N.M.E. - National Magazine Exchange ripoff Clearwater Florida

N.M.E. sent me a notice which read exactly as follows (though my ID # has been censored):

CALL 1-888-227-0999
ID # *********
Dear Evan
We are trying to reach you regarding your sweepstakes ID #*********. Winner will be awarded $70,000.00 per year for 30 years or one lump sum payment of $1,094,444.00 upon selection. Please call us at the above number. This is a free call. Sincerely - Pat Haines, Sales Representative

Without thinking, I called and gave a 'representative' my ID #. They sounded sincere and friendly, so I didn't even start to suspect it might be fraud until I looked up 'n.e.m. sweepstakes' on the internet. I also took them up on an offer regarding 'three magazines with your choice of a men's or lady's quartz watch.' I chose 'Runner's World' and an 'ethnic cooking magazine' and the representative included 'Men's Health' for free.

I was transferred over to the representative's manager, and she said she would give me two watches rather than one just to ensure continued renewal. I gave them my credit card number (oops) and then, they reviewed my contents and the call ended.

Afterwards, I looked up n.m.e. on the internet and saw that it had been filed for scams many times in the past. I immediately called 911 and asked to be connected to the Clearwater Florida police department for fraud. The officer told me that fraud was not the police's problem, but rather it was an issue relating to some other department. He cut off when he gave me a number, then I hung up.

I decided to contact the N.M.E. Agency I had called earlier. I noticed that the representative I got this time was not as friendly or as catering to my needs. She almost seemed as if she did not like her job and would rather be sitting home watching TV, but that's beside the point. She transferred me over to another line, and the representative I talked to this time asked me for my address and phone number for security purposes.

I responded, and then asked if I could cancel the account. He said he would try and asked for the reason. I told him it was financial troubles. Then I asked him if it was possible to get a refund. He said he would do his best to cancel the account and see if I could get a refund. I waited for about 5 minutes and noticed that I didn't hear anything in my phone anymore. I checked it and saw that it had disconnected.

I didn't worry because my phone disconnects from callers frequently. I re-dialed the number and gave the new representative my account number. She then told me that my account had been cancelled. I thanked her and hung up, suddenly realizing that I didn't know whether I had been refunded or not. I haven't called the number since.

Evan
Longmont, Colorado
U.S.A.