This outfit has called me four times claiming to be from the billing department from Shutterbug magazine. They claim I sent in a renewal form without the required check or credit card number and if I wished to get the special promotional rate I had signed up for, I needed to give them a credit card number. The problem is, they are not from Shutterbug. I have a fully paid subscription that continues for almost three years. I have called and e-mailed Shutterbug and they confirmed they are not making the calls. They do not even have my phone number on file. Shutterbug has received similar reports and is investigating.
The number shows up as being from J2 Global Communications but when I try to call back I get the recorded message that this number is out of service. Can't prove it, but I strongly suspect this is a phishing expedition.
Same here. Told them I did not intend to give them any money over the phone! No way, no how! I did not owe Smithsonian any money for any thing. Had the cancelled check to prove it. But what about a trusting person who is not clear about these scams?
DO NOT GIVE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION TO ANYONE WHO CANTACTS YOU BY PHONE, EVER!
Just received one last night from "Shutterbug" said the same thing as what AMO got. When I told them that I didn't send in a renewal and wasn't going to renew he hung up. So I called the subscription department from Shutterbug and they said that it was a scam and that they don't make out bound calles. I've already started warning people about this scam.