Magazine Service Center, AKA, Synapse Group Credit Card/Consumer fraud ripoff!! Beware!You sign up for 6 months free then they continue to charge your credit card yearly "renewing" w/o your permission. Stamford Connecticut
I signed up 1 yr w/ 6 months free. That is how they get you! They have your credit card #. From that point on they credit your account yearly "renewing" without your written or verbal approval.
They explained to me, once I got someone from the company on the phone, that they sent me a postcard that stated "if you do not respond by sending this postcard back cancelling the subscription, they will go ahead and charge your credit card for the yearly renewal."
Well, I never received this postcard. I consider this fraudulent. This is not what I would consider consent!
Check your credit card statements closely, it gets worse. I call the # listed on my credit card bill next to this charge and an automated phone system picks up and tells me, "the best way for me to look up your order is with your credit card number." The audacity!!
Well, don't hang up. If you say "no" to the automated voice questions then press "zero" eventually you do get connected to a live person and they will remove the bill from your credit card. I will of course be watching closely to be sure this is done! Please beware!
Amy
Mableton, Georgia
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Tom
San Diego,California,
U.S.A.
Not a rip-off, but.......
#2Consumer Suggestion
Tue, November 20, 2007
Thanks for the information regarding how to get a "live" person and not a recording. I had receivied a year's free (a $2.00 processing fee was noted and charged) subscription through BizRate.com for TIME magazine. This was processed through the Magazine Service Center.
Just before my subscription ended, I did receive a postcard, and called the MSC to "not renew". I kept my confirmation number just in case. Shortly afterward, I received another offer through another website for a free 1 year's subscription to TIME. I took them up on it, paid the $2.00 processing fee, and noticed it was also processed by the MSC. I started receiving duplicate copies of TIME because my 1st subscription had not yet run out. I called TIME and they consolidated the 2 subscriptions into one.
About a month after the 2nd offer, I was charged $59.00 as a renewal fee for the 1st subscription. When I noticed this, I called the MSC, but could not access anyone to talk to. You can cancel your subscription, but only after it runs out. Thus, they will not bill you again next year.
Using the "dial zeros" procedure, I was able to speak to a representative, who noted the mistake and refunded the $59.00 charged in error. It was easy....only AFTER you get someone on the line. Not a rip-off, but they certainly make it difficult to know how to speak to a representative.
Advice.... after you 1st subscribe to a magazine, you will receive a postcard in the mail confirming your subscription, the fact that they will renew next year, and contact information. KEEP IT ON FILE! And remember the trick to get a live representative.