Gulf Coast reader scam

[mazen]

Dear,
I once get contacted by the gulf coast readers, they talked about sending magazines, and asked for my debt card info, social security and address, and I gave them everything, but I asked what if I changed my mind and I dont want to registered, they told me we are going to send you a contract to sign, if you didn't sign you won't be member.
Moreover, I checked the web about that company and found out that they are scammers, people always complaining about them. So I called and asked them to cancle everything, they told me they will cancle it.
After a month, they charge me an amount of 68$ on my debt card. I called them and told them I already asked to cancle my papers, as well as I never received a contract to sign, they answered "we are sorry but you are already registered and if you want to cancle you will be charged 500$". So I called the bank and complained about them and they changed my debt address.
For 6month they kept on sending magazines, and always I call them and ask them to stop sending them. And by now (8th month) I suddenly get a mail from a debt collector asking me to pay 580$ for the gulf coast reader or they will destroy my credit records.
Please I need to know, what can they do exactly if I didn't pay.
And if I paid, how can I make sure they will not charge me any more.
P.s: I never signed a contract as well as never received a bill.
Thanks

[AFFA]

I wish to inform you that you can give them a written notice that they should not send you any magazine and further all the magazine in the past has been sent without your consent and therefore in the absence of any agreement you cannot be held liable. All the phone call made by you can be mentioned by you so that you have evidence in writing that you have taken necessary steps. You can also have your telephone records and can get the list of calls made by you. This will enable you to have evidence that you had made a call and asked Gulf Coast to not to send you magazine. If however Gulf Coast refuses to settle the issue then you can file a complaint with FTC.

AFF

[vianegativa85]

I am experiencing the exact same issue as user mazen is. If I send them the written notice is it even safe to sign it? I feel as though a company like this would try to steal my signature and put it on a contract.

What should I do? Just send a typed up letter without a signature?

Also my written letter looks like this:

To whom it may concern at Gulf Coast Readers,

This is a written notice that I do not want you to send any magazines to me and to cancel my contract with your company immediately. Since I have not signed any actual contract form I am not held liable to any legal agreement or contract. If you continue to contact me by mail or phone or continue to attempt to bill me I will fill a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, the Better Business Bureau and if needed, file an objection with a District Attorney.

[YOUCOMEFIRST]

I AM ACTUALLY A CUSTOMER OF GULF COAST READERS, AND HAVE BEEN FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS. I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT THEY ARE NOT A SCAM. THEY ARE A MAGAZINE COMPANY. THEY ORIGINALLY CONTACTED ME BACK 6 YEARS AGO JUST LIKE ANY OTHER TELEMARKETER WOULD, A SALESPERSON THEN TOLD ME THAT I SIGNED UP FOR A $500 WALMART GIFT CARD. WHICH I DID, THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE A SPONSOR FOR THE WEBSITE AND ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS TO RECIEVE THE GIFT WAS TO GET MAGAZINES. SO I PROCEEDED WITH THE ORDER. THEN A LADY CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY TO VERIFY THAT I KNEW ON RECORDING WHAT I WAS GETTING MYSELF INTO, WHICH I DID, THEY WERE GIVING ME ONE HELL OF A DEAL FOR 5 YEARS WORTH OF UNLIMITED MAGAZINES! THEY DEDUCTED $65.80 FROM MY CHECKING ACCOUNT EVERY MONTH FOR 20 MONTHS JUST LIKE THEY SAID. THEY SENT ME EXACTLY THE MAGAZINES AND IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THEY SAID. THE OTHER DAY I WAS SPEAKING WITH A YOUNG MAN THERE THAT HANDLES MY ACCOUNT AND HE WAS VERY RELIEVED THAT I WASNT ONE OF THOSE CUSTOMERS THAT SIGN UP FOR SOMETHING AND THEN AFTER THE 7 DAY CANCELLATION PERIOD DECIDE TO WAIT UNTIL I GET CHARGED AGAIN IN ORDER TO CALL IN AND DECIDE I DONT WANT THEM ANYMORE. BOTTOM LINE IS I AM VERY PLEASED WITH MY MAGAZINE COMPANY GULF COAST READERS AND I GUARANTEE THESE PEOPLE BAD TALKING THEM DID NOT LISTEN TO THE FIRST FIVE PEOPLE THEY SPOKE WITH EVEN BEFORE THERE ORDER WAS PLACED. THIS WORLD IS TURNING OVER WITHOUT ALL YOU PEOPLE TRYING TO BLAME YOUR MISTAKES ON SMALL BUSINESSES. THEY ARE A LEGIT BUSINESS AND EVERYTHING THEY SAY AND DO IS RECORDED SO YOUR BASICALLY SCREWED AND WILL BE PROVED TO BE A LIAR AND A CHEAT IF YOU TRY TO SUE THEM. GOODLUCK TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO TRY TO SCAM COMPANIES THAT HAVE REALLY GREAT SERVICES. YOU WILL LOOK REALLY DUMB IN COURT!

[Disagreeable]

As noted, there are many complaints about this company on the net. Evidently they promise high value bonuses, such as smart phones, computers and gift cards etc.. to entice people to take magazine subscriptions. Reality and buyers remorse seems to set in, once people actually add up the cost of the "freebie". Some people appear to have complained they qualified but never received their freebie. As with any company, you should never expect something for nothing and you should evaluate the effect of the purchase on your life long term, when you commit to a long term agreement.