The Southwestern Company Difference Blog
I would like to point out something multiple traveling magazine sales crews are using as a pitch at the door. Although I know it has gone on for some time, it is still shocking every time I run across it.
Various traveling sales crew members are scamming homeowners by saying the subscriptions they buy will go to members of the military stationed overseas.
What a perfect ploy! Not only does the magazine seller collect money from the customer, they are off the hook for having to deliver a product. The crafty scammers are taking advantage of families with loved ones overseas. There’s plenty wrong with this. For starters: they are take advantage of a vulnerability some military families have as their emotions and stress levels may be at a peak. They also have sympathy for our overseas soldiers, as they are directly affected due to family members being among those deployed.
This happened in Amarillo, Texas, as recent as November 11. The article from the Amarillo Globe & News, “Men selling magazines might be part of a scam,” said the young men involved in this scam were not even providing the homeowners with a receipt – which is a violation of Federal law, as you must provide two copies. This is definitely one of the differences between reputable and disreputable direct sellers.
Beyond lying about their association with our armed services, they also lied by saying they were raising money for a college choir trip. The local college has denied there is any such fundraiser underway. It also looks as if they also did not register for a solicitor’s permit with the city.
Scammers preying on military families, this is surely a low. Certainly not a new low, but ranks with the lowest of lows.
