I got a phone call from IMS and thought, like many others, that I was getting a good deal for magazines, and that I could switch magazines at any time. As soon as my magazines started coming, I got a call to renew my subscriptions. How could this be, as I had signed up for 3 years already? I declined, and found charges anyway the next month on my credit card.
I called and was informed that I agreed to this "renewal" and my voice was on tape, which is a legal contract. I called them on that, and they finally backed down and refunded my money, and cancelled that account. Mind you, this did not happen in a single phone call.
Feeling that there was a simple mistake that was now cleared up, I received yet another call that I had earned a "free" subscription because of my good standing. Not yet wise in the ways of IMS, I accepted. As it turns out, in order to get this free magazine, I had to agree to yet another account of 5 other magazines. 4 days later, I was informed of this, and since I had agreed to the free magazine, and did not cancel within the 3 days, I was obligated to pay for the new order. I don't think that I need to say that I was not told about the new order in the initial call.
And so began my fight... This was over 3 years ago. I paid off the first account, and had to actually cancel my credit card to get IMS to stop charging me for the second, invalid account. I ended up settling in Feb because some lawyer's office called me and threatened to sue.
I wish I had fought more, because now I realize that it was all a scam. I have magazines that I did not order, and I cannot cancel or change.
This is not the end of my story. This February, I got a call, at work, from a lawyer's office, saying that my account was sent to them by IMS for settlement. For the last 8 months, I have called IMS 5 times, each time they tell me that I do not owe any money and all accounts are clear. However, my repeated requests for a written document stating such have been ignored. I have been contacted 11 times by this attorney's office since February. Each time I talk to them, I "owe" a different amount.in July, they stated that they had just received my account for settlement. Now, in October, they say that they've had it since last November. Also, my account number will mysteriously change, along with the amount owed.
Sounds like a scam to me. I finally contacted the Better Business Bureau, who informed me that IMS has had so many complaints, and has failed to respond appropriately, that they are now forwarding all correspondence to the Sonoma County District Attorney. I hope that they can finally take care of these criminals.
By the way, the name of the firm that keeps calling is Luebke, Baker, and Associates. I don't know if anyone else has been contacted by them, or if they are in on this scam.
Stephanie
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
U.S.A.
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