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Also see Consolidated Media Services.
Grant of Katy TX (05/09/08)
We have been contacted by Luebke Baker & Associates, Inc. for payment on a magazine order. My wife does not recall this order. back in 2000 we were also contacted by another colloection agency for payment on a magazine order. We have paid both of these due to bad credit information. Can you please help? Thanks
We have paid around $250.00 back in 2000. We have paid $200.00 5/8/2008
Megan of Oxnard CA (05/01/08)
Meg received a magazine offer for $26 every few months...they started deducting money out of her account. She went to her Bank and told them they were fraudently taking an amount she did not agree on...she closed her account and opened a new account...she keeps getting magazines from Omni Present Mag Inc that she has told them she doesn't want.....
Now Luebke is threatening her that she owes $900.00 but they will settle for $350, and will take it out of her account.....She is 20 yrs old...her boyfriend just went to Afganistan with the Navy, she can not afford to be ripped off by these people. We have downloaded the article on Luebke Baker....Collection agency pursues Magazine collection Debts How can she go from owing $26.00 to $900? She needs advice on hoe to handle this issue...Thank you so much.
This collection company is threatening a 20 yr old stating that she owes $900, but they will settle for $350
Mark of Rock Island IL (04/16/08)
My daughter hit on a website on line that offered free magazines, if she did a survey.It then asked for information (name , address, phone #, email adress, date of birth). She then recieved an email verifying that she would recieve the free magazines. The magazine company( Active Periodicals) out of Florida then billed my credit card(which I have no idea how they got the credit card #. My daughter said she didn, 't give it to them).
When I saw my credit card bill, I disputed the charges with my credit card company.Active periodicals then billed my daughter directly. I contacted active periodicals by mail once, and by phone 4 different times, to cancel the subscription, but they refused, saying they just wanted their money. They did however quit sending the magazines. After about 6 months my credit card company said that they had already paid Active periodical the money I disputed, and I had to pay my credit card company back the money which I did, which was over $400.00.
Now I'm being harassed by this Luebke Baker & Associates. They say I owe over $800.00, but they will settle for $300.99. If they don't get it by May 1st, they'll sue, get a judgement, and ruin or credit,(me or my daughter). I don't know what to do. If I pay them, how do I know it will end. If I don't pay, what will they do. I guess I'm loooking for advise.
Besides the economic damage, the stress, anxiety,and fear of a judgement, and credit damage, to both myself and daughter, it has caused damage in the relationship between my daughter, and myself
Frank of Tyler TX (04/07/08)
My girlfiend responded to an add from a magazine company. She used my card number but told them she had to check with me to see if it was ok. When she called them back to tell them it was ok they had changed the offer and we told them we dont want it. We were told that was fine but they went ahead and started to take out the money anyway 2 months later.
After calling them back they laughed at me and said well, we got our money. I then contacted my bank and after a short investigaton my money was reimbursed.
Now, Lubke Baker and Associates is calling (up to 16 times in one day) and demanding $800 or a settelment of $300 and if I dont agree to pay it now then the $300 offer will not be offerd again and it will go on my credit report. I try to talk to them but they just hang up with out speaking and call back.I belive they are trying to get me to say ok and then they will have me on tape agreeing to pay. I wont do it. My bank has told me that once they gave back my money from the first payment then they admit that I do not owe them any money after that.
The stress over this it just terrible. I am trying to keep this under control but I am about ready to just find them and visit myself to talk to someone there IN PERSON! I dont need them trashing my credit for something I dont owe them. I do belive that after 21 years in the army (Vet of 6 Combat tours)I can come up with a way to make them listen to what I have to say!
Lakesha of Eunice, LA (03/31/08)
I was contacted via telephone by Luebke Baker & Associates, Inc.on stating that I allegedly owed $156 for magazine orders supposedly placed with Consolidated Media Services in 1998. The magazines supposedly sent to me were Ebony, Essence, Jet, T&L, and Women's Digest. I tried explaining that I had not placed any orders and did not receive the magazines. I asked how I could challenge this without adversely affecting my credit. She gave no affirmative answer. I asked to speak to a manager. Eric then came to the phone and stated that if I agreed to pay right then I could pay only $100, further reduced to $80. I told him I was not going to pay $2 for a good/service I did not receive. I hung up, did some research and called back on 03.24.08 asking that I be placed on their DO NOT CALL LIST. I asked them to never call me again.
I do not want to be harassed. These people call trying to force you to give credit card information, telling you that if you do not give them money your credit will be ruined.
Natalie of Machesney Park IL (03/18/08)
I was contacted by this company stating I owed a debt for a magazine subscription from International Magazine. I never ordered any magazines and explained this to David. David stated he was from an attorney's office. Upon my searching the internet, this company is not an attorney, and that is against the law to falsely classify themselves as such. I asked for proof of the debt and was told they could not provide me with this, but stated the original debtor had me on tape ordering these magazines. I said I wanted a copy of this and was told I could not get it. I asked for the original debtor phone and address and was told I could not have that, either.
They wanted to settle for $140 out of a $500. I said it wasn't mine, and I dispute the claim. He hung up on me. According to them, the debt was from 1998. They gave me an address that I did not live at in 1998 and hadn't for years! I have filed complaints with the BBB and my state's attorney general. This place needs to be shut down for false debt collections and illegal representation.
Diane of Felton DE (03/17/08)
I received a phone call from Luebke Baker & Associates Inc. on behalf of Consolidated Media Services about magazine subscriptions. They claim that I owe $733.15 from 2001! When they told me the names of the magazines they claim I subscribed to, I was appalled! Never in a million years would I subscribe to the magazines they claim, and they said they would settle for an amount of $183.29. I asked them for the information to contact Consolidated Media Services, and they said they would send me a letter with all of that information. I received a letter on Saturday which did not contain the information I requested. The only information it listed was the name Consolidated Media Services with an amount of $733.15 balance and a settlement amount of $183.29, as well as how to make the payment. I have no intention of paying this bill and will fight it as far as it needs to go.
If someone owed me $733.15, I would not wait years to try to collect. I am sending Luebke Baker & Associates, Consolidated Media Services (found their mailing address on my own), as well at the FTC, certified letters today letting them all know that I never received nor did I subscribe to such magazines and have no intention of paying this debt that does not belong to me.
Cyndi of Ocala FL (03/12/08)
I received a letter stating that my husband owed $844.77 for magazine subscriptions that he never ordered from America's Choice Readers. They stated that they could settle with him for $211.19 (very nice of them). I think this is a scam.
Jessica of Port St Lucie FL (03/10/08)
I received a call from Leubke Baker Associates regarding owing $438.80 for magazines I subscribed to in 2002. I told the lady I didn't subscribe to the magazines, and she stated they were calling on behalf of Consolidated Media Services. She stated that if I didn't agree to settle with them, they would put this on my credit report. I told her I wanted a phone number to consolidated Media, and she said she couldn't give me that information. She stated that once I decline the settlement statement, they will contact me because the account will go back to CMS. I never received magazines and would never even agree to this. I believe this is a scam and will dispute this once they hit my credit report with this charge.
This will go on my credit report.
Chris of Washington DC (03/10/08)
We got a call from Luebke Baker and Associates a collection agency about a scam/bogus magazine subscription they said I owed $800 from 2001. I asked them to send me something on paper. Mailed it to my lawyer, my lawyer sent them a letter, and they settled out of court for $4500. This is the second time that this happened for about the same thing. Both times, they settled out of court, and I got money.
This is harassment: get a lawyer. I can pass along the name of the guy I used. He doesn't get money unless there is a settlement. Sue these people to make them stop. This is bogus and a scam!
Roger of Bellaire TX (03/10/08)
I have been called twice in the last two months chasing an amount of $240 (approximately) that Lueke Baker Associates claim is owed to their client CONSOLIDATED MEDIA SERVICES. This relates to a bill they claim is outstanding since April 2001. I was contacted by the same group in 2004 and sadly made a payment by check at that time for a similar amount. I have told the debt collection agents that the account is not current and that I consider their persuit of me to be fraudulent. I asked for address and contact details for their client Consolidated Media Services.The number given is 1-877-388-0369. This number goes straight to voice mail, and no one from consolidated calls back
I have only paid one demand from Luebke Baker Associates in 2004, and I have told them unless they provide invoices for the TV Guide magazines that they claim are at fault , then I will not process their request to be paid again. I am concerned that they will report my non payment to credit reporting agencies, and I want to take necessary steps to protect my name.
Roberta of Pahoa HI (02/28/08)
The collection agency called Luebke Baker & Associates called me on the phone and said I owed them money from ordering a magazine subscription several years back. They could not tell me the name of the magazine or how much it cost. They could only tell me the name of the company that hired them: Consolidated Media Services. They said I owed $117.00 but I could pay them just a small amount. I asked them to send me a bill from the magazine company and instead they sent me a statement from themselves saying I owed Consolidated Media Services $117. I did not order any magazines and I know it. I sent them a letter asking them to stop contacting me.
Don't know yet.
Michael of Elkton MD (02/22/08)
I received a bill in the mail for $199.99 as promised to pay for a debt from Consolidated Media Services.I have no knowledge of this debt nor did I speak to anyone at the company or make a promise to pay. I made several attempts to contact Luebke Baker and got no answer, not even an answering machine. The letter had a website which also was no source of information. In reseaching both Luebke Baker and Consolidated Media Services,I discovered apparently this is some type of magazine scheme or fraud. There were numerous complaints from others who experienced the same thing- no recollection of any magazine purchase/commitment or any other type of agreement to pay.
I do not wish to have something reported on my credit history that I have no prior knowledge of or that I made no commitment to pay for. How can someone or some company perpetrate a scheme like this and get away with it?
Mervette of Chicago IL (02/02/08)
I just received a phone call on my cell phone from LB&A claiming that I owed money to Consolidated Media Services for magazine subscriptions from 2001 (it is seven years later)! They claimed they'd be willing to settle my debt of $207 for a mere $93 and some change. When they initially called, I had missed the call but they left no voicemail. Out of curiousity, I called back the number and the woman asked for my name to verify what they had called about. She then told me about this debt I owed. She gave me an address that I lived at for only a few months, at which point I had no money to pay for any such magazine subscriptions as I was in college and literally had no money as I was living w/friends at the time. I would never have ordered a subscription to have delivered to a place that I didn't even consider my permanent residence. When I asked Ms. Douglas how she got my number (it's a cell number and I'm not sure how that's available), she said that Consolidated Media Services turned over my name to them and that is how they were able to contact me. I wonder though, why they are contacting me via phone when, if they're as savvy as they claim, they could just send me a debt collection form to my current mailing address? This sounds like a scam and I did not disclose any personal information, but the woman claimed that she would call me back in about a week to follow up - what do I do?? The only way she said she'd be able to give me contact info for CMS is if I put the request in writing, which I will NOT do since that would just give them more information on how to contact me. I need help and I wonder if someone with your firm would be of assistance??
Very sincerely,
Mervette
Scott of Gardendale AL (01/22/08)
Like so many other people I've seen here, I got a letter today from Luebke Baker & Associates claiming that I owe Consolidated Media Sevices $347.40 with an outstanding balance of $124.80. But they claim that they can offer me a 20% discount if I settle in the next 30 days.
From reading the other complaints I can assume that they say I owe for magazines. I only buy magazines from reputal companies and I pay for them in full at the time of the order.
I plan on contacting them and forwarding the letter to the State Attorney General's office, the BBB, the Post Master general.
I will not pay for anything that I have not ordered or requested. Hopefully with enough complaints from people these companies can possibly be run out of business with a class action lawsuit or by some other means.
Michelle of Cartersville GA (01/10/08)
First, sometime in November 2007 I received a call at my work number telling me that I owed Consolidated Media Services money, I was totally caught off guard with what they were talking about. I asked them to send me something in writing. So about the middle of Dec I finally rec'd a letter telling that I needed to settle the account with sending $30.00. I've been wanting to call & speak with them to find out more information. On Jan 10, 2008 someone first called my house & woke my husband, then I called them from my work while I was on lunch, the lady I spoke with at that time said if they receive a letter from me next week requesting more info on who I owe money & when this all took place they would sent it to me. But then a couple of hours later someone else called from that company & was very rude. Telling that it's only $30 don't you want to just take care of it. I said I'd like more info on this whole thing before I send my money & being I had no memory of this. I asked her when, she said back in 1997 for some magazine. I asked her for the number to Consolidated Media Services, she couldn't give me that. Couldn't give me any helpful info except that I should send the $30...I am very upset because she also said I've rec'd a few letters from them regarding this. It was over 10 years ago, I lived in a couple other places & I have never rec'd anything until now.
I'm very stressed about this being that I had past problems with my credit but I paid all that was due with all companies that I owed.
Lisa of Bismarck ND (01/04/08)
I received 6 calls from this number (Luebke Baker & Associates) today alone, and every time I answer it no one is there so I can find out what they want. I now find out that I am not the only one with problem.
Do to this outrageous inconvenience while I was working, I lost a total of 1/2 hour today to deal with this issue. I feel they should pay my current employer for the time they lost. I am a Graphic Designer, and this sort of business conduct is outrageous to me.
Dolly-Lu of Longs SC (12/26/07)
This company called saying they were a collection agency and that I had a debt from Consolidated Media Services from 2003. She said that they were offering to pay off the over two hundred dollar debt for less than two hundred. This is the first that I have heard of anything. She kept trying to get a check number from me to pay it off--saying that this was a great offer from her company. I got both company names and said I would call back later when I got more information about what was going on. When I tried to get information on Consolidated Media Services and a different name, they are known as MOS Magazine Subscriptions. I came across complaints about them and Luebke Baker and Associates. I went through my credit card statements and found that I paid them from 6/18-03 to 4/29/03 a total amount of $419.45. And when I tried to call the number on my statements, it said the number is invaleid. I have tried to get a hold of the company and don't know what to do next.
Jennifer of Wichita Falls TX (12/15/07)
We had moved, and one day I received a letter in the mail (the name was not fully correct), and it stated I owed $822.25 to Area Circulation Inc.--and they would settle for $328.90. I called the number on the letter, and they stated I had agreed over the phone and they had a recording. I asked to hear it, but it was not available. I also asked for the company to whom I owed, what magazine I owed for, and when this all happened; and they could not give me that information.
do not receive magazine subscriptions! I receive one magazine which I paid for and I went directly through the magazine! After getting nothing but rudeness from the representative she hung up. I have not received any bills from anyone, no phone calls, nothing until this letter. I haven't heard anything else but am going to pull my credit report to check for anything. There must be something done with all of the harrasment these people are inflicting!
David of Findlay OH (11/27/07)
Consolidated Media Services supposed date 3/1/1999 I paid them a settlement back in 1999. I have since shredded the records in 2006 since it is past 8 years. Apparently this went into collection with Luebke Baker & Associates 9/26/07 for the amount of 218.00 which they are willing to settle for 118.00 to close the collection action against me and keep from reporting me to the Credit Bureau They need to be stopped, what is my next step?
Candida of Canaan NH (11/26/07)
I was contacted in the end of September 2007 and told that I owed money to Consolidated Media Services for some magazines. I asked the lady when this took place; she said it was back in 1997. I have had the same phone number and address since 1994 so there is no reason for me not to have received any bills from Consolidated; in fact if I had any bills if would have been processed in our bankruptcy case in 2000. I don't feel that I owe anything and I was told I would have to pay that day to get a lower settlement; I told the lady I wasn't paying anything without having something in writing that I could look over and determine its validity. She gave me a hard time about wanting this information. I finally received something (not fully detailed) in November. I looked up the original business, Consolidated Media Services, and I found there were many cases reported just like this.
Amanda of Paradis LA (10/23/07)
I was contacted by Luebke Baker and Associates in October of 2007 for an overdue balance with Consolidated Media, for some magazines that were ordered back in 1998. About 2 years later I was contacted by a collection agency stating that I had a past due invoice of somewhere around $250 which I paid just to get it settled. I never heard anything else about this until yesterday when LBA called me saying that I owed $239.94 but that I could settle for $139.94. I asked to have the information for Consolidated Media so I could directly contact them because this had been taken care of already. The girl told me that she could not give out that information and that I would have to write them a letter that they would then have to pass on to Consolidated Media. After talking to my husband about this he said that if it's only a little over a hundred dollars that we should just pay it so it won't go on my credit, as we are trying to buy a house soon.
I called LBA back and explained to the girl who answered the phone what I wanted to do and asked if I could send a money order or cashiers check. She told me that they couldn't take a check or anything that it would have to be drafted straight out of my account. I then told her I was not comfortable with giving her my account number. She went on to say how they were a legitimate credit agency and that my account info would not be passed on to anyone else. I explained to her that I was not going to give it out and that I would have to call them back. She became pretty upset with me saying that she now handled my account as of this morning and that the other girl that called the day before was terminated. That she would only be there another 10 minutes and that if I didn't call back within that time this matter would not be settled today and it would go on my credit. I told her I would try to get back with her before she left and if not I would speak to someone else. She hung up on me without another word. I am now pretty confused about what to do, this all sounds a little fishy to me, but I don't want this to reflect on my credit score.
Darla of Catasauqua PA (10/08/07)
Back in Nov. 1997 I received a phone call from Consolidated Media Services asking to purchase magazines. I can not remeber the deal they had offered, but agreed to 1 yr. One - two years later received a phone call from Consolidated Media stating the balance was past due. I apologized and paid account in full with a check by phone. Now 11 years later I receive a call from Luebke, Baker and Assoicates stating that I owe $140.00 dollars and that they would be more than happy to take money over the phone. I guess they would, I would like to take some money over the phone if it is that easy. I explained what had transpired in the past and told them that the debt was paid and I owe nothing. I spoke to a friend who works for an attorney and she stated that the statue of limitations is 5 years and that they should not be harrasing me. I called back and spoke to the woman who called (Twinda) at Luebke, Baker and Associates and I asked her to fax me the records she had on file regarding my account so that I may contact my attorney. She stated she has no records just a bill that she will send to me. This is a bit ridiculous. There seems to be a lot of people in this world be suckered by both of theses companies and it needs to stop. The companies need to be put out of business. What can be done??
Elizabeth of Flushing NY (05/28/07)
About 9 months ago I received a call from a telemarketer offering discounted magazines to pay for 3 yrs and get an additional 2 yrs free. I made the mistake of saying yes. I had some financial setbacks and fell behind in my payments. I was told it was too late I was unable to cancel. I received a phone call from Luebke, Baker and Associates saying I owed 600.00 but they would reduce it to $400.00 if I make 2 payments of $200.00. One was for May 1st. They took that one out a day or 2 early. The next payment was supposed to be on June 1st. On May 26th I go to the ATM to make a withdrawal and am informed that there is only $0.66 in my checking acct. I suspected the payment for the magazines was deducted early. I called my bank and my suspicions were indeed confirmed. They submitted the 2nd check on May 22nd. I am in the process of disputing it with the bank. I cannot believe these companies are still doing business with all the horrible experiences people like myself report. This includes Consolidated Media and Luebke, Baker & Associates. What an awful scam. My best friend also signed up for magazines tried to canceal and said it was a total nightmare.
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