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dwightdi · 03-28-2007, 03:30 PM

Scam artists have stolen Trailer Life's subscriber database. Thousands of fake renewal notices have been sent out from fake companies in NV & CA requesting renewal checks. Trailer Life does not use any subscription service companies. Do not send any checks to any address other than TL Enterprises in Mt. Morris, IL. If you send the fake companies your money, TL Enterprises can not credit your account and the companies move quickly so the police have not been able to catch them. It is unlikely you will get any of your money back.

Since Trailer Life and MotorHome are published at the same location, it is possible that the theives have also stolen the Motorhome database. BE CAREFUL

ibgl6 · 03-28-2007, 05:31 PM

Shoot I just got one the other day said it was a special offer and I could get 25 issues for 25.00 I hope it was legit I dont remember where I mailed the check too.. It did have a postage paid envelope hope it was ok..

dwightdi · 03-29-2007, 07:00 AM

The database also included all the phone numbers. The thieves are calling saying they are Trailer Life or representing them and asking for renewals. If you get one of these calls, do not give them your credit card number or mail any money other than to directly to Trailer Life in Mt. Morris IL. If you have a caller ID on your phone, get their phone number and email it to info@trailerlife.com so we can catch these thieves.

dbradhstream · 03-29-2007, 07:51 AM

I got the same mailing and also paid the $25. Looked legit to me. I guess we'll see ...

Sky · 03-29-2007, 08:14 AM

I hope somebody at TL Enterprises gets axed. Heck, I hope the company gets sued. Companies of all sizes need to understand the importance of keeping data like this secure. What ever the cost is to do so, it should be part of the business model, and very stringent internal policies should prevent this from ever happening. This kind of stuff really ticks me off

Hope nobody gets ripped.

markdoane · 03-29-2007, 09:29 AM

Has their website also been hacked?

There isn't any mention of losing the subscriber list on their website. I think if you lose something like a subscriber list you must immediately warn people any way you can.

TomW · 03-29-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwightdi

Scam artists have stolen Trailer Life's subscriber database. ...

Please cite/provide link to your source of information.

Thanks,
Tom

overlander63 · 03-29-2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwightdi

The database also included all the phone numbers. The thieves are calling saying they are Trailer Life or representing them and asking for renewals. If you get one of these calls, do not give them your credit card number or mail any money other than to directly to Trailer Life in Mt. Morris IL. If you have a caller ID on your phone, get their phone number and email it to infro@trailerlife.com so we can catch these thieves.

That email address is not recognized. Is there another email for contact?

wahoonc · 03-29-2007, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

That email address is not recognized. Is there another email for contact?

I think dwight has a misspeeling in his email addy, it probably should be info@trailerlife.com

Aaron

dwightdi · 03-29-2007, 04:23 PM

Trailer Life published a small warning on page 11 of their Jan 07 edition. I missed it and paid $15 to the scammers. I was hoping to save a few of our friends from the lose. TL subscription dept has phone 800-825-6861. Info is the proper spelling for reporting by email. Sorry about that.

Sky · 03-29-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwightdi

Trailer Life published a small warning on page 11 of their Jan 07 edition. I missed it and paid $15 to the scammers.

If they wouldn't refund you, I would drop my subscription so fast it would make their head spin. "OH geeee, its not our fault the information you intrusted with us got stolen, and it cost you money", what BS.

Stream 1529 · 03-30-2007, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwightdi

Since Trailer Life and MotorHome are published at the same location, it is possible that the theives have also stolen the Motorhome database. BE CAREFUL

This is really strange. After reading your post I remembered that I had a renewal notice at home. When I opened it I saw that the return address was to the correct address, so I was a bit relieved.

Then, this morninng I went on to the Trailer Life website to see what they were advising their subscribers. Nothing! No mention of the theft any where, not even on their forum. I called their 1-800 number and asked about the database theft. I got a "What do you mean?" response. When I went into more detail, the person then conceded that yes it had really happened. When I asked why the Company was not advising their subscribers on their website and by mail I was told that notificaton was being made in the magazine. I asked what issue, and was told it would be in the next issue coming out. I asked what information was contained in the database other than my name, address, phone number, and account number. The reply was that she did not know.

I find this to be really poor judgement on the Publisher's part in very many different ways.

markdoane · 03-30-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stream 1529

. . . I find this to be really poor judgement on the Publisher's part in very many different ways.

It will be interesting to see if they are more forthright in the published explanation. If it does get published.

How could the subscription clerk not know what information was compromised? That's an obvious lie and coverup.

It may be a criminal doing it, but that doesn't let the publisher off the hook. They were either reckless, or didn't have adequate security processes.

Stream 1529 · 03-30-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdoane

How could the subscription clerk not know what information was compromised? That's an obvious lie and coverup.

It may be a criminal doing it, but that doesn't let the publisher off the hook. They were either reckless, or didn't have adequate security processes.

I'm just glad that I've never given them my credit card number. They have my address, phone number, and my email address. Under the circcumstances that's too much.

overlander63 · 05-01-2007, 02:32 PM

Back when this was brought to our attention, I fired off an email to the Trailer Life folks. I got a response a few minutes ago (love that fast turnaround time).
Here it is, copied and pasted in its entirety:

Terry,

Thank you for your interest In Trailer Life Magazine. This is basically a rumor. Publishers across the nation have been dealing with the problem of "Rogue Agents" for a few years. No one knows exactly how they get a publishers list, but they do. I have attached a "Subscriber Alert", that has been printed in a few of our magazines. Rogue offers state on the back that they have no relationship with the publisher. All our offers come from Mt Morris IL.

Rogues are very hard to track, but some progress has been made. US Postal Inspectors in Utah are preparing charges on the main perpetrators. Publishers are doing all they can to bring Fraud charges against these individuals. I hope this note & the attached Subscriber Alert answer any other questions you have. If not, don't hesitate to contact me.

Thanks,
gzl
Gerri Zlonis-Lehmann
Circulation Specialist
ATV, Boating, Rider, RV, TLE, Snow Titles
Ehlert Publishing Group
6420 N Sycamore Lane, Suite 100
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Phone: 763/383-4437
Fax: 763/383-4499
Email: gzlonis-lehmann@ehlertpublishing.com

SUBSCRIBER NOTICE
If you subscribe to MotorHome Magazine, first of all let us say, “thank you.” Whether you’re a new subscriber or one of our many veterans, to us you’re family as well as fellow RVers.

Lately we’ve noticed an increase in the number of subscribers who have been contacted by unauthorized subscription agents. These companies and individuals pretend to be us or partners of ours, and attempt to sell subscriptions or renewals via phone calls and through the mail.

You should know we will only call a subscriber after their subscription has expired, so that we can verify their intentions and ask for their suggestions for future coverage. In addition, all subscription-related mail from us will have a return address in Mount Morris, Illinois. We also contact subscribers by e-mail if they have asked us to do so.

We are doing everything in our power to stop these companies, but they are incredibly difficult to track down. If you are contacted by anyone who attempts to sell or renew your subscription to MotorHome and you are able to obtain a name, location or phone number that we can use, please forward it to us at info@motorhomemagazine.com.

We value you and your loyalty to MotorHome Magazine. Remember, the only time we will contact you to renew your subscription will be via mail or e-mail from our office in Mount Morris, Illinois; and the only time we will ever call subscribers is after their subscriptions have expired, and only then to verify their cancellation and to ask how to make our magazine better.
— The Editors

Minnie's Mate · 05-01-2007, 03:25 PM

I guess the best thing to do if you plan to renew is to use the subscription card that comes in the magazine itself.

jimmickle · 05-01-2007, 05:08 PM

Thanks for starting this thread. Just over a week ago I got an e-mail offer to renew Motorhome early for the great rate of 2 years for $29.97. Almost did it.

Have forwarded the e-mail to info@motorhomemagazine.com for further information.

overlander63 · 05-01-2007, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmickle

Thanks for starting this thread. Just over a week ago I got an e-mail offer to renew Motorhome early for the great rate of 2 years for $29.97. Almost did it.

Have forwarded the e-mail to info@motorhomemagazine.com for further information.

If you do this, they would like to have full headers from the email, they can trace the IP address the email was sent from, and do a whois to find out who owns the account.

SteSpot · 05-01-2007, 06:01 PM

It seems to me that one would have more recourse by using a credit card for payment.....they can refund your money if there is a problem.......with a check...not so sure you have as much protection....just a thought. pj

Minnie's Mate · 05-02-2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteSpot

It seems to me that one would have more recourse by using a credit card for payment.....they can refund your money if there is a problem.......with a check...not so sure you have as much protection....just a thought. pj

I would think that if you have paid with a check and it hasn't cleared the bank yet, you could put a stop payment on the check. You would incur a fee for the stop payment, but you would prevent the bad guys from getting your money. Your bank might even waive the fee since the Postal Inspector is involved with it being a fraud case. You could always ask. If it is your first stop payment, they might be willing to cooperate, especially if you take the notice from the magazine in as proof.