Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: Associated Publishers Network magazine renewal complaints

Friday, March 07, 2014

Associated Publishers Network magazine renewal complaints

March 7, 2014

Associated Publishers Network

(866) 437-7897

850 S Boulder Hwy Ste 355, Henderson, NV 89015-7564

https://www.google.com/search?q=Associated+Publishers+Network&oq=Associated+Publishers+Network&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.15897j0j1&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

According to the BBB in southern Nevada, http://www.bbb.org/southern-nevada/business-reviews/publishers-magazine/associated-publishers-network-in-henderson-nv-90014293:

BBB has received a volume and pattern of complaints regarding billing and collection, delivery, refund or exchange, and sales practice issues.

According to consumer complaints, magazine subscription renewal notices are received from Associated Publishers Network (APN), also know as United Publisher's Clearing House, National Magazine Services, Orbital Publishing, and Publisher's Billing Exchange.

Complainants state they send in payment for renewal of their subscriptions to various magazines, such as Wall Street Journal, The Economist, New Yorker Magazine, and the Times, however, the magazines are not received.

When consumers contact the magazine companies, directly, to check on their subscription they are informed that payment was never received.

Complainants indicate that phone calls and emails sent to APN are generally ignored.

Complainants also state that The Economist, New Yorker Magazine, the Times and Wall Street Journal all claim no affiliation with APN.

APN's typical response states, in part, "Magazine publishers have created the agency sale system for the sale of subscriptions. The publisher contracts with clearinghouses. Under these contracts, the clearinghouse is authorized to sell subscriptions. The clearing house then permits thousands of third parties, such as Associated Publishers Network, to sell subscriptions, which are then "cleared" through the clearinghouse. These third parties have no direct contract with the publisher and their identities are unknown to the publisher.

Offers are sent out periodically and are marketing pieces only. We merely send out offers as stated plainly on each offer and no one is obligated to respond."

Additional responses from APN usually state that it takes 6-12 weeks for delivery.

BBB has informed the company of the volume and pattern of complaints and asked that the company address the issue.

- See more at: http://www.bbb.org/southern-nevada/business-reviews/publishers-magazine/associated-publishers-network-in-henderson-nv-90014293

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MSN Money: Is your subscription renewal notice real? By Mitch Lipka

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2014/03/msn-money-is-your-subscription-renewal.html

Better Business Bureau issues warning about widespread fake subscription renewal scam after the New York Times and Wall Street Journal complain.

By Mitch Lipka Aug 29, 2013

http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post--is-your-subscription-renewal-notice-real

If you get a subscription renewal, make sure who you're really paying before you send the check out. After getting peppered with complaints from magazine subscribers, and learning of complaints lodged by the publishers of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, the Better Business Bureau on Thursday issued a warning to consumers about phony subscription renewals.

The BBB is warning about a Nevada-based operation called Associated Publishers Network. The company has generated 112 complaints just in the past year, the BBB said. The complaints are coming from all around the country.

[…]

If you get a renewal notice, check when your subscription really expires by looking at the actual subscription label or contacting the publisher directly. If it is time to renew, do it directly through the publisher or by using a notice directly attached to your magazine.

If you get a fake one, notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Trade Commission.

Labels: Bus scams, Fraud, Junk mail unwanted catalogs, Media Magazines, Scams, USPS junk mail - See more at: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2014/03/msn-money-is-your-subscription-renewal.html#sthash.LBXGZGGw.dpuf

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Federal Trade Commission

FTC Complaint Assistant

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1

Welcome! Complaints from consumers help us detect patterns of fraud and abuse. The FTC would like to know more about your complaint and the Complaint Assistant will help guide you. To use the Complaint Assistant:

Choose a complaint category on the right. If you can't find a match select "Other". Answer a few questions related to your complaint. Tell us what happened in your own words.

For more information: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1

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U.S. Postal Inspection Service

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactus/filecomplaint.aspx

File a Complaint

Report these issues to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service online:

Mail fraud (may include scams or deceptive ads via the mail, or postage fraud)

Mail theft (mail you failed to receive but should have, or that you received with the contents missing)

Identity theft

False change of address

Vandalism to your mail receptacle

Unsolicited Sexually Oriented Advertising

If you believe you’re a victim of fraud related to the U.S. Mail, including mailed sweepstakes, lotteries, on-line auctions, work-at-home scams or chain letters, report your concern to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service as mail fraud.

All information is voluntary, but the more you provide, the more likely it is that we can help you. We may share your information with other agencies if it comes under their jurisdiction. See the Privacy Act Statement for more details. This site uses secure methods to transfer data.

The Postal Inspection Service will contact you only if more information is needed. We gather data on mail-related crime to determine whether a violation has occurred. While we can’t guarantee we can recover lost money or items, your information can help alert Postal Inspectors to problem areas and possibly prevent others from being victimized. Inspectors base their investigations on the number, substance and pattern of complaints. We ask you to keep all original documents related to your complaint.

If you would prefer to mail in your report, click here to print a Mail Theft Complaint. If this is an urgent matter, contact your nearest law enforcement agency.

Report problems with mail delivery or service to the U.S. Postal Service.

Mail correspondence to this address:

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS SERVICE CENTER

ATTN: MAIL FRAUD

433 W HARRISON STREET ROOM 3255

CHICAGO IL 60699-3255

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