Are there any good free magazine subscriptions over the internet?

Need help getting out of this scam. Magazine Readers Service?!?

• I'm sorry it this seems like a novel, but I'm a bummed out college student who makes little money. Okay, here goes... On November 2, I received phone call on my cellphone from someone for a "Magazine Readers Services" about magazine subscriptions, a $100,000 sweepstakes and a diamond watch. I had originally perceived the call as being from the bank due to their extensive knowledge of my account. Unfortunately, I mistakenly gave away some personal banking information though the phone call about my Visa Check Card as they had begun the call requesting confirmation for particular information about my Visa Check Card. This was done prior to the offer of magazine subscriptions, the sweepstakes and other gimmicks. I ended up being lulled into an agreement for several magazine subscriptions that originally started as an amount of $4.99 to an “agreement” for an amount of $68.28. About half an hour later, a representative from my bank called to confirm this pending transaction as it was the first transaction made on my debit card. By checking the online bank account for my debit card, I found out this company's name and learned of this being an alleged “scam.” I proceeded to look into any information about this company as I wanted to know if there was some way to cancel the pending transaction for $68.28 as well as possible future charges from this company. On November 3, I contacted a local branch of my bank to inquire on any possible solutions to my problem. The bank was able to cancel my Visa Check Card and provide me with a Customer Dispute Affidavit form. From the local branch, I was also able to receive contact information for Magazine Readers Services and proceeded to call them later that day to dispute the transaction. When I called Magazine Readers Services to tell them that I had misinterpreted the offer they had originally made with me and wished to cancel the unwanted services so that I will not encounter future damages, they had refused to accommodate my desire to cancel the unwanted service several times during the call and proceeded to lower the amount to $29.41 from the disputed amount of $68.28. The current charge for this ordeal is $29.41 which was made on November 10, 2009. Since Nov. 2nd, I've been "digging up dirt" on this particular company. Since then, I've seen several thousands of complaints all over the internet. Also, I've learned the "diamond" watch is not really a diamond watch, but a brand name (false advertising? that's a bummer). I've obtained the address and phone number for the company. I've tried several times to cancel their "services," but each time I am harassed and told that I have an "obligation" to uphold whatever agreement was made. Yesterday, I've heard back from my bank's dispute resolution department saying they can't do anything as the amount disputed has changed ($68.28 to $29.41).Today, I received the first of many possible magazines. I'm open to any suggestions for the time being other than hunting down the telemarketers and sending a barrage of gunfire their way (I'm kidding, of course). Any help will be appreciated as my sense of humor is the only thing keeping me from going insane from this dilemma( and even that is starting to wear out).

• Answer:

  Hi w..., My daughter was scammed in June 2009 by National Readers Service (Pittsburgh, PA), and I contacted them over a month later on her behalf. Her story has many similarities to what you’ve described (college student, $68.28/ month, "diamond" watch, refusal to cancel, and "reduced payment" plan offer). Despite making no progress in her own cancellation attempts, the moment I informed them that a Federal Trade Commission complaint had already been filed and of my intentions to report them to the Attorneys General, the National Consumers League, the Better Business Bureau, and the Magazine Publishers of America they listened. They immediately agreed to close her account and refund her payment. In fact, the charge was already refunded to her closed debit account without our knowledge, and they mistakenly agreed during a follow-up call to mail another refund check!! (Thankfully, we never received that duplicate refund as the temptation to scam THEM would have been difficult to resist!!. lol) She did eventually receive a written cancellation confirmation letter, and HOPEFULLY it is over for her. Detailed letters of the entire experience were sent to the Attorneys General in both our home state and Pennsylvania for their reference as well. Evidently, telemarketing magazine scam tactics of do not call violations, fraudulent solicitations, refusal to honor implied cancellation periods, deceptive disclosure of costs of their magazines (and other “third party” preview offers), fraudulent creation of multiple accounts and “renewals”, and abusive “collections” practices can be consistently similar regardless of the “company name”. Also magazine companies are notorious for not honoring verbal cancellations. If you choose to contact them by phone, be sure to get any cancellation (or other agreements) IN WRITING or send your own notifications certified mail with return receipt request. If you believe any company’s business practices to be deceptive or fraudulent, I encourage you to report them to the Federal Trade Commission and Attorneys General regardless of the outcome of your dispute. While the FTC and AGs do not intervene on the behalf of individuals, multiple consumer complaints can show a pattern of fraudulent business practice, trigger official investigations, and make this type of business more difficult to continue. • FTC complaints can be filed here: http://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ • Any Attorney General can be found here: http://naag.org/attorneys_general.php If you want assistance resolving your dispute, your local consumer protection organization can be found here http://consumeraction.gov/state.shtml . I personally found my state consumer affairs division’s advice to be invaluable. Both my state consumer affairs office and the Better Business Bureau were willing to assist with arbitrations if needed. Additionally, you can find attorneys specializing in consumer advocacy here http://naca.networkats.com/members_online/members/directorya.asp?token Specific suggestions for contacting and dealing with a magazine subscription scam company, links with helpful resource information, as well as, convenient complaint submission links to all of the agencies / organizations mentioned above can be found on my blog referenced below. (BTW, no need to apologize to me about to your “novel” … theNRSscam blog has ended up with a life of its own. lol). Best of luck to you, D/