Norm Thompson Outfitters NT Rewards Auto enrolled in scam $14.95 per month "rewards" program when purchased product Hillsboro, Oregon

I purchase most of my products through catalogs or on-line these days -- although I was a reluctant convert.  I purchased some products in August 2008 from Norm Thompson Outfitters.  The same month, my credit card bill shows that I was enrolled in "NT Rewards". 

This so-called program hit my credit card for $1.95 the first month.  Then increased to $14.95 per month.  But, I didn't realize it.  Like lots of other folks with credit card bills, I scan them for suspicious bills but these small amounts didn't jump out.

My credit card company recently called to check on a cluster of charges that reflected a different buying pattern.  Actually, all of them were fine except for one to "NT Rewards" for $14.95.  I didn't know what that was.

After digging, I found out that Norm Thompson engaged a company called Encore Marketing International to capture customer information (supposedly with their approval) in a rewards program.

I have no recollection of purposely providing my authorization and I've never received one report of what "rewards" I supposedly earned from this program.

When I called to cancel, I reached someone with an Indian accent who claimed he was "William".  He quickly agreed to cancel the ongoing charge.  But, I had to ask for a confirmation number.  This high tech, on line program apparently doesn't send confirmation of cancellation any more than it sends information on any benefit you're supposed to get from the "rewards" that you supposedly authorized.

Norm Thompson apparently even purchased Encore Marketing International.  So they are getting some benefit from this scam.  And, I'm disappointed to learn that the same company that owns Norm Thompson also owns Solutions and Sahalie.  So, I'm going to carefully check my credit card to make sure that I'm also not paying for a Solutions or Sahalie Rewards Program that I didn't sign up for.

The internet has articles of others that lodged similar complaints that go back to 2008 but continue in 2009 and 2010.  So, this must be a successful enough "program" that Norm Thompson and other companies have not stopped ripping off their customers!  Everyone:  BEWARE and check your credit cards for the small charges.  They are counting on these being missed.