PWA Global, Inc. Administrative Office, Sweepstakes Prize Entry Center Badgering, excessive mail Manhasset, New York
My elderly parents are constantly receiving unwanted and unsolicited mail from the this company, requesting money from them to win money. One day it will be mail saying "send $9.00" and the next day or two, another notice from them requesting $20 to be entered into the prize giveaway. Every time a new notice comes in the mail, usually more than one per week, there is a new amount requested. The letter today stated that she would permit them to deduct $20 per month from her bank account so that she can receive monthly sweepstakes newsletters. Two months ago, she sent them the money and they automatically deducted the same amount the next month from her bank account; the name on her bank account did not match the name the letters came from. They never made it clear that they would do this automatic deduction. She is receiving this mail at the rate of at least one letter per week and usually more. She has asked to be removed from their mailing list and she has returned their mail but they continue to send it.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
MSeve43
Los Angeles,California,
The Owner Isn't Telling The Truth
#3Consumer Comment
Fri, August 02, 2013
I had to respond here. I see the owner denying any wrongdoing, but like the original poster my elderly parents are deludged with this company's so-called sweepstakes weekly. If the company was legitimate they should have either an option to ask off the mailing website or a website where you can do so, but they have neither. This means you have to spend your stamp money to send them a request to get taken off the mailing list. A request that so far they've ignored five times in the last year.
WARNING: Anyone who receives mail from this company needs to carefully read the fine print on the back at the bottom. When you send in your check for that "processing fee" here's what you're actualy paying for and I quote:
"Your processing fee inclusion guarantees you total privileges in the PWA Global continuing service program."
Sounds good so far, right? What could be the harm in that? Until you keep reading and see THIS:
"This assures that you are subscribed to receive important sweepstakes entry, deadline and prize informationon a monthly basis. Upon your inclusion into the PWA Global montly service offer,, you hereby authorize PWA Global and any of its agents and assigns to initiate agreed-upon withdrawals from your checking account to cover monthly fees. ... Additionally, by accepting the offer, you authorize PWA Global to make a montly deduction of $19.90 from your checking account, to cover membership and maintenance, by the means previously agreed upon between PWA Global and your bank."
Most people will never take the time to read the back and fine print that printed in very hard-to-read font and realize that while they think they're paying a small fee to get a prize, instead they are signing up to have their bank debited by approx. $20.00 a month just to get more junk mail telling them they may win something at some time. Oh, and that they've effectively opened up their bank account for PWA Global or any of it's "agents" to help themselves to whatever other fees they might dream up and then claim the person willingly signed up for.
All I can say is thank heavens for my law training and the fact that my eldery mother asked me if I'd write a check to cover this sweepstakes entry since she was short on cash after another company had drained her bank account that month.
BUYER BEWARE: PWA Global is counting on the fact most of you won't read its fine print. A prety sweet little deal, if you're the owner of PWA Global. It's not so great if you're on a fixed or low income.
PWA Global
#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, May 08, 2013
The company does not mail excessively and respects the rights of individuals to not be mailedby sending a note not to mail them. You must be confusing them with other companies. Many company names in the sweepstake business are similar. They always give a 100% no questions asked refund to customers who are dissatisfied.