I've been scammed. Back in my post, Two Fraud Bloggers, I mentioned that I am not a trusting person. I've been labeled as "too nice" which I will admit to, but I also have extremely good instincts. I've made it to almost age 30 without ever being ripped off.
I've never given money to people who approached me, no matter how popular their company, I have my one charity I stick with, and for businesses that I do choose on my own to give my money (i.e. stores, doctors, etc), I am still careful with my money.
All it took was one day to stray from this rule (which I won't be doing again), ironically just a week after I posted that above blog about frauds.
In my post, Everything, I said: "[For Father's Day] Logan gave his daddy a subscription to ESPN magazine. . .I'd been approached in the Hy-Vee parking lot by a college student selling magazines for a vacation or whatever it is they do every year. I've never bought any from them before but this was just a few days before Father's Day and I hadn't bought a gift for Joe yet. Joe said he's looking forward to it."
I've lived in Nebraska for almost 7 years. Each year at least 2, sometimes 3, "college students" come to my door and ask if I'll buy a magazine subscription so they can go on a class vacation. I always decline, as I do all door-to-door, phone, mail, and in person sales people. (We don't even buy girl scout cookies. And I don't even let survey people talk to me.)
But, two months ago a guy was at the right place at the right time - on Wednesday, June 17th (4 days before Father's Day). I hadn't gotten Joe anything yet, had not felt I'd gotten him enough for Christmas, Valentine's Day, or our anniversary, and didn't know yet what to get him two weeks after Father's Day for his birthday -- so the pressure was on.
I was in a safe, public place (and there were several other magazine-people talking to other shoppers, so it almost appeared they'd gotten permission from Hy-Vee), and since I was very familiar (for almost 7 years) with "the speal" (the guy said the exact same things all of the others have said over the years, showed me the exact same pamphlets and info, had his "proof card," etc.), I thought hey this might be my answer. (I never would have talked to him had this been the first time I was approached. It's the same as if you buy from a place you've heard of before online or off TV or from a catalog - if you've ever paid for something without having the product in your hand that exact second then don't think this can't happen to you!)
So even though it was a warm June day, I had just unloaded my groceries into my trunk, and I had my 14 month old sitting in the cart (this would have been one time I wish Logan would have cried because that would have immediately made me send the guy on his way) - I took the time to look at the magazine choices. The only magazine that was an option for me was ESPN, so I asked how much it was. The guy replied that it was less than $2 an issue. I thought, that's a good price, yeah okay, what the heck.
During his entire fast-talking-making-small-talk-cheesy-conversation, I never had any warning signs or hesitations. I just thought he was a typical sales guy. No offense to sales people out there (I have beloved relatives who are) but it's one job I'd never do and it's a job that I don't respect, either - because I don't think it's possible to be completely honest in that profession. So the fact that he wasn't a quality guy wasn't really something to give me a red flag about. Yeah, he was fake - he was a sales guy!
However, I didn't like that when he told me the total, it was $71.00. Not exactly the price I was expecting since I was paying a dollar-something an issue. But he explained the subscription was for a few years. Okay, fine. Well then he asked if I could pay him in cash. "I don't carry cash," I answered. I also don't have an ATM card so that was the only time when I about said, "Nevermind." He explained that they don't like checks because they can bounce, but he trusted me.
HA!
A month later (mid July) the magazine hadn't come. We checked our bank statement and saw my check to Ok Marketing (P.O. Box 1060 Kittredge, CO 804572) for an ESPN magazine subscription costing $71.00 had been cashed on 6/22/09. We decided to give it another month (which brings me to now = still no magazine). This morning Joe said to me, "Do you think you were scammed?"
A sick feeling passed over me. I knew the answer at that moment. I looked up Ok Marketing online and the first thing that came up were the words "scam" and "rip off." About a month ago, there were some arrests made in Nebraska regarding this, but not the guy who scammed me. (Apparently our local TV station already did a story.)
I called my bank this morning and unfortunately they said it was too late for me to get my money back. When I asked who signed for the check, the personal banker said that the check had been cashed without a name! The only thing written on the front of the check was [the name?] Grant. (On my receipt the name appears to be Chris G; I remember he said he was from California - Sylmar, the same town my brother lives, but who knows maybe he was lying. He wasn't any taller than my husband who is 5'8" and he had dark hair. I'd know him if I saw him but I doubt I'll ever learn anymore about this.)
I then called my dad who retired two months ago from the Department of Criminal Investigation in Des Moines, IA. He wasn't very sympathetic as none of my parents usually are (but Logan will never be able to say that about me), he said that I probably won't ever get that money back. All I can do is file a police report and have peace of mind that if he's caught he will be held accountable - but that doesn't make me feel any better. Nobody likes to be a victim and nobody likes to lose money. These people can just steal and never have to give the money back, even if caught???? (Although I doubt he will be caught for this scam - I'm sure he's moved on to other frauds by now.)
Yeah, $71.00 isn't the same as all of the people out there who are out hundreds and thousands of dollars due to scams - but that is $71.00 that my family - a one income household since I am a stay at home mom - can not afford to just hand over to a criminal. From reading online articles (like this one), it sounds like there were a ton of people working for this "company" in several states - not just Nebraska, this is happening all over the U.S.
I've had a flashback to when I attended college in Iowa when we were all notified that a ton of students were ripped off by PEOPLE SELLING MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS!!!! I recall a guy coming to my dorm room door, but my radar was on high as a freshman living on my own for the first time, so I turned him away immediately.
Now, 11 years later I was duped by the exact same scam. All I can do is look at it as a lesson learned. I won't ever stray from my rule again. My radar is even higher than before.
On the bright side, I have a nice husband. At first I thought the check had been for $76 (because that seems to be what most other victims paid) but when our bank said $71 Joe said, "Hey, we saved $5!" I guess my guy gave me a discount, thanks.
But tears have still been cried on my part. The last words the guy said to me were "God bless you." Wow. I have no doubt God heard that and karma will show itself to him -- it always does.
I hope that writing this blog can prevent someone else from being scammed - whether it's by Ok Marketing, another magazine-subscription rip off, or any other fraud out there. 
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Never Buy Anything From Someone Who Approaches You
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27 comments:
How awful! You just can't trust anyone. Sorry to hear that you lost $71. That would be a lot of money for us too. You have to be careful when dealing with those kind of sales people.
Your right we did have the same topic. It's extremely frustrating to say the least when you realize that you were scammed. But I do believe in Karma and one way or another, they will get the negativity returned. Sad that they are only kids and starting already this road of dishonesty.
Thank you for your sweet comment. That is horrible that this happened to you...something similar just happened to me last month only mine was for 43.50 and it was an online deal that you were supposed to get the cd and try it and then if it didn't work cancel within 30 days of getting the cd. Well I never got the cd and then I called and the girl got very ugly on the phone with me saying I needed to read the fine print before I order anything and was being very unprofessional about the whole situation. Similar my husband was like just take this as a lesson learned it will be ok but it just hurts that some company just stole 44.00 from my family. We are planning a vacation this next month and that could've been 44.00 spent on something for Dalton while there or that could've went for 44.00 towards my college which has just eaten our bank account this month. I just got so upset and even though it's only 44.00 I'm the same way that is 44.00 that we could've spent on other things in some way that would've benefited us. On a happier note....your son is precious too!!! They are close to the same age too. It sounds like we have alot in common between our kiddos and our husbands:) I'm really glad you stumbled across my blog and I look forward to getting to know you through reading your posts:):)
Andrea, I just wanted to let you know that you won the Certain Dry Solid from Healthy Moms. I just need your mailing address so I can have your prize shipped out to you. You can e mail it to talbertcascia at yahoo dot com.
Have a great day!
Someone knocked on my door this morning. He said he was collecting points for going on a trip to Germany. I ended up signing for Jack and Jill magazine subscription for $63 for my kids.
After he left, I went on-line to check the company name and address. I couldn't find the company name, Unique Subscription Agency Inc, but I found many ripoff reports on the address, PO Box 1060, Kittredge.
I went to my bank's website afterwards, and found that they charges $32 to stop check payment.
Aarrghh, now I feel so awful....
Lana, I'm so sorry this happened to you, too!!! :( The first emotion I felt when I read your comment was MAD. I have no doubt my same people are behind Unique Subscription Agency, Inc. too. They just changed their name because Ok Marketing was outed!!!! I can't believe that they are continuing to get by with it. Once there are enough victims from your company, then they will just make a new company name!
I know exactly how you feel right now. I have gone through so many emotions regarding this: denial, anger, sadness, disappointment, paranoia, etc. . .I've accepted it now but I still feel like there should be more I can do because what reason do these people have NOT to continue this scam??? They are fooling themselves into thinking they won't be caught but in the meantime they can just live freely off of other people's money. It is horrible.
I am very confused. Two weeks ago (three-and-a-half months after handing my check to the guy at Hy-Vee), we received an issue for ESPN magazine! This week we received another one! There is even more info now about Ok Marketing being a scam than there was when I wrote this blog post 6 weeks ago. But now it seems somehow my check did in fact go through to ESPN magazine! I have yet to figure out how & why but I wanted to let other people know if they had given up ever receiving anything - there is still hope!
Well, I too was scammed by OK Marketing, Inc. Only I bought two subscriptions...one for Game Informer and one for Urban Climber for a whopping total of $104.00. Yes, I paid 104.00 for 2 twelve month subscriptions. The darn kid was so nice it was hard for me to say no. Well, that was back on the 11July and it is now the 13Oct and I have yet to get the magazines. Ugh. Never again will I have a problem telling these kids NO!!!
I am confused as well. I was taken in by these two really nice kids. I am out $63.00. After reading everything it seems 50/50 as to whether or not I will get a magazine or not. I also feel that stopping payment may causemore harm. There are reports of extra charges that they are able to collect from your account. No one has mentioned definite id theft or further withdrawals from the account. Does anyone know?
Angela, i appreciate you candor in the matter. At least your post and other comments are giving me enough peace to go to sleep now.
Sorry Andrea, I called you Angela. I haven't slept all night now it is after 5:00. I have been so upset by this.
Kris and Lisa I am sorry you are having to go through this experience. :( Every time I hear of someone else I relive all of the first emotions. I had a hard time sleeping as well - I felt so violated. I also felt like I wasn't as safe as I thought I was. This guy had approached me with my 14 month old in my cart - I had been so relaxed that I turned from him to reach in my car to get checkbook - I suddenly began thinking, what if he'd been the same type of guy only his intent had been to kidnap my son? Or what if he'd suddenly pulled out a gun for me? Realizing how easily I had gone along with a criminal made me feel very vunerable for weeks afterward. Even though we are somehow now getting magazines I was apart of this crime and I can only hope it will make me better for the future. My husband and I have been keeping our eye on our bank account (because our checking account number was on the check I wrote) and there has not been any further activity so I hope that it's safe to say there won't be - but I had not heard that some people were also getting further charges! Thanks for adding that, Lisa!
I just bought from them again today. The last time it was Shape magazine for three years and I received my magazines as stated. Sometimes it does pay to be trustfull. These kids are basically doing what they can and most of them are in school
Anonymous, I'm glad you got your magazines last time and I hope this time you do as well. But since so many people don't it is better to err on the side of caution and politely decline. It is sad that scammers ruin it for legitimate sales people - but that is the reality and for most people $71 is not worth "hoping" that the people they give it to are trustworthy. If you really want to help college students then go directly to the school and find out how you can help them, don't just take the word of someone who knocks on your door.
I have a few things to say...... now this whole magazine thing is just bull crap. These kids that sell the magazine have nothing to do with you getting your magazines..... you can't blame the kids... blame the company. they do their part... its the OK marketing that isn't doing there part. Now i've help almost every year for the past 7 years and have gotten every single one. Now also if you notice on your receipts there is a 120 day guarantee!!!!!!! as well as a customer service number... and a receipt number. All i'm saying is don't take it out on the kids... they have nothing to do with that part. i respect the kids going out there and selling these books for money and a trip ... it's better then them being homeless or selling crack. now granted there are some scammers out there.... that will never end. so do yourselves a favor JUST SAY NO. simple as that. also if you think 71 dollars is a lot... then you probably should have gone with your gut feeling and just said no. I think it's a great program. also i heard if you write a check the magazines take longer... i have paid cash all the times i've done it and i recieved most my magazines with in two months.
Anonymous, I'm not sure you actually read my post because I wasn't saying anything bad about legitimate college kids selling magazines. The problem is that criminals around the US have copied info from real companies including using the same paperwork, badges, etc. and claiming to work for them when they don't. These people then steal the money and keep it for themselves. Many arrests have been made but it's still going on under different names. For those that use the original, legitimate company I do believe they receive their magazines. My post was about how you can't be sure if the person who approaches you actually works for them or not. Obviously if someone gives money to one that is not then the 120 day guarantee and customer service number do not apply. You actually copied the only advice I gave out in my post and that WAS "just say no." You are lucky that by paying cash you haven't been ripped off. If you don't think $71 is a lot then I can understand why you aren't sympathetic to those who have lost that money. But as I said in my post, it's not the amount that is the issue but rather I wanted to make others aware that there ARE criminals passing themselves off as working for this company when they don't. That's all this post was about.
I've been scammed by Unique Subscription Agency Inc. too. Lost $55.00 back in August. Normally not something I would even consider but I was totally overwhelmed by his sales pitch. There most certainly will not be a next time.
H, I was sorry to read your comment :( I'm glad my post has raised awareness for the Unique fraud as well as Ok, so that hopefully someday this won't happen to anyone else.
I had a bad experience with this same company. On sept 1 a "college kid" came to my door asking for help with a competition between two classes here at mankato state university. Our family was real fortunate in recieving a very nice insurance settlement, so i thought why not share the wealth, id been helped so i didn't hesitate to help him. Its really hard to be a giving type person, but i digress...so just a few minutes ago i was working on the taxes and i found the receipt this guy left with me and i remembered, "hey, what the hell evere happened to those magazines i ordered?" i never saw one! As i investigated the receipt i came to see there was no contact info for this company, just a worthless p.o. box for cancelations...well if i had something to cancel? So i hopped online to see what i could find out, and i come to find out that they had already been pulling this scam a month before they found me on ripoffreport.com. So I'm outta luck like you, so don't feel bad. Being self employed i watch my money actions like a hawk, and i forgot to scan what i was signing is beyond me. Sadly for every other door to door salesperson who means well, they'll have to keep walking because i can't afford to loose 71.00 for nothing anymore. As dubya said, "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice--won't get fooled again"
I had the same experience yesterday. A college student approached me outside our local grocery store. I ended up feeling terribly sorry for him and wanted to help. So I paid $71 (cash) for a magazine subscription which was a big mistake!!
He accidentally gave me a phone number to contact (I don't think he was supposed to) and I called the number later in the evening to verify if it was a real company. Of course it wasn't. The same guy whom I had spoken to answered. But of course, since I had called from a different number he answered the phone very unprofessionally (I think he sounded stoned!). I have his number. If I report that to 911, will it help them catch this person. I am not American and am not very familiar with the system here.
Please advise.
To the two previous comments: I'm sorry for the delay in my response! I'm sorry that both of you lost money as well. For the person who has the phone number - if you haven't already, I would definitely tell your story to the police and see what they can do. For most, by the time they realize they've been scammed the people have moved on. Maybe in your case since you acted fast, you will be able to get your money back!
The people who run Unique Subscription Agency are the same ones who used to work for OK Marketing out of Colorado. They claim they are different, but they used the same registered agent and clearing house as OK Marketing. The clearing house is owned by Cody and Jennifer Payne, who also own the clearing house American Cash Awards which has a bbb rating of 'F'. OK Marketing went under, so they just create another company with a new crew boss. The names at the bottom may change, but the ones at the top remain the same.
Unique Subscription Agency is recruiting in Tulsa, OK. Phone numbers for anyone who was ripped-off can call: 720-236-9183 or 281-627-8857
Not sure if you're still blogging or reading this anymore but Andrea, I feel your pain immensely. I was approached by some girls who were working with the same agency. I ordered the magazine about a month ago. I decided to look up the agency out of curiosity. When I saw the words "complaint" and "scam," I was heartbroken. I honestly wanted to help those kids and I ended up being scammed. I think the girls were no in on the scam so I don't blame them. Regardless, I'm still angry over this.
I don't think my last post came through but sorry if I double post. Anyways, I feel your pain Andrea. I was approached by 2 girls working for the same agency. They seemed sincere so I decided to help. I bought the magazine about a month ago. Out of curiosity, I decided to look up the agency. When I saw the words "complaints" and "scam," I was heartbroken. I honestly wanted to be helpful and ended up being scammed. I don't think those girls are in on the scam so I don't blame them. Regardless, I'm angry over this.
I can't believe it, I too think I was just scammed. On something stupid like magazines. This kid walks up to my door and says he needs so many points for a trip. He looked like a senior in high school. I have to say, he knew how to talk. I posted dated a check, and was going to cancel it after I thought about it. Already feeling like I was scammed. Only to find out the check was cashed. I would love to see that kid again.
You all are making me feel so much better. I am a teacher in Colorado Springs, CO. Just last night as I was cooking dinner two high school aged kids came to the door saying they were seniors and were raising money for a trip by selling magazines. I always turn these types away, but being a teacher, I felt like I wanted to help out. Well, after all their clever chatter and dinner cooking and a crying baby with a poopy diaper I agreed to a magazine for my husband. I paid $52 with a check, that they didn't want but would settle for. When my husband came home I told him about his new magazine subscription. He told me that he thought I had been scammed. After looking on the internet, I was certain. If you can believe it, I was in such a hurry to get them on there way that I didn't even get a receipt. I stopped payment on my check, but now worry about them having my bank account info. and routing number. I'm wondering if I should change bank accounts, or if this will all just go away.
Thank you so much for this article. I fell for this earlier today, and immediately looked it up. The guy said they were donating the magazines to the troops. The first thing I did when I found your blog was send in the cancellation request. I was still worried though, and called the bank. After talking to the nice man, and terrified of identity theft, I froze my account and the check. I just had them open a new one so nothing would be compromised. Thank you for the heads up!
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