged, the publisher immediately backs down. This indicates that the publishers are aware they routinely have questionable subscriptions, and that such bogus accounts are being sent to Sunrise, who attempts to collect on them as "legitimate".
The sources of these "subscriptions" may be fraudulent telemarketing operations, deceptive "sweepstakes" pop-ups, anonymously sent "subscription cards" mailed in as harassment or a prank, etc. There are multiple complaints pointing to each of these sources.
"Playboy gets a subscription from each and every person we have an account for."
False. They may get a "subscription", but the numerous complaints on this site already show that in many cases they are not from the alleged "subscriber", and that Playboy is aware of this.
"It is more of a bill pay phone number than a collections notice."
And that is why it is deceptive, while your careful wording indicates you already know that. Playboy and you are both aware that the "subscription" may be bogus, yet your letters imply credit damage should a consumer fail to pay for a subscription they never ordered. (Yet as numerous complaints have also pointed out, Playboy will not actually ship magazines until they get paid, so no actual product has been delivered for which you are attempting to collect payment.)
Your choice of language walks a thin line between soliciting subscriptions and coercing them.
If a consumer receives ANY invoice for a product or service they have not ordered, they should file a complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspector.
As they hold themselves out to be a debt collector, the above "sales" tactic would be deceptive and illegal under FDCPA.
Although there are numerous complaints of debt collection letters from Sunrise reportedly received by consumers who did not order the magazines, it may be that the normal function of this Sunrise/Hearst relationship is that if you subscribe either on-line or through a mail in card using a "bill me later" option, or possibly agree to get a "free trial", you get a bill through Sunrise.
The question you need to answer is: Do you want the subscription? If not, cancel and notify both Sunrise and the magazine. If so, pay one of them.
Sunrise's letters walk the edge of deceptive, and there are sufficient credible complaints that they are going to people who never subscribed to suggest problems with Hearst's magazine selling partners.
When the last invoice came with a threat to send the matter to a collections agency, I found this posting with the number to call. Thanks to Dan I was able to contact "customer service". However, they wouldn't explain to me why I was getting threatening letters when I did not owe them anything. I ordered 12 magazines, and I received 12 magazines. I was under the impression our business was complete and no one owed anybody anything. Yes the lady was helpful in cancelling my "subscription", but when I questioned their business ethics in sending threats to existing customers she told me that the matter was settled and goodbye.
The sad part is that my wife and I both enjoyed the magazine thoroughly, as it is well written, elegant, and tasteful, and I would have been more than happy to renew my subscription. However, this method of threatening people into renewing their subscription is highly unethical, and has completely turned me off of playboy. Not so much as a magazine, but as a business. Of course I don't expect to to rock their boat - they will continue to pursue future subscriptions like this - but they lost my business and I'm sure others have encountered a similar scenario - its plain and simple a sh*tty way to do business.
Don't get me wrong, if Megan Fox ever decides she is going to grace the cover of playboy magazine, I may be inclined to purchase a newsstand copy. But these jerks will never get my address again.