In July I was called at my work place. I did not get the company name, but the implication was that I had won a contest and all I had to do was answer some survey questions.
After answering the survey questions, my "prize" was that I had the opportunity to subscribe to some magazines at "greatly reduced rates." A long list of examples were rattled off to me. I was mildly interested, asked for a list, and agreed to try one months worth.
The initial phone call was followed up by a call from a "supervisor" that "confirmed" my order. I didn't thinks I had made an order, and they didn't have any credit card info on me, so I (foolishly) agreed to receive magazines.
I began to receive magazines at work and at home, and they are not magazines I am particularly interested in. My name is misspelled on my home address but not at work, so I wasn't sure if they were coming from the same place.
I returned most of the bills to sender, because I did not actually order the magazines, and I thought with the mispelled last name, maybe they had my information confused with someone else's legitimate order.
The second phone call was recorded, and I was told it would be. Their collections department played the second call for me when I asked to hear it on October 19. It is my voice saying saying "Yes", "no", etc. But I did not agree to the subscriptions. When asked (in the recorded call) if I had any questions, I answered "No."
This, according to "Mr. Cooper" of Publishers Business Services was my consent. Then I heared all the rigmarole of I owed money and was locked into this and they would accept a settlement of $329 and they could half that amount if I paid by 5 P.M. That day. I was also told that this information would goon my credit report, and that they would pursue this matter and get all the money I owed them.
Luckily, I never paid a dime, but I still receive magazines of which I tear off the "subscription" label and leave in my apartment complex laundry room for anyone to take home with them.
Because they actually deliver some magazines, they are able to coerce people into sending payments. Don't do it!
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