scam?

[asiancivicmaniac]

Okay, so this morning there were two girls who knocked on my door and eventually ended up selling a magazine subscription to me. I normally don't fall for this stuff but they were very convincing and seemed legit when they were pitching the sales. After some thought though after I wrote a check and they had left, it seemed kind of fishy and I got skeptical. Google the company name on the receipt and found one complaint on the company. Then found out in the past the company was under another name and there are over 400 complaints on ripoff report. Got uncomfortable and put a stop payment on the check.

Now what I'm worried about is that there is a clause on the sale slip that say if they can't get the fund from the check then they will proceed with a $30 charge to my band account. I'm planning on going to my credit union tomorrow and see if they have any advice. The sales people have the check so they have my bank account number. Should I close the account?

Also, there have been reports of people who stopped the check and then were hit with a collections letter from the company NFSA (National Field Selling Association).But I gave them my nick name which no legal entity has records of. Should I be worried that they will try to ding my credit score?

Really hoping this doesn't turn into one of those expensive life lessons.

 

[greenaccord02]

If there's no penalty, I'd just close the account and re-open. Maybe another bank is giving out free checks or something.

 

[The_Cams]

Checking with your credit union is a good course of action, although it may cost you a fee to 'void' a check.

If the receipt has the marketer's address/phone number, call them and cancel the order. Even better to mail a certified letter if you have an address. If no address, call the magazine directly and explain the situation.

A long as you can cancel the order prior to it being processed, it should be over.

The marketer probably doesn't place the order until the check is cashed, so if it fails to go through, it should end there.

I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

I already stopped the check and it cost $7, but that's fine as long as those people don't get a penny.

 

[StevieC]

I would be worried that they have your account number and can issue cheques using fake signatures etc. If I were you I would empty that account into something else so that they can't clean you out.

 

[eljefino]

In my state there's a 72 hour "cooling off period" for door-to-door sales. I hear FL is pretty bad on consumer protection but check it out anyway.

If you used a nickname, what's printed on your check?

They might try to do an ACH debit off the numbers on the bottom of your check, so watch your statement. You do get ~30 days from your paper end-of-month statement to dispute stuff but if you catch it early online do that.

There was a thread on here about "driveway pavement gypsies" who got a guy for $10k if that helps put things in perspective.

You may consider the angle that if you gave them a fake name to subscribe to something they might try and get you for fraud if they can get enough pieces together.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Quote:
In my state there's a 72 hour "cooling off period" for door-to-door sales. I hear FL is pretty bad on consumer protection but check it out anyway.


The company has a IL address and on the receipt there is a cancellation form on the back that says you can cancel if the form is mailed with a post mark within 3 days of sales. I plan on mailing out the carbon copy portion tomorrow via certified mail.

Quote:
If you used a nickname, what's printed on your check?


I just opened the account last month so I used a temp check with no name or address on it. The sales girl filled it in with the name I gave them.

Quote:
You may consider the angle that if you gave them a fake name to subscribe to something they might try and get you for fraud if they can get enough pieces together.


Didn't see it that way, but let's hope they it doesn't happen.

 

[tomcat27]

did they claim they were having a contest, and the high scorer gets a trip? the company is somewhat legit - you will probably get your mags - but they generally charge outrageous prices for the mags.

as far as the stop payment, I would not worry about it. they may threaten you with form letters claiming to be a collection agency - but it actually costs them money to log an entry on your credit reports. besides, you can counter any entry on your credit report with an explanation. also, in my state, you are allowed 3 days to cancel any contract that is written up in your home - a "buyers remorse" clause. not sure if FL has something similar.

If you end up with something on your credit report, PM me and I can outline the process for attempting to remove it.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Yeah, one told me Thailand and the other Panama and it was related to public speaking door to door sales. And I fell for it. Apparently, those people don't get treated that well from what I've read.

Your insight into the credit reporting makes me feel better. Thanks in advance just in case I need your help.

 

[Gary Allan]

Decades ago I more or less fell for it. I wanted 3 mags that they were offering, but I didn't realize how many years I was subscribing for. Back then they promoted "free " additional subscriptions for just the S&H ..which was naturally more than a legit subscription. They too used very young people who were extremely well versed in cold contacts and very ..hmm..compelling people. You tended to want them to succeed. Any legit sales outfit would be well served by these people.

There was an expose~ on one of these outfits somewhere out there in mediaville.

 

[kkreit01]

I'm guessing they were cute...

 

[Footpounds]

A few years ago I had a cute girl try to sell me some magazines at home. I told her 'no' but she insisted that she wanted to tell me about the magazines and a trip that she could win anyway. After listening to her for 30 minutes or so, I told her I still wasn't interested. She started sobbing and saying that the "contest" had ended while she was talking to me and she would have "won" if only I had purchased some magazines and then claimed that I wasted her time. Ha! Luckily I had a cold heart. I said too bad and showed her the door.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
I'm guessing they were cute...


Wasn't interested in them. One could lose a few pounds. They are trained well. The one that was talking was really enthusiastic and motivated. If I owned a shady used car dealer I would want someone like her to work for me.

 

[Gary Allan]

Same here. Not necessarily beautiful people (though they tended to be attractive - not the same thing), just upbeat, empathetic, and engaging. They would make great hosts and hostesses ..PR types ..and sales people. No bad manners or habits came to the surface.

I never got the sob stories ..they were ready to move on to the next challenge.

 

[demarpaint]

I'm pretty sure legally there is a time period in which you can cancel. To make it official I would call the company and inform them. Make sure you get a name, date and time. Good move stopping the check, I would also close the account.

 

[kkreit01]

I've had the same magazine girls -- "so I can go on trip", all purpose cleaner girl, (all have been cute), boy selling $10 candy bars to "keep him off the streets", etc. I've heard it all. I have no problems turning them away. I know my neighbor kids. I will buy girl scout cookies from them. If they are not from our neighborhood, chances are they are up to no good.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Quote:
If they are not from our neighborhood, chances are they are up to no good.


That will be the new rule that I'm going to follow