I found charges on my bank account starting about 3 months ago. The electronic drafts were registered to VideoReporter.com in California. I went to this sleazy website and did not recognize anything. I left 2 voice mails requesting a call back, and received nothing. I then went to usacomplaints.com and saw that "video reporter" is associated with a "magazine" called Green magazine.
I DID authorize an ad to be run with this magazine which was supposed to be distributed into a local Stop & Shop supermarket. I have been receiving invoices over the past several months but not paying them, because I quickly realized the magazines were not being placed on the rack at the Stop & Shop.
The only reason I chose to advertise in this manner was the fact that the salesman was promising incredible numbers like 40-50,000 copies per month/issue. As soon as the rack was depleted another load of magazines would arrive to refill. I even questioned him about the distribution and he told me "we've done this for years all over the country, we know how to do it". Fool I was to not follow my instincts.
Anyway, I decided not to pay out the rest of the term since they weren't fulfilling their end of the contract. Now I have come to find 4 bank drafts "authorized by contract on file" (not authorized... No way) and the signature of the electronic check states "This draft is authorized by your customer. No signature required." Also wrong, I have never authorized them to pull money out of my account.
I DID pay with a check the 30% up front cost. From that check they must have proceeded to ACH my account. Sadly, my bank suggests I need close the account and get a new number since they can continue to hit it.
Don't do business with these guys. Seek out your own advertising sources, don't take a cold call and let the sales guys promise you the world for small money.
I was a fool. I can't claim to be completely victim, however their practice of taking payment rather than receiving it for a good or service NOT PROVIDED is a RIP-OFF!
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