Diaper Swappers

happyhats · 09-15-2010, 10:02 PM

Has anyone heard of this scam where they will take your card and then charge you a subscription to parenting magazine without your permission? Has this happened to anyone here?

I got some items at a store and was told I'd get a complimentary issue of Parenting The Early Years. Since I paid with cash the lady said that I would get an invoice if I wanted to continue. She did say that if I paid with a cc I would be charged if I didn't cancel after the first issue. I got my trial magazine, didn't get anymore, and moved on, no biggie.

Recently I got a gift card to motherhood and purchased a few things online. I don't remember anything online talking about this magazine offer, but I did put in my credit card to cover shipping. I didn't even think of it, I have preggo brain of course. Now I'm reading about this scam issue and I'm nervous. I'll be checking my account often. I wonder if I should contact my bank?

Everything I've read about this scam talks about going to the store and having this happen, so I'm hoping that it won't be an issue if I shopped online. I wanted to pick up a few more things soon from motherhood but now if they are going to try to charge me more!

Fishie Kisses · 09-15-2010, 10:03 PM

I've never heard of it! Although, I've always declined the free issue as I would never bother to read it anyway.

laila · 09-15-2010, 10:10 PM

Yep, I just got charged and never received my free issue?! I will be calling to cancel though. Should be no problem but just a pain. Not really a scam since they tell you it is a trial, which is supposed to clue you in on that you will be charged. BUT I should have at least got the free issue. Darn people.

Lanae · 09-15-2010, 10:54 PM

I swear, I'm starting to hate the words "free trial".... I am going to be sure not to receive it!!!! To me, its a scam, even though technically they don't consider it as such, I do.

annikas_mommy · 09-15-2010, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanae

I swear, I'm starting to hate the words "free trial".... I am going to be sure not to receive it!!!! To me, its a scam, even though technically they don't consider it as such, I do.

I'm totally with you. The phrase "nothing is life is REALLY free" most definitely applies to "free" trials.... I also agree that it's not technically a scam since they tell you they're going to do it, but I think it's ugly business nonetheless.

happyhats · 09-16-2010, 12:10 AM

did you shop online or at the store? I cannot for the life or me remember seeing anything about the parenting magazine online. A lot of people are saying that they never were told about the parenting magazine and then got charged, which is why they are calling it a scam (I was googling maternity clothes, etc and came upon this). I guess I'll just be on the lookout for fishy charges and the magazine coming to me. I'm just worried this will come one day when we're short on money or something, grr.

NEWBUTWILLING · 09-16-2010, 05:29 AM

Huh never heard of it...I was never asked about the magazine when I shopped there 2 years ago and I plan on shopping there again. I would decline it anyways but its good to keep an eye out for. Unless the ones I shopped at didn't do their jobs about advertising it I just got a free bag of goodies.

CokeLover · 09-16-2010, 06:27 AM

My MIL was charged with her knowing! They never once said anything about the magazine she got one in her name for me and then the next month they charged her account. She was not happy and called Motherhood about it!! It does and can happen. I refuse all items as I hate the "free trial" crap. I also don't give them my name address or any of that stuff either because they sell your name!

mkekaty · 09-16-2010, 07:00 AM

They always explain it very clearly at the stores here. I would be angry if they did it without me knowing!

Jaxence · 09-16-2010, 10:02 AM

I was just wondering why I was still getting them after they had expired...I wonder if I got charged without my permission...Wow that makes me mad...

09-15-2010, 10:02 PM	#1
happyhats Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,639 Ratings: 19 Feedback: 100%	motherhood maternity scam? Has anyone heard of this scam where they will take your card and then charge you a subscription to parenting magazine without your permission? Has this happened to anyone here? I got some items at a store and was told I'd get a complimentary issue of Parenting The Early Years. Since I paid with cash the lady said that I would get an invoice if I wanted to continue. She did say that if I paid with a cc I would be charged if I didn't cancel after the first issue. I got my trial magazine, didn't get anymore, and moved on, no biggie. Recently I got a gift card to motherhood and purchased a few things online. I don't remember anything online talking about this magazine offer, but I did put in my credit card to cover shipping. I didn't even think of it, I have preggo brain of course. Now I'm reading about this scam issue and I'm nervous. I'll be checking my account often. I wonder if I should contact my bank? Everything I've read about this scam talks about going to the store and having this happen, so I'm hoping that it won't be an issue if I shopped online. I wanted to pick up a few more things soon from motherhood but now if they are going to try to charge me more!

09-15-2010, 10:03 PM	#2
Fishie Kisses Wahm Moderator "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SJV, CA Posts: 14,249 Ratings: 176 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: motherhood maternity scam? I've never heard of it! Although, I've always declined the free issue as I would never bother to read it anyway. __________________ Tashauna~~proud wife to my trained boo-boo fixer and mama to 3 boys on earth and two in heaven ^i^ (10wks-11/12 and 4 weeks 2/13)...Finally expecting a rainbow! STICK BABY, STICK!! *481216*2024283236 *40 Try SWAGBUCKS and PLINK and get paid!! I've earned $275 in Amazon gift cards and $375 in Paypal already just since Jan 1, 2013!!!

09-15-2010, 10:10 PM	#3
laila Registered Users Join Date: May 2007 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 2,719 Ratings: 474 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: motherhood maternity scam? Yep, I just got charged and never received my free issue?! I will be calling to cancel though. Should be no problem but just a pain. Not really a scam since they tell you it is a trial, which is supposed to clue you in on that you will be charged. BUT I should have at least got the free issue. Darn people. __________________ Mommy of 5 to Emma (10) , Noah(8), Luke(6), baby William (2.5), and Baby Hazel Lily (born on 3/2/13) , Wife to my best friend, Matt ; Teacher to many.

09-15-2010, 10:54 PM	#4
Lanae Registered Users Formerly: Lanae~1st time mom Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hawaii-Oahu, DH-Deployment to Iraq, My home state-TN Posts: 2,815 Ratings: 145 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: motherhood maternity scam? I swear, I'm starting to hate the words "free trial".... I am going to be sure not to receive it!!!! To me, its a scam, even though technically they don't consider it as such, I do. __________________ Proud that just survived the 2nd deployment and doting mama. Freedom is NOT free! RIP to our KIA friends, thank you!

09-16-2010, 12:10 AM	#6
happyhats Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,639 Ratings: 19 Feedback: 100%	Re: motherhood maternity scam? did you shop online or at the store? I cannot for the life or me remember seeing anything about the parenting magazine online. A lot of people are saying that they never were told about the parenting magazine and then got charged, which is why they are calling it a scam (I was googling maternity clothes, etc and came upon this). I guess I'll just be on the lookout for fishy charges and the magazine coming to me. I'm just worried this will come one day when we're short on money or something, grr.