I got an unsolicited phone call on my cell phone from a person claiming to represent a "Publisher's Sweepstakes" (not "clearing house" nor "american family", etc.) The person kept referring to "they" as in "they want me to tell you..." He claimed that I was only one step away from winning $5,000, in fact that I was even closer than he's allowed to tell me, "but trust me, you are almost guaranteed to win" And, as a prize for becoming a finalist, they are already sending me a men's diamond watch and vouchers for free nights in a fancy hotel in Vegas or some other option.
In addition, I already won two free one-year magazine subscriptions (although it's "not a subscription because you can change magazines at any time"). All they ask from me is that I try a new magazine, "OK Magazine" as part of their promotion. It's a 2-for-1 deal because I also get to try a second magazine with that deal, for only $2.99 per week. "thanks for your time, my supervisor will call you back in a few minutes."
So he does, and it turns out that the "trial" for $2.99 a week cannot be canceled for 60 months because "we have pre-paid the publishers." I told him that made no sense, for supposedly ONE magazine to cost over $150 per year! I realize that it's a little less than newsstand price, but it's way more than a subscription price. When he realized I would not fall for it, he became really rude, said "so you don't want this?!" I said no and he hung up. I have yet to see the watch or vouchers. It is too soon to tell if they charged my credit card for anything yet.
Interestingly, the first caller offered to give me the zip code for their office in Atlanta, but then didn't know it. He "found" it, gave it to me, then "got a note from someone" that he had given me the wrong one and gave me a new one.
The first caller said that his supervisor would give me a claim number for the $5,000 prize. But when the supervisor called, he wanted to confirm that the first caller had given me a claim number. I said no, so he gave me one and said it was very important not to lose it.
So, to sum it up, it would appear that in order to receive a "prize" that I have won from a "sweepstakes", and in order to be eligible for the $5,000 prize, a purchase is required. The purchase is for a "2 for 1 deal", where, in addition to 2 "free" magazines, I would get two additional magazine for the price of one, at $2.99 per week that I cannot cancel for 60 months.
Does this sound legit to you? Of coures, I will update if I ever receive the watch and vouchers, and/or if they end up charging my credit card after I told the supervisor "no" upon the second phone call. The supervisor said his name was Bob Bradley. Phone number 1-877-931-3237. He said they were registered with the BBB.
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