Beware of Magazine Subscription Scam!

Back in 2008, after ordering something from Southwest Strings (I often use this company for strings and music), I got a pop-up message saying I could order up to 5 magazines for $2 each for one year. I thought, "Sure, I'll get them and then stop my subscription after that year." Well, last December I noticed three charges on my credit card that I didn't recognize, and after a little digging, discovered that my magazine subscriptions had been renewed at a much higher rate without my consent! Better Homes and Gardens, Real Simple, and The Atlantic Monthly.

I called the number on the credit card statement and spent about 10-15 for each magazine going through their frustrating automated system which kept offering me more magazines. I thought I had cancelled all three, and after about a month, I got the refund on Better Homes and Gardens. I kept thinking the other charges would be credited soon, but here it is, June, and I finally decided to try this again. I have been getting the two magazines, so their appearance in my mailbox kept reminding me to resolve this.

Instead of calling the same automated system, I did a little research online and found a real phone number that connected me to a real person, and in less than 5 minutes, I was told that I had chosen to cancel my subscription at the end of the term when I had called back in December (oh yeah?), but that my subscription would now end and a refund would be coming to my credit card within 72 hours. I am hopeful that will happen.

The company is called NewSub Magazine Services, and the best phone number to reach them is 203-595-8255.