I was ripped off for $75. In early summer 2009 I purchased a subscription (magazine) from kids saying they are earning money for college, through Midwestclearing Inc. They are friendly, articulate, and good at sales ...and they come each summer. I made a $75 purchase on May 2009 for Cook Bood Digest, but it never arrived. By Oct 5th I called the number on the receipt (Midwest Clearing Inc) and was told to send an e-mail to David. I did that, but no response. On Dec 15th 2009 I called and spoke with Stephanie. She said I would have a check in 4 days. On Jan 8, 2010 I sent another e-mail to David, and then followed up with a call and spoke with John. Was eventially told that they sent a check, but that I couldn't talk to the person sending it for confirmation, as they use an outside service. They were unwilling to disclose who would be sending the check. Of course, I never received the refund check. It was a rip off, but they seem to be in business and the kids come every year...but I won't be buying from them again and would recommend that anyone who wants a magazine...deal directly with the magazine, and not through Midwest Clearing Inc.

This happened in Maryland on 9/4/09
A black woman calling herself Anastasia Hopkins came to my door telling me that she was a part of an Urban charitable organization that helped her and other young inner-city youth climb out of the drug infested lifestyle. She told me that she lived in Cincinnati Ohio, had 2 small children that were staying with her mother, and that she was trying to make a life for herself by selling "reading material". She said "I don't like going door to door, but I'd rather sell magazines, than drugs or myself into prostitution". When I asked what kind of reading material, she told me magazines. She stated that she earned "credits" for selling the subscriptions, and that she received a paycheck once a week. This, she claimed, help her support her children, and that the company helped other inner-city youth with the $15/handling fee on each subscription. The subscriptions were $87 each, plus the $15, for a total of $102. She added that this was completely "tax deductible". She was very personable and engaging, and believable. I'm usually quite suspicious, but frankly, I liked her, and have 4 children around her age. In the event that she thought I had a lot of money or was born with advantages, I explained to her that I and my husband both came from difficult circumstances, put ourselves through college, and worked hard to get to where we are today, which is simply, middle class, family of 7 (not wealthy by any means). I bought two subscriptions (totaling $204) believing that I was helping her and others, as I do like to be charitable and she insisted it was tax deductible. On the front of one of the receipts, it says "No donations"...she had explained that this meant not to write a donation to her, since that would "defeat the purpose of [her]selling the magazines" and earning her living. She then asked me to sign a paper and make comments about her performance representing herself and this so-called charitable organization. Naturally, I wrote nice things, since I believed her, and liked her. She actually returned to our home to use the phone, and had a long conversation with my son. She had told my son that she was flying to California the following day (today) to sell magazines, and that seemed quite odd and extravagant to me, for a charity. A large white van with a cheering group of people pulled up to the corner to pick her up a few hours later, they were honking their horn and cheering and it appeared they had a successful day canvassing our quiet suburban neighborhood ( and scamming us as it turns out.) I began to be suspicious, and checked out the 2 websites that she wrote down for me to "track my order", and found they had nothing to do with a charity or the company listed on front of the sales slip. On the back of one of the 3 receipts in very faint print, I discovered a disclaimer saying that they were not a charitable organization, but one would have to had bought a subscription, before being able to read that one disclaimer. She actually wrote the "website" address over that slip of paper to distract from the faint print. Why would anyone pay $102 for a subscription if it weren't some kind of charity? Why would they put "no donations" on the front of a sales slip, unless they knew that they were being represented as being a charity, since who would "donate" money to a magazine salesperson? I did put a stop payment on the check immediately, and filed complaints with the BBB and the Federal Trade commission, since apparently, the sales reps travel from state to state to deceive the compassionate among us. Today, this very same woman, is roaming our neighborhood, knocking on doors, and by unscrupulous means, deceiving those who might feel compassion towards her. These people are a blight on charitable organizations, as it hardens peoples hearts to the needs of others. They think people are stupid, rather than people are caring. They sell their souls for a few dollars...that's worse than prostitution.

This group is currently hitting the Los Angeles, Orange County, and surrounding areas!! They are staying at a hotel in Redondo Beach. I've heard they've been driven to South Orange county, and maybe further. BE WARY!! Fraud, alleged rape, theft... DEC 2008!!! A Friend!