Synapse

Like everyone, I signed up for free magazine subscriptions thinking at some point I will receive some communication of a renewal and I would cancel at that time. That never happened but my account was charged.

Call 1-87*-789-**** (one of many synapse 800 numbers). You will get an automated recording. Regardless of the recording, continue to press 0 until you are connected to a live person. Say you would like the following: #1 cancel your current subscription, #2 cancel all future subscriptions, #3 cancel all trial subscriptions, and #4 a refund for the subscription charges because you did not want them renewed.

Most importantly, tell them to remove your account number from their data base and you do not want to receive magazines from synapse ever again. He will try to interrupt while you are speaking. Ask him to let you continue with what you have to say before responding. The conversation is recorded and he will have to honor all of your requests.This shady company is with the BBB because they follow their guideline but does not stop the scam.

Ask the "scammer representative" when should you expect the refund. Ask to receive confirmation that the account has been removed and get the name of the person with whom you are speaking.

I can not take credit for the information.

I got "to get a live person, press 0" from someone else's review. Feel free to share this info.

As most of the reviewers, I felt scammed. I made a purchase from one of my favorite stores a couple of months ago, the sales lady offered me FREE magazines.

I declined, but after high pressure from her stating they were completely free, I caved and said fine. She NEVER, EVER mentioned that once the "free" issues were done, that my store credit card would be charged for renewal, nor did she give ANY information regarding cancelling these "free" magazines. I did not provide a payment method so I assumed that once the trial was done, that would be it. I haven't even read a single magazine, I put them in the breakroom at my job for my employees to enjoy, because I never really wanted them in the first place.

Today, I received an email notification that I had a bill due, but I knew I should have a zero balance. I log in and low and behold I've been charged for these mystery magazines. After contacting my credit card company, I found out the company to contact is Synapse. I did about five minutes of research online and found a web address for them where I could manage my subscriptions.

I was able to cancel all of the magazines and receive a refund within a matter of minutes. It's much easier than the experiences I've read with calling over the phone.

The website is www.magcustomerservice.com. I hope this information helps someone.

After reading several of the comments I was worried. I still don't recall how I got the subscriptions.

I did remember that my time was about up when I saw that 4 days ago I was charged for a renewal. I'm thinking this must have come from someplace I consider reputable or I wouldn't have signed up, either phone carrier or Amazon maybe.

I didn't have a number for this company but one of the magazines had included their own renewal notice. I got the name Synapse and phone number from them.

I'm pleased to report that it was very easy. I pressed 0 multiple times and was connected to a rep pretty quickly.

(more quickly than Conde Nast). The rep was very helpful, didn't pressure me to continue anything and canceled all subscriptions.

He also refunded the amount charged to my card. I'll update this review if the refund doesn't show up.

Somehow I believed some BS ad about getting Rolling Stone and REaders Digest for only $2 each for 1-yr subscriptions.. This BS company charged my credit card on 11/15/17 and as of 12/8..

almost 8 weeks later.. NO MAGAZINES delivered.. It doesn't take 8 *** weeks to simply start a subscription.. I sent an email to their "Customer NO Service" today telling them if my credit card is not refunded immediately I would report them to the NC Attorney General's office about their fraudulent SCAM...

I didn't order the magazines for fun.. this company SUCKS and is a FRAUD!

My 85 year old mother has been scammed out of $115 every three months since 08/15/2016. She swears she NEVER signed up for magazines thru this company or any other.

It is now, 12/15/2017 and I called the recording line (that you cannot speak to a human on) and did at least CANCEL the 3 magazines they said she signed up for. I cancelled them 11/08/2017 yet they deducted another $115 dollars in December 2017! We finally went and closed her bank account to put a stop to this thievery! She even occurred bank charges due to over-drafts these magazine charges on her account.

I cannot believe they have gotten away with this for so long! I have requested PROOF of her signature and ordering of these magazines. And I will turn this fraud over to the State Attorney General to pursue, and demand a refund of all the charges.

WHAT A SCAM! I hope this experience will help some one else in the future.