The other day we received in the mail a package containing two fitness books along with a letter indicating that our "21-day free preview of 'Men's Health Total Fitness Guide 2009'" had "arrived!"
We never ordered or approved or were asked over the phone about this preview. There is no explanation in the correspondence about how to return the items. And honestly, I'm not paying for it.
If you do a search for "Rodale" on this site, you find many more victims of this same scam.
Here is some advice from a fellow consumer, Rob, in Buffalo:
"send them a certified letter.
You're absolutely correct with your feeling.
Any merchandise received that was not ordered can be considered a GIFT according to FTC rules.
Send them a certified, return receipt letter informing them that you never ordered the book and that under the FTC rules you are considering it a gift and do not choose to pay for it.
Also remind them that you are under no obligation to return it to them at YOUR EXPENSE.
Further, remind them that because you didn't order this book, any reference to this on any consumer credit reports is a violation of the FCRA and if such a reference occurs you will seek a full judicial remedy as outlined by law.
Finally, request that they update their records by removing you from their system as you are not and do not wish to be a customer.
That should do it nicely, unless there's something you didn't mention in your report."
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