Suspect magazine mailings stopped

Northeast CONTACT received a letter from member Sandra Watkins of Brunswick involving a business named Publishers Services Network located in White City, Ore.

Watkins wrote, “Publishers Services Network somehow got my name and address last fall and keep trying to scam me. Since they are probably trying this out on others as well, I thought you might like to have the details.”

“In September, I received a renewal notice from Publishers Services Network for my subscription to Smithsonian Magazine. In fact, I do subscribe to this publication and I knew it was time for renewal. I wrote out a check … to them in the amount of $64 for a two-year subscription.

“In October, I was really surprised when I received a renewal notice directly from Smithsonian magazine. I looked through my records … had dealt directly with the magazine in the years before. I called the Smithsonian magazine and explained the situation. To date they had not received a renewal. I waited several weeks and then called them again and was told that they did not receive payment for my renewal from Publishers Services Network. I thought that was the end; unfortunately, that was just the beginning.

“I found out that Smithsonian magazine charges $48 … yet I paid Publishers Services Network $64. I decided to chalk up to experience having paid the higher price. Later in November … I received a renewal notice from Publishers Services Network for a well-known news magazine that I have never subscribed to. I chose to ignore it.

“Two weeks later I received a ‘Notice of Renewal’ for Smithsonian magazine from Publishers Services Network. The notice stated that I owed an installment payment of $32 out of a total of $64 for the two year subscription. I checked to be sure and I did send the full amount of $64 for the subscription…. Can Northeast CONTACT help me? I really don’t know where to begin on my own.”

A CONTACT caseworker wrote to the CEO of Publishers Services Network. “Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s advocate for consumer protection and better business practices, is writing you on behalf of Maine consumer Sandra Watkins. In September of last year, upon receiving a renewal notice … from your place of business, Ms. Watkins sent a check for $64 to your company for payment in full. In October, Ms. Watkins received a renewal notice … directly from Smithsonian magazine in the amount of $48.

“Later that fall, Ms. Watkins received another ‘Notice of Renewal’ for Smithsonian Magazine from Publishers Services Network saying that she owed you a payment of $32 for a second and final installment. Ms. Watkins’ original check to your company was for $64, payment in full. The following month she received a ‘Notice of Renewal’ for a news magazine which she had never subscribed from Publishers Services Network. She deliberately ignored this erroneous notice. We are requesting that your organization refrain from sending any more ‘Notice of Renewal’ notices for any magazine. She will deal directly with the magazine company. Any further mail solicitations to Ms. Watkins from your company and we will notify … Oregon’s Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission, District Attorney of your county, and your local Chamber of Commerce, asking that they examine your business practices for possible fraud.”

Northeast CONTACT followed up with Watkins in 30 days and she had had no further contact from Publishers Services Network. “Your organization, of which I am a longstanding member, has helped me several times over the years receive money back and has given me satisfaction in this case. Thank you.”

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast Contact for Better Business Inc., Maine’s membership-funded, nonprofit organization and America’s oldest advocacy agency of its kind, established in 1972. For help, write to Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1339, or email consumer

help@bangordailynews.net.