Lawsuit Alleges Illegal Debt Collection Practices By North Shore Agency, Inc.

Just received a notice from NSA regarding Sports Fishing magazine stating that I owed $19.97. I chose not renew my subscription to "Sport Fishing" magazine so this is another one of NSA's harassment form letters. I'll file a mail fraud complaint and hope our Government can protect us from this scam.

Has anyone gotten any results from action they have taken? Please post how!

I received two letters from NSA, regarding Taste of Home subscriptions, and I want this taken care of promptly.

Thanks in advance!

I just received a threatening letter from North Shore on behalf of Prevention Magazine (or so they claim).
My question is, can they really harm your credit rating? We have worked very hard all of lives and have a perfect credit score. The thought that a bunch of scum like this could so easily ruin a lifetime of careful money management absolutely makes my blood boil.
I would like to know how some of these cases have turned out and exactly what they have done to stop these criminals.
Thanks

I just received a notice from them too. I called the magazine directly as I had never heard of it nor signed up for it. they told me they will delete all charges now. Try calling your magazines directly as well - just get everyone's names you speak with.

I also checked out this company (North Shore Agency) out on the Better Business Bureau. Of course they are not rated (meaning they have not tried to register with BBB). However, they have over 250 complaints filed due to these same issues. Most companies may have a handful of about 10 or 15.

You should all also file a complaint with BBB - it will help get this company out of business.

I am receiving notices from North Shore Agency for a Better Homes and Garden Christmas book I never ordered or received. This is the second year in a row this has happened. I phoned the number for automated customer no service and still received another notice. Makes Better Homes and Gardens mag look sleazy. I have subscribed to them for years. I am having second thoughts.

I did a little detective work (I am a private investigator) and this is how this scam works. Someone has your private information, either bought from a phishing site or worse, it can even be someone you personally know. The magazines actually PAY a "finders fee" to the actual person who supplied the information. The magazines do this all the time. They are on so many subscription programs, such as the young people who call at your door and say "If I sell x many subscription, I'll receive a reward (trip to Disneyland,etc...). Whoever has your info can do this over and over with as many magazines as possible. For me, it turned out to be a former business partner. The magazines do have the information about who they payed for the subscription. The direct approach is practically useless as all they are going to tell you that it is "CONFIDENTIAL"! I was able to get into the magazine's subscription area where my sub information was and his name was right there.(does not work on some sites, it just depends on how they store any information) The most aggressive way to go about this is to file a lawsuit and have the records subpoenaed. The next way is a long and drawn out process of a Class Action lawsuit.

Ok, I received a notice from North Shore regarding my US magazine that I do subscribe to. They were trying to get 12.87 from me. I have a copy of the cancelled check. I tried to call 4 different numbers, 2 of which were directory service 800 numbers. The other 2 were bogus. I am just worried about my credit report. Does anyone have any advice?

Danielle CO wrote:

Ok, I received a notice from North Shore regarding my US magazine that I do subscribe to. They were trying to get 12.87 from me. I have a copy of the cancelled check. I tried to call 4 different numbers, 2 of which were directory service 800 numbers. The other 2 were bogus. I am just worried about my credit report. Does anyone have any advice?

I received a notice from North Shore Agency to pay $9.95 for a Sherman's Travel Magazine which I (in writing) cancelled directly with the magazine months ago. I don't think that they can damage your credit -- I've been a Loan Officer for many years and North Shore Agency would have to have you Social Security number in order to hurt your credit rating by filing a collection account. In my case, there are many people with my name -- how would North Shore know which Mary A. to place a collection account against.

I also recieved a bill for 47.94$ for Bottom Line Book account! I never heard of them before. Places like these need to be closed down.

I also got a collection letter for US Weekly. Thank you all for the information about NSA. I have been very worried.

Scam! Sent me a collection letter for $24.00 for a magazine I never ordered, never heard of, and never recieved.

My mother received a notice from NSA saying she owes $19.95 for a magazine she never ordered nor received. She said this sounds like a scam!

I received a notice of collection for 51.48 for US Weekly, which I did not order and did not receive. I contacted US Weekly several months ago, and the representative assured me she would take care of the matter, now I am getting letters again for collection. I am going to contact our state Attorney Generals office and notify them of their behavior.

I have been getting phone calls at my work, I have ask these people twice to stop calling my office, for this could cost me my job. and they continue to call me. yes i do owe some money but i am going thru a bad divorce and its takeing my whole pay check to pay the lawyer. What can i do?

this is a marketing gimmick, i worked for a magazine before and this is their last efforts to get you to pay by hiring a dummy collection agency. i got one from time as well and it tells me i have to pay for the call as well, ridiculous - i have written to time to complain, i already have a subscription. also, a few years ago time was sued for dodgy auto renewal practices - if anyone is a lawyer out there, this would be a good case to get magazines to stop sending fake collection notices - it is unethical and manipulative! they can't force you to pay anything or make you think you are forced to pay - if a magazine want to do risk free subs or bill me later thats their problem.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi...

and 4 years later still happening

I was a victim of a financial crime and the crooked company got away with it.

Contractors pull this crap all the time.

I also signed up for the US weekly 2 free magazines ( or something like that) maybe 5 months ago, i got the them and then for the past 3 months i've been getting letters from this company saying i owe $51. I have found no numbers to call as well. I dont want the magazine and I dont think i should pay because it says directly on the US weekly magazine.com i get it FREE for however long. I don't even have a credit card yet (17) i dont want my credit ruined.

Linda T wrote:

I just got a collection letter for Prevention Magazine from North Shore Agency. I phoned the Prevention Magazine number provided on the letter and sure enough, Prevention says I owe them $15.97. If I do, they renewed the subscription without my knowledge. The last I had anything to do with them was over 2 years ago.

Sounds to me you still owe the bill, look deeply at the contract or statments prior to subscriptions, they all say you have to put it in writing within 30 days of recipt of last subscription. You subcribed to the magazine without reading what you agreed to, sometime we all make costly mistakes, and your mistake cost you $15.97 + collection fee. Maybe next time you will read something first before signing.