My son is an intelligent member of the US Army. He just returned from his advanced training to begin his second year in college. He received a phone call from these vulchers soon after he returned home. He is a very polite young man. These people obviously have studied the law and make these calls with "scripted piches" as soon as they get a yes response, they reel you in.
They did make three phone calls — so what — they never explained the meaning of the three calls or that this would be the only opportunity to get out of the deal. They claim that by disturbing a private residence by telephone and reciting some exciting deal and gift package that they can charge you any abount of money for that right.
The three conversations are scripted and very tricky. All college students should beware. Don't be trapped.in only four days (the original call was on Aug 20th) on Aug 24th a letter arrived congratulating my son on being entered in an "all cash sweepstakes" and thanking him for his order.
In bold black was written "The payment plan you selected calls for 12 monthly payments of $58.24 totalling $698.88. This averages out to be a low weekly cost of $3.36!
We immediately called USA to cancel and spoke to Joseph Morale who would do nothing but tell us that all he could do is reduce the bill by $174.72 because they have already placed the orders and cannot cancel them and they have already invested the money.
My son did give his credit card number (of which they were so helpful in giving him the first four digits) so he would be giving them the correct numbers.
When these creeps would not accept no or cancel as a language, we immediately called the credit card company —AT&T to inform them of what was happening. They were extremely helpful. They immediately cancelled the card and initiated a fraud report. We have not received a bill yet but hopefully the credit card company will not release any funds to them and we do not plan to pay any invoice or accept any magazines.
We immediately mailed a certified return receipt letter to USA Mgazine exchage to notify them that we did not want any magazines nor were we able to pay. Upon receipt of the letter, someone from the this slimy company called around eight o'clock at night to inform us that the letter meant nothing and we were still responsible for the bill.
I call this shear harrassment and invasion of privacy. Our state has just enacted a no-call law which will be in effect soon. Or teephone number is on that no-call list. But these blood suckers are in another state chasing after first ime card holders and trying to take advantage. What a lesson for college students to learn about fair play, honest business and entrapment.
I don't intend to drop this. I have notified a lawyer and I am going to report this to the Federal Trade Commission.
A BIG yell for HELP is going out to law enforcement officials and especially the Arizona State Attorney General to stop this activity in their state. Its real bad press.
And to the snippy little miss Heather Samec who supervised the goings-on at this rat hole, I hope you soon open your eyes and your soul and realize that you are commiting robbery every time you do not accept a cancellation from an honest person.
I hope this den of evil is realized soon and is eliminated.
AN ANGRY MOTHER
SHIPPENSBURG, Pennsylvania
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