Looking for money for magazines
Complaint
TK
Country: United States
Carol Patterson? What a joke! I was ALMOST SCAMMED! She also claimed to be a lawyer from NY. She knew I filed bankruptcy (HOW?) and when I tried to speak to her she wouldn't let me get a word in edge wise. This was also for magazines w/ Allied Publishing. I called my bankruptcy lawyer and he advised me not to give her any money, But I had already given her my credit card #, had to cancel it so she wouldn't get the 450 she claimed that I owed. I didn't want to have to pay over 2500 so i decided that I would pay that amount. Thank god I was quick to cancel the card. I feel soo dumb!! She wouldn't forward any paper work to me or my attorney b/c she said it illegal. She wouldn't even speak to my attorney. She keeps calling me at work and I filed a complaint with the attorney general office. PLEASE DO NOT LET HER PUSH YOU AROUND and file a complaint ASAP!!! If you didn't get it in writing it's a scam!! She is very rude!! And you know what? She talks to herself. She pretends that another person is in the office, but she only talks to herself like she is important.
Comments
File complaints with the New York Attorney General.
What they are really trying to do is embarrass you at work to extort money from you.
Contact the New York Attorney General.
They are scammers. Trying to "cancel" a bogus "contract" that doesn't exist just encourages them to harass you more.
If they did not disclose their cancellation terms before you accepted their "offer", then to later claim there is no cancellation is deceptive and fraudulent.
What WRITTEN contract terms did they disclose up front?
If the answer is NONE, then how are they going to prove what you supposedly agreed to?
This type of scam generally does NOT put their "terms" in writing, so they can later make up whatever they want to claim. If they did, do you think they would get any sales?
Just stop paying them, tell them to go to hell, and file a complaint with your state Attorney General. And if they start harassing you at work, remember that your employer let them on site to defraud your co-workers.
They may not think it is worth tracking him down, but he broke a number of laws.
Since he is claiming not to be the original creditor (he's an "investigator", or "attorney" or whatever) his attempts to collect an allegedly defaulted "debt" make him a debt collector, subject to FDCPA and similar state laws.
"an investigator/attorney for Virginia "
Trying to sound like an investigator with the state. There is a law for that.
Virginia state bar association might want to know of his claims to be an "attorney". Or if he is really in NY, so would NY state bar. Falsely claiming to be an attorney is another violation of FDCPA.
"defaulted on a loan the both her and my father had co-signed for "
Why would a magazine order need a loan? Why would a magazine order loan need a "co-signer"? Deceptive collection (violating FDCPA) and attempted fraud. And since it was allegedly a "loan" with a "co-signer", then the terms must have been disclosed IN WRITING, according to TILA. And there must be a written contract, with both signatures. Want to bet it doesn't exist?
"the conversation was being taped for court purposes "
Yeah, right. They are "taping" just to keep intimidating you, and they might play you select pieces, if they think it will squeeze money out of you. No way will it show up in court with all the incriminating statements he has made.
"he could make all of the fees and court costs go away for $101.25"
There are no fees and court costs. They haven't sued, but they are implying you owe fees and court costs based only on their saying so. They fail to mention they would have to win to collect any such "fees and court costs". That failure is also deceptive collection, violating FDCPA.
"When I questioned the authenticity of his call he got really defensive and mean. "
That's what people do when you ask for proof when they are lying.
"He REFUSED to give proof of his identity or a physical address. "
He doesn't want a knock on the door from the police at an inconvenient hour. (Is there a convenient one?) He just wants you turning over your credit card number to a complete stranger, so he can charge whatever he feels like.
"He had bits of all 3 of our SS numbers. "
SSN info isn't as secret as people believe. Having some, or even all digits, doesn't prove a thing other than that you are dealing with a petty thug who thinks knowing it gives him the power to intimidate people.
"according to our Commonwealth's Attorney, since we couldn't get an address and because we didn't give him our credit card information, he TECHNICALLY didn't break the law and without an address or merchant ID (if he ran a card) they have no way to track him."
Since when does his violation of laws depend on what YOU do? If he HAD suckered you, your state's Attorney would have some other excuse. He violated plenty of laws, and he will keep doing it and extorting money from kids, low wage workers afraid of losing their jobs, retired people on fixed incomes, families of soldiers in Iraq, and other unsophisticated consumers until someone decides it's worth taking them down.
NY Attorney General Cuomo shut down several extorting "debt collectors" in the Buffalo area recently, so give his office a call. This looks like another.
It's time to hang up.
"Finally I said okay so thats $13.00. Just trying to get off the phone. She said yes and sent me to another person. I agreed to $13.00. "
If they didn't disclose other terms up front, then any other terms alleged later indicate telemarketing fraud by the first caller.
"Then got a call a couple days later saying which a lady proceeded to tell me that they were going to give me a couple extra magazines but I need to pay $26.00 and once again I said I just agreed because I am at work and really don't need them."
They found a patsy and they will milk you for all you're worth. They already have you paying them to leave you alone.
"Not once was I told it was 3 years of magazines or shipping and handling. Until the bill came and I called furious. This was over 1-2 months later. "
They didn't disclose, nor did you agree to these terms at the time of the original "sale". Now claiming they are part of some agreement is fraud.
"I was told I had to pay it or It would cause me bad credit. "
They are not demanding money based on your "agreement". They are demanding it using threats of credit damage. Extortion.
"if I can get somone else to take over the magazines and that is the only way to get out of it"
They conned you, so they want you to con a friend? What they really want is for your family to pay them to get you out of a jam, which is all fabricated anyway.
"And I will be sent to collections by next week. "
"Collections" is the next desk, or maybe their other half, "716". See insider report above.
"I have great credit. I don't want bad credit. Can they do this to me? "
They are manipulating your fear. That's why God gave you anger, to overcome fear.
"How do I get them to stop harassing me and stop sending me bills? "
Stop paying them, and hang up whenever they call. You are throwing chum to the sharks. It just attracts them.
Contact the New York Attorney General. Many reports indicate they stop when consumers file a complaint. In addition, the New York Attorney General has been going after a number of "aggressive" debt collectors in the Buffalo area. You can find pictures on-line of several being led away in handcuffs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmpzh6JYtzs
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/media_center/2009/sep/sep29b_09.html
http://politicalgroundzero.com/2009/10/feds-a ... ollection-scam/
Kelly
Kelly
It's probably an alias.
"He stated that he was from wither the city co0urt in my local area and he did state NYS Attorney Generals Office and that I had an outstanding debt with 716 Service from 2004."
As you found out, he is not from any "court" in your area or anywhere else. or with the NYS Attorney General's Office, That is what this bunch of scammers is often reported to claim. He is trying to make you panic and be afraid of contacting the NY Attorney General.
"He stated that there was a signed contract for magazines for 5 years that I defaulted on."
This group of scammers doesn't require "signed contracts". They operate through deceptive telemarketing, turning some misrepresented deal into an inflated "verbal agreement". They couldn't do that if they sent something in writing, nor could they change the terms at will. And "5 years" is probably as made up as "signed contract". Note that 2004 is just within the SOL for New York, and barely reportable on credit reports. (No complaints indicate these scammers report to the credit agencies). While they are lying, they might as well squeeze as much as they think they can out of you.
"He stated that he did not like 716 attorney, out of Ohio, coming into his jurisdiction and file a claim for something so crazy. "
So he is some "court official" negotiating some "settlement", and he is oh so "accommodating". He fed you a line of B.S. about not being with 716 Services. 716 Services is the debt collector associated with Allied Publishing most offen reported to be engaging in these tactics. Both Allied Publishing and 716 Services are in Buffalo, New York. The "Ohio" bit was B.S., but if you buy it he knows he can ratchet up the demands, cause you haven't a clue he's B.S.ing you all the way.
"He stated that he cold only see that I received about $191.82 in magazines and that I did not owe for 5 years and $1,200.00 in attorney fees. "
All he sees is that you are the "mark", and he's trying to "load up" again. But throw in a big number like $1200, and it makes the "exact" sounding $191.82 sound like a "good deal"!
"He stated that he would cancel this debt and wipe my credit clean, to good to be true."
Like you have been having some problem with credit damage from these bozos? Not likely.
"He took my credit card information and asked if I wanted to pay this now or later. "
Isn't that nice. So accomodating, but now that he has your credit card info, he can charge whatever he wants to claim.
"I told him I would pay it at the end of February. I gave him this date so that I could verify if he was wh he said he was."
If you aren't paying him today, he didn't need your credit card information. He is unlikely to wait for you to verify he is who he says he is.
"don't get me wrong he was very nice and even through in a few stoies about his wife and that he was a very religious man."
Isn't that nice. He's sized you up and is playing you for all he can. Wonder how much he will try to take.
"Got his name, phone number and extension and hung up. "
That will really do a lot of good. Not.
"I immediately called my local court and county court and no one heard of this man. "
No surprise there.
"I then called back his number and his extension and he picked up and I hung up. "
Or there. He already has your credit card info. He's busy conning the next person.
"Before it connected, I listen to th message to see what it said and it said nothing about a court office."
Probably a vague generic message, with little useful identification, to fit whatever stories the telemarketers/"debt collectors" are spinning today.
"I got taken, but do to the fact I did not authrize this right away, I can cancel this card. "
Do so immediately. He lied about everything. Dispute any charges that slip through, and be prepared to be subject to "thug" collection tactics next.
Keep in mind, though, that they are all B.S. Report ALL threats, to your local police, and to the New York Attorney General. Attorney General Cuomo has been investigating debt collectors in the Buffalo area, and has arrested and charged a number of them with felonies for impersonating police, making threats, etc.
"Keep in mnd, he mentioned my family members that 716 would go after them."
If he is claiming it is "your debt", he has no legal basis to do anything to your family members. Just mentioning them in connection with "716" (his own outfit) "going after them" shifts this into the domain of extortion. Contact the New York Attorney General immediately.
"I contacted the Attorney Generals Office to file a complaint and the gentleman stated that ifhe was from any municipality, he would not have asked for any money. "
Excellent. That is correct. "Court employees" aren't debt collectors.
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-800-433-8784
Allan McCarty is probably a real name. No indications in any complaints that he has actually sued anyone.
Aliases:
Carmen Lopez
Bryan Morris
Tom Browser
Tom Calhoon
Michael Schaefer
Dale Schnider
Ronald Hall
Shawn Crawford
"same guy useing the name Morris"
todd holiday
Mike Kamarowski
Lisa Carter
Confirmation that this IS 716 Services, connected to "Allan McCarty" who apparently lends them his name.
"kurt - 8 Nov 2007
Said they were calling from attorneys office really aren't they are 716 services magazine scammers trying to make people pay for there over priced magazines after they lie and say diffrent things to get you to agree
Caller ID: blocked
Caller: 716 services/allan mccarty
Caller Type: Collection Agency"
This is their typical "thug collection" tactic:
"Hez84 - 9 Dec 2008
(Carmen Lopez) Called and said she was taking me to court over magazines that I refuse to pay for. I was swindled into a scam by this company and now they call me with threats! I asked for them to send me a copy of my contract and recording of my "so called" agreement to pay $800 for magazines and they have not! This company is a fraud(seven-one-six)
Caller ID: 1-800-433-8784
Caller: Seven one six services
Caller Type: Collection Agency"
The "Attorney General's Office" going to court for unpaid magazines?
Against a "cosigner", yet? Bunch of BS, but also felony impersonation of a government official.
Who "cosigns" for magazines? But when you are constructing a scam, claiming you have a "signed contract" that the "mark" won't remember, and they might catch on when they realize they never got "$800" worth of magazines, you have to have a "reason" why. "You cosigned" for someone else! Riiight!
"mindy - 16 Dec 2008
Bryan Morris called and said he was a investigator with the attorney generals office.He was going to file papers to go to court for unpaid magazines. This is a scam. they told me I cosigned the agreement which I never did.
Caller ID: 1-800-433-8784
Caller: 716 services
Caller Type: Collection Agency"
"Clear her name for $100"! Two-bit thugs.
"madat716 - 23 Feb 2009
They told my daughter they would clear her name for $100.00. I told her to contact our lawyer. Needless to say, they are not getting the $100.00 they lied about."
Same "Attorney Generals office" scam.
"sparky - 16 Dec 2008
Same as Mindy...Bryan Morris and Tom Browser called and said he was a investigator with the attorney generals office.He was going to file papers to go to court for unpaid magazines. This is a scam. they told me I cosigned the agreement which I never did.
Caller ID: 800 433-8784"
"I was going to threaten your friend, but since i have you on the line, I might as well threaten you". Wouldn't want to miss an opportunity.
"John Doe - 14 Jan 2009
Man called my home # form this number looking for a friend of mine, and when I refused to give info, stated he also had a subpoena for me and I was supposed to appear in court yesterday as well. This is a total scam, the man actually called me a [***] before hanging up the phone. Would love any input on how to give this scum Tom Calhooooon or whatever his real name is a taste of their own medicine."
Note how they conveniently move their "location" to fit the scam of the moment. Caller id conveniently blocked as well.
This has been a characteristic of these scammers. They may either claim they are near you to make their "legal action" credible, or if they are calling you and you are actually in NY, they will claim they are in some other state and play up the "cost" of you having to go there to "defend" yourself.
"Trish - 20 Jan 2009
I received a call about co-signing a loan for my sister for magazines. The names I received were Michael Schaefer and Dale Schnider. They actually threatened to put me in jail. There is a difference between a civil suit and a criminal suit. Civil suits don't land you in jail, they land you in court. Basically I laughed at him. Then I became "cursingly outspoken" with him. I let him know that I was aware of his BS and looked him up on the internet. I also learned that what they were doing was illegal. He told me that he was an investigatior AND a court services officer. That was 3 years ago. I just received another call. It was the same guys. I am not sure if it was the same phone number. Last time he was from New York, this time he is in Pennsylvania. He stated he was currently in his Lansing, MI office. (I live in Michigan). I asked him for the name of his office, and he responded Attorney Clerks Office. I asked for his address and he stated Lansing MI. When I interrupted his threats by asking for his street address, he became angry telling me that I shouldn't interrupt a court service officer. I then stated he shouldn't be interrupting a customer, called him a few unneccesary curse words, and hung up the phone. I can't wait til they call back. I have a few more things I would like to take out on THEM. My extension I had to call was 111 if that helps.
Caller ID: blocked
Caller: none"
These idiots don't even know the correct legal terminology, let alone normal legal or court procedure. They probably have never even watched Perry Mason.
"Terri - 28 Apr 2009
Ronald Hall is playing this same scam on my son. When he spoke w/my son this morning, he got him all scared saying that he would go to jail, that he would have to appear in court in NY on Friday, that a friend's mother co-signed (who Mr. Hall had already called). My son had him contact me and I tried to be nice, but he ended up hanging up on me before I could get a straight and honest answer from him. He stated he worked for Consumer Protection....I used to work at the Michigan Atty General's office? He backed out of that statement. He said he was in Lansing, Michigan (which is where we are). I asked him what company he worked for, he wouldn't give one. He claimed that my son had made a "plea"! Oh pleaaaaaaase! Mr. Hall ought to at least use proper legal terminology! He did not have a "plea" for my son to pay $177 to make it go away. He cannot have my son put in jail - this is a civil matter. He said something about having a judge in his office or some crap about why he wasn't sure he could call me back. There is no lawsuit filed. That phone call was actually kind of fun! Got my blood flowing!! I'm sure we haven't heard the last of him, but we'll be ready!"
Caller ID: 800-433-8784
Caller: telemarketing Scam"
So it's a "federal offense" now! "Year and a half...for mail fraud"!
"becca - 11 Feb 2009
A senior investigator jim hawkins has been calling my cell phone recently,stating that i missed my court date in new york and was now being charged with a federal offense for receiving magazines i did not finish paying for through the mail. Said i was looking at a year and a half in the federal pen for mail fraud. He told me tht i had one day to come up with 203.00 or charges would be filed in the state of new york. Funny, I thought I already missed this court date that i never recived paperwork on. And doesn't the company have to try you in your own state for a "felony"? This number is a scam from 7-1-6 services. It is illegal.
Caller ID: 1-800-433-8784 ex.111
Caller: 7-1-6 services
Caller Type: Collection Agency"
$800 to about $2000 appears to be the range they are going for. They appear to try to size up the target to see what they can try for. Note the common fraudulent telemarketing tactic of claiming to have a "recording". Also not that these scammers always invent a "reason" not paying them is a "serious criminal offense".
"Jessica - 28 Apr 2009
A man named Ronald Hall called me today and said I owed 1760.00 for magazines that I ordered 2 years ago. He told me I was on a recording using a false Social Security number (which I have never done), and I coud go to jail. He said he could settle the debt for 230.00 , but I had to have a debit card. I did not have it with me, thank God! I'm glad I googled the phone number or I to would have been scammed.
Caller ID: came up blank
Caller: would not give to me"
Here is the "attorney from Ohio" story again.
"BIG D - 17 Jul 2009
All the same stuff just now he/they are going by the name Shawn Crawford. Stated that he of all things was an harrasment invetigator dealing with harrasing phone calls from an attorny from Ohio, and a month ago he (the same guy useing the name Morris) called threatening to put my sister in jail because she refussed to give him my cell number. She simply said go ahead and proceeded give give them the phone number to the local State Police barracks down the street. Yaeh the cops never did show up.
the number and extension is always the same 1-800-433-8784 ext. 111"
Now they are claiming to be with the U.S. Treasury Department, but they want "credit card info to make it all go away".
"Darcy - 21 Aug 2009
this man todd holiday called my home yester day while i was at work, my fiance having no idea why a man from the us dept treasury was calling me, gave him my work number. which he then called and kept me on the phone for 15 min. he told me i was due in court on tues in ny. And called back this morn to get my credit card info, to make it all go away, I assume this is all a scam how do I get rid of them? I threatend with my lawyer, but that did not deter him any suggestions?"
Phony claim to be a "lawyer", and that there were "warrants out".
"Valentine58 - 29 Sep 2009
I forgot to tell you he said that there were warrants out on them because they did not show up in court today. They lived in Lackawanna NY at the time. He also said he was a lawyer, senior investigator is what he said. We called and found out there were no warrants on either daughter or court case. Not sure how he got her cell number. They have no land line phones either. Beware!"
Your friend Mr. Kamrowski starts showing up.
"Jimbo - 7 Oct 2009
Same as slot of you. Mike Kamaorsski Sr investagator for N Y state clerk office in Albany. Said I owed money for mags. I asked him to spell his name his job title address of buisness and supervisors name. He became argumentitive.I stated if you don't talk I don't talk.I asked him that if he worked for NY state why his # was blocked. I made report to NY state attorney office. He will get nothing
Caller ID: Blocked
Caller: NY attorny clerk in Albany"
Complete summary of their scam. Note initial deceptive telemarketing, and use of doctored recording. In this case, they showed up in person at work. Must be in the Buffalo area.
"7-1-6 services - 8 Oct 2009
I have got a couple calls from these people... they called me at work and asked me stupid questions and said that I would be getting free magazines just for the purpose of getting advertising out to the public and that they are targeting single working women and they came to my office and while I was really busy at work asked me to sign for the delivery and so I just signed it without reading it (my fault). then I get a bill for a ton of money ($800) and when I called to cancel and told them that I never agreed to this they said they have a recording of me saying yes to the agreement so I asked them to play me back the recording so I could prove that was not what they said It was a totally different conversation but with me ONLY SAYING YES AND NO answers and I know for a fact it was fabricated. I flipped out on the people and said who in their right mind would ever agree to pay $780 for bridal magazines for the next 6 years. The people on the phone acted like they agreed with me and said they would get this taken care of and then I get a letter in the mail saying they are sorry I want to cancel but that this is an already paid for loan and they expect me to honor the contract and that they cannot feel good about letting me cancel. I then got a couple calls from people stating they are calling regarding a legal matter and I told them the exact same thing and they said they would help me and call me back and never did now I just got another phone call from a Lisa Carter at x102 and she said that she is calling regarding a pending legal matter against me and it is urgent that i return her call. I dont think im going to call because I know this isnt right and I have filed cases with the attorney generals office and the bbb. Im not paying them a dime.
Caller ID: private
Caller: seven one six services"
He calls himself "Officer Mike Kamrowski".
"Tiff - 12 Nov 2009
I had a guy by the name of Mike Kamrowski that had called my office looking for my sister. He stated he was investigating my sister and my grandma's information because my sister had put my grandma down. He made is seem like it was all innocent and tried to dig for my grandma's information because my sister was not paying her bills. After looking this Mike Kamrowski information up and finding out its a scam I called him back and he said I better hire an attorney for my grandma because now I offended him. I informed him I in no way am offending him and I don't like people acting like someone they are not to dig for information on my family. He told me to have a good day and hung up on me. Just to let everyone know he does answer the phone as Officer Mike Kamrowski and he stated this website is fake and knows all about this website."
Didn't these jerks hear that "Bags-o-Money" and his friends got arrested?
Generally, there are no reports that anything is in writing, and many reports that actual "magazine deliveries" are sporadic at best, often not even any magazines agreed to, and often never delivered at all.
Despite claims by the "debt collector" either that there is a "signed contract", or that the target "cosigned" or even "cosigned on a loan for magazines" [sic], no reports indicate any "written contract" was ever produced.
There are reports of claiming there is a "verbal contract", sometimes when threats claiming a "written contract" don't work, and there are reports that when played, recordings sounded doctored, inserting recorded "yes" responses into a script different from the actual sales call.
The few complaints indicating something was sent (generally by fax), the fax was reported to be unreadable, or just some ambiguous "sales form", maybe filled out by a telemarketer (or who knows).
A number of complaints indicate the same tactics used to collect on really old "debts", of equally questionable legitimacy, as are used with freshly acquired "customers". Some complaints indicate trying again to con people every few years. Some of these are pitched as a "settlement" on a "defaulted" account, playing up high court costs, etc.
Missing are expected reports of receiving a collection letter. They ignore the FDCPA and state law requirements to send an initial notification letter within 5 days. (No surprise there.)
This group operates by phone, using threats of both criminal and civil legal action, and impersonating authority including "attorneys", state "attorney general's office" investigators, "treasury department" "investigators" or "lawyers", threats of contempt of court for "missing a court date", etc.
The tactics mirror those of several other debt collectors in the Buffalo NY area shut down or under investigation by the NY Attorney General.
About the only difference is the aspect of telemarketing fraud as the original form of contact before using "thug debt collection" tactics.
Although the target "signed for delivery", the "contract" was alleged based on a doctored recording.
No "written contract" evident.
Six years of "bridal magazines" is laughable. It appears that they are actively trying to have unhappy "customers", often reported to fail to deliver or even sending magazines the "customer" would likely NOT want. They may actually prefer to extort payments as "settlement", rather than send years of even overpriced magazines.
The polite and proper way to get people off your back is to tell them to F*** off. Some people, such as con artists and thugs, take politeness as a sign of weakness.
"they told me I had to pay $26.00 which was not what the original agreement."
They make up the "agreement" as they determine what they can take you for. They just found out they can take you for much more than $13/month, so any talk of an "agreement" is just more deception.
"They never sent me a bill so I called them asking when I would be receiving a bill because I did not want to have a late fee or problem."
You just told them you could be conned by threats of late fees.
"Three weeks later I received a bill but it had a huge late fee attached."
So they made up a huge late fee.
"I called back and complained and they removed it. "
As long as they keep getting money out of you, they will be so accomodative.
"When I call every month to make my payment they are extremely informal, give no confirmation # or anything. "
If they documented anything, it would make it easier for you to see you are being conned. They keep it vague and sloppy so they can make up changing terms as they determine what else they can get from you.
"I have not had such horrible experiences as many others have, yet! I just signed up for this about four months ago. "
It sounds like you are paying them $26/month, not the promises $13/month. So how many magazines have you paid for, and how many have you received?
And if you have prepaid for magazines, has the payment and subscription been made with the magazine publishers, or is this money just sitting in their own bank account?
Contact the New York Attorney General if you have any problems.
email. brittanyrae91@yahoo.com
publishers guide
PO Box 26896
Tamarac, FL 33320
They are claiming we agreed to buy a year subcription to there magazines, magazines we dont even read. including Maxim, field stream(way afraid of fishing), rollingstones, and glamor.
They have my fiance on a recording agreeing to there scam. with him using words like yes and alright. Only four words from him were used in this recording. it is obviously tampered with.
I need some help deciding what to do.
please contant me at my email, if you have any suggestions.
brittanyrae91@yahoo.com
Thank you,
Brittany Evans