BBB issues door-to-door magazine scam warning
TheBetter Business Bureau is warning everyone of reoccurringdoor-to-doormagazinescamdfrom the company Midwest Circulation.
The BBB has received more than 160 complaints about the company.
For years people have been going door to door trying to convince people to write checks to buy books and magazines.
In the BBB businessrating,Midwest Circulation received an “F” because of complaints from customers and not delivering what they promise.
Lauren Keller was living in Columbia when she heard aknockon her door a coupleofweeks ago.
Two girls began to ask her odd questions about herself and herjob.
“They went on with this for a bit then told me to pick out a book to send to a children’s hospital. Then they made it sound like I needed topicksomething out for them to send,” Kellner said.
Mike Odneal from the BBB says this is a clue to a scam.
“If they are pulling on emotions and give you a sob story, take a second look and think about that a little further,” Odneal said.
Kellercontinued to listen and ended up writing a check for the books.
After doing research days later she sent in a refund form.
But the money waswithdrawnfrom her account within the week.
Lauren called Midwest Circulation. Their response was short on the phone and in email.
On the company website itsaidit can take up to 120 days to receive the books and they hire individual contractors. They don’t train them or makethem stickto a certain selling tactic.
The BBBsaidit is important to remember this information especially this time of year.
“As the weather gets better there is going to be more and moredoor-to-door salespeopleout and about.Peoplemeed to remember if you have a person come to the door there is no obligation to come to the door much less let themin,” Odneal said.
