Highlights for Children [HFC] review: Billed for magazines that I did not order 4

I got a similar bill for items I never ordered or received. It was from Hidden Pictures Playground at Des Moines, IA though. The bill listed the website www.highlights.com, which however points to a company with the same name but different address (real address instead of PO box) and customer service number (1 800 number instead of 1 515 number).

I went through the same thing last school year; magazine showed up as being "ordered on behalf" of my granddaughter ( I'm raising both of my youngest grandchildren). I sent it back, got bills, sent back another that showed up, fought with customer service through the mail, etc... for WEEKS on end. I got nowhere with them. I finally had enough, and had spent more of my money on postage than if I had just paid the bill, so I forwarded all the correspondance (copies) to the State of Michigan Attornies General Office and explained to them what was going on. I had gone through a similar ordeal before with an insurance company. I was surprised how seriously the AG's office takes situations like this; Ihad a reply from them in less than a week that they were investigating, and received copies of their request to Highlights for documentation of my ordering their magazine, etc... Highlights backed off immediately, sent me (and the AG) a letter apologizing for their "mistake", and a copy of a corrected invoice for $0.00. Amazing how fast they can fix something when the big guys step in and inform them they are potentially performing mail fraud.
Now for the best part. Starting a couple months ago (October 2012 or so), they're at it again. A new issue shows up, with the same story as last year! Someone has ordered Highlights "on behalf of XXXXX" again! The same child as last year, not even the one that just started school, as was the case last year. I can't believe it. I sent it back, along with a letter that my patience won't last as long as it did last year, and reminded them about the AG being involved. It did no good, I started getting the bills last week. I tried the e-mail on the last letter they sent me; all the e-mail addresses are NO GOOD. To e-mail, all you can do is go to their website and go to the "contact us", and start typing in the box. Who knows where it really goes (India?). Their correspondence comes from multiple addresses, mostly P.O. boxes. What a scam! Today was their last warning. Next letter or bill, I'll have to write the AG again. I, like the others, refuse to pay for something I didn't order. Yes, I'll spend a fortune and a lot of time to uphold this principle.
Michael Sagash Caro, Michigan

Just an update to my (2nd) adventure with Highlights. After I sent them the letter on 12/22/12 and reminded them about the first episode and the involvement of the AG's office, they were quick to reply. Received a postcard on 12/29/12 saying that "per my request, my GIFT subscription to Highlights had been cancelled." (I don't call it a GIFT when I'm expected to pay for it!) They also informed me that I may disregard any future bills from them. You can bet I'm saving the postcard for the inevitable "bill gets sent to a credit bureau" that I'd almost bet will follow. They also told me that I "may reinstate this free subscription simply by e-mailing XXXXX". Also, they hope that I will consider giving Highlights subscriptions as GIFTS to others in the future! Why? So they can cause my friends and loved ones the same grief they have caused me, by accompanying the gift with a bill?

The company is complicit in deceptive marketing in an effort to collect money from unknowing people. They are counting on you to just pay them off due to fear of collection, and you not fighting for them to prove you owe them. Fact is that they have to prove you subscribed to their "club". The card to my knowledge is predilection with your information, you put sticker on it and send it back. I say you, but really anyone in the world could do this and they would try to put you on the hook.

Here's what you do: call them and politely tell them you dispute this and you have never signed up nor received heir product.

If they persist, then move to a more aggressive arguemenf, force them to prove you physically signed up for it and physically received their product. They won't be able to, and this is where their defenses should fall and release you from their debt collection.

If they are still persistent, this is what you do, you do all of above, then write them a letter stating the same but also include your invoking your rights under the fair credit act. They then have to actually do research into whether you actually applied for and received the product. Now, here is where economics come into play, they are attempting to collect $40 worth, they pay collection agency fee for bulk collection, any collection efforts above their first line, requires additional fees to them, and enters into a diminishing profit spiral for everyone.

If they still persist take them to small claims court, they won't show up. You'll receive summary judgement because 9/10 times they won't want to pay additional money to defend their credit claim against you (especially if you live in state out of their hqs location). Then you can start collecting on them. And they will end up paying greatly more than the measly $40 they attempted to collect from the beginning. They will in effect LOSE money over trying to take money from you. Stupid deceptive business model, they deserve it.