01/30/2020 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Communication tactics
- You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying
|
|
Web |
|
I'm am submitting this report regarding a company called Interstate Recovery Service ( http : //www.interstaters.com/home.html ). While I was in college approximately five years ago, I received a phone call from a man offering a sports magazine subsciption complete with a sweepstake and a giftcard. As a student on loans and a minimal budget, the idea of a giftcard appealed to me and I gullibly said " sure '', after confirming that I could cancel the subscription at any time. I believe I actually received one or two magazines, but nothing else happened ( I never received the promised giftcard ). Eventually, I called back asking to cancel the subscription, which the operator refused to do. After repeated attempts to cancel, and after the " magazine company '' withdrew ~ {$150.00} from my bank account, I canceled my card and ordered a new one from my bank. I did not receive anything else.
Fast forward to 2020. I've been blocking/ignoring most 800 calls, but answered a call from XXXX on XX/XX/2020. The man on the line claimed to be from Interstate Recovery Service and said I owed his company ~ {$560.00} for a magazine subscription I had been receiving at my school address ( I graduated several years ago and certainly did not receive the subscription that I repeatedly called to cancel before changing by debit card ). I told him that I did not receive the subscription or the promised offer, and that I had to cancel my card to end the unauthorized withdrawals. He became increasingly aggressive toward me, saying he could play a recording of my voice consenting to the subscription, which he did not actually do. When my wife got on the line and stated she doubted the validity of his claims given the number of consumer complaints we both found after briefly researching the company, he became even more aggressive and accusatory. When she mentioned the CFPB, he said he had no clue what she was talking about and finally hung up the phone on us.
We did some more research and found many instances of people with the same problem. One news story ( https : XXXX ) mentioned XXXX XXXX XXXX as the alleged magazine company that Interstate Recovery Service was calling on behalf of. We reached out to XXXX XXXX XXXX, and an employee ( XXXX ) stated that Interstate 's demand could not be valid and that the company distributes to stores and does not target individuals.
Interstate Recovery Service and/or its affiliates appear to be scamming people by promising offers and refusing to fulfill them, then continuing to withdraw money from people 's accounts and refusing to cancel " subscriptions, '' then sending them to this aggressive collection agency that is making bogus demands. Other complainants stated that they never consented to receive a magazine subscription.
Here is the contact information listed on Interstate Recovery Services website : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX VA XXXX US ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX
|
07/20/2017 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Communication tactics
- Frequent or repeated calls
|
|
Web |
|
In XXXX 2016, while living in XXXX I received a phone call from a woman in my hometown XXXX. She was trying to sell me a magazine deal paying {$40.00} a month with the reward of {$250.00}. I told her, while busy at work I was uninterested bc I was a single mom of XXXX & do not read mags nor have the money for it. She then went into how she also had XXXX daughters as far as where they graduated from & that she could get me the {$250.00} coupon for shopping online if I just paid the shipping/handling @ {$4.00} for XXXX kids mags for my boys. Due to being in a hurry at work & her convincing me there were no attachments I paid the {$4.00}. After never receiving the mags or {$250.00} coupon, a month later I was charged {$40.00} from XXXX XXXX XXXX. I called and spoke with a guy named XXXX. He then argued that I had 7 days to cancel upon that first call & bc I did n't was attached to a 2 year subscription of mags. I stated that I never signed anything, I never agreed to anything. How could I be attached to a plan I never signed or agreed upon with anyone. I argued & fought and said he was actually helping me, said he 'd note that I had 2 months to come up with the money and that he 'd lower the pay to {$20.00} a month. In the mean time I left my purse at a restaurant a few weeks later and had to get all new info. When XXXX 2016 hit and my card did n't work the phone calls began, I even got cursed at by a guy all the while I had told him everything all over again. My apartment had flooded, I had since moved and my apt had forwarded my new address. I spoke with 3-4 different people and I kept stating if you listen to all previous phone calls, which you state you have, you will know exactly what has happened. Each and every time someone new would call they said they never had trace of previous phone calls, they were horribly mean and after arguing I 'd end up crying or hanging up bc I did n't know how this was possible. They 'd state this was my fault and I needed to pay, after that went on I begin to get letter after letter stating I owed {$340.00} for what was remaining. I have had hundreds of phone calls from collectors stating they 'll accept {$200.00} to get rid of it all. The final letter I have received is from them stating I owe the {$200.00}. I owe them nothing.
|
02/19/2018 |
Yes |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Web |
|
On or around XX/XX/XXXX timeframe I received through the mail a promotion from XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX were I could choose some magazine subscriptions in exchange for unused miles about to expire from air travel companies, which I mailed back with some choices.
Over a month later I've got a call from a person from this same company requesting to update credit card information from my husband 's credit card that somehow they had with them. They also made questions over and over trying to confuse me and make me agree to choices I didn't want to make about subscription length. Every time I answered no to a question they would restart all the questionnaire saying I couldn ' t make that choice and using questionable sales tactics and trying to force me to agree to their preferences.
In XX/XX/XXXX they sent a letter confirming subscription to 5 magazines for 4 years, which I never intended to make with a charge of {$39.00} a month for 30 months for a total of {$1100.00}.
They charged {$39.00} to my husband 's credit card in XXXX and XXXX but never sent any magazines and we didn't authorized any charges because it was supposed to be in exchange for unused miles.
On XX/XX/XXXX we received a letter from this company requesting payment because that credit card they had on file was cancelled.
I replied on XX/XX/XXXX that I wasn't interested in their magazine subscription since they never sent the magazines, and they had charged the credit card unduly and that I wanted all the subscriptions cancelled.
On XX/XX/XXXX we started receiving and returning to sender the first and all subsequent magazines sent to my address by this company. Nevertheless, they continued sending magazines through XX/XX/XXXX, all of them returned to sender and then they stopped.
In XXXX I started receiving phone calls from this company trying to collect a debt of {$1100.00}, which I refused to pay since I never agreed to it.
Subsequently, collecting agencies have been calling for this same issue.
On XX/XX/XXXX received a letter from Interstate Recovery service, dated XX/XX/XXXX stating the debt was assigned to them for collection, which I'm still disputing as invalid.
|
09/04/2019 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Communication tactics
- You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying
|
|
Web |
|
XXXX XXXX, claiming to be based out of Missouri, had been withdrawing many from my bank account without ever sending the product. I attempted to call them multiple times, but they did not return my call nor send the product. I also tried communication with them via email. I had to block them from withdrawing funds from my bank account -- never once did I receive the actual product of the promised magazines that were supposed to come monthly. XXXX I received notice from a debt collection agency that I owed XXXX cents. I called the Interstate Recovery Service that evening and informed them that I never received the product so did not see that I owed anything on a product that was never received, informing them that I even turned the company into the Federal Government. The agent on the phone became demanding, belligerent, rude, making a statement " You better pay now or I am going refer to the refusal department who will take you to court! '' The guy kept demanding paying information of my debit card number or current banking info. Not being able to reason, and his belligerence rising with forcefully bully tone and manner, I hung the phone up. He immediately called back, my wife answered, and he rudely said " I WANT THAT GUY BACK! HE HUNG UP ON A DEBT COLLECTOR! IS HE HIDING BEHIND YOU OR DID HE USE YOUR PHONE?! '' My wife calmly, and kindly asked : " Can I help you? '' He persisted " I WANT TO TALK TO THAT GUY! '' Unable to name whom he was calling for or what he needed, my wife hang up on him and blocked his number reporting he was belligerent and did not seem sane. Today, XXXX I received a letter in the mail again from the Interstate Recovery Service, a little kinder tone, reporting if the debt was paid now it could be reduced to XXXX. Again, since the product, that was supposed to be mailed monthly, was never received, and they already took monthly payments from XXXX to XXXX from my account without ever receiving the product, I do not feel there is a debt owed. The Interstate Recovery Service is rudely demanding I pay a debt that I the company failed to deliver the product on while they already collected 4 months of payment on it.
|
04/20/2017 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
|
- Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
- Debt is not mine
|
|
Web |
|
I received a telemarketing call in XXXX XXXX selling magazines, which was recorded, I refused to take the subscription when I was told the price and refused to provide my billing address. On XXXX XXXX , XXXX , Interstate Recovery Service called me to collect a debt, stating they mailed a letter on XXXX / XXXX / XXXX , which I did not receive, advising of the debt. I spoke initially to XXXX and relayed that I did not purchase the subscription, had never received a bill or any magazines and did not owe the debt. XXXX told me that this would be a refusal of payment and proceed to further action. She would only give me the name of the original creditor as " XXXX , XXXX '' and no contact information. I came to this website for further information and called Interstate Recovery Service back to obtain their contact information to formally dispute the debt in writing. I spoke to XXXX , I was told that I could not dispute the debt because there was a recording of me accepting the debt, I explained that I refused the offer when I was told the actual price and did not give my payment information. After being placed on hold, XXXX finally gave me the mailing address of Interstate Recovery and verified the Tracking Number of XXXX . XXXX told me that they would still be pursuing the debt since I refused their offer of settlement of {$780.00}. The total amount of the debt is {$1100.00} for magazines I never received or agreed to purchase. I again explained do not owe this debt and therefore would not pay for something I did not owe.
|
01/21/2020 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Web |
|
XXXX XXXX is saying I owe {$840.00} for a magazine subscription. I was trying to win a {$100.00} gift card and one of the things offered was this magazine subscription. They said I had within 14 days to cancel. I did not receive any Bill or any information about this company until AFTER the 14 days were up. It came after the 14 day limit. Therefore I could not cancel within the 14 days because I did not have their phone number. After I got their Bill I called and told them to cancel. They refused saying I should have cancelled within the 14 days. I could NOT cancel because I did not have the phone number or the Bill. Now they have sent me a letter from the Interstate Recovery Service saying my debt is in collections. I looked online and the Interstate Recovery Service is a fraudulent company that has numerous bad reviews. I do not believe it is a real company. I called the number and a woman answered and said Hello? There was no automated voice and no numbers to type. She just said Hello? I said This is a scam. And she said How dare you talk to me that way? That cemented my belief that they are a scam company. When I got the Bill saying I had 14 days to cancel after the 14 day period I called and told them to cancel. The woman refused. So I changed all my credit card numbers. Now they say I'm in collections. I am filing a complaint against XXXX XXXX AND Interstate Recovery Service XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, VA XXXX. Their phone number is XXXX XXXX XXXX. I refuse to pay {$840.00} to this scammer.
|
06/29/2017 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
- Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged
|
|
Web |
|
XXXX XXXX XXXX had contacted me during my work hours I spoke to a young lady offering a a gift card for {$250.00} and I will receive magazines and can cancel any time. She then transferred my call to another representative that took my mail address. I never received the gift card but I did their magazines. They withdraw {$50.00} on XX/XX/XXXX through XX/XX/XXXX off my Checking account. I had recently moved from my original address and did not pay much attention with the plan to cancel the magazines. When I tried to cancel on XX/XX/XXXX they refused to cancel my policy saying they had send me a notice of renewal and since I did not sign they automatically sign you up for a year contract without my consent!!! I tried to explain that I moved and was not aware of the notice and tried to cancel with no success. I contacted my bank on XX/XX/XXXX to stop payment. The Bank also tried to contact XXXX XXXX XXXX to cancel payment and they were very rude not only towards me but to the Bank Representative refusing to cancel.My bank did warn them they will stop payment and they will be recorded as well of the conversation if they withdrew any more money from my account they will take action. Since than I keep getting harassed phone calls and mail by the company and recently a debt collector to collect the full amount of year contract. I need a resolution to stop this company, read reviews on line and I 'm not the only victim of this company.
|
11/21/2017 |
No |
- Debt collection
- I do not know
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Web |
|
On XXXX.2017 Interstate Recovery Service contacted me about an alleged outstanding debt I had incurred from some sort of transaction that they can not provide me verification for. Something about magazine subscriptions. After contacting them and requesting any and all information pertaining to this alleged debt, they informed me that there was none. No receipts, no judgement, nothing. They could n't even tell me when this alleged transaction took place. I informed them I would not be paying the alleged outstanding balance of {$540.00}, and would report them to the FTC. They still would not provide me with any information at all. I looked up the company on the Better Business Bureau website and the very fist complaint was about something similar, magazines never received and on that case, accounts still requesting money after being closed. All correspondence with this company has a different address and a different phone number than the information given on the BBB website.
|
03/07/2016 |
Yes |
- Debt collection
- Credit card
|
- Communication tactics
- Called outside of 8am-9pm
|
|
Web |
Older American |
I am writing on the advice of XXXX XXXX, XXXX State Attorney General. I was contacted by XXXX XXXX XXXX.. XX/XX/XXXX. They collected money on my credit card for magazines for 3-4 months. They called me as well as me calling them to cancel the subscriptions but said it was too late. I canceled my credit card so they could not withdraw anymore money. Now XX/XX/XXXX I have received a total of XXXX letters from Interstate Recovery Services at XXXX. XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX stating that they are trying to recover XXXX debts for the amounts of {$39.00} and {$590.00}. I also paid Subscribers Services a total of {$320.00} for a one year subscription fro XXXX magazines. I do n't know if these XXXX businesses are related.
I have sent my documents to XXXX XXXX and forgot to keep copies for me. She should have them in my file.
|
02/23/2020 |
Yes |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Web |
Servicemember |
I received a letter in the mail from Interstate Recovery Services in XXXX XXXX, VA stating a notice of assignment for a debt " I '' owe of XXXX from a creditor named Publishers. The XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX is the phone number. I do not know of this debt, I researched online and I have seen mention of a magazine company. Yes, I do get magazines that I pay directly to the publisher company. But this is the first time I heard of this letter. I never ordered anything from XXXX - who is that anyway. I thought of XXXX XXXX XXXX but I have never ordered anything from them. This is fraud and using the mail to conduct such fraudulent activities is illegal, as you know. I will have my attorney write them a letter to cease contacting me or prove proof of the debt with my signature. I am not paying this.
|
02/10/2017 |
Yes |
- Debt collection
- Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
|
- False statements or representation
- Attempted to collect wrong amount
|
|
Web |
|
Interstate Recovery Services is pressuring me to pay a debt they claim I owe ( {$890.00} ). Deceptive marketing, fraud and harassment tactics are used in attempt to collect payment for so called magazine subscription contract from All American Readers ( ARR ) that they say I owe. I was contacted by XXXX saying that they would send me a free {$250.00} gift card with the purchase of XXXX magazines. I rec 'd the magazines but not the gift card, then began being charged $ XXXX on my debit card. I tried cancelling but could not. My bank reimbursed me and cancelled my card. Now I receive constant calls and letters threatening legal action if I do n't pay. And have been turned over to Interstate Recovery Services for collection of so called debt.
|
09/08/2016 |
Yes |
- Debt collection
- Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
|
- Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
- Debt is not mine
|
|
Web |
|
It 's from a company called XXXX that says I owe them for magazines that I did not order.
In 2006 XXXX XXXX called saying I owed them for a magazine subscription that I did not order and I told them that and they sent the magazings anyway and I sent them back. They left me alone for ten years now a collection agentcy is trying to collect it. I tryed to explain to them I did not order the magazines and I 'm XXXX an draw a small check every month and can not afford to pay it. I keep telling them that I did't order from them. Interstate Recovery Service calls day and night 5 to 6 times a day. Please help. XXXX XXXX XXXX
|
12/10/2018 |
No |
- Credit card or prepaid card
- General-purpose credit card or charge card
|
- Problem with a purchase shown on your statement
- Card was charged for something you did not purchase with the card
|
|
Web |
Older American |
XXXX XXXX was charged {$490.00} XX/XX/2018 for unpaid magazine subscription she was billed {$1900.00} for unpaid magazines she gave her credit card to Interstate Recovery Service XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, VA XXXX phone XXXX XXXX XXXX.
When XXXX contacted the magazine distributors there was no outstanding charges in the amount stated by Interstate recovery. We believe that a fraud has occuredsince interstate recovery has not sent backup information supporting there charges.
|
03/01/2019 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Web |
Servicemember |
Received a notification by mail from Interstate Recovery Service saying a debt has been assigned for magazines for {$940.00}. I do not owe this money. I sent a certified letter requesting proof of debt within 30 days of notice.. I did receive the return receipt. I also received another form letter identical to the first. No proof of debt mailed. I see online this is a scam company. Id like a complaint filed. I never have owed money to a company called XXXX XXXX.
|
09/14/2018 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- False statements or representation
- Attempted to collect wrong amount
|
|
Web |
Older American |
We received a letter dated XX/XX/2018 from Interstate Recovery Service, NC. They claimed that they were trying to collect a debt for a company called XXXX 'XXXX XXXX in the amount of {$1400.00}. We have never ordered magazines from this company and we certainly would not have ordered {$1400.00} worth. We looked up Interstate on-line and the comments was that this is a fraudulent company. We would like you to investigate them.
|
07/07/2020 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
- Threatened to sue you for very old debt
|
|
Web |
|
I keep getting calls from interstate recovery collections threatening me that they have a recording of me ordering over {$1000.00} worth of magazines. I do mot think this is accurate. I dont read magazines and they call constantly from different numbers threatening to send this recoding somewhere although they don't say where when i ask. Then they get nasty and hang up on me. I'm sick of this.
|
01/02/2020 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Web |
Older American |
|
06/11/2019 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Phone |
|
|
05/07/2019 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Referral |
|
|
03/22/2019 |
No |
- Debt collection
- I do not know
|
- Communication tactics
- Frequent or repeated calls
|
|
Postal mail |
Older American |
|
11/29/2018 |
No |
- Checking or savings account
- Checking account
|
- Managing an account
- Deposits and withdrawals
|
|
Phone |
Older American |
|
09/24/2018 |
No |
- Debt collection
- I do not know
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Web |
|
|
09/17/2018 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Communication tactics
- Frequent or repeated calls
|
|
Phone |
Servicemember |
|
09/17/2018 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Web |
Older American |
|
09/17/2018 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Phone |
Servicemember |
|
09/14/2018 |
No |
- Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
- Mobile or digital wallet
|
- Unauthorized transactions or other transaction problem
|
|
Phone |
|
|
06/05/2018 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Referral |
|
|
03/21/2018 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Referral |
|
|
01/10/2018 |
No |
- Checking or savings account
- Other banking product or service
|
- Managing an account
- Deposits and withdrawals
|
|
Referral |
|
|
12/20/2017 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Written notification about debt
- Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
|
|
Postal mail |
|
|
11/17/2017 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Phone |
|
|
11/16/2017 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
- Debt is not yours
|
|
Web |
Servicemember |
|
10/03/2017 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Communication tactics
- You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying
|
|
Referral |
|
|
09/21/2017 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other debt
|
- Written notification about debt
- Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
|
|
Postal mail |
|
|
03/28/2017 |
Yes |
- Debt collection
- Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
|
- Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
- Debt is not mine
|
|
Phone |
Older American |
|
03/11/2017 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
|
- Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
- Debt is not mine
|
|
Web |
|
|
01/20/2017 |
Yes |
- Debt collection
- Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
|
- Disclosure verification of debt
- Not given enough info to verify debt
|
|
Phone |
Older American |
|
12/07/2016 |
Yes |
- Debt collection
- I do not know
|
- Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
- Debt is not mine
|
|
Phone |
Servicemember |
|
12/07/2016 |
Yes |
- Debt collection
- Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
|
- Communication tactics
- Frequent or repeated calls
|
|
Referral |
|
|
09/10/2015 |
Yes |
- Debt collection
- Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
|
- Communication tactics
- Threatened to take legal action
|
|
Phone |
|
|
08/10/2015 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
|
- False statements or representation
- Attempted to collect wrong amount
|
|
Web |
|
|
03/10/2015 |
Yes |
|
|
|
Web |
|
|
12/01/2014 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Payday loan
|
- False statements or representation
- Attempted to collect wrong amount
|
|
Web |
|
|
10/08/2014 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
|
- Communication tactics
- Called after sent written cease of comm
|
|
Web |
|
|
08/31/2014 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
|
- Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
- Debt was paid
|
|
Web |
Servicemember |
|
05/13/2014 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
|
- Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
- Debt was paid
|
|
Referral |
|
|
02/03/2014 |
No |
- Debt collection
- Credit card
|
- Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
- Debt resulted from identity theft
|
|
Web |
|
|