Synapse Group / Magazine Customer Service
Reviews and Complaints

I have 4 magazine subscriptions that I want to cancel. Magsub Magazines lead me to believe that I was getting a credit for the magazines, they charged to my credit card account without authorization. When I went back to rectify the cancellation they refused the cancellation.
Heidi L. Hrobuchak

This is a very deceptive practice. They combine your cancellation request with another 12 issues for a dollar. Of course we don't want the 12 issues so you answer no.

Then they misdirect all future attempts to call them through the same automated system that got your money to begin with.

The people that run this company are not common thieves that just take, they take your money and send you something that you do not want. Then they disregard any complaint or attempt to get a refund.

I will never be orering magazines from any company that does business with these hoods

Call your credit card company and advise them that the charge is unrecognized and that you want to make a fraud claim against it or dispute it. "IF" you entered your card info online into a site that advertised this service/product you will need to cancel with this merchant (your credit card company can get you the contact info), get a cancelation reference number and then dispute it if they bill your account again. If you received nothing for your money (even if you dont believe that you gave them your card info) dispute it as services not rendered or non receipt of merchandise. Hope this helps.

I allowed $2.00 fee for "FREE" magazine subscriptions (per magazine) then you charged my $10.00

CANCEL ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS AND REFUND 10.00

Tracie Kaczor
2003 E Aspen Grove Ct
Draper, UT 84020

I canceled my good housekeeping magazine on 1/4 2019 with this co. it wasn't easy but I bookmarked it they renewed this magazine which they send me instead of Dr. Oz mag. I think I will have to go to the better business to report them they are a total scam org. ncdobczyk@ymail.com I notified good house keeping to cancel on 2/25 2019.

Boy, i am also MAD at MAD magazine (no pun intended). They haven't made me laugh in years...

The same thing happened to me. I just saw that I was charged $49.00 for National Geographic. I have not received a National Geographic for several months, because we let it expire, closed the account, since we subscribed it on Nook. When I called the "customer service", 15 minutes of dealing with automated system that is INFURIATING, I finally dialed 0, taking my chances and it worked! Not that real person could help me any more than the recording. They could not find my account without the credit card number. Incredible, I think, that they were able to charge that account they didn't have in their system. I am ready to file a formal complaint, as soon as I find out where to do that. I was told that they would credit my account within 5 business days. If that does not happen, I can call them right away, as if that is going to provide any solution! How can they continue to do this?

This is a freakin joke! I call to cancel and they don’t give me an option, instead, they put me down to receive more copies of magazines that I don’t want in the first place. Then I’m told I will receive a refund of what I was charged, just to get an operator that can’t speak a lick of English, to tell me I’m not getting a refund because the order has been cancelled. I’m still scratching my head on this one! Is my order cancelled or not, and am I getting a refund or not?! Rip off!

I agree I am currently going through the same thing with the same company Synapse Connect. I did not order any more magazines I cancelled and the automated machine can't get through to a real person not an option on their automated answering machine. This company is a rip off now I have to go to my bank and dispute the charges. I don't know why they are still in business to prey on people. We need to shut this fraudulent company down.

Please be advised: https://www.magcustomerservice.com is the correct, safe and very consumer friendly. I was very very suspicious and doubtful, but managing my magazine orders was a breeze. it even made me want to order more mags to read and review. great website design, they found my orders with just my name address and zip. first you just create an account using the e-mail address you had already used when you got the magazines, just makes it easier. if you forgot what e-mail, easy to do if your like me I created a "spam" e-mail for deals like this. you will be able to find your orders based on just your name on the magazines, address and zip. poof done, and simple. these people who are complaining soo much are soo focused on just one point "auto renewal" just read before you click, all offers are plainly stated more than a few times. it is your responsibility as a consumer to investigate on your investment first before you buy. its called smart buying, you whining lil turds. your truly doughboy!

I called to cancel my subscription on Dec. 04, 2015. They stated that the subscription would be cancelled and my account would be credited for the $42.00. It has not been credited and the reference number they gave me regarding this issue is [protected]. What is taking so long for the credit to be credited to my account. LaVonne Gardner.

This is a scam! I had the same difficulty as Ice Baby. They refuse to cancel my subscriptions and offered me a higher rate with a gift. Well, folks I had to cancel my credit card so they lost access . Imagine, they want to charge me $39.00 for Allure magazine. That would be my "new" renewal rate. What a scam!

GRADSTUD got it right. It's easy to do on line now. You have to click through a few counteroffers but it works! I buy the $2.00 subs all the time and then just "non-renew" when the postcard comes. I did speak with a rep today and when I was polite so was she. The company depends on folks who forget to non-renew. Amazon is selling auto renewal mags too so this is not just this scam.

If you have any problems go to magcustomerservice.com and you can look up your account using the "For Existing Customers" OR, you can call [protected] and push 0 until it transfers to a customer service (the wait was

I don't understand why I have had to cancel my subscription for a third time. I called the automated [protected] number and received a confirmation number, which turns out to mean nothing. i've even moved, they've found me and started sending the magazines to me, again. please, synapseconnect, inc. go into your system and clear my information out forever. don't look for me because I don't want to be found nor do I like entities dipping into my funds, after i've told you, no! isn't this stealing? understand, please, no, o magazines, by way of synapseconnect, inc. for me. you need never to kill another tree, on my behalf, because i've gone, "green".

Update: I got a live person and hopefully a true credit of my charges - will need to wait and see.
I called TWX Mag # [protected]. Then pushed "0" until I could get to customer service. I waited less than a min and got a live person! I noted her name and was very polite. I said I was calling to look into charges to my bank account and that I thought I had cancelled these mag subscriptions. She took my info (name, address) to find me in the system. Asked me questions about what magazines I have been charged for. And she never tried to make me any offers! She confirmed that I had cancelled one (Shape) of the 4 mags, however it was after the the due date(noted on the post card notice). My second mag (Psychology Today) I never saw a new charge for but wanted to confirm it was cancelled. She said I had successfully cancelled that one. Even though I had called that cancellation in the same day as the first mag (Shape). I told her I was still showing a charge for Shape and 2 more. She said she would cancell the other two and I would rec'v the credits in 1-2 billings cycles. That I might cont. to rec'v a mag or two but I wouldn't be billed. Good luck and take notes, names and confirmation #'s!

I had the same problem as icebaby69. I did rec'v a notice from synapseconnect, inc. about my magazine renewal including the number to call by a certain date to discontinue. I called the number: [protected], the day after the cut off date. they said the charge already went through but they could cancel if I called another #: [protected]. when I called that # they said they could cancell or give me some other deal =15/$21 (shape mag). I opted for cancel. I rec'd a conf # and was told: "they had cancelled the future term". the day after these calls I had charges for 3/4 magazines appear on my bank account. one of them being "shape". two months later i'm still trying to get credited. my next step is to call bizrate who's name shows on the notice I rec'd in the begining. if you're in the same boat as me - keep details notes. good luck!

I just canceled my subscription, no problem. You just have to listen & respond accordingly. I've dealt with them many times before, same thing. Listening seems to be a lost art.

I have had magazine subscriptions through Synapse Connect and have never had a problem. They tell you that it is a auto renewal when you order. Before the renewal date, they send you a reminder. I have not had another company do that. They just renew your subscription without any reminder. If you do not want the magazine renewed you just call and cancel. If you miss the cancelation date, you can call at anytime and cancel and receive a refund of the remaining subscription. They sometimes make and offer for a lesser amount when you call to cancel. If you do not want the offer, all you have to do is say no. Seems very easy and straight forward to me.

Anyone who experiences the same thing as the poster of this comment should also contact the retailer/company that the magazine subscription was attached to so that they terminate their business partnership with them and no other customers will have to go through this situation.

I managed to cancel the subscription via cell phone but now I want my credit my credit card at the bank. this company really frustrates me. I want the choice to receive or cancel a magazine subscription and this company ASSUMES I want to renew. credit my account NOW! [protected]

Cancel all magazines

cancel all magazines
Clinton Hall
PO Box 201
Gilbertsville ny [protected]

Jan 06 2020 - It's like dealing with a lobster with no banding on the claws. After reading the comments above though, I went to the website referenced [https://www.magcustomerservice.com/wss/10000041/home.do] and closed each magazine. They use small type faces and word choices like 'confirm' in ways that are very suspicious. I ultimately ended up on two separate subscription cancellation confirmation web pages, but! they both had the same confirmation number. Neither had my account number. I got the feeling I might as well have received two pictures of someone's grandmother. But, I saved a 'copy screen' of each as they did have different magazine titles and then emailed them to myself to record the date (which wasn't on the confirmations) and saved them. I'll be watching my bank card charges. If I need some future charge removed, the emails are dated proof of cancellation at their website to support my claim. What a pain. I'm keeping their little postcard too as it is the only source of my account number. I remember this type of problem all the way back to the 1950s. Their postcard dances right on the line between business and scam. I do believe that removing these charges and blocking his company with the bank credit card is the best way to go. When a charge is challenged, the card company sends a "What is your defense?" query to the vendor. If they fail to answer or don't answer to the card company's satisfaction, the charge is removed and/or the vendor can be blocked. Sending all your 'evidence' in your first contact with the card company is essential as they will not ask for a second go around between the conflicting parties. - Many, many words, but I hope they help someone.

Same here I called my bank I'm getting my money back my bank gave me a different number to call Ill give to any one that wants it you talk to a real pearson! [protected]

I got a postcard today- 18 Nov 2010, and it directed me to call [protected]. I called and got the run around. Luckily I kept my email receipt. Use this address-[https://www.magcustomerservice.com/wss/10000041/home.do] to cancel your subscriptions; the 1-800, 877, 888 numbers are all crap! When I went to this website, I typed in my subscription ID# which is located on the postcard and was able to cancel all my subscriptions. Be aware that you must clear one magazine at a time. I checked to see if my requests when through by clicking "Order Status." My magazines showed "No Renewal." Now it is a waiting game to see what happens.
If you need more info, contact me at armyhertslet@hotmail.com. Good luck.

I just got a postcard threaten the same thing. Someone help. I cancelled this thing a long time ago, and somehow they're trying to debit me again.

There is NO FREE LUNCH. After completing a “survey “, I was offered 4 magazines for $2 for each subscription for a total of $8. So unlike me I “bit” on the offer. Today I check my bank account and there was a charge for $61 from a strange place in New York. Welll turns out THIS IS A TOTAL SCAM. They charged my card without my permission. Then I called and could only get the automated system. Finally I did get thru to someone that could barely speak English (probably a foreign country). I proceeded to tell her CANCEL EVERYTHING BECAUSE I DONT CARE ABOUT THE $2 MAGAZINES. I WILL CALL THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND TAKE LEGAL ACTION FOR UNAUTHORIZED CHARGES. BUYER BEWARE. THIS IS A TOTAL SCAM. I AM USUALLY VERY CAUTIOUS. THIS TIME I SLIPPED—NEVER AGAIN!

After a purchase I made I was asked to take a survey from Forsee for a $100 gift. After I took the survey they showed that the gift was to choose 4 magazines from a list to receive for free for 1 year. They charged a processing fee of $2.01 and that's how they got my credit card information. There is then a box where you have to agree to the terms and agreements which contains pages of small print to which we all just click the agree box.

It turns out that in that small text there is something that says that you will be charged for automatic renewals of the magazines that you "purchased". Some "gift"! After a year of your "free" magazines, you keep receiving magazines and wonder when they will stop. But secretly they are charging your account under the company name of TME*... When I realized I was being charged it was my credit card company that explained what was happening and they gave me the telephone number which is [protected].

When I called it was an automated system giving you options, but no option to talk to a representative. After I exhausted all of the options, the only possible one being to cancel, I finally said "speak to a representative". I did not want to "cancel" something I had never purchased to begin with because that implies to me that I would be responsible for charges to date.

After that an automated system came on saying that it could help me with all problems a customer service representative could and would I like that. I said "NO!". It said ok and that it would connect me with a representative. After about 20 with the phone on the counter on speaker while I was on hold, a representative came on the line. She insisted that no scam had occurred, that everything was legal, and that when I checked that "agree" button for my "gift" I had purchased the magazines to renew annually charging my account.

Angrily I finally got her to listen to me that not only did I want them to stop charging my account, but that I wanted all charges refunded. She nicely said ok, I'll cancel your charges and you agree to renew all your subscriptions at this time too? They don't stop! I then made it clear, yelling at this point, that I didn't want a thing from them ever again. No charges. No magazine renewals. No new subscriptions to ANY magazines. Finally she let up and agreed to do what I said. She even refunded the $2.01 I had been charged initially. I have been prompted after several store's purchases online to complete the Forsee survey, but after being drowned in magazines I never took the survey again. I didn't even know then that I was being charged for renewal fees from my previous "gift". What a scam. I am reporting them.

I have a similar problem. i ordered 4 magazines as part of a gift for taking part in a bizsurvey and lo and behold one year later i am being charged for renewing these magazines at a very high rate. I never requested the renewal and never received a renewal notice. Thanks for the number [protected].. I called and they were very pleasant as some of you mentioned. They said I would receive a refund in 3-5 days. i will wait with fingers crossed to see if this happens.

PS--renewal notices from Wine Spectator sent back with "cancel". It turns out this was meaningless because they could not cancel the subscription and never informed me. I NEVER receiving a renewal notice from magazine service company.
Ken Zeitler md

great to see all these problems--this service is corrupt. I never received a renewal notice and they kept charging my credit card for years. i contacted Wine Spectator directly and told them to cancel but it turns out they have no control over this so the magazines kept coming and despite my effort to cancel it never was processed since wine spectator did not control the account. This service is a con job. I believe they owe me for 8-10 years of fraudulent charges plus interest. Doubt if i will ever get a refund or a call back--Buyer Beware--FRAUD
Kenneth Zeitler md

05/06/2015 $42.00 RECURRING PURCHASE AT TME*XXJW2R*RACHERA, [protected], NY ON 050615 FROM CARD#: XXXXXXXXXXXX2457
To
The Attorney General of United States of America
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC [protected]

The company mentioned above with phone no keep charging my account from last 18 months even though I never signed up for any subscription or received any magazine.
It is a fraudulent company and should be investigated for fraud and if fine guilty it should be fined and be put out of business. This company business practices are unethical and completely unlawful.
Company owes me $42 x18= $ 828 plus 22.2% interest for 18 months.
Sincerely,
Syed R. Hasan
4864 Rustling Ridge Ct.
Noblesville, IN 46062
[protected]

C.C. Attorney General of New York

I too have had 3 magazine charges of $34, $39, $36. Had I been notified they were going to do this would have been the professional way of handling it When I called, I got an automated response even though I pushed zero for the operator, the automated voice just continued to ask me questions.

I was charged an overdraft charge because of these charges and have yet to get resolution from it. I guess the only step to take is to contact the better business bureau, because this company obviously sends free magazines, then charges you after a period of time, but I am unsure as to how they get your account number to make these unauthorized automatic withdrawals?

I have cancelled my subscriptions because of this, even though I enjoy the magazines that I received. I will buy them from the grocery store.

I wonder if they read their complaints? Probably not.

I.m having the same problem too! I finally got ahold of a live rep for this co. today 27 feb 2012 complaint listed above. Here is the number for live rep again [protected]. They charged renewals for 3 mags not renew but I had a previous special offer. They gave me a partial refund on 1 mag and nothing on other two. I tried to cancel these as soon as I saw the unauthorized charges but their automated system dose not really give the option to totally cancel for immediate refund. The gentleman today said, well Ill have to run this buy the billing dept and see what they say. I'm like what! I just cancelled and did not even get any mags! So then I'm told that they will get back to me by phone in 3-5 business days. I will come back in here next week and let you all know what happens.

I was also refused refunds for the overdraft fees I received from the thieves at Synapse Group Inc. I found out when I canceled the first time a year ago I was misled to believe that I was no longer going to be charged and that everything was canceled. What I didn't know was that all he (the person I spoke to) did was put some kind of payment extension of some sort on three of the magazines so that a year later they would start charging me again when I specifically ordered the cancelation of all magazines. To make matters worse I found out that the cancelation reminder that they are supposed to send you was sent to a incorrect address, the same address where they sent the two magazines I never received and was charged for regardless. Something has to be done about this greedy company but most likely nothing will be done and these fat cat executives at Synapse Group Inc will keep getting rich of the backs of the people that they mislead . Hey Rollingstones (which is distributed by Synapse Group Inc) look no further for the greedy 1% fat cats getting rich off the poor and middle class. You and your affiliates are the problem. Dear president Obama, do you realize how many people this is happening to everyday because of this piece of s**t company/corporation. Do something. This is the real problem.

I am trying to cancel subscriptions and I don't have a telephone number. The number I tried only gets me to an employee or an extension and I have neither. I no longer want these subscriptions, the rate has increased and I want them stopped now so I won't be charged. What can I do?

I cannot believe you billed me a total of $266 ($103, $63, $64, and $36)?! I never signed up for any of the four magazines you billed me four. This is fraud.

So I bought a hotdog from up at the speedway in twinsburg 7996 it was very disgusting no fresh food very dirty inside very disappointing no fresh coffee never cups or lids I come in on my break all the time never nothing fresh in the morning or at night nasty nasty nadty

I have tried canceling by phone and their recording is terrible. I don't what any of their magazines I don't have time to read any of them. Their saying they will continue to send till I stop the subscription and I've tried to.

Kept billing my credit card, cap one for unwanted and unrequesTed sbscrit ions many other complaints like this one and many different addresses and phone numbers

I have been charged $22.00 by them and can not seem to reach them by phone. This upsets me very much because the charge was not authorized (I did not ask for auto renew nor was I notified). As well the only magazine they are "renewing" for me is a $12.00 subscription.

Jan 06 2020 - It's like dealing with a lobster with no banding on the claws. After reading the comments above though, I went to the website referenced [https://www.magcustomerservice.com/wss/10000041/home.do] and closed each magazine. They use small type faces and word choices like 'confirm' in ways that are very suspicious. I ultimately ended up on two separate subscription cancellation confirmation web pages, but! they both had the same confirmation number. Neither had my account number. I got the feeling I might as well have received two pictures of someone's grandmother. But, I saved a 'copy screen' of each as they did have different magazine titles and then emailed them to myself to record the date (which wasn't on the confirmations) and saved them. I'll be watching my bank card charges. If I need some future charge removed, the emails are dated proof of cancellation at their website to support my claim. What a pain. I'm keeping their little postcard too as it is the only source of my account number. I remember this type of problem all the way back to the 1950s. Their postcard dances right on the line between business and scam. I do believe that removing these charges and blocking his company with the bank credit card is the best way to go. When a charge is challenged, the card company sends a "What is your defense?" query to the vendor. If they fail to answer or don't answer to the card company's satisfaction, the charge is removed and/or the vendor can be blocked. Sending all your 'evidence' in your first contact with the card company is essential as they will not ask for a second go around between the conflicting parties. - Many, many words, but I hope they help someone.

Never again will I do this. Seems like somewhere around 2 years ago I answered a few questions about a website I was on and then was offered a great deal on the magazines for a year. As far as I know I received all of them, however, no way could I keep up with them. I was unable to determine who was the "owner" of the offer as I couldn't figure out how to get them cancelled until finally, this year, they sent me the postcard with the really high prices indicated would be charged to my credit card unless I cancel by Nov. 27, 2019. This is the first time I have received anything from a company indicating where these subscriptions reside! So, thanks to Google, found this review site and the additional info. Created an account on the https://www.magcustomerservice.com site, went to my email to confirm account was set up. Then logged into the site with my user name/password and was able to cancel the subscriptions easily. And, after doing so, went back and clicked on cancel again and received messages for each one that the subscriptions are cancelled as of today. Yeah! Thank you all for the guidance. Company is just like many others...they rope you in with a great deal but you have to be sure to cancel within a certain time or it just auto renews. Unfortunately, I could never find where the company name was as far as who to contact to cancel these. Good luck, everyone and hope this helps.

if you got your magazine subscription from an online retailer as part of a reward for your online purchase with them or a promotion, I would contact the online retailer for the name of the company responsible for the magazine subscription. It may not be the same as the name listed on the postcard. Also, contact the online retailer about the situation - whether or not it is the same company that is responsible for the magazine subscription - that way they will end their business with the magazine promotion company and no future customers will have to deal with this situation.

This is the same company that shut down and reopened under a different name because of all of their previous BBB complaints. https://www.resellerratings.com/store/Com_sub_biz

Unsub online at:
https://www.magcustomerservice.com

I just ran into the same rigamarole. Tried unsuccessfully to unsubscribe after many, many offers I had to decline. Finally the call gave me a new # to call and ended. New number did the same shtick! Luckily I was able to find the original charge on my credit card statement and THAT had a phone # - [protected]. This actually connected to what seemed a real subscription handling line. After the online automated process asked me a few reasonable questions (reason for my call - and cancel was one of the options, name of the magazine, zipcode of the address), my account was located and i was given a confirmation # as proof!

I have done business with this company for a few years, and I haven't had any issues with them. My initial subscription prices are usually $2/yr or $3/year. When the initial term is almost up, I always receive a post card stating the new rate for the coming year, or I can cancel prior to the higher rate beginning.

For example, today I received a postcard stating my Bloomberg Business magazine would be renewed for $79/yr. unless I notified them by January 4, 2017..

In many cases once you refuse the "new higher rate", you are given an opportunity to renew for the original very low rate.

Today I declined the "new higher rate" of $79/year, and received an offer to continue at the rate of $2 plus a $1 handling fee, or a total of $3. I have renewed some magazines over and over for the very low rate. But, you don't always get the opportunity to get the low rate extended. In those cases I simply cancel the magazine and no "new higher rate" is charged.

I like the fact that all this can be done via an automated system that saves you from a human attempting to get you to renew for the much higher rate.

The key is to keep the info and notify the company promptly when they send the renewal post card.

Thus far I have never gotten stuck with a subscription I didn't want, and many times am able to enjoy another year with the very low rate I started with.

You must keep on top of things and respond promptly, or you will probably get renewed due to your lack of response when they advise you that you are being renewed at the "new higher rate."

When I called to cancel 3 magazines that had re-started without my agreement, I was stuck for a few minutes in the automated system. At every point where I had to give a response, I asked to speak with a representative. When I was connected, he was able to cancel 3 unwanted subscriptions and provide a cancellation reference number. He also confirmed that my credit card bill would be reversed. He was polite and helpful throughout. This is clearly a terrible scam, and I'm sure it preys on people who are not comfortable in dealing with automated phone systems and predatory companies. Shame on SynapseConnect!

I didn't sign up for any magazines with automatic renewal. I know better. So how was I signed up for auto renewal? I received free magazines as a bonus for purchases made at an online merchant. No where was I told this was the deal. I received a postcard that stated if I didn't cancel my (3) subscriptions (at the highest rate possible) by such and such date, that I would be charged for same. I called the number to cancel and of course it was an automated system primed to bate you into receiving more issues. Each magazine had to be entered separately, so the same speil was offered with each one. By the time it was over, I think I was yelling into the phone, I was so upset. These people are going to be reported to my state Attorney General and I suggest that everyone else do the same. Apparently since I'm over 60, they were hoping I would ignore the number to cancel or subscribe to even more issues when I called, due to my "aging brain". This is one of those scams targeting seniors. Put a stop to it.