Beware of Newspaper and Magazine Subscription Renewal Offers That Come From Third Parties

When you receive a subscription renewal notice, do you pay it without question or verify its source? Many people pay and move on, assuming it’s from the publisher. But some renewal offers come from independent agents or scammers charging higher rates, or taking your money outright—without delivering any issues.

It May Not Be the Publisher

Independent subscription agents and fraudsters send renewal notices by mail and email that mimic legitimate publishers. They often charge inflated rates or request payment directly to their own accounts, risking non-delivery of your newspapers or magazines and leaving the publisher unpaid.

Avoid Paying Third Parties

Legitimate publishers typically bill directly or through the channels you initially used. If you send payment to a third party, you could lose your money, and the publisher won’t receive your renewal. Always confirm that renewal notices originate from the actual publication.

Double-Check Before You Pay

Before paying any renewal notice, verify your subscription’s expiration date, often printed on the mailing label or account page. Contact the publisher directly using information from the magazine, newspaper or its official website, not from the notice you received.

Watch for Fake “Good Deals”

Scammers lure you with rates far below standard renewal prices, $5 or $10 for a subscription that normally costs $100–$200. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. You may send a small sum and never receive the issues.

Safe Renewal Practices

• Check your current expiration date before acting on any renewal notice.
• Renew directly through the publication’s website or customer service line.
• Ignore unsolicited renewal emails or mailers that don’t clearly identify the publisher.
• Report suspicious notices to the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org.

Key Takeaways

• Not all renewal notices come from the original publisher.
• Pay renewals only through official channels to ensure delivery and proper billing.
• Bargain offers for “too low” rates are often scams, always verify first.
• When in doubt, contact the publisher directly using contact info from your issues or its official site.