Central Billing Network Central Billing Company says they are collecting a debt for "The Subscription Center" a magazine subscription provider Los Angles California
I was contacted by phone today with a call stating they were trying to collect at debt. Always concerned about any credit situation, I returned the call thinking it was perhaps for one of my children. It was in fact, for me. When I returned the call, it was from Central Billing (web address centralbillingnetwork.com). They indicated that they were trying to collect a debt from "The Subscription Center" a magazine subscription service.
They indicated that the magazine company was trying to collect some $900 for a billing to a credit card that they identitfied by the first two digits and the last four, which although were the numbers to my card, I know I had not subscribed to any magazines. THey indicated that the bill was from 2012. I rememeber receiving calls from a very pushy person over the course of a few months asking did I receive my magazines and when I responded tht I never ordered, received nor desired any magazines they insisted that I did and that they had a credit card number with "my order". They continued this harrasment for several months calling about once a week or so. After it stopped I thought nothing much more of it since, I knew that I had not ordered anything.
After speaking to the person at Central Billing and being told I should receive a letter in the mail in the next couple of days and that I could just "dispute" the claim with either a written letter, fax or online (at the address I provided above) I asked them if they could provide me with more data, namely, the rest of the credit card number etc. They replied that they only had the first two digits and the last four and the remaining number dedacted. They had told me the type credit card so, after hanging up with them I immediately called that credit card company and informed them of the claim and asked for the statements from 2012 be sent to me. They made a report, and sre sending me the statements (and informed me i could go online to retriecve them also)
I have an account number provided by Central Billing and they said that I could go online to submit a dispute to the claim. When I go to the site it has a "BBB Acridited" stamp right at the top. So, I went to the BBB and Sure enough there is highlighted in red, "an alert for this business" which, after clicking it says to contact a particular individual before submitting any complaints. Well, I will be contacting that individual in the AM and, if not completely satified with what I hear, I will be submitting a complaint to the BBB next.
I just thought it important that other people know about what I believe to be a scam (especially, after conducting a search and arriving here and seeing other similar stories). If Central Billing is not included then, they deserve scrutiny for not having vetted their client (I assume) The Subscription Center first before sending out automated calls to unsuspecting individuals claiming to be a collection agent for what is obviously a scam artist.
I hope others will take note of this and if there are legal representatives attempting to prosecute either of the two companies that they contact me.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Lullzzz
Roanoke,Virginia,
USA
Scam
#6Consumer Comment
Sat, May 07, 2016
This is weird since central billing told me that once a dispute was filed it would only take 30 days at which the subscription center would then prove or provide proof of the debt seems like it's just dragging out for you with them hoping you would just pay it. I also noticed that when I received the letter from central billing it had a payment option to detach and send for the amount (808) that was owed...on the phone they said it could be settled for half? I won't file a dispute till I speak with the BBB and possibly the California attorney general office since it seems the BBB is referring people to definitely call them I will update what I'm told on Monday! Hang in there it's all a scam and they need to be punished!
Filing with state's Attorneys General of California
#6Author of original report
Sat, May 07, 2016
Please let me know if there is a filing with the state's attorney general or, if you intend to contact them. Please advise. Thanks.
Update
#6Author of original report
Sat, May 07, 2016
I have since called central billing twice, the first to indicate that I did file a "dispute" with the claim of indebtedness and a subsequent call some three weeks later to inquire as to the information I had requested in the dispute and the status of my case. They acknowledged the filing of the dispute but had no update other than to say their legal department was looking at my case due to my possibly "dlandering" their company. I was told I would be receiving a letter from. That department and, to this day, have heard nothing. I called again about three weeks ago and spoke with Mr. David Sommers, the "compliance manager" whom, I had the pleasure of speaking with twice before.
Mr. Sommers again told me the case was with the legal eagles and that he would check the status of the case (still indicating that I would receive a letter from that department) and, that he would return a phone call to me within two hours. I have yet to receive a letter or, have had that phone call returned. I will call again Monday. Please kindly let me know how your situation progresses. I'm a disabled veteran and live on a limited and fixed income and have little interest in either throwing away my disability frivolously nor, engaging in defrauding or not paying my bills. My name is all I have and, I do not appreciate having it besmirched by anyone and will fight this erroneous claim tooth n nail!
Lullzzz
Roanoke,Virginia,
USA
Any updates?
#6Consumer Comment
Sat, May 07, 2016
I just recently was called by central billing same song and dance as what I just read from you. Is there any update on this? I received a letter from them in the mail also....still just says "the subscription center" no more info on who I supposedly owe money to. Please reply I will be calling the BBB on Monday!
N633
Los angeles,California,
USA
I am experiencing the same situation, I just received a notice from central billing network yesterday.
#6General Comment
Wed, April 06, 2016
I also got debt collection notice from central billing network. When I tried to call and ask for more information as to what business is trying to bill me or claim that I ordered magazines, they refused to tell me anything more than the name "The subscription center" and I cannot find any online trace of that place. I called the BBB they informed me that they have other complaints regarding those two businesses and I need to contact the Office of General attorneys of California because the case has been taken higher up. I filed a dispute on Central billing networks website, but waiting on a response. Do you have any other comments on this? or information. I do not want this to affect my credit, when I never made these subscriptions. --Thank you