scam for $1,000 shopping spree
Complaint
Christina
Country: United States
I just got a call from the phone number 888-279-9221 saying that I won a thousand dollar online shopping spree and some magazines at a very low price. They told me there was no catch, but they asked for my credit card info. I always check online for complaints when I get phone calls like this one, and it saved me because they were just going to steal money. I got the same exact phone call a few days earlier, and it turned out to be a construction company in Tampa Florida. Both calls said they were from Publishers Services.
Comments
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/HCojL9B9hwCgcQjJrV6zKg
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-279-9221/6
Similar complaint against "Our America" scam.
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/FBqwKuY1YgAQaAjMMpu_OQ
"Reading America" thread:
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/JRHTVm0ZaACRCAjLPzLm2g
Donna was the person calling and she said that I was selected because either I have good credit with MasterCard or Visa or I bought and paid for magazines in the past as is in good standing.
When I told her I did not want it, she said she would take me off the list. Then 1 hour later, she called back, same message. She said she forgot to take me off the list.
You should only give out credit card information to calls you initiate, not those initiated by others. What a scam!
That was a lie. They routinely make this false claim, as part of their pitch to get your card number and make it sound like it is almost "free". They have no connection to either VISA or MasterCard. It is common for scams to claim they are associated with well known and trusted brand names.
They probably have no idea whether you have "good credit", although there have been magazine subscription scammers that have illegally bought credit reporting agency promo lists.
"$3.95 per month for 60 months"
If you "accepted" their "offer", you would find them next claiming you owe them about $800 to $1300 in up front payments, different from what you thought you agreed to, and that they will claim you cannot cancel even though they changed their terms.
The "$1000 shopping spree" is at some website offering overpriced cheap junk.
Fraudulent invoicing indicates their original offer was deceptive and fraudulent from the beginning, and that you can't count on them to honor the original or any other agreement. That is a deal breaker, and there is no point in negotiating with liars and cheaters. Dispute all charges through your bank due to fraud, and block all access to your account or credit card, closing accounts if necessary.
File fraud complaints with FTC, your state Attorney General, their state Attorney General, and the U.S. Postal Inspector.
To whom it may concern:
I and other of my family members have been recieving harassing collection calls regarding and account with your company in my name. I did not recieve what was offered by your company and want this account to be cancelled immediately, all collection attempts ceased, and my good credit standing left unblemished. Be aware a complaint has been filed with my State's Attorney General's office detailing your failure to perform and the illegal collection attempts you have employed. I and other members of my family have kept a detailed log and phone records of your illegal activity. You will cease and desist all collection attempts and cancel this account immediately.
i sent it to this email address readingamerica@gmail.com on friday and i got an email back today saying that my account is canceled and paid in full
i am serious if anyone of you are having the same problem copy this letter and send it to that email i gave you all
From: Jack McCabe <readingamerica@gmail.com>
To: <tj_bowie@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tue, April 13, 2010 4:16:39 PM
Subject: Re:Account # 1004055 Cancelation
I have looked into your concerns to find out why your account has not been handled to your satisfaction.
We do a 3rd party validation recording to ensure satisfaction including confirmation and complete understanding of every order: Your order included:
ESPN, WIRED, FAST COMPANY, SPIN, INC, MEN'S JOURNAL, AND GQ
However, it is our goal to have only happy and satisfied customers. Therefore, I have canceled your account and it is paid in full as of 04/09/2010.
I also want to assure you no information good or bad is ever reported to any credit agencies.
All future magazines received may be considered compliments of Reading America.
I trust this resolution has been handled to your satisfaction.
Sincerely,
Jack McCabe
so try this if you get a chance!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yet they have now generated a response to your customer complaint that makes it look like their control systems are functioning normally, but they just chose to terminate your "contract" to keep you "happy". Great complaint file letter to show an Attorney General if you have to, but contrary to the on-going pattern of consumer complaints.
Perhaps you got an adequate resolution, but there is no guarantee that that will always be the outcome of an email dispute alone. emails might as well disappear into a black hole, just like phone calls, if they want them to, with no proof they got it.
Send a certified letter, and you can take it to court, since the Post Office says you mailed it, and also the date they got it. It is diffictult to know up front what response you will get in a case like this, so you take your actions based on the worst case. It is hard to argue with the Post Office as a real disinterested third party.
The deciding factor in your case is probably because, as you indicated, you already filed an Attorney General complaint. You are not bluffing, so it's time to smooth it over.
If you are going to the trouble to take any action, make sure it enables the following step should you need to take it. Otherwise, if you don't get the result you want, you are still basically at square one, still needing to take the step you should have taken earlier, and possibly with accumulating credit damage.
Since the definitive end game in fraud accompanied by harassment is a lawsuit or attorney general action, make sure your next step pushes things in that direction if you need to go there. There is no point in wasting your time with any step that does not, and it also telegraphs to your adversary the likelyhood that you will force the matter if they don't back off.
If fraudulent or criminal acts or attempts have already occurred, report it, in writing, to the appropriate authorities. That is your civic duty.
If you receive a fraudulent demand, whether by letter or by phone, whether from the original scammer, or from an accomplice debt collector, dispute it IN WRITING certified, to start establishing your paper trail should you later sue. If it is mailed, file a mail fraud complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspector.
Do not expect phone calls to resolve anything when you find your adversary bending the rules.
You may not like rattlesnakes or growling dogs, but you do respect them because you know they mean business.
They might toss a few magazines in the mail to you (which you will not know why you are receiving, but they may later claim is your "order"), then call you back severel weeks later to fraudulently claim you had "agreed" to some overpriced multi-year subscription, using having your year of birth as "proof" to con you into providing your account information to buy them off of their "uncancellable contract", to avoid paying for some "subscription" supposedly costing over a thousand dollars.
They are con artists. Do NOT believe anything they say.
If they attempt to extort you, hang up, and file fraud complaints with FTC and your state Attorney General. File a mail fraud complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspector.
The numerous merchant accounts would be explained by having lots of customers say they want their money back and getting chargebacks from their banks after being unsuccessful in getting refunds directly from IMA. After a certain number of these, the company would need to start anew with another account because it gets expensive (they're charged a fee for EACH chargeback to their merchant account) and leaves a trail of proof for those who are not satisfying their customers. The aliases, just another way of keeping the law and customers at bay.
If you want a refund, say that you will be contacting your lawyer or the Attorney General and they should be able to understand your position and assist you. Also, if you call them and ask for a refund, KEEP ASKING WHILE ON THE PHONE with the rep. They have to give you a refund if you ask at least once. Be direct, do not get timid. They probably have scripts with a rebuttal but you should ask repeatedly until you get your money back. And remember, the person you are speaking to has a job to do. While they are not the one who charged you, they can assist you. Be firm and patient.
WARNING: Do not piss them off because they do have your info, and I mean all your info, including your credit card #, address, phone, email, etc. Some of the employees are just trying to make a living and are honest people. However, there are a lot of people that come and go who are literally JAILBIRDS AND DRUG USERS. Like I said, don't try to smart mouth, just stay firm and stick to your guns. They aren't allowed to hang up on you. If they do, just call right back and start over to get what you need.
You should never give ANY info out to some telemarketer. This is the information age and information is EXTREMELY valuable and can be twisted to suit various crooks purposes.
If you respond, they know they have a sucker they can play.
Contact the FTC.
In addition, if your number is not already on the List, register it on the FTC site, so you can file on-line complaints against illegal telemarketers, and to make it easier to sue them under TCPA.