PUBLISHERS BILLING SERVICES ripoff SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL OF MAGAZINE, UNAUTHORIZED BILLING SALT LAKE CITY Utah

In May 2005 I received a notice of renewal for a business magazine I have been subscribing to for 25 years. The renewal notice had the magazine name on it in bold print (Kiplingers Personal Finance), a control number, and appeared as if it were a legitimate bill sent by the publisher. It offered one, two or three year renewal rates. Although my subscription was not due to expire until October, I promptly sent a check for a two year renewal.

Imagine my surprise when I got the REAL renewal notice from the magazine publisher at the end of August saying my subscription was about to expire. I reviewed my canceled check and only then realized it had been cashed by PUBLISHERS BILLING SERVICES (supposedly a legitimate subscription agent that facilitates sales and service between publishers and clearinghouses).

Kiplingers confirmed they had never received my renewal, so I called PUBLISHERS BILLING SERVICES and they said they had indeed received my payment and I would be getting a confirmation letter from the magazine regarding my renewal in a few days. What I actually received was a letter from the magazine confirming my renewal, along with a bill.

When I called Kiplingers I was told they had received my renewal notice from PUBLISHERS BILLING SERVICES, but not the payment. They also informed me that PUBLISHERS BILLING SERVICES is not on the list of agents or clearinghouses they do business with and is not authorized to bill on their behalf. After 25 years of subscribing to a financial magazine, I should have been wiser to this ripoff. I have not been able to get a refund from PUBLISHERS BILLING SERVICES but hope others can avoid this fraud.

Joyce
Palmetto, Florida
U.S.A.