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Ashley9109 · Aug 4, 2010, 10:45 AM

Mountain Area Communications called me. Congratulating me on winning a $1000 online shopping spree at SelectYourGifts.com. They mentioned there was furniture, appliances, clothing, etc etc. Well I'm 19 and just starting to get used to the "real world" little did I know it was so expensive! So I was thinking this was a good deal. Pay $20 a month for magazines for a couple years and be able to freely buy all the stuff I need for a new home. Well wrong, on so many levels. The stuff on the site was just ridiculous, pointless, and very dissatisfying. So I was just like whatever, I got ripped off.. I can join the club of 5000 other people who got ripped off by scammers.
But then other things started arising, my bank account was negative, they were charging me for all this other crap that I didn't want, and not to mention I went to the bank to get a loan and I was embarrassed to find that I couldn't even keep money in my account. They also started sending me magazines that I hadn't picked out (you get to pick what magazines you want).. So basically I was giving them money month by month and getting nothing in return.
Well.. I got this thing in the mail from my bank saying that everyone is getting new debit cards with new numbers and whatever. It also said that I need to contact the people who have my card number for like bills and such. Well I got my new card, destroyed my old one, and now the MAC place is calling me several times a day. I'm sure its because of the change in my card numbers. So I've been avoiding their calls and just trying to forget about all this.
Is this illegal of me? I don't want to like, go to jail or anything. What do I do?

tickle · Aug 4, 2010, 10:59 AM

No, ashley, it isn't illegal of you. Keep ignoring their calls and report them to the Better Business Bureau. I know you probably signed an agreement, but what does the fine print say and how were they taking money out of your account each month? Did you send them a voided cheque allowing them to make preauthorized payments?

Tick

Ashley9109 · Aug 4, 2010, 11:12 AM

I didn't sign anything.. it was all over the phone. They kept taking like $5 out of my account for some stupid thing that had nothing to do with magazines. It was something that could help me save money or give me discounts of things.. I don't know!. but I called there and they gave me a cancellation number, but I was still pissed in the first place because I knew nothing about the extra stuff. I can't afford all that. But no, I didn't sign anything, it was just a recording over the phone.

tickle · Aug 4, 2010, 11:17 AM

I don't really know how your banking system works in the US, Ashley. Was this a credit card or paypal transaction? If nothing was signed, I don't see how they could have taken money out of your bank account.

Tick

AK lawyer · Aug 4, 2010, 04:06 PM

To avoid future scams of this nature, you might want to get on the National Do Not Call Registry.

excon · Aug 4, 2010, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by tickle

If nothing was signed, I dont see how they could have taken money out of your bank account.

Hello tick and Ashley:

FYI, telemarketers record the agreement, as this one was, and it's as good as a signature in court.

I wouldn't just ignore it, Ashley. You need to face it head on. Write them a letter telling them that you rescind any and permission you gave in your agreement. Send your letter certified, return receipt requested. I don't know if it'll get you out of your agreement, but it'll help. The only thing they can do now is sue you, and they might. That's OK. Just tell the judge what they're doing, and I doubt they'll win.

excon

Fr_Chuck · Aug 4, 2010, 06:42 PM

I agree, first right down every item you got that was not ordered, write down every dollar that was taken without your agreement.

Write a letter to them demanding repayment of this and that they have broken any and all agreements that may have been in force.

I would go as far as to also move my money to another bank, and another bank account number ( not just another ATM card number) since they also know your bank account number.

Then I would sue them in small claims court for the money they took illegally. ** not that they will ever pay, but if they tried to sue you latter you have proof you sued them and did not owe the money