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What are options for cancelling scam mag. subscriptions?
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3/10/2010 6:56 AM (PST)

Trying to find information on a company, Publishers Guide, who's business is magazine subscriptions. Owned by Bayshore Marketing. Both out of Tamarac, FL. Scams young students into a 5 YEAR lock for subscriptions, teased with "Free." Refuses cancellation. Anybody have this happen? And what are my options? Thinking of cancelling debit card they pull from, but will they come after me with collection agency?

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3/10/2010 8:20 AM (PST)

You should cancel your debit card and you may need to close the bank account. Immediately write a letter to your bank that this is an unauthorized charge and that you are putting the bank on alert that you are concerned that you may be a victim of ID theft (this can happen, believe me). Waving the ID Theft flag tends to get the financial institution's attention because a different set of rules kicks in that they have to follow. Your profile doesn't say what state you are in, so you may want to check the website of your state's banking authorities.

In the future never, ever use your debit card for this kind of purchase. Always use a credit card or pay by cash and while I'm at it - never sign up for magazine subscriptions in the first place! Most of them are pure junk that will not advance your learning in life. There's so much free content out there anyway. Credit card charges are much easier to dispute and you can do this before you have to pay the bill so there's much less financial risk. Your bank account could be drained while you are going thru bank dispute processes.

The Publishers Guide BBB Report is here (and they are bad news):
http://www.seflorida.bbb.org/Business-Report/Publishers-Guide-92012485

Also, I would recommend spending some time reading this:
http://www.privacyrights.org/ar/Dump-Your-Debit-Card.htm

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4/16/2010 3:21 PM (PST)

Well, I'm glad that they are not able to get money from your account. You may get scary collection letters - and I'm not sure what this company's collection strategies are but you will need to learn to deal with these. Do not pay them. Do not validate this debt in any way - this is not a reputable company.

In the future never, ever use your debit card or give any company your bank account info for this kind of purchase or any others for that matter. Always use a credit card or if necessary, pay by cash and while I'm at it - never sign up for magazine subscriptions in the first place! Most of them are pure junk that will not advance your learning in life. There's so much free content out there anyway. Credit card charges are much easier to dispute and you can do this before you have to pay the bill so there's much less financial risk. Your bank account could be drained while you are going thru bank dispute processes.

You can see the Publishers Guide BBB Report above (and yes, they are bad news).

Also, I would recommend spending some time reading this:
http://www.privacyrights.org/ar/Dump-Your-Debit-Card.htm

Read through these information reports to learn more:

How To Deal With A Collection Agency:
http://www.la.bbb.org/GIReport.aspx?DocumentID=69

Credit Repair:
http://www.la.bbb.org/GIReport.aspx?DocumentID=79

What You Should Know About Your Credit Report:
http://www.la.bbb.org/GIReport.aspx?DocumentID=165

Good luck.

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