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Playboy Enterprises review: subscriptions to minors 70

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Author of the review
12:00 am EDT
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This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

My son started receiving bills in his college dorm this past spring (2006) for a Playboy magazine subscription that he never ordered. He ignored the bills and now he has received the same nasty collection notice from Charles Martin that others here have mentioned. Charles is only asking for $10 for the subscription, so I guess his $17 and $12 scam solicitations aren't working for him. I don't recall
the exact P.O. box, but it is definitely in a city in Iowa other than Des Moines, so he's moving around, too. Let's hope he leaves the country and goes into another line of business before more innocent young people give up $10 in fear of having their credit damaged.

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70 comments
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nickwan
, US
Jul 18, 2011 8:21 pm EDT

I just received a solicitation concerning the Playboy Magazine. "You've been selected to enjoy PLAYBOY for just $1 an issue, ou absolute lowest price! And gat a FREE DVD!" A woman on the front without any underwear on and private areas barely hidden. Breasts hanging down in several pictures.

This was totally unsolicited, I do not go to sites like that on my computer, I am supposing that my name was sold. I work for a county's children services. I do not like this FILTH in my life. That aside, I have an 11 year old granddaughter, and a 14 year old grandson that live with me. This is the 2nd time I have received this type of solicitation from Playboy. My grandson has those "raging hormones" kicking in. Clothes catalogs (bras), get the picture? I intercepted the first solicitation, however, my granddaughter got to the mail before I did and of course she couldn't wait to tell her brother. Luckily I intercepted it before he got his eyes on it. I WANT THIS MAIL STOPPED FROM COMING TO MY HOUSE IMMEDIATELY.

What can I do to make sure that this happens. It looks like it is happening to a lot of people that are not pleased about it.

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amber robles
,
Jul 05, 2007 12:00 am EDT

I received a letter in the mail from a charles martin, collections manager, stating i owed 15.96 and i had to reply back in 7 days or i would be sent to collections. I never sent for a subscription to playboy and to my knowledge in order for a account to be sent to collections they send you a notice in the mail or a auto dialer calls you and tells you of your late payment. In my line of work anytime a collection notice is going to be placed in effect there is always a call back number to where you can dispute the charges.

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tammy matthews
,
Jun 14, 2007 12:00 am EDT

I am LIVID! My 15 year old son received a postcard solicitation in the mails with an offer for Playboy Magazine. The postcard had a 3/4 naked woman on it! Can I file legal action... anyone?

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Andrea M
,
Sep 16, 2006 12:00 am EDT

I received another Charles Martin Playboy billing scam from Harlan IA... I sent a return letter in the envelope, with HIS address as a return address (when the post office sends the letter back to the sender for no postage, it'll go to ole Charlie for postage due... that's my thinking anyways). What can be done about ###s like this? What about the people who get a threatening letter like this and PAY it because they don't want to go to collections? (Even though they never ordered the magazine in the first place).

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Marco A Perez
,
May 15, 2008 4:12 pm EDT

I have never subcribed to play magazine and I habe been billed for, i am not liable for it, I believe it is a fruadulent matter

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hma
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Apr 25, 2008 5:25 pm EDT

here is phone number for playboy billing center magazine [protected]. if anybody never order playboy & receive bill from playboy under {charles martin } call playboy number .tell them what's going on ...do not send money .

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James Evans
,
Jan 10, 2008 12:00 am EST

Solicitation was sent to my son as a student discount (12 issues for $10.00). Zip code doesn't match the address. No contact information or phone number to remove your name from their mailing list.

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Terri McCready
Cape Coral, US
Jan 05, 2010 8:59 am EST

Did not get playboy mag. 3 different months this year. Last time was Dec. issue

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rickymorris32
leola, US
Sep 24, 2009 2:00 pm EDT

i recieved a playboy in mail that i did not order i dont want no more playboy deliveries

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Barney Bonets
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Sep 02, 2008 12:26 pm EDT

I never ordered Playboy, yet was told (2nd notice) that I owe $15.96.

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Jen1980
Springdale, US
Jul 21, 2014 4:47 pm EDT

Who do I contact to get my name and address removed and stop receiving these. And not be billed for a magazine I never ordered?

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Joseph Brandt
Hazelwood, US
Jun 28, 2014 1:06 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I DID NOT subscribed to Playboy.

Here is the info on the mail cover

#BXBDBMR**CR-LOT 0087A**C-048
#PLY0107138786/4
MAY 15 02020 P0148 0240
JODY BRANDT 0009
7578 ENGLISHE COACH LN P00148
HAZELWOOD MO [protected]
104

PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANYMORE. TAKE MY NAME AND ADDRESS OFF OF YOUR LIST PLEASE

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Patrick M Ludwick
,
Jan 11, 2008 12:00 am EST

I just received a solicitation concerning the Playboy Magazine. "You've been selected to enjoy PLAYBOY for just $1 an issue, ou absolute lowest price! And gat a FREE DVD!" A woman on the front without any underwear on and private areas barely hidden. Breasts hanging down in several pictures.

This was totally unsolicited, I do not go to sites like that on my computer, I am supposing that my name was sold. I work for a county's children services. I do not like this FILTH in my life. That aside, I have an 11 year old granddaughter, and a 14 year old grandson that live with me. This is the 2nd time I have received this type of solicitation from Playboy. My grandson has those "raging hormones" kicking in. Clothes catalogs (bras), get the picture? I intercepted the first solicitation, however, my granddaughter got to the mail before I did and of course she couldn't wait to tell her brother. Luckily I intercepted it before he got his eyes on it. I WANT THIS MAIL STOPPED FROM COMING TO MY HOUSE IMMEDIATELY.

What can I do to make sure that this happens. It looks like it is happening to a lot of people that are not pleased about it.

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Rick33
Washington, US
Oct 19, 2013 4:45 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I just received a playboy magazine, which I NEVER ordered, at my employers address. This caused a sticky situation since I am a member of the senior executive team where my character is a primary factor. Our internet team completed a query and was able to determine that I never ordered the magazines and they are being sent back via certified mail to avoid any payments or to stop any collection actions that could damage my perfect credit. These worthless people involved in these scams should spend time to get an education, and real career, and a sense of morals. Nothing is free in this world and it will catch up with you sooner or later! Hopefully with a bullet to the small brains that you have rattling around in those empty heads.

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Mary Fieramusca
Houston, US
Aug 19, 2013 3:49 pm EDT

This is not a complaint. My husband subscribed to your magazine years ago, which I didn't mind. His subscription ran out and he never renewed it.You guys kept sending the magazines anyway. My husband passed away last year and I am still getting the magazines you can stop sending them .Do not send any more.

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Lowell V. Thomas, Jr.
, US
Aug 09, 2013 2:42 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

You nether holes offered me a FIFTEEN Damn DOLLARS ($15.00) subscription rate, and THEN sent an invoice for $19.95 (nineteen ninety five) BUCKS...? PLEASE ! Goober heads might buy it, but not me ! LOL

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J1965dog
Staten Island, US
Jun 22, 2013 3:01 pm EDT

I also was sent 2 copies from PEI (ISSN [protected]) P.O. Box 3479 BOONE IA 50037 please do not send anymore

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Pixie chic
West Portsmouth, US
Jan 11, 2013 10:15 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Well I got two of them today. Different names but close to my husbands name. they were made up names. (like Rod Januay or Arch Swindle). My guess is that one of his buddy's thought they would be funny and send them. Can you send subscriptions cards to people?

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Don61208
, US
May 20, 2012 6:59 am EDT

I have been a subscriber for about 40 yrs., and one of my favorite pagers were Grapevine. What HAPPENED?

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r johnso
Tucson, US
Apr 22, 2012 2:55 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hope with the address can track who scammed this.

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r johnso
Tucson, US
Apr 22, 2012 2:54 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I just got a bill also and no phone number to contact or address. Now I got the mag in the mail. it is an address from PEI (ISSN [protected]) PO Bx 37489 Boone, IA 50036. Never ordered and don't want the mag. Like to fin the little magot that sent this...Will call Playboy and get it removed.

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JKDE
, US
Jul 18, 2011 10:32 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

That's a good price.

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Billy O'Connell
Savannah, US
Oct 13, 2010 9:24 am EDT

I have written Playboy, and tried to call Playboy, but nothing seem to help. I keep receiving past due bills. I have been a subscriber to Playboy since 1980 and never had a problem until about 2 years ago. Some how Playboy started a second subscription to me. I notified the company and one magazine stopped being sent. This year I renewed my subscription, even received the bonus, "Nude Housewives Uncensored and Girlfriends Exposed", and now I am sent more 'invoices". I even wrote on one of the 'invoices', that I had previously paid. I still receive 'invoices', from Playboy, threatening to stop the subscription. Well, "Please let this correspondence 'Act as my request', " to discontinue my subscription to Playboy Magazine. You not only have lost a customer, but you have gained a critic to your handing of your subscription services. Sincerely, Malcolm O'Connell

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chisum
Dunca, US
Aug 29, 2010 3:20 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Who do I turn this information over to? The authorities? Something has to be done about this. It's embarrassing getting playboy mail at my home. I know my mailman!

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Attorney Harvey Rephen
New York, US
Apr 03, 2010 5:32 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi, I'm a consumer advocate in NYC. I have settled several cases with Sunrise under the FDCPA. If you would like free advice or representation feel free to contact me.
Regards,
Attorney Harvey Rephen,
212.796.0930
consumeradvocatenyc@gmail.com

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Dreamer91
, US
Oct 11, 2009 4:24 pm EDT

Hello I have also been mailed about something that i never ordered. The letter's first came when (i was 17 year's old not old enough to even have that) my dad [censor]ed at me saying that you don't pay for women. well the first one said that i owned 16.75 and then i ignored it and got a bunch of them then i got one from "sunrise Credit Services Inc." saying to pay them or they will mess up my credit funny because i don't even have credit yet or an account then a month later (today) i got another one saying that i ow them $27.00 So i called and supposedly it was cancelled will see what Charles has in store for us in the near future.

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lavgrl
Las Vegas, US
Jul 30, 2009 8:32 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

[protected] is for subscriber services (option 5 for magazine subscription customer service.) They sent me a letter saying that I had almost a month to cancel but already charged my credit card for renewal! Now I have to wait a month for my credit card to be credited back. Thank god that card wasn't maxed out! The new Playboy management is horrible and the tricks they are pulling are way out of line. I can't forget to mention that the new Playboy website does not have any phone numbers listed on it. I had to get the customer service number off of my credit card bill! Also, the one link they do have that says "unsubscribe" actually brings you to another one of their websites to buy something else. I'm pretty sure that is illegal. Please pass on the word to not subscribe to this magazine. Plus, the magazine isn't even good anymore now that Hef is no longer part of it!

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jab3112000
Albion, US
Jan 17, 2009 2:38 pm EST

Same thing here. 16 year old son received a sub card from Playboy. He is not accessing porn sites on the internet and is actually pretty non-porn for a male teen. The only "new" subscription he has is a POPULAR MECHANICS subscription he got for free using his COKE Points. I am thinking that Pop Mech shared or sold his address to Playboy.
Absolutely unacceptable for the 2 magazine companies...but my husband and I had fun teasing him about it.
It is ridiculous that we have to take time from our day to ask them to stop sending us this crap. Can they get in trouble for sending porn to a minor?

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Robert Brink
Palm Springs, US
Dec 09, 2008 3:37 pm EST

I am one of those who, without ordering, received several issues of Playboy, then received a bill, which I ignored. Finally, Playboy sent a letter saying the matter had been turned over to a Charles Martin for collection. I Googled, found the above comments, and called the 800 number that I found on one of them. The person who answered said my name would be removed from the list and if I received any more such notices, I should ignore them. But this tactic of Playboy is surely illegal, and I plan to file a complaint with the United States Postal Service, as should others who have been victimized by Playboy in this way.

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Paige Boutwell
,
Oct 23, 2008 8:29 am EDT

The same thing happened to my 11 year old step son who lives with us. He does not have Internet access except at the public library occasionally. However, I suspect that when he visits his grandmother for overnight visits there is no Internet supervision, in spite of our continual pleas. I called the number given on one of the above posts/responses and the CSR was very helpful. His name was removed from all mailing lists and she put in a request to research how /where his name was purchased. This is just another reason to validate the importance of the parent's need for total supervision over the children on the internet. Even download-able children's games link you with sweepstakes entries, coupons, trivia questions, question & answer sessions that all lead to mailing lists of some sort.

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Don Little
,
Oct 08, 2008 6:17 pm EDT

I also recieved a notice from a collection agency for a dept to Playboy for $15.97. I never ordered Playboy, I don't want Playboy. Is there some-thing you could do to clear this-up?
I don't have anything against your mag. I just don't want to pay for some-thing I never ordered. Thank you, D. Little

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JS
,
Oct 06, 2008 4:57 pm EDT

I have also received multiple invoices from Charles Martin regarding a non-existent subscription. I contacted my state attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission through their consumer protection websites. This is definitely a scam.

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andrew
,
Oct 04, 2008 1:12 pm EDT

If you call [protected]) wait less then 3 min on hold tell the person on the other end that you never subscribed and will never subscribe then they will cancel the order and all is fixed.

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Alice Peters
Fairmont, US
Aug 25, 2008 7:15 am EDT

I ordered two (2) gift subscriptions to Playboy (renewals) and received only ONE (1) gift enclosure card.
I must have two (2). Please send another. Thank you.

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Centsableone
,
Jul 06, 2008 6:33 am EDT

I got a subscription sent to my address and I called the [protected] number and they took care of it for me. Good thing I found this webpage with the useful information.

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Mary
,
Jun 21, 2008 5:17 am EDT

Isn't it funny that it's only men on here that think it's ok!

They have heads but the only thing covered is their nipples. You can see the rest of the breasts... that is where the 3/4 naked comes in.

I also recieved the same card for my 14 year old son. What really has me fuming is that he got one last year too, I returned that one to playboy with a letter telling them that he is a minor. But they obviously didn't care and sent another one! I agree that it is most likely that they got his name from buying subscription lists, he has subscribed to some hunting magazines.

Yes, I know that eventually he will get his hands on a girly magazine and he'll be a normal teenage boy... BUT it won't be coming through my mail, into my house AND it won't be because ### bought his name and solicited him right under my nose! I don't care how mild the magazine is, what kind of sick pervert would sit back and let their young teenager look at and say that it's normal?

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FM
,
Jun 20, 2008 12:54 pm EDT

My family keeps being sent letters but we have not opened them as the person to whom they are addressed does not exist at our household. We have repeated written return to sender, no such person, cease and desist, on the exterior of these mailings, returned them to the mailbox and the postal carrier has taken them away. Yet we still continue to receive mailings and keep doing the same thing. So, we had emailed (made thisw email acct to do so rather than utilizing our regular email accts) to their customer service (plycustserv@cdsfulfillment.com); we did not include our name but the fact that of the above written including the 'name' they were sending to and address and stated that we do NOT want even to be emailed back to, thus to cease and desist in all formats. I am sending a copy of that email to the State Attorney General and also to our attorney (in case such need should arise). After all it is an invasion to our privacy on many levels. And i do not wish to call the numbers they list as it is not our desire to begin receiving any sort of telephone spams/marketers.

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Malcolm Rainey
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Jun 14, 2008 4:19 am EDT

I have a complaint about a gift subscription that I ordered for two years in a row in 2006 and 2007 to be received starting in Jan. of 2007 and 2008. Only 3 issues were in 2007 and none in so far in 2008 and now I am receiving a request that I order another Gift for the same person. I need to know where I would go to find out why they were never received. Please let me know so that I can check into this.

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eric
,
Jun 11, 2008 7:07 pm EDT

Here was my experience with unordered Playboy subscription.

I got 2 letters from a R. Duncan and one from Charles Martin, with no contact phone number and fishy wording.

Basically the letters said that I had not fulfilled my part of the agreement, and they were going to do something about it. The letter did not threaten collections, did not have a contact number, and did not look legit to me.

I got online, because I was damn certain I did not order this magazine. I put in Charles Martin and sure enough, this complaint site hits the top. If you sort through all the complaints to find out the legitimacy of this subscription, you will find a poster that says to call [protected].

Google this number, and it is not affiliated with Playboy, its website, or its merchandise. There's hardly 2 pages of results with the term: Playboy+[protected]

Of course, I call it anyways. The first time I got Kelsey. She did not introduce herself from Playboy, did not affiliate herself with Playboy and did not say the word in our conversation. She assured me that I had filled out a magazine card and sent it in Jan. 11, 2008, from a previous address, which I moved out of Nov. 31st, 2007 (I did not tell her this little piece of info). I told her that I was suspicious of this invoice and found it even odder that there was no phone number on it. She assured me that she had the original card and all I had to do was write her, explaining the situation, with my signature, and I could get a copy of the original. She was quick with me and gave me an address of PLAYBOY, PO Box 2007, Harlan, IA 51593. She did not end the call with any affiliation with Playboy.

I went back to the webs, because my gut was still telling me this is bs. Oh, and I moved Nov. 31st 2007, so there is no possible way I sent it from my previous address.

I went to Playboy.com to try and find a contact number to call their customer service, and nothing, nowhere. I found the -write to us- button, on the bottom of the page and I was directed to: http://www.playboy.com/help/email.html

In the first box, click -customer service Playboy.com- and you will be directed to:

https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/PY/PLY/PLY_ComboEntryForm.jsp?cds_page_id=1747&cds_mag_code=PLY&id=1213234422349&lsid=81632033423054589&vid=1

Ok, this is where it gets very interesting. All it asks to log in to your account is your account number off the magazine. Enter only 10 numbers after PLY, on your invoice...

...and voila, your information!

Want to see something scary? I am a pretty curious person so I looked up this http...anything with the prefix of
https://w1.buysub.com

and I found a Men's Journal one at:

https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/WM/MJL/login.jsp?cds_page_id=28631&cds_mag_code=MJL&id=[protected]&lsid=[protected]&vid=3

I put my account number from my Playboy magazine into the Men's Journal one
...and voila, some dudes information!

To top it all off, I could change his address and renew his subscription...with a button that says BILL ME LATER!

This is a horrible breach of security and privacy. I think you all can imagine how to get your hands on some magazine accounts.

SO, I call back [protected] but this time I do not put my account information through the telephone and just wait to talk to an operator. This time I get Stephanie, who also does not say "Playboy" once throughout our conversation. She asked for an account number and a name, and came back to tell me that this has been canceled. I told her it was mighty odd that someone had sent in the card from a residence I had not lived at for almost 2 months, and then to find out it just miraculously canceled. She was very short with me and thanked me and hung up, never saying thank you or sorry or any affiliation with Playboy.

I dearly hope Charles Martin comes after me again. I can't wait until he threatens me with collections or leaves a number to contact him at. I could care less what he does to me. Come on Chuck! Bring it on you lying, cheating POS!

Here are the addresses:

R. Duncan (2 letters; one starting, "When you ordered...", and a second one starting, "Because your account is seriously past due, ...)
PLAYBOY
P.O. Box 2007
Harlan, IA [protected]

Charles Martin (1 letter, much more threatening, probably 3rd notice or something starting off "Your account has been turned over to me because...")
PLAYBOY
P.O. Box 10915
Des Moines, IA [protected]

I really hope Chucky sends me another letter...might just have to go visit Iowa. But I think the real problem is with the buysub web sites.

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Bob the Tech.
,
Jun 08, 2008 5:38 pm EDT

Wow... relax... I have not seen playboy since i was a kid but I belive it is very mild.

So throw the card away, tell the kid that seeing a naked woman will send him directly to Hell and be done with it... should make him as uptight as his dad.

PS: 3/4 naked woman? what, she has no head?