I have received "Official notice" of my entry into the $1 million sweepstakes 4 times in the past year. One day I decided to call them and see what it was about since I didn't enter any sweepstakes. They told me that I was entered into a sweepstakes to win $1 Million. They then offered me a free watch and "5 year subscriptions to four great magazines" from their list. I said yes to the sweepstakes but no to the magazines.
I started to receive invoices from them almost immediately. I was stupid enough to pay. I received my first magazine 2 months later. I never read the magazine and soon more followed. These were magazines that I would never read in a million years. I started to receive 4 more magazines from a different company called CRC of Montana. I have never heard of this company in my life before this. Again I started getting invoices. For 1 year I was paying $130 a month for magazines that I never read or even asked for.
I was late one month and I received a call on my cell phone one night. I didn't recognize the number so I didn't answer it and let it go to my voicemail. It was National Magazine Exchange calling to talk to me about my account. I tried calling the number back and there was no answer. I researched the phone number on the internet at several different search sites. They all said the phone number is from a Ken's Barber Shop in Clearwater, FL. Very suspicious indeed.
A week later, I found an 800 number for N.M.E. And called it to see if I can cancel my account. They told me I can't cancel because they had already paid the magazine companies for my subscriptions and I need to pay them back. They told me they had my voice on a recording saying that I agree to the subscriptions. I said yes in the conversation over the phone about the sweepstakes but never said yes to the subscriptions. When I asked if I can hear the recording they started reciting a disclaimer saying that if I listen to the recording and I am wrong, I have to pay the full amount of the subscriptions at once. I said no and ended the call.
I saw a posting on this website that said to contact my A.G. Office. I did so and they gave me the number to my local BBB branch. I called them and explained to them that I keep getting bills and I can't pay them because I am only receiving SSI payments every month as my only income and that I never agreed to these magazines, they told me that a verbal contract is not a leagally binding contract in Massachusetts where I live because it can be manipulated. They were very helpful and sent me forms to make a formal complaint. I was advised to dismiss any future invoices and phone calls. I have been put into a collection agency but the BBB told me that it was most likely a false collection agency set up by the company just to scare people into paying.
My advice is to disregard ANY notices from Pat Haines/N.M.E., it is just a scam to get you to buy magazines. I have lost over $500 to them since last year. Please do not make the same mistake that I made, and if you have, call your Attorney General and get the phone number of your local BBB branch. Maybe a verbal contract isn't a legally binding contract in your state as well.
P.S. I have never received my free watch as promised. I am already getting resubscription offers only one year after I supposedly agreed to my "5 year subscriptions". The other magazine companies I have dealt with are Community Reading Club (CRC) of Montana and Magazine Club of Northern California all from this OFFICIAL NOTICE of $1 million sweepstakes entry from Pat Haines.
Kevin
Westfield, Massachusetts
U.S.A.
0 comments