If You Need Information On Magazine Phone Then This is The Best Untapped Resource On The Web
I just got a phone call from viking magazine, what do I do? (scam)?
I picked up my cell and they called me by my name, and said that I won a $500 shopping spree (bullsh*t), but I went along with it and they asked if I was in college, if I’m single and if I own a credit card.
I said yes to all of this, but I didn’t give them my credit card information (I would never). I didn’t know this was a scam until I googled the phone number and turned out to be viking magazine, some giant magazine scam thingy,
Will they still bill me for magazines through the mail if I didn’t give them my credit card information? Can they charge me anything through the mail? I’m freaking out right now.
also they said they would submit this survey info and that I will receive a second phone call, (I’m not going to pick it up)
Sincereaaron,
What you’ve described here is typical telemarketing Magazine Sales tactics of offering some kind of enticement such as a free “diamond” watch, a shopping spree, a chance to win the “million dollar sweepstakes”, or whatever… to lure you into buying their essentially cover-price, pre-paid, multi-year, multi-magazine subscriptions. When looking at some of Viking’s customer complaints, I even noticed a new one…eligibility for a “refund” offer. By the way, your assessment of the shopping spree is probably right on the mark. They are notoriously restricted to limited items through a specified vendor and are so ridiculously priced over any fair market value that your $500.00 spree will probably get you “$5.00” worth of junk if you’re lucky.
Billing practices with this type of company almost exclusively involve “pre-authorized” charges to either a credit card, debit card, or directly from a banking account. I personally doubt they will bill you through the mail. Viking Magazine Service’s sales practices seem to involve (sometimes several) subsequent phone calls to “confirm” the order. As long as they have no access to your account numbers there really shouldn’t be a possibility for them to remove funds (although I have heard of instances when some scammers already have account numbers through various unscrupulous means before they even contact you). You can possibly request an alert to be placed on your account(s) for any suspicious new “pre-authorized” debit activity. Otherwise just watch closely and if anything shows dispute it immediately.
Expect them to call you back though (they are planning to sell you magazines after all). While not answering their call is an option, they probably call from multiple numbers so you’ll need to screen any unrecognized callers. If you decide to speak to them and don’t want the magazines, just tell them no thank you. If you are very straightforward in dealing with them, they probably won’t give you a hassle.
The Headquarters Location for Viking Magazine Service does have an “A+ rating” and “accreditation” through the Better Business Bureau. While this accreditation is primarily a purchased privilege with an expectation from the BBB of resolving customer complaints rather imposing ethical business practices in the first place, it does give you some assistance in arbitration with a company if you end up needing it. Also you can always contact a consumer protection agency for assistance if needed. Find local CPA’s here: http://consumeraction.gov/state.shtml
If they do end up giving you a hassle, inform them that you will be reporting them to the FTC and the Attorneys General, ask to be placed on their “do not call” list, and then… report them!
• FTC complaints can be filed here: http://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
• Any Attorney General can be found here: http://naag.org/attorneys_general.php
I have referenced some links specific to Viking Magazine Service below if you need them.
Best of luck, D/
www.theNRSscam.blogspot.com