Toledo Blade subscription deceit: Solicited new subscription and applied payment to alleged past due account Ripoff Toledo Ohio

Recently I received an unsolicited call from a person representing himself as calling on behalf of the Blade subscription department. We had not renewed our subscription pending the strike/lockout outcome. After some discussion, the Blade solicitor offered a weekend (Saturday, Sunday) subscription for $12. I accepted the offer and provided my credit card number to start the subscription. I received one Saturday paper. When I called to inquire as to why no later papers were being delivered, I was informed that I had a past due balance and that my $12 subscription fee was being applied to my past due balance.

I do not have a past due balance. I did not renew my subscription. Any papers delivered after the subscription lapsed were considered gifts that I did not order. The Blade has no right to continue unwanted deliveries. In addition, applying a new subscription payment to a past due balance without informing me in advance is a violation of the Ohio consumer protection laws. Further, the solicitor violated federal debt collection practices by not informing me that the purpose of the call was debt collection.

P.l.
whitehouse, Ohio
U.S.A.