I received a call sometime in September by this company informing me that I had won a $1000 internet shopping spree because of my good credit history. Looking back, the "good credit history" should have tipped me off - I'm 19 and have a joint credit card with my mother... I don't have my own card and have only had the joint one since early 2007. Anyway, they said they obtained my name through Mastercard and were offering the shopping spree because they were a new company wanting to attract interest in their magazine subscription.
So I asked what the catch was... 3 magazines (one of which HAD to be TIME) for $13 a month for 20-something months and my paying for shipping and handling for my shopping spree purchases. This sound responsible: I had just moved into my new dorm and could have used the money for posters and a vanity in my bathroom. Excited, I said yes and then was told to verify my card number. After this, I was transferred to a woman for a brief personal survey for stats of members (my age, my profession... The lady's roommate apparently was also a barista) followed by questions about their sales rep. That phoned me. They said I'd receive things in the mail soon.
After telling my parents to cancel their TIME subscription because of America's Choice Reader Service, my mother cancelled our card, berating me for falling victim to a scam (the number was listed as unknown). They managed to call my house and speak to my mother after two weeks of trying to contact me via cell. They fooled HER too. A few weeks ago, I received a letter from them, thanking me for using them.in the envelope was a slip with info for the $1000 spree. I filled out, including my mom's card number, and sent it back.
I've received 2 magazines since and just today received a billing statement for $39. What happened to $13? Even worse, no sign of my shopping spree, the entire reason I agreed to sign up. I just sent them an e-mail earlier saying I wasn't about to pay until I got my spree. And I'm sticking to that, even if it means cancelling another card, changing cell numbers, and reporting them as much as possible.
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