Magazine Scam (?) Advice Request... [View all]

[cui bono]

So... I think I got suckered in with a magazine subscription scam today.

A young energetic teenage kid came to the door selling magazine subscriptions this afternoon. He had a whole pitch about how it was some work incentive program for students, he asked me if I like to read magazines, I said I don't really subscribe to anything anymore because they end up piling up so he said I could donate a subscription to a needy group and they would send them there.

I started wondering about it a little while ago. I'll never know where the money really went. So I searched online and found some articles and blog posts about these door to door magazine sales are a scam. So I figured well, I'm out $45. But one blog got me thinking about them having my checking account info:

2. If you gave a check, cancel the check and then try to call to cancel the subscription. I know calling will be fruitless but at least make the attempt and keep a record of it. It would be best to close your checking account because the company and sales person now has your routing number and account number. It can be used to transfer money out of your account even if you cancel the check.
http://listofscams.blogspot.com/2010/01/door-to-door-magazine-sales-scams-tips.html

Should I be worried about them transferring more money out of my checking? I've never thought to worry about that before. If it's that easy to do why is all that info printed on the check for anyone to see?

Should I stop payment? I'm going to call the credit union tomorrow morning and ask them about the routing info and how much to stop payment.

Also, the kid told me verbally that I had 10 days to cancel, however, now that I'm reading the receipt it says the checks are deposited immediately and that I can "cancel this transaction IN WRITING at any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of sale." The refund would not include a $10 processing and handling fee.

So, seems that if it costs me $10-15 to stop payment at least I save at least $30 I may never see again. They say there is a $20 service fee for returned checks but if it's a scam I'm sure they won't come after it. From what I've read the people never got their magazines from these types of sales. Ugh. I'm usually pretty good at turning people away for things like this.

Any thoughts? Mostly about whether I should worry about the routing/account info on the check?