Texas magazine scam

Fort Worth, TX

4/10/2007

TCU was recently informed that some of the university’s supporters in north and south Texas have received phone calls or visits from unauthorized individuals soliciting funds for a student trip to London. These individuals are selling phony magazine subscriptions to get money from supporters and some of these solicitors have mentioned TCU, the theatre department and Barnes & Noble during the conversation. They also promise a rebate to TCU alumni who purchase magazines.

While this is not a widespread problem, it is important that everyone understands that these individuals are not authorized to raise funds for TCU. If you receive a call or a visit from someone claiming to be a student and asking for money for a trip to London, contact your local authorities immediately. According to police, the individuals in south Texas also have claimed to be students of other Texas universities and attempted to raise money for fake trips affiliated with those institutions as well.

The Federal Trade Commission offers two publications to help consumers avoid becoming victims of magazine scams - “Facts for Consumers: Magazine Subscription Scams,” and “Do the Math: Magazine Subscription Scams Don’t Add Up.” Both are available free at http://www.ftc.gov. The organization also offers the following advice:

• Listen carefully to sales pitches for magazine subscription deals. They could be from unscrupulous con artists who want to trick you into paying hundreds of dollars for multi-year subscriptions.
• Ask questions to make sure you understand the deal.
• If you’re not interested, tell the caller to put you down on a "do not call" list. If they continue to call, hang up. They’re breaking the law.
• Ask for -- and read -- a written copy of the contract before you agree to buy.
• Do the math. You could end up paying hundreds of dollars for subscriptions that sell elsewhere for less.
• Keep information about your bank accounts and credit cards to yourself unless you know whom you’re dealing with. If you give an account number to a stranger over the phone, it could be used to debit your account without your permission.
• Be skeptical if someone tries to sell you a "bargain," offers you something for "free" or pressures you into a decision because the offer is good for a "limited time" only.