Be Very Careful When Entering Hearst Magazine Sweepstakes
For example, Sweepstakes Forum member LuckyDog reported being unwillingly subscribed when he entered a Good Housekeeping Magazine sweepstakes. I myself was unwillingly subscribed to Harper's Bazaar after signing up for a sweepstakes, and I am 100% sure that I used the link to enter without a subscription.
This is especially disappointed because I was contacted by an Executive Director in Hearst Magazine's marketing department who promised to "get to the bottom of the issues you experienced quickly and report back" back when I first reported a Warning about Good Housekeeping Sweepstakes back in 2007, but the problem continues.
What to Do If You Receive an Unwanted Magazine Subscription
If you receive notice that you've received an unwanted magazine subscription, visit the website for the magazine and look for the Customer Service link. There, you should be able to unsubscribe, although you may receive a really annoying message that you need to wait for a while before unsubscribing. You can see the full list of Hearst Magazine websites, including links to each customer service page, where you can unsubscribe.If you receive a magazine you don't want, there should be contact information in the magazine itself that you can use to unsubscribe.
It's important that you don't simply ignore these magazines. Although the magazine company presumably doesn't have your credit card information to charge you, it's possible that they could send your bill to a collection agency, which could harm your credit rating.
Note that I've seen most complaints about Hearst Magazine sweepstakes, but you should be very careful that you are opting out of subscriptions when you enter any magazine sweepstakes. Another forum member, OhioKit, recently reported a similar problem with Martha Stewart Magazine.
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Comments
Thanks for the contact list. I’ve had lots of problems like this over the years – Woman’s Day, Cosmo, Good Housekeeping, etc. & lots of problems getting unsubscribed. Several times I’ve flat out notified them that invoices will NOT be paid before I’ve been removed. I’ve had occasional problems with other publishers but no where near the amount as with Hearst.
I’ve had nothing but problems with the Hearst company. I am very careful to select the non-subscription entry form but have been “thanked” for my subscription multiple times.
One of the mishaps was with a magazine I legitimately subscribed to and had a 2 year credit. When I talked to their customer service rep, rather than cancel just the mistaken new portion, he cancelled the whole thing with no refund. It took a lot of wrangling to fix things.
Hearst promised that they would look into problem after multiple calls from me. Unfortunately that doesn’t seem to be true.
I just don’t pay,I run a business and also get a lot of unsolicited magazines and bills as well as unordered office supplies.Too much time to undo something not done.I check my credit report annually just in case.
A class action lawsuit is what needs to happen.
This happened to me yesterday with US weekly magazine they are claiming I owe $50 now when I never chose the link to subscribe.
This has happened to me numerous times. Simply contact them through the link and unsubscribe. They always tell you to enjoy any magazines you may still receive. This is their problem, not yours, if you follow the proper instructions. Someday they will get it right. Why should I have to stop entering their sweepstakes, which they want me to enter. I have even won a few lesser prizes.
I have had 3 subscriptions sent to me and cancelled two of them, but couldnt cancel the Veranda one.
They sent my info to a collection agency!
I will not enter their sweeps ever again. Such a scam!
Like the others, I’ve had sent two subscriptions, but I cancelled as soon as I received the first bill. Hearst will not allow you to cancel without billing info – that is sent snail mail.
I’m extremely careful with Hearst contests. I double check the yes – no boxes to make sure they will not send another magazine.
The same thing happened to me with a Redbook contest I entered to win my wife a prize last week…..a freaking unwanted subscription for 12 issues at $8.00. They too are a Hearst publication it turns out.
I also just got an unwanted surprise subscription from Good Housekeeping, after having unchecked the offer on the entry form. They sent an email “confirming” my subscription, which had a customer service link that allowed me to cancel, assuming it actually works and isn’t just another trick.
I have just “recently” been getting confirmations when I know I am entering without subscribing. I knew it couldn’t just be me. However, I usually either try the unsubscribe online — or put “cancel” and mail the bill back in their envelope. I haven’t had any issues doing that. But I think they just need “numbers” so they can charge the outrageous advertising fees they charge. Without subscription base, the ads are not worth as much.