I was contacted by a telemarketer stating they had a promotional deal on magazine subscriptions. And that I was entered into the "Dreams Come True Sweepstakes". I was told I would recieve up to 10 magazines a month for 3 years. I was convinced they were below cover price so I accepted. After all they said I would be getting a deal, Then I was notified that it was not subject to cancelation.
My bank account was charged for 3 months before I recieved anything. Nearly 6 weeks after not recieving anything I called them back to cancel my subscription but was told it was not subject to cancelation. They stated that the delay was due to the magazine distributer. I it may take a total of 60 days before I recieve anything.
I waited and the first magazine came, then a few more. I am currently recieving 6 to 8 magazines a month. I tried to call back and cancel, but the same old runaround as before.
I called yet again and requested a copy of the contract I apperantly aggreed/signed to and was told there was NO Contract. I then stated that I am canceling my Membership. He said "You can't, your contract states that its not subject to cancelation."
I then again stated I wanted a copy of that contract. I was told there was no contract. I again stated that I wanted to cancel my subscription, there is no contract. He said "You can't, You aggread to the terms that it was not subject to cancelation." I thought to myself, Where is this guys IQ.
I was Refused a copy of a supposedly legaly binding contract upon request. I did some research into the cost of the actual subscriptions from the Magazines websites.
1.) the total 8 magazines cost less than $100 per year.
2.) The magazine cost less for multiple year subscriptions.
3.) 100 x 3 = 300
4.) My monthly payments are 51.86 for 12 months
5.) Thats $621.84
6.) This company stated I would be getting a deal.
7.) that an overpayment of $320
On top of that, they gave my credit card information to a company called "The Shoppers Edge Network" and they charged my account $96. Luckily my bank has an 800 number to check my account ballance. When I called for my balance information I noticed 2 $51 transactions and a $96 transaction.
I had to wait till monday to contact my bank. When I told the bank about the activity the told me I needed to fill out a "Hot Card Form" I went to the bank and did so. My bank issued a new card to me and canceled the transactions without a fee.
Now, Just today, I recieved a call from American Marketing Services of Virginia asking me to pay on my account. The same contract/no contract thing started again. The guy actualy got frustrated and Hung Up On Me.
I opened my web browser and googled a search for a webaddress. I found none, but did find an excessive ammount of complaints. My decision was final.
1.) I went to http://www.ftc. Gov (Federal Trade Commition) and filed a complaint.
2.) I went to http://www.bbb.org (Better Business Burro) and filed a complaint.
3.) I went to http://www.fcc. Gov (Federal Communications Commition) and filed a complaint that they were using FCC Phone lines to commit telemarketing fraud.
4.) I went to http://www.usps. Gov (United States Postal Service) and filed a complaint that this company was using Magazine subscriptions through US Postal mail to commit fraud
5.) I came here and filed a complaint.
6.) I am now searching for state and federal law statutes and codes in the hope that I can find some "revocation of signature forms" to fill out and send to all the companies aliases.
Since there are many others like me that this is happening to and arent complaining, I estimate that these companies are pulling in hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulant transaction per year.
After gaining those numbers I am convinced the FBI may want to know about these fradulant transactions so When I submit this form I am going to http://www.fbi. Gov and filing a complaint there aswell.
Everyone having the same or similar problems should go to the sites I listed above and make complaints as well. Might as well go to Dateline too. Make this public so no-one else is ripped off.
Best Regards
Jorge
Bozeman, Montana
U.S.A.
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