KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffPastor becomes victim of alleged magazine scam

Pastor becomes victim of alleged magazine scam

by Zakk Gammon - bio | email | Twitter

BERTRAND, MO (KFVS) - A Heartland pastor's quick thinking saves him from being from a lot of trouble in what authorities call a huge scam.

Bertrand First Baptist Church pastor Ron Aldridge became suspicious after a woman tried to sell him more than 100 dollars in magazine subscriptions. She told the man and his wife the magazines would go to troops overseas. However, according to the pastor, the police and numerous Internet complaints, that simply isn't true.

"She came knocking on our door," says Aldridge. "We're not interested in magazines. I've turned down a lot of good magazines I'd like to read; I just don't have time to read them."

But Aldridge says he'll give a helping hand any chance he gets.

"We said 'let's take a chance and we'll send some to the troops... supposedly a three-year subscription," Aldridge said.

The pastor wrote the woman a check for the subscription but he says he and his wife were still uneasy.

"I Googled the company and sure enough they've got page after page after page of where they've done this up and down the East Coast," Aldridge said.

The company is Atlantic Circulation, Inc., based in Pennsylvania. It has an official website listing contact information like phone and fax numbers and an email address. However, Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore says don't let that fool you.

"They'd ask for cash. The cash would pay for motels [and] food," says Sheriff Moore. "Then they'd take the checks or credit cards and get the money out of them."

Aldridge called his bank and the police. He canceled the check but the police never found the woman who sold him the subscription. They did arrest eight other people who they believe represent Atlantic Circulation. They all face charges of Theft by Deception. All but two of them bonded out.

20-year-old Samantha Graham of North Carolina remains in jail along with 20-year-old Adam Baker of Michigan, who police believe is the ring leader. However, investigators say there are still more people out there.

"If they're legit that's fine," says Sheriff Moore. "But if they're not, we're gonna go after them."

Heartland News contacted the company. A representative says they contract door-to-door sales people to sell the magazines. They also say receipts give to people when they buy the magazines clearly states delivery could take up to 120 days.

It apparently lists a customer service phone number for questions and complaints.

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