I was wondering if anyone has had any dealing with "Great American Reader"? I am kinda ashamed to say this because I fell for it. Basically it sounded 100% legitimate without a doubt. They called and said something to the affect of the were partnered with my credit card company and since I was in good standing they were going to offer me a $1000 gift card. I would receive a years worth of free magazines at a discounted price of like $39.So like an idiot, I gave them my credit card number. I thought that sounded good for that many magazines at that price. They asked if I would like that offer and I said sure. They said that I had just entered into a legal contract and there was no turning back. I have not placed my signiture onto any papers or anything. How is that a legal/binding contract? Does anyone know the law on that? After I found out that it was a scam, I called and had my credit card cancelled. (I did some research online to see what websites I could use this gift certificate for and found no legit site and nothing but complaint of people in the same situation that I am in)

They have been calling the past couple of days. I picked up the phone today and a guy said that my payment for this month didn't go through and wanted to set up a new payment method. I politely declined and said I was no longer interested. At this point the guy gets very irrate and rude with me. He asks why I was wanting to cancel and I explained that I had read right after I talked the first time to these people, that I knew they were a scam and wasn't interested. It seems that so many people have been "HAD" by this company and no one can help. I have tried to call the BBB but can't locate a phone number. What good would it do to contact the states attorney general? I have a good friend who is a lawer, would it do any good for me to give her the companys number and let her handle it? I got tired of hearing the guys fuss at me on the phone so I just hung up and he hasn't tried to contact me again today. When I found out the first time that they were a scam, I called the company back and as soon as the lady picked up the phone, she didn't give me time to say anything, she just gave me a number and said this is for your cancelation. I called the number which was fake. I am trying to get out of this can anyone PLEASE HELP!!! I know you probably think I am an idiot for going along with this whole thing but it was a valuable lesson learned, THE HARD WAY!!! PLEASE HELP!!!

Try looking for the Federal Trade Commission on line and lodge you complaint with them.

I believe you should have the *Right of Recision* since they came "into your home" to make a sale.

You have three business days to cancel a contract.

Nontheless, I would call my credit card company and cancel the transaction like NOW.

I don't see a problem here. You cancelled your card, move on, nothing to see here. If they call again, tell them not to call you again. By law, they must not call you again if you tell them not to. The fact that they used a tactic that is known to be used by scammers tells me that they are questionable. That tactic is they ask specific questions to get you to bind yourself in verbal agreement. Once you do that, they can claim you are bound by contract. Problem is it is hard to prove a verbal agreement in court. It is their word against yours and most get thrown out of court. Besides, it depends on the state on whether a verbal agreement is a binding contract. They rarely get to court. Their business model is about numbers. They don't have time or resources to mess with you in court. They simply move on to the next person and dupe them. It is a numbers game with them. They are just trying to scare you into giving in. If they threaten you with anything, tell them you will be contacting the state attorneys office and the federal trade commission. watch how fast they disappear. BTW, don't ever say you are interested, or use the words yes, sure, or any other word that indicates your approval. They will use that as your agreement for them to charge your card. Some phone companies were using these tactics a number of years ago and the trade commission came down hard on them. People were agreeing to optional services without even knowing it because the telemarketers for these phone companies were using these unethical practices of stealth. It is against the law. If you are in a state where verbal agreements are binding, just say you did not understand the agreement and all bets are off. It is null and void. Verbal agreements must be completely understood by both parties or they are null. That is why they are hard to win in court, there is no paper contract where all details are written out. In verbal agreements it is easy to misunderstand. I went through a verbal agreement thing with a contractor recently that is how I know about this.

It might not be a bad idea to put a fraud alert on your other cards / accounts, just in case. They proabably aren't ID thieves but i wouldn't take any chances.

Also, put your numbers on the national do not contact list, that'll take care of any others that may call for 1 year (I think that is still the case).

Road Hawg is right, if you tell them not to call you, it is ILLEGAL for them to call you. I'd ask them to turn on their recorder, and then tell them not to call you. Additionally, they cannot threaten you and they must call during reasonable hours, just fyi.

Hey, don't be ashamed! This kind of thing happens alot! I'm just glad to hear they didn't get much $ from you ($39?). Just write them off, follow the advice the others have given you and you'll be fine. Good luck with it. Keep us informed.

Here's the link to the Do Not Call registry:

DoNotCall.gov

Here is a little more info. I called my friend who is a lawer, she knows people at the state attorney generals office. Gonna get their number and give them a call. Come to find out one of the guys that work there, my parents have know ever since I was a small child, so I am hoping that will help out a little more. Back during the first day they called, after getting off the phone with them, I researched it online and found out it was a scam. I called the "company" back to cancel. The person who answered the phone didnt even give me time to say a word. She simply said here is the number you need, and a computer animated voice or something like that read out the number. I call the number and it didn't even exist. Was never able to actually speak with anyone to explain I wanted to cancel. I immediately picked up the phone and contacted my credit card company and had it canceled. They are sending me a paper in the mail, I have to circle the fraudulent charge, and they will erase it from my account. After I hung up on the guy yesterday, he never bothered to contact me again, as of yet, about trying to get the payment. I would think that any legit company would have called back if payment was due. But anywho, I didn't think of the Federal Trade commission, but will be contacting them after contaction the state attorney generals office. Thanks for all the help.

you can also go to google and type in great american reader scam and read about others who have had the same trouble as I am having.

I understand your frustration, but at this time it seems like you are worrying about something that is resolved. If you cancelled your card there isn't a darn thing these guys can do to you. If they decide to take you to court for payment, which they won't, they will put themselves in a position where they will have to give you everything you thought you would be getting in the first place and you should be happy. Bottom line, move on and use the time you are spending worrying about this and use it to work on or ride your R*. Hope this helps.

Cheers.