T.W.O. magazine - scam or genuine?

Whilst vegetating in front of the idiot box this evening, ignoring
some of the interminable dross Mr. Murdoch's fine network provides, I
received a call on my mobile from a "private number". A young lady,
with a trace of a non-UK accent (possibly SethEffrikan) claimed to be
calling on behalf of T.W.O. magazine. Now I have bought and read this
publication on occasion, and admit to having filled in surveys and
entered competitions wherein I would have given them (obviously) my
name and mobile number. This was not unduly suspicious.

She then went on to explain that I was eligible to take part in a
promotion they were running, a 3-issue trial subscription for the
princely sum of one Pound Sterling. Should I wish to continue the
subscription after 3 issues, the cost would be £8.something a quarter,
but there would be no obligation. This sounded quite reasonable; I am
a reasonably avid verbivore, and will read just about anything
connected with my interests (or "obsessions", as the SO calls them).

I didn't like the next bit: she needed my bank account number and sort
code to take payment. I had expected a credit or debit card number,
not access to my entire financial wellbeing; no, it had to be a direct
debit payment and they could only accept the information requested -
cards were not an option. I politely made my excuses and hung up.

The question is, what are the chances that this was a genuine offer
which I just threw back in their face? Anyone else out there had
similar?

 

Darren Robinson wrote:

Well there are plenty of other mags that do similar subscription
promotions on a regular basis. I think the hope is you won't remember/
be bothered to cancel the subscription.

 

When dealing with people over the phone that you don't know, it's not
worth the risk, IMO.

 

To start a Direct Debit they would need a signature - they can't do it
all over the phone.

 

Darren Robinson wrote

Nope. Having BT turn on the "**** off if you don't give your number"
switch has stopped *all* the calls not stopped by the Telephone
Preference scheme.

Add to that that no **** wants to talk to me and the phone hardly rings
at all these days.

 

Is there a real BT option to bounce incoming calls that don't give
thier number, or are you referring to caller display?

 

Macie was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

AFAIK this is indeed a real option.

 

Would that be the TWO magazine that has gone under or a different one?

 

Macie wrote

There is a genuine option to refuse calls if they are doing number
withheld and a proper term for it as well.

It is available from most suppliers for free but those fucking cunts at
BT insist on charging I forget how much for it. All you have to do is
ring up and ask.

TPS first though.

 

Yup, and it works well too. No more evening calls about double glazing,
insurance, garden makeovers.

Costs a few quid a month, but worth every penny.

 

PC Pro did a similar thing a few months back and I've had my copies just
fine.

At the end of the day, if you're that worried your bank can provide you with
a list of direct debit authorisations on your account, and you can stop any
on the spot. In addition, any unauthorised direct debits will be refunded to
your account if you point them out.

 

Are you surprised? They operate in a market rigged against them by the
regulator. Sure they've not helped themselves and *appear* pretty
clueless.

Maybe if they gave you the Chief Executive's job you could sort it all
out?

 

Well, filling in your mobile number on anything other than someone elses
phone is asking for trouble.

 

wrote

Nice to see you have the confidence in me. Can I use you as a
reference?

 

Feel free to.

 

That didn't bother me; I'd like them to tell me if I won anything, for
example.

 

$9.net:

Bollocks.

I've set up a number of DD over the phone and on websites.

For example SWALEC, BT and most recently NTL cable bband.

None have needed a signature - you get a letter a few days later stating that
you have the right to cancel, just like taking out a life insurance policy.

 

If you give your bank details and setup a direct debit then their general aim is that forget /
can't be arsed to cancel it in the future. There's no way that anyone could *steal* money from your
account by simply aquiring you sort code and account number. The worst they could so is pay money
in....

Several days after a direct debit has been setup you will receive a letter of confirmation from the
bank. All it would take is a "I didn't authorise that bastard" phone call and it's gone again.

 

Sparkling.... my day just got loads better

 

steve auvache :

I might have to try that. Disney phoned me up yesterday, only it was
a fucking machine. "Hi, this is Kim! You've won a chance to win an
amazing holiday of a lifetime at Eurodisney! Press one to..."

I've never felt so insulted.