American Reading Club called my 23 y/o son's cell phone and told him he had won 1000.00. Asked if he would like some complimentary magazines. Told him they needed his personal information for legal purposes. Almost immediately there were funds withdrawn from his checking account. When he called to find out why, he was told that it was for his magazine subscriptions. He is currently receiving 4-5 magazines, none of which he chose, on a routine basis. They went from having 1 account to having 2 accounts. He has money coming out of his account to 4 different companies. The current total is 750.00. We did notify the bank who stopped some of the withdrawals but not all. Now ARC's collection department is calling him and threatening "grand theft" charges. They say he owes them 1900.00.
We re-consulted with the bank, closed his account and cancelled his debit card. He may re-coup some of the charges. I have requested a copy of the "taped agreement", an itemized statement, filed a report with the FTC and BBB. I am more than willing to take this shameless company to court and suspect there are criminal charges that would apply to their practices.
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