For the past couple of months I have received calls every few days from some company calling themselves “Readers Services.” They claim they represent the magazines I subscribe. Nope. I subscribe to one wood working magazine. I call this publisher and they say this company is a scam to sign up people for magazine subscriptions. Indeed the callers try to say I must complete some sort of question and answers and provide billing details in order not to be charged $1200.00.
Every time I say not to call me anymore they say okay. Then they call again. On the call last night at 9:30 PM (that woke my 2 year old) I tried to obtain their real company name and address. When I demanded the address the caller hung up. Amazing as for every other call no matter what I said they would not hang up.
This morning I ran some searchers. They indeed seem to be some scam soliciting for magazines. They go under the name of Readers Services, National Magazine Exchange, Special Data Processing Corp, Agora Marketing Solutions and other names. They appear to be out of Clearwater Florida.
They seem to get your contact information from the wealth of online giveaways and sweepstakes. Darn – I never should have asked for that Eucerin coupon or something similar.
Seems like the next step is to write letters to a whole bunch of folks such as the FTC, MA and Fl state attorney generals and others.
And here is the site for the scammers – http://www.unitedreaders.com/ or http://www.nrscontest.com/. Seems from most references to be the first of these two sites. Yet, they seem to be interconnected when reading the various complaints.
Here are some links to various folks with the same issue:
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/magazine-readers-service-c131550.htmlhttp://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/215/RipOff0215710.htm
http://www.ripoffreport.com/searchresults.asp?submit22=Search+All+The+Latest+Rip-Off+Reports+Now%21&q1=ALL&q2=&q3=&q4=&q5=national+magazine+exchange&q6=&q7=&searchtype=0
http://www.travelingsalescrews.info/magazine%20scams%20and%20rip%20offs.html
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/national-magazine-exchange-c113621.html
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/national-magazine-exchange-c8287.html
http://enemiesblog.blogspot.com/2007/05/magazine-slamming.html
http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=12788
http://ago.mo.gov/newsreleases/2007/020107.htm
http://jlassen.livejournal.com/203934.html
http://www.dmnews.com/Missouri-AG-files-27-more-legal-actions-from-Senior-Sting/article/94331/
http://thefishingguy.blogspot.com/2008/04/strike-it-rich-vi-sweepstakes.html
http://lifeisjfk.blogspot.com/2008/03/nme-prize-disbursement-21-m-dollars.html
http://subtleparticle.com/Word/?p=481
#1 by Krysten Mejia on February 16, 2009 - 10:08 pm
We seem to be getting the same calls in Texas only they ask for my seven year old daughter. I have told every caller multiple times that we do not want any magazines and to take us off their call log. We are on the do not call list as well. When we ask to call the company back they are unable to give us any contact information other than a fake address of 3859 NW County Line, Suite 300 Bellport, FL. Fortunately I have the option to block private calls from our phone so I won’t be dealing with them any longer.
#2 by Dan Katz on February 17, 2009 - 12:03 pm
Thanks for the note. This appears to be similar to what others find.
Unfortunately, I cannot block private calls. Too man friends have caller ID turned off and show up as private calls.
#3 by Heather Shannan on February 23, 2009 - 4:55 pm
I have been plagued by these exact same calls. Each time I try to get information from them I get “disconnected.” Today, the caller said that if I did not follow through to get a verification number, they would turn my account over to a collections agency. When I asked about what they were trying to collect, I got disconnected. I’ve repeatedly asked them to stop calling and have filed complaints with the FTC and Texas AG, but nothing seems to stop them. All I can say is check your Caller ID. About half of them come through with a number that’s in the 303 area code.
#4 by Dan Katz on February 23, 2009 - 6:36 pm
Thanks for the note. I hope if all of us complain enough that eventually some official some where will do something about them. At the least i hope all of these letters will [provide someone else support when they take legal action against them.
I do continue to get calls and they come from a “private caller.” I have started to have fun trying to get details. They pulled this same collection statement. I asked the person to for the name of the company so I could write a check. They said I must provide a credit card for payment. I said I would prefer to send a check. They hung said that was not possible. I said please send me a letter and I would pay what is due. We went back and forth a few minutes. Eventually they hung up on me. Clearly a scam for them to do everything they can to get a credit card. So, who is desperate enough for a job to work for this company to scam people?
#5 by kelly on April 8, 2009 - 2:59 am
Wow – This is really helpful. It’s currently 4am in Central Indiana and I’ve been up worried to death about how this same company got my personal information. I am contacting the Indiana AG and the BBB this week about harassing phone calls. Your blog and replies are making me realize that I am not the only victim here. Thank you for posting, and thanks to everyone for responding.
#6 by Craig on April 21, 2009 - 12:20 am
I got dupped into this scam many months ago. Luckily, my credit cards were almost maxed out anyway, so NRS (National Readers Service) wasn’t able to charge my account too many times before I was over the limit. Anyway, when I signed up for this crap, they asked me for a credit card number, which I regrettably gave to them. Then, they said that the credit card was not being accepted, so they asked me if I had another credit card. I didn’t see the red flags in time, and I gave them a second card number. They started charging both accounts. I tried to cancel my subscription, but they said I was legally obligated to stay with them for 26 months or something ridiculous. Arrgh! What the hell kind of legitimate magazine company FORCES you to stay with them for that amount of time?? I never even signed anything, it’s total BS. When both of my cards got maxed out, and NRS wasn’t able to charge me anymore, they called me ALL THE TIME. Probably 4-5 times a day, including Saturdays. Then they stopped calling after a while, and “reported” me to a collection agency called Leube Baker & Associates. So I googled that agency, and it turns out they are also a huge scam operation!! Now I have to screen their phone calls a half dozen times a day as well. These guys will stop at nothing to rob you blind. DON’T BE FOOLED!!!!
#7 by Dan Katz on April 21, 2009 - 7:24 am
Craig, Thanks for the comment. Luckily I have never provided a credit card despite the threats. I have no idea how people, no matter how desperate their situation, can work for such a clear cut scam. I get calls nearly every day and can only image that these employees have no sense of self-respect let alone respect for others.
#8 by Shawn on June 1, 2009 - 1:48 am
SCAM…im helping my girlfriend dealing with these cheap bastards. they took some cash out of her account and we are closing her card and im going call these bastards and give them a piece of my mind.
#9 by Melissa on July 7, 2009 - 4:03 pm
I just got a call from them, saying how they represent my magazines ( which I get through another company and already paid off!), and that they’re going to charge me $2.99 a week. They wanted to verify a bunch of my information. Then a “supervisor” called and wanted to go over billing, I just said I was at work and couldn’t keep talking, I’m glad I didn’t give them anything! It was also from a 303 area code, I’ll not be answering any calls from them.
#10 by ashley on July 23, 2009 - 10:00 pm
So I have been getting calls from these same people. The funny thing is, I don’t subscribe to any magazines at all! When I explained this to a woman caller, she said that she would have their “credit dept” contact me. When I asked for my supposed account info she hung up on me. A few days later i recieved 2 phone calls, one from an angry guy who said that “he knows that I”m getting magazine because he can see the 5 that I get”. I told him that I don’t recieve any magazines and asked what was it showing that I recieve. HE told me that I should know since I get them. I asked to speak to a manager because I didn’t appreaciate his tone, he then went on to say that he could say whatever he wanted to me… I’ve been getting 2 or 3 calls a day from these people. I’ve been mean, nice, asked to be taken off their call list.. Its driving me crazy!
#11 by Diana on August 14, 2009 - 9:00 pm
Dan,
Thanks for your posting/ comments. I really enjoyed them. I hope they’ve moved your number over to their “too much trouble to keep messing with” list by now:)
I found your blog after I’d already had to deal with the National Readers Service bunch for scamming my 19 year old and, hopefully, will get on the “too much trouble” list myself. I filed a complaint with FTC before I ever talked to them. Although they have verbally agreed to close her account and refund her money, I really have no reason to believe they will honor that agreement. However, I do intend to honor MY agreement and will be sending all of our documentation to the AGs in both Tennessee and Pennsylvania for their reference.
My detailed gripe with NRS and suggestions for getting an account closed is on my blog (www.theNRSscam@blogspot.com). I hope it can be helpful to someone else.
Thanks again, D/
#12 by Diana on August 15, 2009 - 10:32 am
Oops, I have a typo in the posting above. The correct address is theNRSscam.blogspot.com.
Thanks, D/
#13 by Bob on September 9, 2009 - 5:29 pm
Reader Services is now using phone ID # 501-859-0344
#14 by Travis James on September 18, 2009 - 10:56 am
Hey,
I got called from these people and after a long period of “no thank yous” I refused the offer. Now, I got a call this morning wondering if I have been receiving my magazines. Did I miss something??? What should I do to cancel a subscription I never got? I don’t want to be billed for this.
#15 by Amanda on October 15, 2009 - 5:23 pm
Hello
I’m ashamed to say I got scammed. They ended up with all of my information and when I realized what had happened I tried calling the number back that had called me. The number was not a working number. I don’t know how to reach them to cancel what ever I “signed up” for and on top of that they have everything recorded. Please help I don’t want to involve my parents I’m very ashamed!
#16 by Sue on October 27, 2009 - 10:05 am
I to got bit by a company referring to themselves as VIP Reader Services. National Reader Services has a “F” rating by the BBB so I would guess they are changing names to continue their scam. They actually recorded part of my conversation but I know they didn’t ask me questions that were on the tape so they must be able to alter the questions on the tape also. Also, several times during the conversation I insisted it was a one time fee, that was not on the tape either. This scam is nation wide and making millions off of us, why isn’t someone doing something?
#17 by amw on October 30, 2009 - 4:10 pm
Oh my goodness, the same things happen to me from the same company the other night. First of all thanks so much for posting this information, because I was frighten after the phone calls that I received from a private caller at 7 pm and then again at 8:30 pm the other night. They claimed that they needed my information to update their records and needed my credit card number or SSN information. However, after they couldn’t answer my questions such as…their name and contact info, exactly what I owe and why, etc. I refused to give them any information. They hung up and called back several times I didn’t answer – they threaten to send me directly to the credit bureau. How do we make sure that we are not in any physical or financial danger?
Thanks for posting and sharing information,
AW
#18 by Connie on December 3, 2009 - 2:02 pm
I just got mail from NME. Glad I saw this when I did a search of them.
#19 by Wilkes on December 8, 2009 - 7:11 pm
Yeah… I fell for this scam as well except they seem to be going by the name “Magazine Readers Services.” I learned of the scam almost immediately after I fell for it (literally about 6 hours after). I called back with the number they used to call me, but that didn’t work. The next day, I went to my local bank and they gave me their number (1-800-806-4680). I called them several times, asking to cancel, but they refused and simply assumed that I wanted to adjust my payment plan to a lower costly payment plan. So, instead of losing $68.28 a month, I’m losing $29.43. Needless to say, this did not satisfy my desire to cancel whatever the hell they were providing me. So, I canceled my debit card. Now, I’m getting calls from an 888-508-2459 that I’ve identified as one of theirs through searching the number online as well as one from a called with the word “Unavailable” emblazoned on the Caller ID. I’ve refused to answer these calls as I’ve never wanted to deal with these scam artists. I’m just a Freshman in college and really don’t have the time to deal with this, so if anyone has any ideas, I’m open to any suggestions. I’ve been getting 5-6 calls a day and to be honest, I’ve resorted to using my phone for a makeshift massage chair since it vibrates so much.
#20 by Rick on December 15, 2009 - 4:04 am
The company that called me last week goes under the name “Great American Readers.” It is supposedly located in Minnesota, though the transaction in my bank account said that GAR is located in Florida. Judging from the tons of articles I read regarding this scam, it is safe to say that this company is just another guise for National Readers Service. I cancelled my debit card the day after they called and I foolishly gave them my account number. DON’T pick up your phone if you see these numbers on your Caller ID: 952-852-6729, 954-782-6307 or 954-782-5563. 952 is a Minnesota zip code and 954 is a Florida zip code.
#21 by Rick on December 15, 2009 - 4:05 am
My bad, I meant area code.
#22 by Tangiere Crawford-Green on January 4, 2010 - 5:21 pm
I just got a phone call from this National Readers Service today, and they almost got me. I canceled my subscription at the very last minute but unfortunately I had already given them my debit card information. Currently my card is blocked until I can cancel it and order a new one. I new something was wrong when I kept asking the lady would i be able to cancel my subscription and she kept saying she didnt know because she just started working there. I really hope they don’t keep calling me everyday.
#23 by BELLA on January 6, 2010 - 2:24 pm
we rec an official looking document to to call and register for a huge prize amount of money
got that twice, so thought i would check it out
THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE
ALL THEY WANTED WAS TO SEND ME TWO FREE WATCHES AND SIGN ME UP FOR SEVERAL MAGAZINES
AND WOULD NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER, EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO SAY THEY WOULD CALL THE MAGAZINES THAT I WAS GETTING AND EXTEND MY SUBSCRIPTION.
I HAD TO HANG UP ON HER, JUST HOPE MY PERSONAL INFORMATION THAT I GAVE WILL NOT END UP IN HARMS WAY
SMART TOO LATE
BEWARE
#24 by Nick on January 18, 2010 - 9:00 pm
I got 2 calls from them so far. the first was asking me if my magazines were showing up in good shape i told them i never ordered theese and to give me the billing information on the account and he told me he didnt have it his supervisor did. I tried to get transfered to his supervisor and he hung up. I didn’t think anything of it until i received another phone call today and the guy told me he was the manager and I owe them 1200 dollars and he needs to collect it. I told him i didn’t order them and he said he had me on a tape recorder ordering his magazines. I asked him to play that recording and he wouldnt but offered to send it to me in the mail. By that time i was furious and told him hes not going to get a dime out of me and i’m not going to pay for something i never ordered . This made the guy angry because he said i charged it to a visa but he didnt have the las four numbers on the card that it was supposed to be charged to. So i told him i dont have a visa account anymore and he asked for another account to charge it to and i told him no. so he ended the call with good luck with collections and court. I have no clue what to do. I never ordered theese magazines and some asshole is trying to charge me 1200 dollars for something i didnt order. What do I do???? Please help me thanks
#25 by Dan Katz on January 19, 2010 - 7:32 am
Nick – just ignore the calls. Simply hang up on them. It is a waste of energy to give them a single breath. After haning up on them 50 times or so they get the idea and hold off on calls for a month or so before another round. I have complained to the FTC, FCC and attorney generals of a few states. All say they have cases against these folks and that they are not supposed ot be making calls. Basically this is a whole scam that continues only becuase fiolks out there cave in on this company that parys on those who do not have the temperment to question agressive telemarketers. I have also called telemarketing assoications who are ashamed of these folks but do not take action as the scammers are not memebers.
#26 by Nick on January 19, 2010 - 3:14 pm
I thought this was all a scam. The only thing that is bugging me about this whole situation is they have my address and name. I have no clue how they got this info. I don’t want my credit to be destroyed because some idiot thinks i owe them money. I mean lets be realistic who in their right mind would order 1200 dollars in magazine subscriptions when the economy is the way it is. The whole thing has left a sick feeling in my stomach. I just can’t believe people can get away with this and there is really nothing we can do. But thanks for your help
#27 by Dan Katz on January 19, 2010 - 6:55 pm
Nick – I can get anyone’s name and adress – via any phone book. There are lots more adavnced ways to get this information. This is all a scam and let them try to collect. Pay it no mind and have fun hanging up on these folks. Then if they ever try anything contact your state representative and attorney general. That is what they are there to help solve such issues.
#28 by Ernie Neal on January 30, 2010 - 7:35 pm
I was contacted by these people and i never gave any information to them, yet i started receiving magazines.
I contacted the Federal Do Not Call list and reported them to the Feds.
I have received no further calls from any magazine organazation since reporting them to the feds. It worked for me you might give it a try.
#29 by Shawna on February 2, 2010 - 5:26 pm
Im not really sure what happened to me. i had never spoken to these people before and i got a call today saying it was ‘Debbie’ from the reader whatever and they had charge my bank account 40 dollars and would be doing so every month for 60 months for some stupid magazine subscription. and that i was getting sent a pink package for a $1000 walmart shopping spree. i dont do shopping sprees online! I checked with my bank 20 minutes later and sure enough they had tried to charge my checking account. luckily i caught it within hours of the charge and put a hold on my debit card (which is what they tried to use, i have shopped online for xmas) and they can no longer charge me. as soon as i got home they called me telling me i had to give them more information becuase they were involving the FBI. i guess they wernt to happy with me. if anyone has any advice or any idea how they could charge my bank card without being authorized please id like to hear it!
#30 by Shawna on February 2, 2010 - 5:45 pm
they are also using a new number here in South Caronlina 352-688-3694 as well as 954-782-6307 they have called me on those as well as on unknown numbers so beware!
#31 by Dan Katz on February 2, 2010 - 8:44 pm
Shawna – Amzon and others provide credit card information to a variety of advertisers that encourage you to sign up for freebies. Then hidden in the fine print says they will charge your card a high amount for years for something like a magainze subscription. This is well documented and I will post the URl to some of these articles.
#32 by Mark Freeman on February 8, 2010 - 9:30 pm
Dan,
I was called by these people (Readers’ Service) while at work and told I had clicked on their offer on the internet. They offered 5 magazines for 5 years and a 1,000.00 shopping spree for the low price of 4.90 a month. I just received the paperwork saying the monthly is 49.90 a month. I called them and said I’m not interested at that price. They said a financial supervisor will call me in the next couple of days. They have already hit my bank card for 49.90. I am canceling that card first thing tomorrow and meeting with an attorney. I am also submitting a complaint to the Ohio Attorney General, and complaining to all magazines they claim to provide. How bad can they hurt my credit?
#33 by Gayle Masarie on February 24, 2010 - 12:47 pm
I received a call yesterday from’Reader’s services and Rep,Linda lee,saying my name had been drawn and I would be entered in the July drwing for $5000. They said I would receive two magazines free,for a year,Martha Stewart and GoodHousekeeping and that I could cahnge these out any time. I also would recive $1000 grocery money. Yhey asked which credit card i preferred and said I would only have to subscribe to TV guide for 60 months for $53.48 over five payments. Then they said a supervisor would be calling to verify. Also they said I had to stay enrolled with TV guide for the full term. I should have been suspiscious then., Anyway,I gave them my debit card number. Linda Lee gave me a phone number with a (404) area code. When i tried to call that to cancel it was bogus. I called my bank and they had already deducted $53.46. I filed a dispute and put a hold on that and will probably have to get a new card. I also had gotten numerous calls from an ‘Indian’ with the Florida number and tried to tell me I had won money,amounts that changed each time they called. They said in order for them to send me my winnings I had to pay $499 for processing.
#34 by jo on February 27, 2010 - 1:49 pm
they keep bothering me too!
#35 by Hilda on March 17, 2010 - 8:44 pm
I am so glad to hear that others are also on the scam list. I just got one of their threatening calls. I also get the bit about turning me over to a collection agency. I am notifying my credit cards about this and have filed a complaint to the FTC. I will also file one to the Texas Attorney General.
#36 by Rick Steve on March 22, 2010 - 2:28 pm
National readers’ service
po box 3863
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
United States
Phone: 1-800-304-8567
Publishers Renewal Service
10406 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Shawnee Kansas 66216
U.S.A.
Phone: 800-304-8550
I was fooled by these assholes twice. 1st when i was in college in 2003, I believe when they did the whole free Diamond watch thing. Well the 2nd time was when I had started my new job in January 2010. I told them that I did not want it but they insisted that i was on an automatic renewal, they had already paid the magazine company in advance, but then offered me 39.90 a month for 30 months instead of 59.90 a month for 60 months. I was in the middle of work at the time so i was a bit distracted. I stupidly/grudgingly agreed. I was so angry about this it made me sick and i lost sleep over this. I just bought a new house a month before, car payments, renovations that need to be done. I told them that, and they were stills dicks about it. Well, I submitted complaints to BBB they never responded to me. I submitted a complaint to FTC, they don’t do individual complaints. I contacted my Attorney General for NY Andrew Cuomo. I got a letter about 2, 3 weeks later that his office got my letter and that they are going to send a copy of my letter to the NRS. That was 2 weeks ago. I logged into my bank account thinking that I would have less than $50 in there. Boy I was surprised. I had 2 credits to my account. Andrew Cuomo and his office did the job i needed them to do. I gave him both addresses (listed above). I fought NRS and I won this time. Now, most people would say that i was stupid to even let them do this to me the 1st time. You are correct. I was not thinking. I want this company gone!! I feel bad for everyone that has fell victim to this. Send a letter to your state’s Attorney General. This world sucks, and we are struggling to survive. I hope that I have helped someone with this info. We need to look out for each other.
#37 by James on April 7, 2010 - 6:58 pm
I just got a call from Reader Services located in Colorado. My wife answered the phone and the young lady asked for me by name. My wife handed me the phone and I asked who was calling, the lady told me Waneta from Credit & Collections Services. Waneta informed me she was calling about my magazine subscriptions I have. I asked her which magazine she was calling about? She told me the one for $3.99 per week for 60 months. I told her, I don’t have that kind of subscription. I asked her again which magazine she was called about? She said she was verifying information, she asked if I had a credit card, checking or savings account. I said, yes I do. She then asked if I was employed and who I worked for, I told her I’m in the military, she then asked if I make over or under $25K per year. I told her over. She told me her supervisor would call me in a few minutes to verify my subscription. I asked her who she was with, she told me Reader Services, I asked where is she calling from, she said Colorado, I also asked who would be calling me, she told me her supervisor Ashley or someone else. Sure enough, less than five minutes later, Ashley called and asked if Waneta had spoken with me about my subscription. I told her yes, however Waneta wasn’t very knowledgeable about my magazine subscription at which time Ashley, hung up the phone.
#38 by Kim on April 10, 2010 - 7:20 pm
Can anyone please give me advice on what to do? I recently got dupped into this scam. The first call I recevied was from a new employee (I forgot his name) he had said that I was entered into the sweepstake to win countless prizes. I regretfully accepted to be entered and they said I will be receiving magazines for my service. He then said his supervisor will call me to confirm. The next day the supervisor named Brian called and how sickening, he was making jokes and being very polite while I gave him my information. I really wished I would’ve ended the call the first time they called. Only after we hung up, I did research on the internet and found out this whole thing is a scam. I tried calling the numbers that showed up on my phone (I really do not know how they got my name, address, and cell phone number), but it would just ring and ring. They tried to take money out of my savings account, but it was pending so I went to my bank and cancelled my card and I am so grateful it didn’t go through. When I was talking with the new employee the first time they called, he asked me my card number, and since I didn’t know which card he was talking about, I gave him the fiirst one and he said that was the wrong card, than I gave him the second one. After I cancelled my card, I got the other card cancelled. Today, I received a letter from them stating my magazines will be mailed to me. Can anyone tell me what to do if the magazines do come and I can not cancel the service? And will my credit turn bad, since they know my information? I am in need of help here, as probably many more people are in the same situation. I just don’t know what to do about all of this.
#39 by Dan Katz on April 11, 2010 - 2:01 pm
This is the classic case for these folks. In the future, never provide your credit card or bank information to anyone unless you initiate the call. Also, “new” employee claim is likely bogus. the would all say such a thing in their efforts to get access to your financial information. The best thing to do is call your state attorney general’s office. Explain what has occurred and then FOLLOW UP in WRITING. Keep copies of everything and keep a log of these calls from these folks – and simply hang up on them. No matter what do not provide them further information about you at all without consulting your attorney general’s office.
#40 by Adrienne on April 17, 2010 - 3:00 am
well I fail. I signed up thinking hell if i sign up they stop calling and maybe I’ll get a magazine or two then cancel. well f*** that. haven’t gotten one magazine. calling the bank tomorrow to see if they can block the payment that’s a hold right now. getting the number to the company (btw the fraud department of you bank should have the number) and asking them to cease and desist. have my card canceled and put an end to this crap. as soon as this is cleared I will be taking out one magazine subscription through the company for that particular magazine. no third party crap anymore. glad I learned early i’m only 19. got time and some money to spare. just not this much money x.x thanks for the all the suggestions for handling this mess.
#41 by Dazzle on June 16, 2010 - 4:23 pm
Two calls today in less than 6 hours, no message the first time, no one on the other end the second. (I don’t wait more than three seconds for someone to respond to a ‘hello’.) I’m registered with the Do Not Call list and I did file a complaint about this number with the government website. I’d urge everyone to do the same.
#42 by Jen on June 17, 2010 - 10:47 pm
I just got three calls from these guys today, I told them each time I did not enter a sweepstakes but they kept saying my credit card companies entered me, however they kept asking me what card (visa, MasterCard, amex) I use and if I could verify the number. Each time I told them I know this is a scam but the keep calling. They are calling from a blocked number and unfortunately I have to answer because some of my family and my work comes up blocked. I told them I was on the do not call list but they didn’t care, I don’t know how they got my number and how to make them stop calling me.
#43 by Jessica G. on June 21, 2010 - 8:58 pm
Jen, the same thing just happened to me. They called from “Reader Services” which first gave me pause, because I have a Sony Reader. Earlier this evening I had an unknown call with no message, so I picked up this time to see who it was out of curiosity. Goes on some spiel about how one of the major credit card companies gave my info to them to enter me in a sweepstakes, and wanted me to confirm whether I had one, and I’m sure would have verified my CC number if I continued the conversation. I stopped before giving him an answer if I had one of those cards asking for more info on who they were. Vague answers, so I say I am not interested.
Then he has the nerve to say, “If you hang on for three more minutes I can make sure no one calls you again.” I still say, no, I am not interested, and he says, “Well, have it your way then” and hangs up. I was never rude, but I can still see this guy gleefully entering into the computer to call me twenty times a day. If they do, I will file complaints (with warning) and if all else fails, it’s whistle in their ear time (not the nice kind, we’re talking lifeguard whistle).
No idea how they got my number as it is unlisted.
#44 by AmaneEr on June 22, 2010 - 8:25 pm
Well these ppl call me asking me to varify my information and then they ask me to subscribe to magazines and I said I’m not interested in reading any magazines and he was insisting on me picking one and I said no I am not interested so he was like that’s okay we will send u a 1000 gift card. Lol I didn’t give my credit card number or anything like that so I’m glad lol.
#45 by scammed on June 25, 2010 - 11:56 am
i guess im just the latest victim.i hope im not a victim of identity theft.
#46 by gordon on July 6, 2010 - 4:11 pm
“Letisha” from Readers Services just called me and explained that she works for “the company that publishes your magazines.” When I asked why all of my magazines would have the same publisher, she stumbled a bit, then tried to explain something about how my subscriptions are ending early and they’re trying to prevent that. That’s about the point where I had entered the company name in google and pulled up a bunch of sites like this, so I hung up.
#47 by Lynn Hodur on July 6, 2010 - 5:57 pm
I am also being plagued by these horrible people and have been sick over this and had many sleepless nights. I am documenting every publication telemarketing call (day-time-details), have gone to the national DO-NOT-CALL lists, and am going to report to the FTC and local authourities my findings and change account info at my bank etc. What a nightmare!!!!! These people are ruthless and I asked the one guy how does he sleep at night and he said “It’s a Job!!!!!”
#48 by Jessica on July 12, 2010 - 7:29 pm
Hi, I got a call from Capitol Rewards. Having a Capitol One card that has actual rewards I gave out my CC # and my address. Within a month I had exorbantant charges on my card from orgnizations that I do not recall being on the list of venders this Capitol Rewards mentioned. I called my card company and they cancelled the card. I ended up finding a couple of the companies that charged me and got back about 50% of what I paid. I called it a win from there.
I continued to recieve magazines such as Latina, Glamour, and INC. Finding no use for them and not being a fan of clutter I continued to call and call to cancel my subscription. Turns out that it’s just this maze of companies.
Like many of you I tell the callers to stop calling, my # is on the DNC list and they’re wasting their time with me as the CC assocaited with this so-called account is cancelled. They hang up on me frequently.
Today I got another call, I get about 2 a day every couple of weeks then it goes down to one every few days. It has a frequency all of it’s own.
My biggest concern is my credit. I never gave out my social security number so can anyone give me some piece of mind that they won’t be able to hit my credit? I’m worried about this most.
If the states’ Attorney General has declared this a scam or is investigating then I am likely going to piggy back on these other complaints and hope that we have power in numbers.
#49 by Terri on July 15, 2010 - 7:23 pm
I have been receiving calls from a place called “Readers Services”. They claim that the magazines that I subscribe to are now under them. I have never heard of this place. They told me this evening that I owed them 24 payments of an amt of $49.95 a month and this amt would be deducted out of my checking acct each month.I proceeded to tell them that this was not going to happen and they told me that a “supervisor” would be contacting me. I think that I am going to call one of my magazines to see if they have ever heard of Readers Digest.
#50 by Dan Katz on July 21, 2010 - 7:35 pm
Remember, you can always simply hang up and ignore a call. Fine – have someone call you and you can hang up on them as well. Meanwhile, call your bank and inform them that you are being scammed and need to close your account and open a new one. This may be a hassle but is a way to protect you from harm.
#51 by tricia on July 15, 2010 - 9:47 pm
My daughter called me tonight, asking what to do apparently she signed up with VIP reader services who had a “special deal” 5 pmts fo $40 and she would get magazines for 4 years. The catch was 5 of the 7 magazines were a bundle she couldnt change. She noticed recently they were still debiting her card ( eight mos later) and went to their website were she requested contact. (they never contacted her) so she called her bank and cancelled her card. Well that got someones attention!! Today they called and threatened her with collection if she did not resume the pmts. She told them it was supposed to be only 5 pmts, they said NO she had to pay for 2 years!!!. My daughter works full time, goes to college and is raising my grandson. She would NEVER have agreed to this commitment, they said they will call tomorrow and play her the recording, however after reading the previous postings here, it is likely that the tape will have been “doctored”. I told my daughter if they call back tomorrow under no circumstances to give any more information, and to contact the AG here in Wisconsin. Boy these jerks really get around don’t they??? Any other suggestions you can make will be appreciated!!!
#52 by Dan Katz on July 21, 2010 - 7:33 pm
Have her clearly document the conversations and record any new conversations. Then have everything nicely packaged and sent to your state attorney general’s office and your credit card complaint services. Then if they call always ask for a supervisor to state that a complain has been filed with your state attorney general and ask for further contact information for their lawyers.
#53 by Sharon Cooper on July 23, 2010 - 3:03 pm
Finding this site makes me feel not so alone for sure! I had a ridiculous phone conversation with a Readers Service just moments ago. It would have been hysterical if not so infuriating. I got a phone call from them a few days ago and the lady talked so fast that I couldn’t understand her. She sounded like she wanted me to renew a subscription. I asked which company she represented. Nothing. I said that she was nuts to think I would agree to anything without knowing that. She said that I would get something in the mail listing which subs “needed” to be renewed. The letter came today and listed were 4 mags I have never subscribed to. Something made me look on the Internet for Mazazine Subs Scams and whoola! What an education! I read the FTC guidelines that should corral these mag sub scammers. Then I called them back. I complained about the 4 mags not being what I would ever order. She said that those mags were not being sent from them. Lie #1. I pointed out that it was written here on their company invoice. Lie #1 repeated. She said that the records show that I had clearly ordered them on 7/19. #2. She said that they haven’t even billed me. #3 I told her that it’s right here on the invoice it had past due amount and current amount due. ( at least 2 months it would appear) #4. She said that my complaint fell within the 5 or 7 days allowed to cancel the sub. ( not if I owed from sometime in early June) #5 Finally I said “No wonder the FTC is following scams like yours and other reader mag subcribers. I’m reading it right now as we speak”. ( Okay, my first and only lie to her!) Must have offended her. She hung up. Boy do I feel empowered now!
I plan on putting it on the agenda at a civic group I belong to and a Senior citizen weekly luncheon. Anybody that searches just “Magazine Scams” will find the FTD site I referred to and a few more sites down is one “How to Identify Magazine Subscription Scams”. Hope some of this helps someone or someone’s children or neighbors,etc..