I recieved a green postgram card today. It read "we are trying to reach you regarding your 2,100,000 sweepstakes entry. Please call us at the number on the reverse of this card. It is a free call. Sincerly, John Brody, NME magazine services."
It then went on to say, "You will be offered a discount magazine package after your entry is complete. There is no purchase required to enter or win and a purchase will not improve your chances of winning. You must be a legal U.S. resident 18 years of age or older to enter. Prize will be awarded as 30 annual installments of $70,000.00"
There was also a tracking number on the bottom"35-2676972-555".
Well, I came here first to see what was reported on this little company, and then I decided to call. After reading that these reps. arent very friendly, and are obviously a rip off company, I was prepared with what to say and ask.
There was an automated greeting about activating your chance to win the sweepstakes. After the phone rang a bunch of times a guy answered the phone. He asked for my I.D number. I gave him it, and was entered. Odds are 1:26 million.He said thank you for being a preferred credit card customer. He verified my phone number through caller I.D. and asked how I would like to be paid.
I said a lump sum. He laughed and said " take the money and run". He then told me I would also get 2 diamond watches, and a planner. I was transferred to a supervisor named Todd. He got really upset and said I needed to give him my credit card number, even though I lied and said I have one but it is maxed out. He said that it was ok they just needed it to establish my account.
I made up several excuses that I didnt have it with me, and why can't I just pay with a money order. He said fine and transferred me to a check supervisor, who went over my pretend subscription, and said I would be mailed invioces which I can pay by check or money order. It is a 12 month subsciption of 17.99 a month for 3 months. I kept asking when I would get the watch and he really had no information about that for me.
He then mumbeled something pretty fast, which must have been that he was sending me to free sponser offers. It was an automated system where they read the offers and you press 1 for yes and 2 for no. The sponsers were:1)Proactive acne solutions,2)Imperial Madjesty cruise, 3) and Qualified Health insurance. Then it automatically hangs up.
My question after all this is if these are their sponsers, then why can't they also get in trouble for sponsoringa company that is fraudelent? If you give someone a ride to the bank, know he is robbing it, and then drive him away- and later find out he shot and killed someone in the bank, under some states laws, you are also charged with that murder. So these sponsers should be held accountable for the fraud that they are sponsoring.
Angela
sheboygan, Wisconsin
U.S.A.