Business Profile
Mediation Services
Southwest Mediation ServiceThis business is NOT BBB Accredited.
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Complaints
Customer Complaints Summary
- 45 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 6 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:12/15/2022
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Received a call on december 7 about an old magazine subsciption from 5 years prior stating i could settle for a lesser amount that day or legal action would be taken and the cost would be 4 times the amount. I asked to have the debt documents sent to me for proof of the debt and all i was sent was one page on the amount they wanted me to pay and areas to fill in for the payment method. Since the initial call i get anywhere between 3 to 5 calls a day from various numbers from this company all of which i have blocked. They continue to call repeatedly without providing proof of the debt that i am entitled too for validation and have yet been providedBusiness Response
Date: 12/22/2022
****************, You are asking for Validity of Debt and that would be offered under FDCPA parameters and two different collection agencies tried to call and mail you information in an a tempt to collect a debt. Our office reached out to you for a different matter all together and that generated this BBB complaint. After you signed up to receive the following magazines the payments stopped: shape Magazine, Country Living, Cosmo, Car & Driver, ESPN & Field & Stream. you had the option to change these at any time for the life of the 30 month service. You stopped payment in 2017 and the periodicals continued to come unpaid for. We offer a consumer a settlement under mediation for less owed by just adding up the months of delivery and settle from that point. You can call us or respond here and in closing we hope to work with you to bring this matter to a final resolution.Customer Answer
Date: 01/02/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
Summer *******Initial Complaint
Date:12/14/2022
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
i got a call from *********************** of Southwest Mediation Service ************ at 1:45pm dec 13th, claiming i had a magazine subscription from 2 years ago. i automatically knew this was a scam because i have NEVER subscribed to one. nor have i ever received any form of paperwork. they dont like being told off which is what i will do ever time they call. this scamming needs to stopBusiness Response
Date: 12/22/2022
********************, You have Two (2) accounts with a company called Great ******** Readers ID ********** and GAR ******* for the following magazines total: Outdoor Life, Woman's Day, Bass masters, Parenting Early Years, Boating, Field & stream, ***************** GQ, ************ ESPN, Maxim & ME. Now that's a lot of Magazines under two accounts with your SSI ending in XXXX. That generates an inaccurate BBB complaint against us. We called you to see how we can close these Two accounts amicably without any recourse to the consumer. We understand the need to verify and If you would call out main number we can address the issue in a timely fashion. Running to place a BBB complainant in the other direction is unnecessary when we have all the information you would need to address this account in your name. We will hold these two accounts in our office till the new year and hope to hear from you. In closing we only look to settle for pennies on the dollar and in return release from these obligations, in your case two (2) separate magazines contracts.Customer Answer
Date: 01/02/2023
Complaint: 18569478
I am rejecting this response because:again I HAVE NEVER SIGNED UP FOR ANY MAGAZINES. i have NEVER received any magazines EVER. you are scamming liars.
Sincerely,
*****************************Business Response
Date: 01/05/2023
Never say Never ****** especially when you receive multiple phone calls prior to Magazines delivered. Three payments made on contract ******* and paying down contract ******* all the way to a balance of $99.80 from $998.00. That is the only reason we made contact with you. Not to harass but to clarify and settle you for pennies on the dollar. We will hold these delinquent accounts in our off till January 13th 2023 if you wish to hear our offer.
*************************
************
Customer Answer
Date: 01/05/2023
Complaint: 18569478
I am rejecting this response because:you are NOT getting ANY money from me. I NEVER SIGNED UP FOR ANY MAGAZINES. EVER ....so shove your bs pennies on the dollar c*** up your you know what. you **** scammer
Sincerely,
*****************************Business Response
Date: 01/09/2023
At this point we can no longer respond to this BBB complaint for TWO (2) Magazine contract. ******************** will not cooperate in any fashion and we will send BOTH accounts back to AMS as a refusal to pay. We will advise them to file separately for each accountInitial Complaint
Date:12/13/2022
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
For one they call me proclaiming I signed up for a magazine subscription with my maiden name I haven't had for 15yrs but it was started in 2017 supossedly and threaten legal action. I never received, signed any contract for a magazine service in my life. Then at the middle to end of the call he was to get snarky. All I got to say your business won't stay up long. Biggest scam I have ever seen.Business Response
Date: 12/22/2022
*******************, You are asking for Validity of Debt under a previous name and that would be
offered under FDCPA parameters and two different collection agencies
tried to call and mail you information in an a tempt to collect a debt.
Our office reached out to you for a different matter all together and
that generated this BBB complaint. After you signed up to receive the
following magazines the payments stopped: shape Magazine, Country
Living, Cosmo, Car & Driver, ESPN & Field & Stream. you had
the option to change these at any time for the life of the 30 month
service. You stopped payment in 2017 and the periodicals continued to
come unpaid for. We offer a consumer a settlement under mediation for
less owed by just adding up the months of delivery and settle from that
point. You can call us or respond here and in closing we hope to work
with you to bring this matter to a final resolution.Tell us why here...Customer Answer
Date: 01/02/2023
Complaint: 18567060
I am rejecting this response because: I have never and mean never received or signed any contract for a magazine subscription. I am not paying for something I never had or received.
That also hasn't been my name for over 15yrs now. So the constant harassing phone calls and snarky intimidating attitude was not necessary.
Sincerely,
***************************Business Response
Date: 01/05/2023
*******************,
Please see attached documentation with last four of SS# and Business address. Yes it was under a previous last name but the important notation is this was delivered to your business. We will hold this account till January 13th, 2023
*************************
************
Customer Answer
Date: 01/09/2023
Complaint: 18567060
I am rejecting this response because:
One I don't have a business, Two That is not my previous number, Three not the correct name for over 15yrs, Four never received magazines to my home and finally last four is ****. I DID NOT sign up for any magazine subscription ever in my life!!! I am not Paying for anything I one Never subscribed to and two NEVER got!
Sincerely,
***************************Business Response
Date: 01/10/2023
This account will be sent back to the publisher for review. Obviously we cannot resolve this matter over the phone or third party BBB. As of today's date 01/10/2023 we no longer have access to the debit and will not call again.Initial Complaint
Date:10/17/2022
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I received threatening calls from this company stating I owe an ungodly about for a magazine subscription I have NEVER signed up for. I continue to get these trash magazines but have NEVER signed up to receive them. When the come in the mail, they go in the trash. This is a true scam, and a waste of money and resources to try to send a product not subscribed for and try to scare people into paying money. Shame on you.Business Response
Date: 10/18/2022
**************************, We have no information on file. Do you know the name of the person who called you regarding this phone call for magazines ? we could use a date or time also to find this account if we have it here.Initial Complaint
Date:10/11/2022
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Southwest mediation services is a scam. Received a called and voice-mail stating I had a civil action with this office. When I called ************ back she changed it to some magazine company who was trying to get money from me. I have not had a magazine subscription in over a decade so how can I have debt from that. Nothing on credit report about this. When I told her this she got really upset and I said this is a scam your bbb review says it all and she said but companies pay for those reviews so I told her that her company should pay for better reviews then. I should add that the first red flag is that the number she called me from first was completely different than the number she gave for me to call her. And guess what I haven't received anymore phone calls and haven't been to court for this or paid anything. Once I called then out on their bull they stopped trying to scam me.Business Response
Date: 10/12/2022
This complaint was generated from a Voice mail message for the intended party. How can I even answer this in the best interest of explaining the current situation and not break third party disclosure. With a call back we are able to open the file and lay out the information. If this is not answered we will send all information back to the client ****************** Services.Customer Answer
Date: 10/12/2022
Complaint: 18185402
I am rejecting this response because: this company is a scam. You will never get a ***** from me.
Sincerely,
*****************************Business Response
Date: 10/13/2022
We will make a note of your dissatisfaction and forward all correspondence back to the owners of this contract and never call you again. Our third party process can only be explained over a recorded line and through a complaint.
*************************
Customer Answer
Date: 10/13/2022
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
*****************************Initial Complaint
Date:09/12/2022
Type:Sales and Advertising IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Received a voice mail at 14:53 on September 12, 2022 from a Jenna J***** who said she was from Southwest Mediation Services in regards to a "potential civil action being filed against" me and gave case # *******. Said it was a time sensitive matter and my prompt response was needed to avoid further action and a suit being brought against me. She gave me her direct line of ************. I first looked up this company and found multiple complaints and issues and alerts of scams.
I did return her call and gave her my name and she proceeded to tell me this was in reference to a company called ************************** and when I asked what their business was I was told they sold magazines. Right then I knew it was a scam because I have never bought any magazines under contract or any recurring subscriptions. I informed her I did not purchase any magazines and I had looked up her company and found many negative complaints and scam alerts and she proceeded to tell me they had a B+ rating with the BBB and said I must have looked up Southwest Mediation Group. She proceeded to try and tell me she would report this to the company and they would "protect their investments" and file court proceedings. I immediately hung up.Business Response
Date: 09/16/2022
Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/09/14) */
Mr. ****** Per our office procedure we will send this delinquent account back to ************************** for further review by their collection team. Our office will not contact you again and we consider this account non collectable at this point.
Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/09/15) */
(The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)
This scam company can consider this account whatever they want because there was never an account in my name to begin with. They offered zero proof because there was none and assumed I would blindly pay them.
I consider this account the same as I did before I was ever contacted, BOGUS!Initial Complaint
Date:09/09/2022
Type:Sales and Advertising IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I received a call from a Tara J****** from Southwest Mediation Services on 9/9/2022 claiming that I was subject to litigation for an unpaid magazine subscription more than 10 years ago that I never signed up for and never received. She claimed she could help me settle it. When I said that I never signed up for any magazine resolution and believed she was trying to scam me she became aggressive and said she was the "most honest person" I would ever meet. The call then ended and I assumed that was the end of it, however, she called me again this morning when I again reiterated that she was a liar and a fraud she again became aggressive and hung up. First off if I was the subject of litigation I would receive notice in the mail, not over the phone, and I never entered in to any kind of written contract for a magazine subscription. This company is a fraud.Business Response
Date: 09/16/2022
Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/09/14) */
Mr. ****, While residing on Lindell BLVD you received ********************************************************. four monthly payments were made and then they stopped. We dont know if you moved out of that building or just did not want the periodicals anymore. *** the publishing company tried to collect and reinstate your service unsuccessful. They tried collections as well with a company called ********************** and they deemed your account noncollectable. We reached out to rectify the situation and now have a BBB complaint. Following office procedure we must send this account back to *** and they will proceed as they wish. Mr. **** will not hear from our firm again.
Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/09/15) */
(The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)Initial Complaint
Date:09/02/2022
Type:Sales and Advertising IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I am very confused. I've gotten a call 3 times but my phone is out of service. I can't even answer. At least an email explaining what's going on. I can't even pay my phone bill. Least of all a charge that I don't know anything about.Business Response
Date: 09/21/2022
Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/09/08) */
Ms. ****, We made contact with you regarding an outstanding balance owed for the following magazines delivered to ******** in your city. COSMOPOLITAN, GLAMOUR, CBS WATCH, WOMAN'S HEALTH, BON APPETITE. Once you stopped payment, this account was sent to a collection agency then our office for mediation. It is very had to explain this account via email and we believe that generated the BBB Complaint. When the time is right Please call out direct number and ask for the GM Mr. Peter M****** to answer any question you might have.Initial Complaint
Date:08/26/2022
Type:Sales and Advertising IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
These people are trying to say legal action is being made against me. Sorry a legit company when they call it would say the company name not scam. I have nothing on my credit report and no legal papers have ever been sent to my physical address. Now they r saying I'm in a breach of contractBusiness Response
Date: 09/18/2022
Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/09/01) */
Ms. *****,
After a clear explanation was addressed over a phone call on 06/24/2022 for magazines you received and fell delinquent for. You did agree to settle with monthly payments for $426.00 to avoid a possible legal battle over $1,164.80 for merchandise received: Womans Health, Glamour, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Shape, Prevention & Fasy Company. You agreed to pay $55.00 a month and now our business practice is a question because you don't want to pay anything. We understand this is frustrating, we are here to help consumers out of red tape contracts such as yourself. We will await your response and you can call us directly at the number below.Initial Complaint
Date:08/24/2022
Type:Sales and Advertising IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I received a call regarding a debt that I owed. I requested documentation showing that I owed this debt. They stated it was from 10 years ago and that the company they represent purposefully does not provide documentation regarding the debt until it reaches court where you will pay thousands of dollars but they are willing to settle now for x amount of dollars. They are trying to collect a debt from me even though they saying they are not a debt collection company. They are threating to sue me if I dont resolve for a lesser amount without documentation that I owe this money. They said it was verbal agreement and their client is very hard to get in contact with regarding original documentation of the said agreement. I by all means would pay the debt if documentation was provided showing that we had an agreement. It is over 10 years old and I did not receieve any notification until now that the debt was owed. Again the mediation service stated that their client does this on purpose to get the most money out of people. I would like the original document from the company they represent showing that I owe this debt and then would be willing to make settlement. I however find it hard to make a payment regarding something that they will not provide documentation for. Only documentation i received is just them stating they are a real company.Business Response
Date: 09/18/2022
Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/08/29) */
Mr. ***** is requesting all paperwork including contract, for this magazine service for: ESPN, GQ, Fitness Magazine, Automobile Magazine & FHM including payments made towards this delinquent account. therefor we will send this back to AMS for requested information and they will contact him directly. He will not hear from our firm again as we are sending this back for review
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