National Magazine Exchange ripoff false notice of $1,000,000.00 Sweepstakes from Pat Haines, magazine scam Clearwater Florida

I have received "Official notice" of my entry into the $1 million sweepstakes 4 times in the past year. One day I decided to call them and see what it was about since I didn't enter any sweepstakes. They told me that I was entered into a sweepstakes to win $1 Million. They then offered me a free watch and "5 year subscriptions to four great magazines" from their list. I said yes to the sweepstakes but no to the magazines.

I started to receive invoices from them almost immediately. I was stupid enough to pay. I received my first magazine 2 months later. I never read the magazine and soon more followed. These were magazines that I would never read in a million years. I started to receive 4 more magazines from a different company called CRC of Montana. I have never heard of this company in my life before this. Again I started getting invoices. For 1 year I was paying $130 a month for magazines that I never read or even asked for.

I was late one month and I received a call on my cell phone one night. I didn't recognize the number so I didn't answer it and let it go to my voicemail. It was National Magazine Exchange calling to talk to me about my account. I tried calling the number back and there was no answer. I researched the phone number on the internet at several different search sites. They all said the phone number is from a Ken's Barber Shop in Clearwater, FL. Very suspicious indeed.

A week later, I found an 800 number for N.M.E. and called it to see if I can cancel my account. They told me I can't cancel because they had already paid the magazine companies for my subscriptions and I need to pay them back. They told me they had my voice on a recording saying that I agree to the subscriptions. I said yes in the conversation over the phone about the sweepstakes but never said yes to the subscriptions. When I asked if I can hear the recording they started reciting a disclaimer saying that if I listen to the recording and I am wrong, I have to pay the full amount of the subscriptions at once. I said no and ended the call.

I saw a posting on this website that said to contact my A.G. office. I did so and they gave me the number to my local BBB branch. I called them and explained to them that I keep getting bills and I can't pay them because I am only receiving SSI payments every month as my only income and that I never agreed to these magazines, they told me that a verbal contract is not a leagally binding contract in Massachusetts where I live because it can be manipulated. They were very helpful and sent me forms to make a formal complaint. I was advised to dismiss any future invoices and phone calls. I have been put into a collection agency but the BBB told me that it was most likely a false collection agency set up by the company just to scare people into paying.

My advice is to disregard ANY notices from Pat Haines/N.M.E., it is just a scam to get you to buy magazines. I have lost over $500 to them since last year. Please do not make the same mistake that I made, and if you have, call your Attorney General and get the phone number of your local BBB branch. Maybe a verbal contract isn't a legally binding contract in your state as well.

P.S. I have never received my free watch as promised. I am already getting resubscription offers only one year after I supposedly agreed to my "5 year subscriptions". The other magazine companies I have dealt with are Community Reading Club (CRC) of Montana and Magazine Club of Northern California all from this OFFICIAL NOTICE of $1 million sweepstakes entry from Pat Haines.

Kevin
Westfield, Massachusetts
U.S.A.

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STOP! ..before you think about using the Better Business Bureau (BBB)... CLICK HERE to see how other consumers were victimized by the BBB's false or misleading information. Don't be fooled! It has been reported, when there are thousands of complaints and other investigations underway by authorities, the BBB has no choice but to finally give an UNsatisfactory rating to a BBB member business that is paying the BBB big membership fees every year. When a business is reported that is NOT a BBB member, BBB files WILL more likely show an UNsatisfactory rating, then reportedly shake down that company to become a member of the BBB. One positive thing about the BBB is, either way, if a business has an unsatisfactory rating with the BBB, you can be sure, the business is bad. But what about all those BBB member businesses that had complaints filed against them? Consumers never get to hear about them. What about the BBB advertising to the public? Is this a false and misleading perception they are giving about consumer confidence when dealing with a business? Click here to understand more of what consumers and business alike are saying about the BBB. You decide. ..Remember. The BBB membership is not earned, it's paid for!