This post comes from Joseph S. Enoch at partner blog ConsumerAffairs.com.
Five years after the Federal Trade Commission barred a magazine-subscription company from fraudulently signing up consumers for pricey magazine bundles, a collection agency is trying to collect on those debts and those from other magazine peddlers.
In 2003, the FTC essentially closed the door on Consolidated Media Services and the network of companies under the Cross Media Marketing name after they settled for $350,000 and agreed to end the myriad of alleged deceptive sales tactics they were accused of.
Although CMS appears to have dissolved, consumers write that a collection agency -- Luebke Baker and Associates of Peoria, Ill. -- has been trying to collect on CMS debts, some as old as 11 years.
"Back in November 1997 I received a phone call from Consolidated Media Services asking to purchase magazines," wrote Darla of Catasauqua, Pa. "I cannot remember the deal they had offered, but agreed to one year. One to two years later I received a phone call from Consolidated Media stating the balance was past due. I apologized and paid my account in full with a check by phone.
"Now 11 years later I receive a call from Luebke Baker and Associates stating that I owe $140 and that they would be more than happy to take money over the phone."
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