A telephone solicitor from this company contacted my wife and convinced her to purchase magazine subscriptions. The representative informed her that although he was just entering general subscriptions she could change them at any time. My wife agreed as her intent was to subscribe to magazines for my 5-year-old son. The magazines they signed my wife up for were not Children's Magazines by any stretch of the imagination.
Not only did the magazines not arrive, but no documentation arrived (as promised) to change the subscriptions. The only contact my wife had was with another representative who convinced her to accept a higher payment as a way to pay-off the magazine charges.
When I contacted the phone number accompanying the charges on my bill I could only reach an answering machine. When I did not receive any call-back, I conducted a detailed investigation on my own and discovered an alternate number which I managed to reach. The employees were evasive in their answers and passed me to several representatives. The representative I finally spoke with expressed surprise I had not received any documents to change the subscription.
None of them would provide me a copy of any contract for these services they claim I agreed to.
In addition to questioning the company, I did further investigative research into the company and its practices. I discovered all the usacomplaints.com entries from numerous others who experienced the same problems. A sample of these include:
The refuse to let anyone out of the contract
They refuse to provide a copy of the agreement
The customer service number is merely an answering
machine or an unresponsive phone.
Unauthorized charges
Failure to receive magazines ordered.
Pressure to pay off the bill in one lump sum
Claims persons are put on the company's no call list
and they are solicited again.
Although I paid the charges to MasterCard, I asked they not allow this rip-off company to make any more charges to my account and investigate them. I included not only copies of the usacomplaints.com I downloaded, but, in order to provide the full scope of their deceptive behavior, I enclosed a full audio recording of those four conversations.
MasterCard apparently did an investigation and cancelled ALL the charges on the account by these people. That started it.
Someone claiming to be from their "legal department" started calling and harassing my wife.in response I sent them the following letter by certified mail, return receipt.
Active Periodicals
ATTN: Miss Rich
P.O. Box 1188
Deerfield, Florida 33443
November 17
Refernece: mh0126342
Dear Ms Rich:
The purpose of this letter is to clarify some matters as the result of your November 16 telephone call to my wife [redacted] at our home.in that conversation you made several demands and threats to include turning this matter over to a collection agency in order to pressure my wife into giving you a credit card to make charges against. I am informed you also refused to provide my wife a telephone number for me to return your call. She also informs me you stated your refusal to speak with me on this matter. Since I am also informed you alleged in that telephone conversation you were calling from your company's legal department I will attempt to put this in terms you will understand:
Do not contact my wife again.in my several conversations with your representatives I specifically stated your company was to deal with me on the dispute between us and that you were not to contact or further harass my wife. Your representative stated clearly we were being placed on the do not call list and would not be bothered again. I will consider any further contact with my wife as harassment and will utilize all legitimate means at my disposal to take any necessary action.
You are not authorized to release my personal information or any personal information regarding any member of my family to any third party. This includes name, phone number, social security numbers, or any other information. I will consider any such disclosure a violation of the Privacy Act and will proceed accordingly.
I will not comment on any on-going issues between you and my credit card company or their withholding of funds I send them in this matter. I submitted the results of my discussions with your representatives to them and I am informed they are investigating the legitimacy of your charges to my account. I will abide by their objective and honest decision.
Based on your conversation with my wife I am informed you claim to have recordings of conversations and agreements for services in this matter. As is my right under the law, I hereby make demand for the following:
Complete, unedited, and certified copies of any telephone conversations with myself or any member of my family regarding this matter. If transcripts of those conversations exist, I require them as well.
A full copy of any and all agreements for products and services you claim my wife or I entered into as well as what proof you have of our authorization for those agreements (please note that I requested these previously from your representative and was never provided them).
A full copy of any subscriptions started under any agreement you allege was approved by my wife or I. These must include, at a minimum, the periodical name, subscription start date, subscription end date, and authenticated confirmation each title was specifically ordered by my wife.
You initially contacted and, as of your call November 16, are still contacting my wife on a private, unpublished number. I demand you price me with all information on who you received this number from and under what circumstances. If you purchased my personal information, include the amount you paid.
My intent has always been to pay any legitimate charges. The actions of your company in the matter have repeatedly been deceptive, harassing, and questionable. I will abide by the decision of the very capable people at the credit card company and the results of their objective investigation. Please do not continue to attempt to circumvent that. Also be assured that I have no greater desire than to have your company out of my life forever, but do not underestimate my resolve to protect my family from the behavior displayed by your company. Behavior, I right add, which is well documented in available public documents.
Respectfully,
[Redacted]
As of this posting their peopel are now calling my house ever couple hours demanding to speak to my wife, still refusing to provide any of the information I requested, threatening legal and other action, etc.
They keep pushing for another credit card number even after being told if they produce the required information and prove legitimate charges they will get payment by check. They don't want a check, just new access to the credit card number.
I've started to record the date, time and number they are calling from in a log. Not sure what will come next, but someone really needs to stop these people.
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