Menu
Reader's Digest / Trusted Media Brands

Reader's Digest / Trusted Media Brands review: stolen money 209

L
Author of the review
11:58 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

We decided not renew our subscription to Readers Digest and told them so. Of course they ignored this request and charged our credit card $32.98. When we complained about this they returned $21.98 to the credit card keeping $10.99 we complained about this oversight they ignored us again. They haven't returned any emails or money.What right do these crooks have to steal from us? I know this isn't much money, but why should we give it away to a rich company for nothing? We sure don't owe them this money!

209 comments
S
S
stanley glasgow
,
Sep 11, 2008 12:30 pm EDT

I received book---blue heaven--0n 07-15-08. I wrote RETURN TO SENDER ON PACKEG. and mailed back at post office. I keep getting past due notices. I DO NOT WANT ANY MORE BOOKS.PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS CLEARED.

B
B
Barb Claycomb
Vincennes, US
Dec 06, 2010 3:43 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We keep receiving bills for payment on the above referenced. According to last billing it was 11-22-10 account # [protected] billing made to Mr. Wm. D. Claycomb P. O. Box 324 Vincennes, In 45791.

On 8-12-10 sent Prestige Auto Check # 15779 for $9.98 for a year subscription and check has cleared our bank. It was sent to Readers Digest P. O. Box 7852 Red Oak, . Iowa.

Please check the above and advise.

Thank You Barb Claycomb

C
C
Carol M.
Sydney, CA
Feb 19, 2008 12:14 pm EST

I received a card in the mail for a chance to win a 2008 Lexus. I was given an access code to enter this contest before March 19, 2008 and when I attempt to enter this contest, nothing happens. There is no site for this entry. Is this a true contest or not? I also received another one earlier that I was not able to access. Please e.mail me and indicate what is up on this, I would appreciate it. I sure would like the chance to win a car as I do not have one. Always trying though. Thank you, Carol.

L
L
linmac16
Chelmsford, CA
Nov 16, 2012 9:53 am EST

I, as so many others who were sent a notice for a web site for readers digest contest are not able to locate site. Readers Digest has been known for it's many contests if they are all a scam such as this one, maybe we all need to decide if we really want to be a subscriber to this publication.

C
C
cornelius g
huntington, US
Jun 25, 2012 1:23 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

i was sent two free gifts and now you say i own $30.71 do you want the two free gifts back! they are still in there box!

H
H
hector a giannetti
Anaheim, US
Mar 26, 2012 11:49 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

IMy wife received a package from Readers Digest with a FREE word on it, no indications of any bill .We received the next week a bill saying we should pay $31.22 for what we recived, (The bill doesn not indicate for what item, just a bunch of letters and numbers)and that we should pay within two seeks.No number to be called.If we received any other letter from them, we will contact the better business bureau.

V
V
vietnam veteran
Indianapolis, US
Sep 06, 2011 7:30 pm EDT

received "free" book with gift, received another book, later came a bill. Never odered anything, spoke to a young lady at [protected] got it removed an hopefully no more books. Vietnam Veteran

D
D
dakota 1
Bloxom, US
Jul 07, 2011 1:59 pm EDT

This Company continuesly sends me bills for books, that i never received. I have been ignoring them but now they are threatening me about putting on my credit report.I want to know is there anything that can be done about this crazinest. Innocent peoplle shouldn't have to deal with such nonsense.They tell me if i pay by check i'm giving them permisssion to do a one time electronic transfer from my account.

M
M
Marilyn Yeast
Edinboro, US
Jun 28, 2011 6:53 pm EDT

Never ordered anything from them. They sent a mind stretchers via mail to my address. I thought it was free. No biil with book. They said they mailed me a bill which I never got. Then today, I received a bill of 26.47 which they claimed overdue, and if it wasn't paid by July12 it would be sent to the credit bureau. What can I do to correct this problem?

K
K
Kathy Borthwick
Milk River, CA
Jan 24, 2011 4:47 pm EST

I rec'd a card in my Reader's Digest for a chance to win a Nokia Coolpix and they gave the website: readersdigest.ca/nikon with an acess #. I cannot find anything at that website except for a cash contest and MANY advertisements for Nikon Cameras

R
R
Robert Shanken
, US
Jan 14, 2011 2:15 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am receiving late notices for merchandise I did not order and do not want. Once a month I am receiving a cardboard box with a book and a trinket enclosed. I would like readers digest to stop sending, stop billing, because I am not paying!

D
D
DONNA J HLADKY
Tekamah, US
Dec 06, 2010 6:45 pm EST

I recieved a Mind Stretcers book in the mail. I did not order this and I do not want any more books. If I receive another one I will refuse it and have it returned
Please remove my name from your mailing list.

Donna Hladky
622 South 12th Street
Tekamah, NE
68061

B
B
Bee Shore
Cave Creek, US
Nov 24, 2010 1:03 am EST

In October I received "Select Editions" and was billed $30*..
Having lost my husband and in financial distress I requested they cancel.
I called and spoke w/a man who said just return the item and so I did in the original packing along with my letter.

I heard nothing until today when I received a bill for $30.88 past due! Please review your returns and cancel this fill>>
Bee Shore

M
M
Mary Louise Nelson
Windsor, CA
Nov 21, 2010 12:25 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have had 2 different "Fast Cash Giveaway" entries in 2 different mailing from Readers Digest and when I finally am able to access the "safe" and enter correctly the supposed combinations, all I get is "invalid code" and do it again and still the same.
They shouldn't be allowed to send these entries if you don't even have a fighting chance to win something.
Sincerly,
Mary Nelson

J
J
jt65202
, US
May 05, 2010 1:54 pm EDT

Mailed FREE BOOKS, then sends an inv01ce for them, I have not opened free gifts, as this has happened before, How do I stop this kind of scam?

K
K
khumalo
Vancouver, CA
Apr 27, 2010 12:22 am EDT

i am a subsrciber of the readers digest magazine.in their may issue they give this website; www.readersdigest.ca/ipod and an access number to enter a contest to win
an ipod touch 32GB. its a fake. there is no such website.i am angry and disapointed.
I am considering withdrawing my subscription from these shameless fraudsters

H.

J
J
JacD51
, US
Dec 25, 2009 6:36 am EST

Ordered 2 items from catalogue. Received 3 different items. Received letter confirming processing error but assured delivery in time for Christmas.

Customer services were horrendous and totally out of touch. A manager told me nonsense - TWICE. Their 'guarantee' of quality service is a waste of paper.

extremely disappointed.

P
P
PConnally
Aurora, US
Nov 01, 2009 3:33 pm EST

Just received letter and check from Reader's Digest about a win. Seemed fishy so I immediately looked on line and came across this complaint board. So I am glad you all were there to keep me from getting caught up in a scam. I tend to be very naive sometimes. If it sounds to good to be true it probably is. Those of you that have been caught in this scheme-thank you for posting it, it greatly helps people like me.

Thanks.

D
D
Dewey17545
Manheim, US
Oct 23, 2009 11:44 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I received a PAST DUE BILL from Readers Digest for VOL 4-09 SILKS.
I did not order this, & have no idea what this is.

C
C
Carolyn Gordner
Owego, US
Oct 05, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

I got a book from Readers Digest -w- big letters on it FREE and i didnt even order it and today i got a bill for it which i think is very fraudulant. They are getting it back but i feel they owe me the postage to do this. Is their business so bad they have to lie and cheat people to survive? I live on Soc Sec and i dont need this sort of thing. Carolyn Gordner

R
R
Rusha&Gail Chavous
Manchester, US
Sep 11, 2009 11:17 am EDT

We did not order the book Silks vol4 received it without a bill thought it was a free item, now we got a bill saying it is going to credit whats up this this. Please take us off any mailing lists .we want nothing to do with this type of shoddy practices, if you want we will send the book back since we didn't want it to begin with. GAIL&Rusha Chavous

C
C
cmj
, US
Jun 01, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

My elderly father keeps getting calls from what shows on the caller ID as "US READER" My father who has alzheimers gave them bank information and the company took all the money out of his account. $1, 290.00...If there would have been more money they would have taken more.

BEWARE. I will be filling more complaints after I get more information. Just wanted everyone to get a heads up.

M
M
Michael Garland
Schenectady, US
Mar 08, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

For the 2nd time this year, Readers Digest without my knowledge/request and or approval, has sent another "FREE GIFT" to my address through US Mail. This is always followed with a $49 bill for the "FREE GIFT" within 2-3 weeks. BEWARE OF THIS SCAM ! Has this one time reputible company sunk so low that it must attempt to scam the general public for some cash flow?

R
R
Ray Goucher
Galena, US
Feb 09, 2009 6:29 pm EST

I have been getting Readers Digest Products for years. I'm now 70 years old. Every so often, I get a card from Readers Digest telling me to go to www.rd.com/surprise that a free gift is waiting for me(preferred subscriber Surprise gift offer) . Never happens...could never get to that web site. I think something should be done about this.
Thank you!
Ray Goucher
202 Blackhawk Dr.
Galena, Il 61036

G
G
Gavin McCulloch
Elmira, CA
Jan 20, 2009 1:49 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Readers Digest advertises that going to the website shown gives you a chance to win one of three GPS devices, just by entering the access code supplied to register. There is no such website and this is the second time I've encountered this problem. Readers digest is usually a well respected magazine but if they keep using this type of bogus approach to their customers their credibilty will soon be gone.

T
T
tim
Edmonton, CA
Jan 16, 2009 5:23 pm EST

ive been a long time customer of readers digest, and have ordered many items through them, and enter the sweepstakes frequently. a couple of times i have been sent a chance to win something online by entering a code, however when i try to go to the site that is specified, it cannot be found. this time it was to win a free GPS. there is no such site. they said to enter online at "www.rd.ca/gps". as usual it does not work...

J
J
Judy Sabourin
Fort Simpson, NT, CA
Jan 05, 2009 7:14 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I tried to enter contest code numbers only to find that like other contests from RD I had no way of getting this activated, or could'nt get the e-mail address provided with mail in contests cards through the mail

P
P
Pat avoy
,
Oct 30, 2008 10:58 am EDT

If you continue to send garbage like the " ipodtouch " contest and don't have the "site " on the computer to go to ... I DON"T want anymore garbage like that sent to me .. If this continues, I will be canceling my subscription to Readers Digest ! As this is NOT the first time this has happened... when I have tried to enter a contest before !

H
H
H Glynn
,
Oct 23, 2008 8:52 am EDT

R D sends out a card with the magazine inviting the recepient to register at a website that does not exist. This is byway of a reward for subscribing and is wrong.

J
J
Jason Morgan
,
Oct 09, 2008 4:47 pm EDT

I am upset that you would dare to do an international survey on the Presidential Campaign, and then print it, with obvious intent to sway the electorate. Shame on you. I could give a rats butt about what Europians think of our election, and if the French are 75% in favor of Obama, that is good reason for no American to vote with them. I have been a readers for 5 decades, but this gaff may cost you my subscriptions.

S
S
Shirley Smith
,
Aug 28, 2008 6:01 pm EDT

Where do you sign in for the free gift listed on the card that came with my subscription. Is this just a scam.

J
J
Joan Russell
,
Aug 08, 2008 7:02 am EDT

We have been subscribers to Readers Digest for over 25-30 years and have faithfully entered all of their contests. To date we have won absolutely nothing.

That in and of itself, is bad enough but to be given false information regarding a contest that does not exist is pretty much the last straw.

We are seriously considering cancelling all future dealings with this company.

Bill & Joan Russell

K
K
Kathleen Cels
,
Jul 23, 2008 6:48 pm EDT

I too am sick and tired of the envelopes of contest forms that you have to fill out and nothing is ever awarded. I also feel that it is just a scam in order for people to keep buying the magazine, count me out from now on.

P
P
Phina
,
Jul 15, 2008 12:32 pm EDT

Reader's Digest sent a contest form and on-line address: www.rd.ca/wii. An access code was given . The draw was to close August 31st @midnight(probably purposely do not mention a year).
It seems impossible to find this address or anything about it. There is a mention of an old similar contest for November 2007.

D
D
Dr. Borden Bachynski
,
Apr 28, 2008 2:47 pm EDT

Received card with access code 65967
Told to go on line at www.rd.ca/ipodtouch
Unable to get there! How do I do it.?
30 yr or more subscriber to Readers Digest and books

J
J
John May
,
Aug 13, 2007 12:00 am EDT

I filled out the information regarding a free music CD and surprise gift. I was suspicious of "something for free". I fully intended to cancel upon receipt of the music CD. Later I received an order confirmation thanking me for the $20.97 order. Hummm some free CD and surprise gift which appears to be 6 books about learning numbers letters, colors etc. Just what a 68 year old needs. Sorry RD, this time you struck out.

J
J
Johnsie P. Finney-Tate
Roanoke, US
Jun 25, 2012 2:45 pm EDT

To whom it may concern: I didnot order the books you sent I have not open the package. I am not working and I don't have money to send these books back. Is there any way possible you can send me labels to send these books back to you?
The account number is#[protected]

C
C
Cliff O'Handley
, CA
Apr 21, 2012 12:59 am EDT

We recieved a card informing us to enter a cotest with Readers d
Digest to win one of 5, Nikon S6200 digital cameras, using the access code on the card, but we cannot find it using the website address supplied.

K
K
khydomako
Saskatoon, CA
Jan 20, 2012 12:39 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

They sent a entry code to me to enter for a free ipod contest closes feb 29/12. . repeated trys at entering gets same result code is invalid . They supplied the code.Scam Scam, Scam

N
N
nosmokes
, US
Nov 12, 2011 7:13 pm EST

I received a notice from Readers Digest saying I might of won a lottery and wanted all of yy personal information, Social Security number, D.O.B etc. This was mailed from Canada. I did not feel this was legitamate and was a ploy to get my personal information for illlegitamate reasons.

Learn how the rating is calculated

Write a review File a complaint

Reader's Digest / Trusted Media Brands contacts

Phone number
Website
www.rd.com
Category

Most discussed Reader's Digest / Trusted Media Brands complaints

Subscription problem!
2
(opinions to this review)