Phoenix (Wednesday, October 22, 2014) -- Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne is today warning consumers and businesses to be aware of phony bills for newspaper and magazine subscription renewals.
Consumers around the state have recently received mailers claiming to be renewal notices or invoices for publications to which they regularly subscribe. The invoices claimed that the consumer’s subscriptions were about to expire and asked for a credit card account number to make the renewal payment.
The invoices were sent by companies that have no affiliation with the newspaper or magazine company listed on the invoice. This appears to be a mailer scam intended only to obtain consumers’ credit card information.
Here are some tips to avoid being scammed:
- Be wary of any mailers or phone calls asking for a payment. Check to be sure you owe the amount demanded.
- Research the name of the company that sent the mailer before sending them money. The Better Business Bureau’s website is a good place to start.
- Contact the newspaper or magazine, or any company demanding payment, before providing any personal information. Never divulge any personal or financial information, including your credit card number, unless you are absolutely sure that you are sending the payment to the company you determine you owe money to.
- Contact your bank or credit card company if you believe you have been scammed.
If you suspect a scam, report it to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office by filing a consumer complaint at www.azag.gov/complaints/consumer. You may also contact us by phone at (602) 542-5763 (Phoenix), (520) 628-6504 (Tucson), or toll free outside metro Phoenix, (800) 352-8431, or by email at [email protected].