Orbital Publishing Group Magazine renewal scam Reno, Nevada

Today we received a letter from Taunton Press with a check that was submitted to them by "Business Payment Center." Taunton endorsed the check over to us. It is for $10 less than we paid. In the letter, Taunton Press named several companies, not including Orbital Publishing, that "have mounted an aggressive campaign sending renewal or notice of renewal solicitations to current and prospective subscribers.

A printed postcard that was enclosed with the letter from Taunton gives us a little glimpse into how this scam operates. The postcard was copyrighted 2008 by Taunton Press and offered a new subscriptions for $32.95. Orbital Publishing Group got its hands on some of these postcards ... or at least one of them ... and after filling it out with my wife's name and address, mailed it to Taunton in an envelope with a business check for $32.95.  Orbital had charged us $10 more than that, and as I said in the original report, I was dumb enough to pay their bill.

To Taunton Press, the postcard and check probably looked like my wife had subscribed and hired a payment service to pay the thing.

In its letter to us, Taunton Press listed some of the business entities that are doing this, including:
Publisher's Billing Exchange
Publishers Billing Association
Magazine Billing Network
Magazine Distribution Services
National Magazine Services Inc.
Magazine Billing Services Inc.

"We have contacted these entities and demanded they immediately cease soliciting for subscriptions to any of our magazines. Despite our demands the unauthorized activity continues, and you are likely to receive further solicitations from these entities.

"Taunton has not authorized these entities to solicit or sell subscriptions to Threads magazine or to collect funds from subscribers on Taunton Press' behalf," the letter said.

I hope this can be a warning to other consumers.