Comments on: Magazine and Sweepstakes Telemarketer Scam Alert “Readers Services”

By: Cassie

Cassie — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:45:01 +0000

The EXACT same thing happened to me just a few minutes ago that happend to “Mai.” I hope that i didn’t accidntally sign up for something by mistake. I did not give any extra info, but he already had my address and such. while on the phone with him i googled this place and saw it was a scam and said I DO NOT WANT ANYTHING SENT TO ME and I hope he got the memo and isn’t sending anything else. What should I do? How did they get this info in the first place?

By: Mai

Mai — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 04:23:43 +0000

Hi,
I was just on the phone with them today and they definitely have this down pretty good. He started off by saying that I was put into a contest to win some money by one of my credit card companies and listed visa, discover, etc and asked which was my favorite and I replied visa. he then asked how old i was and what my occupation was and i responded. he then goes on to tell me that as thanks, they’re sending me a watch with a diamond in it, etc and that they’re offering a magazine subscription. but of course, he talked so fast that i missed the payments for that. after a few seconds, i asked him if the magazines were free and he said no, it’s $$$ per week. i was like no thanks, i don’t want it and he said that it’s all part of a packaged deal and i’m like then i don’t want it, which then he promptly hung up on me. he verified my home address and tried to get my work phone which i didn’t give to him, but i’m afraid i gave him too much info including verifying my address (which he already had) and then telling him my age and occupation. i didnt’ give him any credit card or bank numbers…. do they already have this information?!?! should i expect some sort of paper bills?!?

By: Ed

Ed — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:31:08 +0000

Your Readers Service experiences closely parallel mine. After incessant calls to solicit with a promise to review contract, they got enough info to start debiting one of our accounts. They provided no written copy of contract, saying that verbal consent was recorded and stands, but it would take a few days to replay. The list goes on. We have filed with the state AG consumer fraud division, stopped payment on the auto-debit, and called Readers Service and told them what action we are taking to protect our identity from theft and finances from fraud. We have not heard back from them. Billing notices from them get “No Account Exists” and returned to them. If we receive magazines, I go to the mag’s website and explain that I do not authorize Readers Service to use my personal identity information and to please stop sending magazines. 100% success so far.
Companies like this are persistent parasites: they try to browbeat and bully people into believing that the terms are theirs to dictate, that we have no recourse. They are wrong.

By: Dan Katz

Dan Katz — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:06:18 +0000

You should report this to your state attorney general and the FTC.

By: T-Rae

T-Rae — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:18:55 +0000

I just gave this company an updated mailing address, minus the apartment number, but would not agree to any kind of payment. When I asked for reader service’s phone number to get an copy of the original contract, they beat around the bush about forwarding my information to a supervisor. I am being called about an automatic renewal for magazines I don’t get and never would have wanted. They say my service started 2.5 years ago, or that it started 6.5 years ago, (but the old address they have is is about 5.5 years old).
I got off the phone with them without giving any more information, and after reading these complaints here and elsewhere, I will not give any more information to them at all.
I wonder who to contact to report the scam, the FCC, since it is done by telephone? I will look into that.

By: Sharon Cooper

Sharon Cooper — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:03:55 +0000

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..

By: Dan Katz

Dan Katz — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:39:21 +0000

To everyone who reads this post. I am no lawyer. I provide nothing but things that I would do and things that I think are common sense. I cannot be held liable for anything that results from actions taken, or not taken from what you read hear or anywhere else. Hey, I am just sharing my own experience and encouraging others to do the same to get these folks and others off our backs.

By: Dan Katz

Dan Katz — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:35:19 +0000

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.