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11/09/2004: "Please be aware of the following scam"

from one of our neighborhood residents:



would it be possible for you to put out an alert about an apparent scam artist selling subscriptions today (nov 4) in the dell, door to door? My salesman was dark-haired guy in early to mid-20s claiming to be a ucla communications student who said he was selling magazines to raise money for Children's Hospital. He claimed to live on Holly.The company is World Wide Circulation. Aka Liberty Sales.



I stupidly gave him a check for $38, but reported this to the police after doing a quick search online and finding out that this company has a history of using almost identical scams in cities across country. The receipts say point blank that they are not tied to students or charities, but that is not what the salesman says.



Warnings have been issued agianst this company by the New York State Consumer Protection Board, Chicago BBB, and others. According to releases I found online, two salesmen were arrested in New Jersey after having used almost identical claims. In the past, salesmen have identified themselves as coming from Princeton and the University of Georgia.



this is apparently not a small operation. I would strongly encourage anyone who sees him to ask to see the receipt before giving any money and to call hollywood pd if you see him. Police told me that similar scammers cash are able to use the check to get additional funds -- or to write additional checks based on your information.

Replies: 1 Comment

on Wednesday, January 5th, Ian O'Connor said

We have also had visits from reps of this outfit over the years. They frequently use nicely dressed young men often minority who use phrases like "keeping kids off drugs and out of crime" etc." Upon pressing them for details however they are not affiliated in any way with any service organizations or youth centers. I asked and they confirmed that the only way this might keep kids of of drugs was to give them jobs selling magazine subscriptions. Then again it might also give them money to buy drugs.