New Sweepstakes Scam?

[Phinnly Slash Buster]

New Sweepstakes Scam?

May be not a complete scam but their tactics are misleading.
I received a green poster board postcard from N.M.E. The postcard is designed to mimic certified or registered mail notifications.

‘We are trying to reach you regarding your $2,100,00.00 Sweepstakes entry. Please Call us at the number on the reverse of this card. This is a free call.
Sincerely-Pat Haines
Sales Representative”

#888-227-1098
Apparently they are trying to sell magazine subscriptions.

Below from the BBB:

National Magazine Exchange
16120 US Highway 19 N Ste 400
Clear*****, FL 33764-6862
Telephone: (800) 235-3630
Fax: (727) 524-4667
www.specialdata.com

The BBB reports on members and non-members. If a company is a member of the BBB, it is stated in this report

Original Business Start Date: August 1985
Principal: Mr. William H. Hood, CEO
Customer Contact: Mr. David Macey, Senior Manager of Customer Service
Entity: Corporation
Incorporated: August 1985, FL
TOB Classification: Product Sales - General, Magazine Sales, Soliciting Organizations
BBB Membership: This company is not a member.

Additional DBA Names
Special Data Processing Corporation
NME
National Publishers Exchange
National List Exchange
National Clearing Exchange

Nature Of Business

This company offers magazine sales via phone and a telemarketing call center for
various companies and products.

Customer Experience

The company mails notices inviting people to call and enter the Million Dollar "Strike It Rich" Sweepstakes. There is no purchase necessary to enter the sweepstakes. The odds of winning are determined by the number of people who enter. The company estimates the odds at no more than 1 in 250 million. The sweepstakes promotion is used by the company to promote magazine subscriptions.

Our file experience shows that the company has received complaints alleging billing disputes, misinterpretation of the sweepstakes promotion, and misunderstanding the company's billing terms. The company has addressed most complaints brought to its attention by the Bureau by cancelling the consumer's account or responding to questions regarding the sweepstakes promotion or its billing procedures. Based on Bureau files the company has a unsatisfactory record…………
http://www.bbbwestflorida.org/common...html?bid=10292

[wolfstarr]

The reason there are billing disputes is because people don't really LISTEN to what the person is saying when they do the billing process. I used to work there and while I am not saying the place is great they are actually legit. There is a sweepstakes and someone does win....the magazines cost exactly what they say they do. A RATE OF 1.29 a week. But they charge it all at once. Or in a few payments. It's not a weekly payment. That is where people screw up. I was a verifier there. I did billing. They say at least 3 or more times EXACTLY what is going to be charged and when. It's not so much a scam....just people don't pay enough attention. Please don't flame me. I'm not trying to start a fight....just to clear it up a bit.

[Phinnly Slash Buster]

Originally Posted by wolfstarr

The reason there are billing disputes is because people don't really LISTEN to what the person is saying when they do the billing process. I used to work there and while I am not saying the place is great they are actually legit. There is a sweepstakes and someone does win....the magazines cost exactly what they say they do. A RATE OF 1.29 a week. But they charge it all at once. Or in a few payments. It's not a weekly payment. That is where people screw up. I was a verifier there. I did billing. They say at least 3 or more times EXACTLY what is going to be charged and when. It's not so much a scam....just people don't pay enough attention. Please don't flame me. I'm not trying to start a fight....just to clear it up a bit.

"There is a sweepstakes and someone does win"
I'm sure no one expected to hear that.

From BBB:
"The company estimates the odds at no more than 1 in 250 million."

United States — Population: 295,734,134
Since the odds posted are incredibly long some may assume, me included, that the chances this prize will be awarded to anyone are incredibly unlikely.
But that said, I could be wrong. I have no interest in inferring with a legitimate business concern. Also read my copy I never called them a scam. There are [or were] some legitimate concerns about NME

[wolfstarr]

I never said that you called it a scam. I just wanted to point something out. Trust me I hate the place. I worked there for 6 months too damn long. I just wanted to say that they do award a prize. They actually have a huge company get together for it. Also...I'm not saying they are always wrong but I don't really trust the BBB. I mean I could call and complain about any business and if they aren't a MEMBER of the BBB they will get trashed by them. I just don't put a whole lot of stock in what they have to say. I think every business out there no matter how big or small or if they have perfect customer service. They are going to have someone complain about something. You can't please everyone.

[selfinflictedfix]

more like a misguided 'spam' than scam, someone tell em to quit mailing them damn fliers to me, I'm NOT interested.. haha.. gotta love dem odds huh?