Dayton Daily News... Beware, is this even legal? - Yappi Sports

vamp2syd · #1 04-09-18, 10:19 AM

I got a letter today by the Dayton Daily News. It came in a form of a bill and stated that I would automatically be put in a subscription unless I called them and cancelled it.

I have never subscribed to the paper and I feel this is a desperate attempt by them to trick people into subscribing to their paper. I feel it is a criminal act. I almost threw the letter out as I thought it was just another attempt to get me to subscribe.

Is this even legal?

I called them and they told me it was a marketing tool in an attempt to get new subscribers. I told them that I felt it was criminal and a waste of my time that I had to call them and cancel something that I never subscribed to.

Thoughts?

TroyTrojan05 · #2 04-09-18, 10:29 AM

I got the same thing last year. I did nothing except laugh at their poor marketing technique. Between that and the harrassing me with phone calls every other day. So, no they aren’t going to actually sign you up.

queencitybuckeye · #3 04-09-18, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vamp2syd

I got a letter today by the Dayton Daily News. It came in a form of a bill and stated that I would automatically be put in a subscription unless I called them and cancelled it.

I have never subscribed to the paper and I feel this is a desperate attempt by them to trick people into subscribing to their paper. I feel it is a criminal act. I almost threw the letter out as I thought it was just another attempt to get me to subscribe.

Is this even legal?

I called them and they told me it was a marketing tool in an attempt to get new subscribers. I told them that I felt it was criminal and a waste of my time that I had to call them and cancel something that I never subscribed to.

Thoughts?

You should have simply ignored it.

14Red · #4 04-09-18, 10:53 AM

https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/subscriptionfraud/

Looks like it's bogus...

vamp2syd · #5 04-09-18, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14Red

https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/subscriptionfraud/

Looks like it's bogus...

No, that is not it.

The letter I got IS from Dayton Daily News, it does not match any on the link you provided. The number to call matches up with Dayton Daily News as well as the PO Box. This is not a scam from somebody outside of the Dayton Daily News but a scam from Dayton Daily News.

The number the letter told me to call is 1-888-397-6397. The PO Box is 742622 Cincinnati Ohio 45274-2622

It is like if you go home and look in your mailbox and there is a letter from Hot Rod Magazine stating that you have automatically been subscribed to receive their magazine and you will be billed $36.00. If you do not want the magazine you must call to cancel. This is illegal and it is being done by Dayton Daily News.

queencitybuckeye · #6 04-09-18, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vamp2syd

No, that is not it.

The letter I got IS from Dayton Daily News, it does not match any on the link you provided. The number to call matches up with Dayton Daily News as well as the PO Box. This is not a scam from somebody outside of the Dayton Daily News but a scam from Dayton Daily News.

The number the letter told me to call is 1-888-397-6397. The PO Box is 742622 Cincinnati Ohio 45274-2622

It is like if you go home and look in your mailbox and there is a letter from Hot Rod Magazine stating that you have automatically been subscribed to receive their magazine and you will be billed $36.00. If you do not want the magazine you must call to cancel. This is illegal and it is being done by Dayton Daily News.

Again, no action other than ignoring it is required on your part.

vamp2syd · #7 04-09-18, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by queencitybuckeye

Again, no action other than ignoring it is required on your part.

this is exactly what the letter stated:

"For your convenience, your service will continue into the next renewal period unless you notify Customer Service. If you wish to make a change to your service or cancel your subscription, you must call 888-397-6397"

I am not subscribed to the DDN and never had been. It specifically states that I must contact them or else I will be charged $25.87 for service. I called them up and they admitted that it is a marketing tool. Even if I ignored it and nothing happens it is still wrong for a business like this to be doing this.

14Red · #8 04-10-18, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vamp2syd

this is exactly what the letter stated:

"For your convenience, your service will continue unto the next renewal period unless you notify Customer Service. If you wish to make a charge to your service or cancel your subscription, you must call 888-397-6397"

I am not subscribed to the DDN and never had been. It specifically states that I must contact them or else I will be charged $25.87 for service. I called them up and they admitted that it is a marketing tool. Even if I ignored it and nothing happens it is still wrong for a business like this to be doing this.

I would be shocked that any company would feel this is a good way to market their product. My guess is most people who were even considering getting the DDN is now never going to get it.

ohiopup · #9 04-10-18, 10:52 AM

File a complaint with your local BBB and the State Attorney General.

:>---

EGA

ronnie mund · #10 04-10-18, 11:06 AM

ITT: old people dealing with scammers. A story as old as time.

queencitybuckeye · #11 04-10-18, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vamp2syd

this is exactly what the letter stated:

"For your convenience, your service will continue unto the next renewal period unless you notify Customer Service. If you wish to make a charge to your service or cancel your subscription, you must call 888-397-6397"

I am not subscribed to the DDN and never had been. It specifically states that I must contact them or else I will be charged $25.87 for service. I called them up and they admitted that it is a marketing tool. Even if I ignored it and nothing happens it is still wrong for a business like this to be doing this.

I agree that it's a crappy (but probably not illegal) way to sell product. Not responding would not constitute a contract, and any "bill" could safely be circular-filed.

MickeyMantle · #12 04-10-18, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnie mund

ITT: old people dealing with scammers. A story as old as time.

It's as if they're trying to figure out how to use their turn signals.

Neopolitan · #13 04-10-18, 12:29 PM

Vamp - I am an attorney in the Dayton area and have had multiple other people complain about this letter. You are indeed correct, it is illegal.

Would you be able to provide a picture of the letter?

Arrogate · #14 04-10-18, 01:09 PM

Not sure what direction this troll job is going....

vamp2syd · #15 04-10-18, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neopolitan

Vamp - I am an attorney in the Dayton area and have had multiple other people complain about this letter. You are indeed correct, it is illegal.

Would you be able to provide a picture of the letter?

I still have the letter though I did rip it in half. I have no cell but I do have a digital camera that does not work that good but could take a picture of it.

WinstonSmith · #16 04-10-18, 03:00 PM

No cell vamps?

Purplemojo · #17 04-10-18, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neopolitan

Vamp - I am an attorney in the Dayton area and have had multiple other people complain about this letter. You are indeed correct, it is illegal.

Would you be able to provide a picture of the letter?

You do need a copy. I am not a lawyer but I know that it is generally not illegal to say you are going to do something. Saying "I am going to rob that bank" or "I am going to beat the heck out of that guy" is not illegal in and of itself. If you are doing other things that cause someone to think the threatened crime is imminent which incites a reaction then you might be guilty of something (disorderly conduct for example). I believe in this case the paper does not do what they say they are going to do (charge them for a subscription they did not request). Doing what they apparently said they were going to do would be illegal. Saying that they are going to do something that they never intend on doing usually isn't.

vamp2syd · #18 04-10-18, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplemojo

You do need a copy. I am not a lawyer but I know that it is generally not illegal to say you are going to do something. Saying "I am going to rob that bank" or "I am going to beat the heck out of that guy" is not illegal in and of itself. If you are doing other things that cause someone to think the threatened crime is imminent which incites a reaction then you might be guilty of something (disorderly conduct for example). I believe in this case the paper does not do what they say they are going to do (charge them for a subscription they did not request). Doing what they apparently said they were going to do would be illegal. Saying that they are going to do something that they never intend on doing usually isn't.

It did incite an action. The waste of my time by calling them and dealing with their robo response and wait until I got an actual person.

The DDN even had an account number set up in my name. Why would they have anything on me in their computer if I am not a subscriber or had been one....

ronnie mund · #19 04-10-18, 04:11 PM

They don't. The account # was fake, I'd assume. Sounds like a pretty textbook scam. Just ignore it next time.

vamp2syd · #20 04-10-18, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnie mund

They don't. The account # was fake, I'd assume. Sounds like a pretty textbook scam. Just ignore it next time.

When you state scam are you talking about an outside source pretending to be DDN and scamming?

Because, this is not the case. This is actually the DDN trying to scam in order to get new subscribers.

WinstonSmith · #21 04-10-18, 04:23 PM

Of course Mickey ridicules vamps itt. So sensitive when it comes to his industry. Pathetic attempt to get more subscribers by the DDN.

ronnie mund · #22 04-10-18, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vamp2syd

When you state scam are you talking about an outside source pretending to be DDN and scamming?

Because, this is not the case. This is actually the DDN trying to scam in order to get new subscribers.

I guess scam probably isn't the right word for it. More like unethical attempt by DDN to get more subscribers. It's a dying business and they will use any tactic to stay afloat just a bit longer.

I would still just ignore it. It wouldn't be legal for them to automatically sign you up for a subscription without your consent.

WinstonSmith · #23 04-10-18, 04:40 PM

Ignoring it would of course be the appropriate response.

Sig Hansen · #24 04-10-18, 05:11 PM

If DDN doesn't have your billing information how do you expect them to bill you? Like others have said just ignore it.

Username1 · #25 04-10-18, 05:12 PM

Should of wiped your with it and attached a letter saying you were charging them for your fecal matter on the letter as well as the envelope.

Then end it with:

Warm Regards.
Vamp

D4fan · #26 04-10-18, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vamp2syd

this is exactly what the letter stated:

"For your convenience, your service will continue unto the next renewal period unless you notify Customer Service. If you wish to make a charge to your service or cancel your subscription, you must call 888-397-6397"

I am not subscribed to the DDN and never had been. It specifically states that I must contact them or else I will be charged $25.87 for service. I called them up and they admitted that it is a marketing tool. Even if I ignored it and nothing happens it is still wrong for a business like this to be doing this.

If you typed that correctly, it says "If you wish to make a charge to your service" . Guess they are saying if you wish to be charged for our paper give us a call. Probably nothing illegal about that.

I have had similar technique used on me recently by a company calling me and saying that since I am a member of the Blue Diamond time share, they can help me get my money back since it went under. Wording makes you want to call to straiten out the fact you are not a member of the Blue Diamond Time Share.

vamp2syd · #27 04-10-18, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D4fan

If you typed that correctly, it says "If you wish to make a charge to your service" . Guess they are saying if you wish to be charged for our paper give us a call. Probably nothing illegal about that.

I have had similar technique used on me recently by a company calling me and saying that since I am a member of the Blue Diamond time share, they can help me get my money back since it went under. Wording makes you want to call to straiten out the fact you are not a member of the Blue Diamond Time Share.

I'm sorry... misprint... "If you want to make a change to your service or cancel your subscription, you must call .... "

brianwr112 · #28 04-10-18, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplemojo

You do need a copy. I am not a lawyer but I know that it is generally not illegal to say you are going to do something. Saying "I am going to rob that bank" or "I am going to beat the heck out of that guy" is not illegal in and of itself. If you are doing other things that cause someone to think the threatened crime is imminent which incites a reaction then you might be guilty of something (disorderly conduct for example). I believe in this case the paper does not do what they say they are going to do (charge them for a subscription they did not request). Doing what they apparently said they were going to do would be illegal. Saying that they are going to do something that they never intend on doing usually isn't.

It's quit apparent you aren't a lawyer based on you noting two examples that are actually against the law. Honestly some of the only "notes" that are constantly prosecuted.

Username1 · #29 04-10-18, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianwr112

It's quit apparent you aren't a lawyer based on you noting two examples that are actually against the law. Honestly some of the only "notes" that are constantly prosecuted.

It's 'quite', happy.

Purplemojo · #30 04-11-18, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianwr112

It's quit apparent you aren't a lawyer based on you noting two examples that are actually against the law. Honestly some of the only "notes" that are constantly prosecuted.

Please give examples of such notes, that were not exchanged during the actual attempt to commit a crime (for example a note passed during a bank robbery or a note for ransom or black mail or where the note is, in and of itself, the crime as in a witness intimidation or harassment case) where there is the actual intent to commit the crime and the note is an instrument used to effectuate the crime.

What is the underlying crime here?