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Clearly the biggest number of consumer complaints these days (August 2015) center around slimy "marketing" companies that are sending unwanted, unsolicited magazine subscriptions to people & either billing them fraudulently or using pressure tactics to hope they buy. I'm posting this as a courtesy to other victims, many of whom feel violated. The most egregious offender right now is M2 Media Group, but I've also researched (and received mags. from) Reiman, Subco and Valuemags. What M2 Media is doing, for example, is making deals with major online retailers and websites to either a) buy your name and address from them so they can send you free magazines, and later try to bill you for them, or b) even worse, bury a tiny checkbox on the retailer's website that you have to pay close attention to and UNCHECK, or they will send you the mags and bill you upfront for them. They actually have a list of retailers on their website at https://www.m2mediagroup.com/partner_network.html that they do business with; including Sears, K-Mart, Shell Gas, Sephora, VistaPrint, Orbitz, Shoebuy, Living Social, eHarmony, Expedia, Groupon, ProFlowers, buy.com, Coke Rewards, Barnes & Noble, Staples and yes, even the Girl Scouts. I also suspect Fragrance.net, Wayfair, and other retailers who sell concert tickets, perfume, home goods, cosmetics and flowers online. If you've ever done business with any of these companies or the ones on their website, my first suggestion would be to complain to the marketing department, VP or president of those companies and tell them to stop engaging in this type of marketing. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN BILLED FOR THE SUBSCRIPTION (check the same card you used for the original online purchase), that means they don't have your card info and are probably going to try to bill you later, in which case you can continue to keep the magazines. Per US Postal Service regulations, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING YOU NEVER ORDERED. EVER. So relax. In this case, an even better suggestion (thanks to Johnny D on Complaints Board!) is to call or email the the circulation dept. of the magazine itself (this will be on the first "masthead" page of the magazine or on their website) and simply change the address to either a) your local public library, nursing home or school, or b) SEND THE MAGAZINE BACK TO THE VP OF M2 MEDIA GROUP AND SEE HOW HE LIKES IT! Here's his info:

c/o Mark Dimond

1127 High Ridge Rdl # 335

Stamford, CT 06905

You can also just save up the magazines for as long as you get them, then mail them all back to him at once, postage due. Now, IF YOU HAVE BEEN BILLED FOR THE SUBSCRIPTION, here are the steps to take: 1.) Call your credit card company to dispute the charge. They will issue a chargeback, which means they will not only give you your money back but also take it back from M2 Media. 2.) File a complaint on their BBB website entry, http://www.bbb.org/connecticut/business-reviews/magazines-subscription-agents/m2-media-group-llc-in-stamford-ct-1800****/ . Make sure to FOLLOW UP with the BBB when they contact you. And don't be surprised or upset to see the Better Business Bureau still gives them a B rating after 338 complaints, that's just how the BBB is. 3.) File a complaint with the CT Attorney General's Office. Here's the website: http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?a=2093&q=555702 . 4.) Call or email the original merchant you did business with who either sold them your info or scammed you into unknowingly ordering it in the first place, tell them you will no longer do business with them because of it, and KEEP YOUR PROMISE. 5.) Call M2 Media directly at 866.967.6247 to cancel and complain. You can also do it online at https://www.m2mediagroup.com/customer_service.html, but it's much more fun by phone. 6.) Forward this info to as many complaint or ripoff or pissed off consumer websites and forums as you can. 7.) Forget about it and go have a beer! It's not identity fraud! And nobody cares how inappropriate it is that you're getting Ebony or Seventeen! It's just a magazine subscription! RELAX! You're welcome.

Reason of review: Fraudulent marketing.

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution.

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

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