Readers Digest Contest Scam?

[legendofxix]

So I just recieved this in the mail, not sure if anyone else did.
Pretty sure its a scam of some sort but I can't be too sure.
In my rabid contest entries I may have actually entered some random Readers Digest contest.
Anyone else get this?
If you have, that confirms my suspicions.

[Spidey]

I used to think this to. But I have won $27,500 from them 6 years ago. So this stuff is valid

[burnt_toast]

i maybe a potential $500,000 winner... im just waiting for the confirmation envelope to arrive... :cheesygri :D

I used to think this to. But I have won $27,500 from them 6 years ago. So this stuff is valid

did you subscribe to any of their magazines? i thought it was just a way for them to get more subscribers and if you do sign up, only then you are entered in their contests...

[legendofxix]

i maybe a potential $500,000 winner... im just waiting for the confirmation envelope to arrive... :cheesygri :D



did you subscribe to any of their magazines? i thought it was just a way for them to get more subscribers and if you do sign up, only then you are entered in their contests...

I don't recall subscribing to anything, nor do I intend to.
Readers Digest sucks.
So I'm ok throw this out then.

[Spidey]

i maybe a potential $500,000 winner... im just waiting for the confirmation envelope to arrive... :cheesygri :D



did you subscribe to any of their magazines? i thought it was just a way for them to get more subscribers and if you do sign up, only then you are entered in their contests...

Nope, never did. I still enter them when I get them in the mail. Its nice to see the person that signed my cheque name on all the entry forms. Marisa Orsimi. I even talked to her on the phone :cheesygri

[legendofxix]

Nope, never did. I still enter them when I get them in the mail. Its nice to see the person that signed my cheque name on all the entry forms. Marisa Orsimi. I even talked to her on the phone :cheesygri
Ahh.
Apparently you don't need to subscribe to them according to their website to enter.
Sweepstakes date is September 23rd 2009.
Thats how they get ya.
Make you subscribe for a year.

[Spidey]

Ahh.
Apparently you don't need to subscribe to them according to their website to enter.
Sweepstakes date is September 23rd 2009.
Thats how they get ya.
Make you subscribe for a year.

But you just said you dont have to according to their website.

But then you say you have to subscribe for a year :confused:

Either or, I know I have never subscribed

[Nikita]

I got the same email a few days ago and posted in the contest section about it before clicking on the link they provided. After Spidey responded that the name on my email was the name on the cheque he won, I entered. The email came to me via MochaSofa, which I subscribe to (I also subscribe to Reader's Digest), otherwise I likely would have just tossed it.

But you just said you dont have to according to their website.

But then you say you have to subscribe for a year :confused:

Either or, I know I have never subscribed

No you don't have to subscribe to enter, they try to get you to but I got entered without having to subscribe to anything. Just to clarify, I am subscribed to their online site, the contest email was to pay to subscribe to their hard copy. But like I said, I said no to that and was still able to enter the sweeps. I believe there was also the option to subscribe and then cancel after the first issue.

[burnt_toast]

Nope, never did. I still enter them when I get them in the mail. Its nice to see the person that signed my cheque name on all the entry forms. Marisa Orsimi. I even talked to her on the phone :cheesygri


:-0 what:?: :?: she is REAL???

i better mail those things back then...

[Spidey]

:-0 what:?: :?: she is REAL???

i better mail those things back then...

Yes she is. I have a photocopy of the cheque with her signature. If I have time I will post it

[aimfox]

Yes she is. I have a photocopy of the cheque with her signature. If I have time I will post it

what's the site to register? i want free money

[SirAlain]

The letter I got in the mail sounds, smells, looks & feels like a scam. But wait, there's more! Maybe it's the way they advertise. Y'all know what kind of people they market to, right?

But I hope I can enter the contest without having to subscribe.

http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/9833/page1rhc1.th.jpg (http://img60.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page1rhc1.jpg)
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/1958/page2rsg5.th.jpg (http://img380.imageshack.us/my.php?image=page2rsg5.jpg)

[theinfamous]

So I just recieved this in the mail, not sure if anyone else did.
Pretty sure its a scam of some sort but I can't be too sure.
In my rabid contest entries I may have actually entered some random Readers Digest contest.
Anyone else get this?
If you have, that confirms my suspicions.

I got the same letter as you in the mail. Said something about an all expenses paid trip to reader's digest HQ in montreal where the $500k winner will be drawn. I tossed the letter cause I thought it was fake.

Edit: Just checked my email and saw this also:


Dear XXX,
Please don’t tell anyone you received this email. At least not yet – because not everyone is receiving this opportunity to win a brand-new luxury car...nor an extra $10,000 CASH UPGRADE! And it’s all coming your way with the opportunity to place an order from our featured Catalogue. But hurry, this is a limited-time opportunity! In fact, our winner will be confirmed in just a few weeks! If you win, you could tell everyone the fantastic news that you’ve become up to $50,000.00 richer – OVERNIGHT!
I’m sure there are people who would think I am playing favorites if they knew you received this email. I would hate for you to miss out on this opportunity. Click here to activate your prize opportunities NOW!
Yours sincerely,

xxxx
Prize Award Administrator

[Jabb]

I used to think this to. But I have won $27,500 from them 6 years ago. So this stuff is valid

I found you Spidey!

http://www.readersdigest.ca/sweeps-old67.html

[perplexed_one]

:-0 what:?: :?: she is REAL???

i better mail those things back then...

doesn't look like a scam to me:

http://www.readersdigest.ca/sweeps_new.html

http://www.readersdigest.ca/sweeps-old71.html

http://www.readersdigest.ca/sweeps-old69.html

[perplexed_one]

I found you Spidey!

http://www.readersdigest.ca/sweeps-old67.html

is this you, Spidey?
http://www.readersdigest.ca/images_sweeps/winners/Wallin,-Ken.jpg

[geronimo]

My mom got one of those thigns in the mail last year, but she didn't bother with it. Meh, it probably is real, but the chances of winning aren't high.

[samir805]

So whats the verdict? Real...or Scam!:confused:

[Spidey]

is this you, Spidey?
http://www.readersdigest.ca/images_sweeps/winners/Wallin,-Ken.jpg

Yes. I wish I had a tan back the, but it was Febraury

[samir805]

here is more info about this:

http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5479&page=2

[7Stryder7]

i got it too;
i'm pretty sure every1 will get these as long as they have ur info...
in the trash it goes!!!

[temporary user]

I had those letters. Sent them and tried to stay in the contest, but almost each week a new "confirmation" letter would arrive, until at some point, 20+ letters or so, I got tired and stopped.
As the letters go, it becomes evident that they are trying to sign you up for their crappaper.
Some of the letters, if you are not careful, WILL sign you up for their stuff when you submit the paperwork.

[crazyqqq]

I received these letters a couple of times last year. And I just received one couple days ago. I moved last year, but I am so surprised that the contest letter follow me. I am highly suspicious that they got my info from a magazine that I subscribed. Whenever I received these letters, I'll return to sender. Hopefully they will remove me from their marketing list and save trees,

[aZian_]

Simple as this,

You are not actually entered into anything like they say you are prior getting the mail. When i got one in the mail i believe there weretwo envelopes, one declining the invitation and one accepting it. Either way, its just a way to verify you still live at that address.

If the contest is real ( which seems to be ) the cost of entry is the validation of your information. That information is than used to sell to marketers. A list comprised from all the " entries" are worth ALOT more than the prize money given away.

Reader's digest is just used to make it sound valid, instead of people who are trying to update there list hiding behind a no name contest

[BerinG]

Anyone else try to unsubscribe? I have tried to unsubscribe through the e-mail. At the first the link didn't work. Tried it again later and it worked. Gives me the option to uncheck all e-mails and postal mail subscritions and then I click "Set preference" and get a second "confirmation" (begging), so I click "Set Preference" again and then get an error:

Sorry, a database error occurred. Please click "Back" in your browser and try again. If the error persists, please email the webmaster: webmaster@readersdigest.ca

I have sent an e-mail to unsubscribe so we'll see.

[7Stryder7]

i got a free reader's digest today!
they also gave me a paper saying to claim my $3500 cash prize

[CSR]

I had those letters. Sent them and tried to stay in the contest, but almost each week a new "confirmation" letter would arrive, until at some point, 20+ letters or so, I got tired and stopped.
As the letters go, it becomes evident that they are trying to sign you up for their crappaper.
Some of the letters, if you are not careful, WILL sign you up for their stuff when you submit the paperwork.

Ya it was a waste of time and stamps sending them back the YES/NO.

[BerinG]

Ok so, update to my last message.. the server "database" is still getting an error and it goes directly there.. to me that database error is just there so you can't unsubscribe.. any web developer (my job) would have fixed something like that.. basically its an e-mail and 5 check boxes.

I sent an e-mail already to them saying that I didn't want ANY communications from readersdigest anymore. Well this morning I receive another e-mail Ou Canada magazine or some crap.. again in that e-mail.. they say i could have 500000$ ..

Tried again to unsubscribe through the site.. same database error. Sent another e-mail to them, and the Communications manager there (which i got off another site). I have also called the Montreal office and they couldn't even do anything. She said she'd take my e-mail and see if she can send it somewhere.. did not look like anything was actually going to get done though.

Also noticed there were a few complaints already at the Office de la Protection du Consommateur. We'll see.. scammers :evil:

[7Stryder7]

i'm having a bit of a problem:

reader's digest is starting to send me their monthly magazines now...
they mailed me the may 2008 issue, which i thought was free :), but now, they have recently sent me their june 2008 issue. I looked at the address info and they did mail it to the right person (they probably got my info from the contest draws). However, it says the magazine expires on apr 09 (meaning i've subscribed to their magazine for a whole year?)
The problem is, I didn't give any credit card info, or written a consent to subscribe to their issues...
Does any1 have the same problem as i have?

[kevmac32]

My dad was entered in to this contest after he bought a car the dealership had a deal with RD and they signed him up from the info he gave them to buy the car, He received the same 500,000 letter in the mail, however he took it to his laywers and they say it is legit also someone did just win 500,000 dollars in ontario from this same contest not to long ago as long as you don't have to send money it is not a scam.

[BerinG]

I guess it just "sounds" like one with the way it is presented..

[clipz]

Just Got t one of these in the mail

[Setz]

All I had to do is give them my credit card info, and they said they'd transfer the 70 billion into my account.

[actuary]

I've checked out these Readers Digest Contests before. While I do believe they are legitimate, the expected value is very poor.

Take the latest one on their website. In September, they will pay out 18 prizes of $3,500. This has an expected value of $0.07. In other words, you are expected to win, on average, 7 cents from this contest. If you enter by post, the cost of the stamp far outweighs your expected winnings.

[Spidey]

I've checked out these Readers Digest Contests before. While I do believe they are legitimate, the expected value is very poor.

Take the latest one on their website. In September, they will pay out 18 prizes of $3,500. This has an expected value of $0.07. In other words, you are expected to win, on average, 7 cents from this contest. If you enter by post, the cost of the stamp far outweighs your expected winnings.

Am I missing something :confused: 7 cents. :confused: You would win $3500. Not $3500 split 18 ways

[actuary]

Am I missing something :confused: 7 cents. :confused: You would win $3500. Not $3500 split 18 ways

No, $0.07 is your Expected Value (EV) for the contest. The EV is what you would win, on average, if you could enter this contest an infinite amount of times.

In this contest you will win $0 about 849,982 times out of 850,000 and will win $3,500 about 18 times out of 850,000. The EV is sum of the win amounts times the probability of the win, so in this case EV = $0 * 849,942/850,000 + $3,500 * 18/850,000 = $0.07.

Expected Value is at the heart of gaming theory and explains how lotteries and casinos make money.

[mxhp00]

Has anyone been able to unsubscribe to Readers Digest? It doesn't work for me :|

[Kerlo]

I went through the email sign up for this contest and accidentally said yes to a subscription. I went to the contest FAQ section and found a contact us section. I was able to have myself removed from the subscription request without issue.

[mlagersson]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2007/08/07/alta-chequescam.html?ref=rss


when it sounds to good to be true, it usually is!

[Spidey]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2007/08/07/alta-chequescam.html?ref=rss


when it sounds to good to be true, it usually is!

But thats not how actual readers digest wins are. Comparing this scam to an actual readers digest win realy isnt the same

[DorisHenrique]

So I just recieved this in the mail, not sure if anyone else did.
Pretty sure its a scam of some sort but I can't be too sure.
In my rabid contest entries I may have actually entered some random Readers Digest contest.
Anyone else get this?
If you have, that confirms my suspicions.

I'm 100% sure it ISN'T A SCAM
I received the same mail on Wednesday
Now today I got the Yellow envelope Saying I am
a finalist Im so happy
Check their site it even has proof, that someone won last year ( ::-0

[briinii]

I have also received this offer.. saying im a 1% to recieve this, or some crap like that. i got the first letter and it said that ill get the "yellow" confirmation envelope. and i got that today. it looks pretty promising, the only catch is to subcribe to a yearly subcribtion for 30$s or so, but on the YES envelope it states that you can cancel the subscription when you get the bill. Im going to go ahead and send it back right away to see what happens.

[yao416]

well, i recived some cheques from them 2 days ago. ($600K).
I guess I'm $600K richer :D

[The Seeker]

well, i recived some cheques from them 2 days ago. ($600K).
I guess I'm $600K richer :D

Yeah, I've just received the letter(s) too, top 1% and all that + additional car, which happens to match a Lexus. I'm debating whether or not I should enter. yao416: Did you subscribe with the 'yes' envelope or did you send in the 'no' envelope?

[Eyies]

No, $0.07 is your Expected Value (EV) for the contest. The EV is what you would win, on average, if you could enter this contest an infinite amount of times.

In this contest you will win $0 about 849,982 times out of 850,000 and will win $3,500 about 18 times out of 850,000. The EV is sum of the win amounts times the probability of the win, so in this case EV = $0 * 849,942/850,000 + $3,500 * 18/850,000 = $0.07.

Expected Value is at the heart of gaming theory and explains how lotteries and casinos make money.

I'm assuming there's 850k entires.. and you seem to be missing about 50 people :). Anyways I guess like most lotteries this has a negative EV if you factor in postage =P

[yao416]

Yeah, I've just received the letter(s) too, top 1% and all that + additional car, which happens to match a Lexus. I'm debating whether or not I should enter. yao416: Did you subscribe with the 'yes' envelope or did you send in the 'no' envelope?

I didn't do anything, I know it's a scam, so whats the point. =/

[hightech]

It is misleading advertising. Here is a link from CBC Marketplace:
http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2009/how_not_to_win_500000/main.html

[Piccolo]

It is misleading advertising. Here is a link from CBC Marketplace:
http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2009/how_not_to_win_500000/main.html

I watched that documentary a little while ago. The only "Scam" that they could find was the way they advertised. All the information was there, it just wasn't obvious unless you read all the fine print. I can't stomach Marketplace. They squew everything in order to get a story. When the "bad guys" dont want to talk to them, the Marketplace hard hitting news caster have to go get 'em for the little people.:rolleyes: There was no scam revealed. Only the tactics of advertising that is shaddy because they target the older generation and those who don't read the fine print (or can't because it is ~ fine print).

Just make sure you read everything and understand before signing up for anything.

[RedHawk]

What happens if I win but I changed address? Can they contact me by phone or email?

[bogi093]

Well i just got an email, did everything and it seems legit, the sites belong to readers digest, and the email came from bell, hmm, we will just have to see :)

[NOVA79]

Here's an email I just got....Legit? I'm skeptical as I have really nothing to do with Reader's Digest (I switched my real name with "XXXXXXX")....


OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION FOR XXXXXX

POTENTIAL FINALIST TO WIN $500,000.00 IN THE THIRD AND LAST STAGE OF THE 73RD NATIONAL SWEEPSTAKES.

To: XXXXXXX,

An Official Access Code has been issued to you. It confirms that you are the only person in the whole of Canada who may activate Prize Draw Numbers in your name for the chance to win thousands in our Sweepstakes. If your luck holds and any of those numbers goes on to be drawn as a winner, you’d have sole claim to a cash amount worth AS MUCH AS $500,000.00.

You may be surprised to know that in all of Canada, less than 1% of the households have been selected to receive a fabulous offer from Reader’s Digest today. What’s more, you have already been fortunate enough to clear two of the three stages there are to becoming a winner in our Sweepstakes!

Now it’s all up to you, XXXXXXXX –– make the most of your opportunity today. Simply click for your Official Access Code and access our secure website to activate Prize Draw Numbers in your name now*.

Sincerely,


Marisa Orsini
Prize Award Administrator

P.S. When people receive a Prize Draw invitation –– like the one you now have –– they often decide to discard it, thinking, “no one ever really wins.” And it is a fact that if you choose to ignore invitations like this, you will NEVER have the good luck to win ANYTHING in our Draws. Don’t let this chance slip away, just click for the Official Access Code , you could go on to win as much as $500,000.00. Act now!

[MatrixDweller]

I don't think I want to click on any of the links or even download the image that's in the message. The urls don't go to readers digest, they go to http://content.dynamicmessenger.com/cornerstone/?W0mK.hpldHdcNDVqPoKkNDKNcyFbO7HlW&http://www.rd.ca/go/rd_mag_lifestyle_selector_diy_reg_offer_20090918_3 stages/<myemailaddess>.

If it were legit then I would think that it would go straight to www.readersdigest.ca or .com.

[Kalel]

I got a similar e-mail to Nova recently but since I have never subscribed to RD plus I found it odd that a e-mail supposed from RD also was marked as being sent from Sympatico. In any event I trashed it figuring it was a phishing e-mail. Am I correct in doing what I did or should I have replied to it?

[lor74]

The Readers Digest contest is not a scam. It has been around forever, and they do actually pay out money. That being said, once you are on their mailing list, you will never get off. There will be an endless loop of snail mail with elaborate contests with early bird prizes and other crap. They always use the wording "you are a potential winner". It is all about marketing. They do actually sell the digest books, and like someone else has metioned, it is also about creating a database of valid name/addresses for other marketing purposes.

I assume that the odds of winning are slim to none and that the prizes are not guaranteed....but it has been a while since I have actually paid any attention to the mailings.

Congrats Spidey, you are the first person who I have ever encountered that has won anything from them.

[corvettefan]

I received the same mail too. It's all junk.

Anyway, here's how you can register for the Do Not Contact Service and get off the marketing lists from all marketers.

http://www.the-cma.org/?WCE=C=47|K=224217

And here's the link to get rid of the telemarketers:

https://www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca/index-eng